How much money are we talking, do you think he would do something immoral for a couple of hundred bucks, maybe there was some memory loss during his illness. Since it looks like he’s not coming back here, how many in the Atlanta, Georgia area remember Hi Fi Buys. It was a chain of electronics stores that would put the former Circuit City to shame, probably 20 or more stores in the Atlanta area and other parts of Georgia and Tennessee. That was the store chain Bob started. Higher quality brands than the other stores and excellent prices, I bought a ton of stuff from them and never a problem. Surely Bob is a multimillionaire, but who knows. Maybe I’m wrong. From what I understand Bob closed the stores to return to teaching at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) because that was his true love.
I lost $62 for an undelivered battery purchase from Bob. This was last Febuarary. And yeah I was a dummy and did the paypal as gift. But I had dealt with the guy at least 3-4 times before that without issue, also using gift. So I didn’t have reason to suspect anything different the last time.
But this time he disappeared. So no batteries and no $62.
I didn’t know any of this. I just assumed he moved on. Wow. I dealt with him numerous times and all went perfectly. Maybe something happened to him.
I doubt Bob was a multi-millionaire, at least not in recent times. His address was at a residential apartment complex.
The town he lives in is a blue collar town, the wealthy around here live in towns like Wellesley or Weston. If Bob truly had MIT roots and still had the means I would expect him to be living in Cambridge, Brookline or Beacon Hill.
Did you get his address from the return address on his packages?
In late 2012 we had discussed the possibility of me doing a few mods on lights for him in exchange for a few batteries. At some point in that exchange we provided addresses.
It never came to pass and I decided to simply order the batteries.
Hi guys, it’s best to not post anybody’s personal details online. I don’t know anything about Bob’s whereabouts either, but in general please try to avoid posting email and residential addresses here in the public forum. Thanks!
My order was on Feb. 4 2013. I lost $37.32 dealing with him on my last order.
I don’t know this guy, and never bought from him. His presonal life and issues aside. Had I paid someone for goods or service that I never received I would want my money back.
I ordered 4 x 3400 panasonic 18650’s from him and they were delivered quickly and arrived in great shape. He worked with me on shipping to a US address to save me duties and brokerage.
Lets hope that he gets whatever issues he has going on sorted and everyone owed batteries or money is reimbursed appropriately.
Remember some time ago we had a local BLF member go and check on Bob. It had seemed he was in the hospital as if dealing with/recovering from some illness. EDIT - here is the link to that thread.
I had one small order with him and it went fine.
-Garry
batteries from Bob on 3-4 occasions.Batteries were always wrapped so well,it took me a little to get them open.As I
remember, he forgot about the last order of mine until I reminded him and the batteries came within a couple of days.
I also never was asked or did I use the gift option.My 2 cents.
Posts cleaned up, my apologies…
Hmm?
You never posted his address.
+1
Two friends were diagnosed with cancer under the brain about 7 weeks ago. Both started almost daily radiation and chemo treatment immediately. One of them reacted horribly and passed away last week, the other looked fantastic at dinner Monday night ago … I hope Bob has his health if nothing else.
Sorry for your loss. 
That’s seemingly the quandary right there. No one wants him to be sick, but if he’s not sick, then he’s likely defrauded people as a thief. We don’t want to think him crooked, but if he’s an honest guy, then he’s likely suffered/suffering some sort of terrible ailment.
Just don’t see a way that this plays out good at this juncture. I’ve not purchased anything from him, but I recall following a couple of the threads when people started questioning the disappearance.
Exactly.
As I wrote in the OP, he seemed to be doing just fine as of August 2013 so why has nobody heard from him?
Here’s the excerpt again from his profile on http://diydrones.com:
“I am interested in rotor-craft and fixed wing aircraft and am in the process of learning about the field and intend to incorporate FPV in my activities.
As a serial entrepreneur, I may also be interested in exploring the related business opportunities.”
By the time Kumabear was selling batteries, I had more 18650s than a sane person should have, so I didn’t order any. There is really nothing anyone can do except write it off as a lesson learned.
If I had been one who got cheated, I would probably lurk around where he lurks and shine a light on him if he decides to be a “serial entrepreneur” again. Just for spite.
Shoot, I might do it anyways. :cowboy_hat_face:
Maybe someone can hop over and try talking to him at that forum?
You really can’t disappear in a public forum.