Complaints Against Robert Stimpson - Bob's Computers

Pittsburgh, PA 15216

bob@bobscpu.com, sales@bobscpu.com, status@bobscpu.com, billing@bobscpu.com  ebay id bobscpus and bobscpu

If you have questions about the complaint,
please contact the person who it was filed by.

Pittsburgh Police Dept to file a fraud complaint at (412)937-3501 (they have municipal jurisdiction at Bob's last known address)
Call the Allegheny Sheriff's Office to file a fraud complaint at (412)437-3000 (they have county jurisdiction)

May 24, 2002
Complaint filed by: rushnelson@turquoise.net

Per the instructions at your GREAT traderlist website, I am requesting your mediation assistance with someone I consider to be a "bad trader."

The bad trader's info:

Name: Robert "Bob" Stimpson
Business dba: Bob's Computers
Website: www.bobscpu.com
Email: bob@bobscpu.com, sales@bobscpu.com, status@bobscpu.com, & billing@bobscpu.com
Last working telephone #: (412)341-5846
Last known address: 112 Wabash St, Pittsburgh, PA 15216
eBay user ID: bobscpus

On 4/24/02, I won an eBay auction for a new computer system (Item #2019003547). Bob emailed me that same day to let me know that I had won, and that the quicker I paid, the faster he would assemble & ship out my system. Both his eBay auction & personal website said that shipment would be made between 10 and 14 business days after payment in full was received. I paid directly to Bob's website using my VISA debit card on 4/25/02. My total with shipping & VISA surcharge was $848.00. Bob confirmed that my payment had been received on 4/30/02 (even though my account was charged immediately on 4/25/02). I emailed Bob on 5/15/02 to ensure my computer had been shipped, but was informed that same day that my system would not be shipped until *possibly* 5/28/02. I agreed to this delay, with the understanding that I was to be notified right away if this new deadline could not be met. On 5/22/02, I found out through eBay user feedback that Bob wasn't going to send another buyer his system because Bob plans on filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. In the past 2 days, I have come into contact with 12 other buyers, all of whom have purchased systems from Bob Stimpson in the past 2.5 months, none of whom have received their systems - but all 13 of us have received plenty of excuses for delay. We've talleyed up about $15,000 worth of goods that Bob owes us.In retrospect, it looks like Bob's business model was using eBay as a Ponzi scheme. He sold 3 or 4 systems per week on eBay auctions, and his shipments were getting slower & slower. This caused increasing user complaints. About a week ago, Bob made his eBay user feedback private. This resulted in 4 systems listed on eBay under his user ID receiving 0 bids each on 5/21/02. Bob's website changed to a "I'm filing bankruptcy" letter the very next day.I'm not sure what our rights will be under Chapter 13 proceedings, but it sure looks as if Bob was selling goods that he didn't have in his possession. What's sad is this computer was supposed to be my kid's birthday present - there is also a retired gentleman who is terminally ill and a struggling college kid in our "Bob robbed us" group. I think 2 or 3 of us have already filed eBay, PayPal, FBI, & FTC fraud complaints against Bob... what else can we do? what can you do to help us? Most of us are looking for a place to vent & rant right now, & we're filling up each other's email inboxes. We need some guidance, some hope, some direction. You guys are the pro's, pls send me info & instructions to pass on to the others.  Very sincerely,

Garry Rush-Nelson
Mililani, Hawaii

I was also cheated by Bob's Computers.
Ebay Transaction = 2022644944
Total $ Lost = $619.00

I paid via PayPal from funds in the account and have notified them. I filed complaints with FBI, PA Attorney General, Ebay, Paypal, USPS, Square Trade, and FTC. Thanks in advance for anything that you can do! Please let me know if you need more info.   Sincerely,     Todd & Tracy

I am one of the ppl who sent the payment to Bob via money order.  the address i sent my mo to is

112 Wabash st.
Pittsburgh, PA 15220-5404

It began with the auction #2020749542 ended on May 1st, I emailed him for contact info via email and regarding an upgrade on the computer, then on May 4th, i mailed out my money order ($1218) via USPS Express mail. Then he confirmed that he got the money order on May 8th. After that, there were no real person email responses, only auto-responsed emails. Just want you guys to know you can still check on his most recent feedback on his "About Me"  (http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/bobscpus/) page.
PS i posted a wrong positive feedback for him by mistake..../.\  if there is anything i can do regarding this matter, pls let me know,  i'll do the best i can.       John Lin

The last working number that we have for "Bob Stimpson" aka "Bob's Computers" is (412)341-5846. Reverse lookup of this number at www.infospace.com reveals 2 owners of this number:

Benjamin Haner & Danielle Salamon
3216 Annapolis Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15216

The only Benjamin Haner that I was able to find on the Internet posted 3 usenet messages back in 1999 when he was an undergraduate Computer Science major in Boston. Important: messages indicate his name is Benjamin *D* Haner. The www.ussearch.com website indicates that the Danielle Salamon residing at this address is 23 yrs old... hmmm... Same site indicates that a Benjamin *D* Haner is 25 yrs old, & has resided in NY & MA.

Moving on to the Pennslyvania Dept of State business registration online database: searches on "Bob Stimpson", "Robert's Computers", "Bob's  Computers", "Bobs Computers", and just plain old "Stimpson" all come up with NOTHING (http://www.corps.state.pa.us/gnsearch.php)  Could Bob be an unregistered business? Sounds like the BBB has heard of Bob, but maybe the Penn tax dept hasn't...

also found this nice nugget -- a telephone listing for:

Bobs Computers
5225 Hawthorne Street
Philadelphia, PA 19124
215-533-0188

And, a final coup d'grace before I hit the hay (it's 1 am here in Hawaii): I just went back to the www.ussearch.com site, did a search on "Robert Stimpson" - yup, they have one listed in PA!!! I'm shelling out the $60, & will let you guys know what comes up...

May 24:

I talked to Michael Teresi, of Newbury Realty Group, 114 Wabash Street  Pittsburg PA 15220 yesterday. He believes that his former neighbor "Bob" has moved from 112 Wabash Street. I tried to get a real name out of him, and a firm address, or anything. He was real hesitant, either he just doesn't know, or, he knows "Bob.   Russ

I am one of the unfortunates that won a bid on bobscpus. I was practically one of the last to send him a payment - almost immediately after I paid he filed bankruptcy. I paid $1204 for the system via Paypal. I really can't afford to lose this kind of money as I am a volunteer worker and saved up for a year to get this computer for my work. I don't have a house, a car or even a credit card so this kind of loss is a real setback for me. Please keep me informed of the progress in this case.  Thank you.    Colin

I was also cheated by Bob's Computers. I am still working on compiling the victims/loss list but I don't have everyone's info. I suggest everyone still file with all the sites listed below (esp. the FBI). Note somewhere in your complaint that a master list is being generated. I am supposed to talk to my local CA. DA office on Tues. Mike

If you are new to this list, then for what it's worth, welcome to our sorry bunch: we've all paid Bob's Computers for computer systems won on eBay auctions, and haven't received the goods. Some of us have been waiting 2+ months, some of us just paid Bob last week. All of us have found out the hard way that:
Bob has moved
Bob has delayed shipments over & over & over again
Bob's website says that he's filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy
Bob's telephone numbers have been disconnected (except one with an answering machine)
Bob isn't responding to emails (except for an auto reply that says his lawyer will send us a bankruptcy "rights" letter)
The PA bankruptcy clerk in Bob's area has no record of Bob filing for bankruptcy

Here's where the list stands at the moment:  
22 ppl are now on the "active" list
Disclosed amount of claims = $18,389
Informal estimated total = $25,000+

mllue@mindspring.com - 2 systems @ $2634
rushnelson@turquoise.net -> 1 system @ $848
info@orlandologo.com
msommer@vt.edu -> 1 system @ $599
garrejo@aol.com -> 1 system @ $1019
joemaldo@prtc.net -> 1 system @ $1569
adennison@kptv.com-> 1 system @ $1309
russnba@mindspring.com -> 3 systems @ $1961
wpliler1@attbi.com -> 1 system @ $819
dbarnes57@charter.net
chadhender@sbcglobal.net ->1 system @ $1030
sales@toddball.com -> 1 system @ $619
Nashronballz@aol.com -> 1 system @ $1226
kpeddicord@humana.com -> 1 system @ $1600
George.Sladecek@fwav.com
mattcoohill@hotmail.com
ZEEframe@aol.com
clockwork@comcast.net -> 1 system @ $1938
medusa@digitalmedusa.com
tlin01@poly.edu -> 1 system @ $1218
kurma9@hotmail.com
TWAD930@aol.com

There is hope -- we are working together on this, & we do have options:

www.traderlist.com, a private non-profit organization, is helping us organize & press our claims. You can & should email Elftrudy@aol.com. Also, visit the traderlist's "caution" page & post a brief version of your story. This will hopefully deter others from losing money.  Share your contact information & the details of your transaction with the rest of us. We will use your info on our claims, & you should use our info on your claim. "Power in Numbers" - the more we emphasize to gov't & private agencies the size & scope of Bob's fraud, the more likely they are to respond more quickly to our claims & to pursue Bob.
File a claim with eBay at http://pages.ebay.com/help/community/ins-guide.html
File a claim with the FBI at http://www1.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp
File a claim with the FTC at http://www.ftc.gov/ (bottom of page - "file complaint online")
File a claim with PayPal at www.paypal.com if you used PayPal for payment
File a claim with SquareTrade at www.squaretrade.com if you are a SquareTrade seal member (Bob was a member)
File a fraud claim with your bank or credit card company if you used a credit card OR a debit card (YES you can file a debit card fraud complaint!
File a claim with the Pennsylvania District Attorney's office at http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/ppd/bcp/compform/cmplnt.cfm (bottom of page - "file online complaint form")
File a fraud claim with the US Postal Service at www.usps.gov (some folks paid Bob with postal money orders, a couple mailed their payments, but everyone should file a claim with the USPS - their investigators are top notch, & very willing to collaborate with other agencies. If nothing else, you can claim you are a witness or collaborative party for someone else's USPS claim. If Bob used the USPS in any way, directly or indirectly, for fraudulent activities, then they'll go after him).
Call the Pittsburgh Police Dept to file a fraud complaint at (412)937-3501 (they have municipal jurisdiction at Bob's last known address)
Call the Allegheny Sheriff's Office to file a fraud complaint at (412)437-3000 (they have county jurisdiction)

Can we get our money back? Can Bob go to jail for his actions? Other people in similar circumstances have won restitution, & put fraudulent sellers behind bars -- see http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/reports/int-auction.htm -- if we work together, make noise, and keep up the pressure, we just might come out of this ok in the end.

Other info:

Bob has done business on eBay as Bobpitt, bobscpus, & bobscpu
Bob's real name & last known address:

Robert Stimpson
112 Wabash Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15216
Last working tel #: (412)341-5846
Internic listed tel#: (412)921-0701
Family employee names given out in email responses from Bob's website (www.bobscpu.com): Sandi, Eric, Nicole

I won auction #2020011319 on April 28 2002. I spoke with Bob on May 1, 2002, and questioned him on a couple of negative feedback's listed on Ebay. He said he was in the process of moving and had been a little slow in shipping. Sounded fine I told him I would send a cashiers check for the total cost 1019.00 which included 2 upgrades and shipping. All in all I spoke with Bob 4 or 5 times the last being the 16th when he told me my system would ship the week of the 25th. On Monday the 20th I called to verify shipment would be made. No answer from Bobs Computer and just the automated response from his email. On Tuesday the 21st on his web site Bobscpu.com there was a notice that said they Had filed Chapter 13. I will file with Ebay after the 30 days has passed. I guess I can tomorrow.   We are currently trying to pursue all avenues available. I believe I found there corp. name and am going to post to all people on our list. Let me know any other information you may have.   Again thanks for your help John W Garretson

I'm one of those people who was ripped off by bob for 759 dollars. He told me in an email on 5/13 that my system was almost done and was going to be shipped by the 22nd, which was the day he changed his website. I paid via paypal, but paypal took the money from my bank acct directly because they said they couldn't charge my debit card for an amount that large. I was wondering if there was any compaint I could file with my bank about this since it wasn't a debit card or a credit card transaction. I really appreciate you helping us out with this whole mess. I only hope that I can get some of my money back. Thanks Again.    Kirpaul Babar

I purchased a computer from Bob with my credit card on May 14 but my card has not been charged--yet. I am hoping that if he has not charged my card by now he won't but cannot be sure of that so I want to stay in touch.  George

Here is my story:

On March 27, 2002 I won an auction on eBay.com (Auction# 2012422076) for a new desktop computer for $599.00. I paid the seller, Bobs Computers (Robert  Stimpson), via PayPal.com on March 29 using my credit card. I contacted Bobs Computers on April 8, 2002 to request a status on my order and was informed that they were a couple of days behind in production and would ship my computer on April 18th or 19th. On April 19th I requested a second order status and was told that they were still several days behind and would send me a tracking number as soon as they ship it. On May 6th and 10th, after a third request for an order status, Bobs Computers informed me that they were in the process of moving to a new location and that was the reason for their delays. (All email correspondences have been saved and documented) Since Bobs Computers had a good reputation on eBay.com, with nearly 200 positive comments from other buyers and eBay’s “Power Seller” seal, I had no reason not to believe what they told me. However on May 21st I decided I could no longer wait for my computer and requested a refund. I was told by Bobs Computers that my refund request would be forwarded to their Customer Service department; I have not received a response since then. On May 22nd Bobs Computers posted a notice on their website claiming that they filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy.I have filed claims with ebay, square trade, paypal, my credit card company, the FBI, and the Pennsylvania District Attorney's office. Thank you very much for your help!   Mark Sommer

Unfortunately, I was among those bitten by Bob's computer. I bought and paid for mine and have yet to hear anything from Bob about this situation - but have sent a few unanswered emails about my order.

Method of payment paypal
Transaction ID# 2022644450
Date of transaction auction closed on May 9th
Amount loss appx. $1600

It certainly looks like this is a Fraud situation but even if Bankruptcy is declared - I do not see how I am a 'creditor' that can be rebuffed since I paid for an item. In one email supposedly from Bob, it talks about how K-mart doesn't inform its' customers about their bankruptcy - I would counter that K-mart's bankruptcy doesn't mean your purchase is taken from you after you've paid at the counter. If any part of my transaction should be affected by the bankruptcy I could see that the labor required to construct the computer might be. But in this case I should be sent the actual physical parts of the computer. (this would even be acceptable to me).

i ordered a pc and i looked at his feedback and it was almost perfect and i bidded and payed through his website he seemed like a nice guy and he called me and told me it would be a few days late and then he called again and said it was shipping the next day and he upgraded it. i asked him to put a 128 mb video card on it and sent 75.00 extra (to split the cost w/him) i never got a email stating that he went bankrupt but the others did ive filed claims w/ ebay and square d who else should i file with. I paid him total of 952.00 + 75.00 mastercard thru his website.  

Please add me to the list of victims of Bob's Computers. I Purchased a computer through e-bay, Gave Bob's Computers my Credit Card number, which he charged and did not receive my system. You can add my loss of $1,178.00 to your total. I have reported the transaction as a fraud to the credit card company and they are conducting an investigation.

Here is some additional information that you may want to include on the Bob's Stimpson page:

1) All of the addresses previously posted for Robert "Bob" Stimpson (aka "Bob's Computers") were either false or old. As of today (6/5/02) we still do not know Bob's current address. According to the Pennsylvania state gov'ts website, Bob's Computers is/was an unlicensed & unregistered business.

2) Robert Stimpson's attorney filed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy action yesterday morning (6/4/02). The following is the attorney's contact info:

Daniels Robert S Attorney |
2128 East Carson Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
412-381-8809

3) Bob's case number is 02-26092, filed in the Western District of PA, US Bankruptcy Court.

4) Bilked customers are considered "creditors" - as such, they will receive a written notice via US mail in the next few weeks. Call Bob's attorney if you don't receive your notice.

5) If you have received money from your bank or credit card company or by other means of fraud insurance, then you need to pass this information on to them - it is up to them to press forward with recovery from Bob, since you have already been compensated for your losses; HOWEVER, this doesn't preclude you from continuing to pressure criminal investigators to pursue criminal charges, because you are still at least a witness to a potential crime.

6) Anyone not covered by fraud insurance MUST complete & return a bankruptcy claim form to the Western District of PA bankrupcty court; otherwise, the debt Bob owes you will be discharged. In other words, you will get nothing at all. The form will be included in the notice that you are supposed to receive in the mail (see item 4 above).

7) A chapter 13 bankruptcy means that Bob is trying to pay off debts a little at a time, as much as he can afford to pay. A trustee will be appointed, and Bob will give the trustee money payments. The trustee will divide up this money into smaller payments, to be sent to some or all of the remaining creditors.

8) We have information that indicates this is the third bankruptcy that Robert D. Stimpson has filed in 4 years. We are researching the possibility that Mr. Stimpson's latest bankruptcy may be a form of bankruptcy fraud known as a "Bust Out" operation. In a "Bust Out," the perpetrator will build up an unregistered business in a short amount of time by purchasing supplies on credit & selling products at below costs. This is also known as a "planned" bankruptcy.

9) DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CONTACT BOB DIRECTLY. He has threatened to use the money that you gave him against any and all customers who complain to him, his family, or his co-workers about this matter. Instead, contact the "Robbed by Bob" discussion group at: http://pub78.ezboard.com/brobbedbybob for info about the group's legal representative, contact the Penn. Attorney General, & contact the US Postal Inspectors. These last two already have investigators working on the case, & your info will be passed on to them. (NOTE: for access to the discussion site, email mudcatinhawaii@hotmail.com).

bob@bobscpu.com    Robert Stimpson

I purchased a computer through Bobscpu on ebay for $1776. Now paypal is saying that we owe them this balance and is trying to collect from us. Any information would be helpful to put a stop to this. My wife used her student loan to get this computer.   Mike

Along with the others I see, I purchased a computer system on eBay, to have him go Bankrupt. Now I see that he has withdrawn, and I cannot seem to find an addy for him.....hopefully someone else has an answer.   David Whitaker  Laclede, Id