"Then, when every last cent of their money was spent, the Fix-it-Up Chappie packed up and he went."
Much like Sylvester McMonkey McBean from Dr. Suess' The Sneetches, Dimitri Albino announced with great flourish the opening of the new smARtMAKER co-Lab via his 50th Kickstarter update on 02/16/13.With an estimated delivery date of January 2013 on the original crowd funded project; 50 updates and no signs of production or delivery by the project scandalized early on by realizations that the history and experience he presented at launch was a total fabrication - Many backers were shocked to learn of a new smARtMAKER Lab opening on October 4, 2013; a short 8 months later... in the midst of multiple Indiegogo campaigns yet still no delivery of the original promise.
As the first of several smARtMAKER scams which took advantage of the good nature and trust inherent to open source and maker communities was in full swing; complete with an entourage of cyber shills masquerading as "backers" an overwhelming sense of chaos and mistrust echoed and paved the golden road for the fleecing of over 16,000 additional makers, students and teachers via Indiegogo.
The closing of the 2nd smARtMAKER Lab in Orlando at the beginning of May and the refusal to refund dues paid in advance and solicited by Dimitri himself at the Orlando Mini Makers Faire just 8 months past it's grand opening comes as no great surprise to those who have followed this disgrace.
It is sad to watch more of the maker community manipulated, misdirected and misled by planted "backers" ever present on Indiegogo as they were on Kickstarter, most using different pseudonyms. Nothing more than deceptive marketers themselves; buying time and creating a smoke screen for Dimitr Albino and Harold Timmis who have once again, failed to deliver on the Borderless Electronics and BE MAKER! campaigns.
Below is an chain of emails I received several months ago which detail the actual reason for the sudden move to the new space; it also demonstrates the character, or lack thereof Dimitri Albino and Harold Timmis continue to demonstrate.
Aside from the obvious lack of ownership and shifty nature of his communication, I found the email address he used to be quite remarkable....
Links:
http://bit.ly/smARtMAKERsCon_Kickstarter_Updates
http://bit.ly/smARtMAKERrent
http://bit.ly/DimitriAlbinoSmartmakerScamHistory
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From: hotmail_614b5033813f4db4@live.com [mailto:hotmail_614b5033813f4db4@live.com]
On Behalf Of Dimitri Albino
Sent: Monday, July 01, 2013 8:16 PM
Subject: RE: Lease Expiration Notice Importance: High
my understanding it was that the lease is automatically renewed. Anyway I can confirm that at this time we don't have plans to move, we keep with our goal of growing inside CoLab....
To: dimitri@smartmaker.org
Date: Tue, 2 Jul 2013 09:12:02 0500
Subject: RE: Lease Expiration Notice
Hi Dimitri We do not have any auto renewals and apologize if you were informed otherwise because it does not state this in the lease. Super glad you will be staying on board an plan on growing in CoLab ☺ Please sign the addendum as soon as possible to get your renewal executed☺.
From: hotmail_614b5033813f4db4@live.com [mailto:hotmail_614b5033813f4db4@live.com]
On Behalf Of Dimitri Albino
Sent: Tuesday, July 02, 2013 7:07 PM Subject: RE: Lease Expiration Notice
it was just my misunderstanding I guess. Anyway, should the addendum arrive by email or you have sent to the office? Because I'm not there, I'm in China, so I just need to know if I should ask the girls there to scan for me.
Thanks, Dimitri
To: dimitri@smartmaker.org
Date: Mon, 8 Jul 2013 14:05:51 0500
Subject: Late Fees plus Rent
Hi, Your rent is late again and the following is due in Full....no fees to PayPal so it is critical that you select that the entire balance will need to go to us...other I will have to bill you for the fees PayPal will charge us. I waive your late fee a couple of months ago but explained that if you are late again I will have to recapture this fee. What is due in full is $37.50 Old Late Fee $798.75 July Rent $37.50 July’s late fee TOTAL $873.75 Due in Full immediately
From: hotmail_614b5033813f4db4@live.com [mailto:hotmail_614b5033813f4db4@live.com]
On Behalf Of Dimitri Albino
Sent: Tuesday, July 09, 2013 7:39 PM
Subject: RE: Late Fees plus Rent Importance: High
I'm trying to find the best solution to avoid PayPal. The best it should be a bank transfer, but I've never received bank's information. Please provide me bank routing and account # so I can do the transfer immediately. Please note that every time I've received a late fee I've paid it.
Dimitri
To: 'Dimitri Albino' Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 12:00 PM
Subject: RE: Late Fees plus Rent
Hi, We do not accept wire transfers...if you want to pay with a credit card I need your card #, expiration date & security code on the back (or front for amex)
To: dimitri@smartmaker.org Date: Wed, 10 Jul 2013 15:19:45 0500
Subject: RE: Late Fees plus Rent
Hi please let me know if you will be providing your credit card info. Also you lease will expire on 7/31/13
On Jul 10, 2013, at 7:13 PM, "Dimitri Albino"