Complaint Review: Bob Gruder

Be warned that Robert Gruder (aka Bob Gruder) has a history of creating startups and leaving investors hanging. Here's a sample article (more articles further below):

Stinger's Scary CEO - Stinger Systems CEO Robert Gruder has a knack for turning quick personal profits and leaving investors holding the bag.

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Recently (2017), Bob Gruder (partnering with Andy Peacock) launched two online campaigns to seek backers to invest in an electronics accessory called a "SmoothVU All-In-One Smart Phone Stabilizer," a "Complete Gimbal-Kit for iPhone, Android and Go-Pro", on both Kickstarter and Indiegogo:

https:// www.kickstarter.com /projects/ 84347130/ worlds-first-portable-production-studio-for-your-p/ comments

https:// www.indiegogo.com /projects/ smoothvu-all-in-one-smartphone-stabilizer/ x/10718814#/ comments

When the product shipped, it arrived with problems that indicated that Gruder and Peacock did not do basic due dilligence to check and verify the quality of prototypes coming from the manufaturer in China. Backers immediately complained that they were sent a worthless product and sought a fix or compensation. 

Gruder initially made excuses and promises to rectify, but he then went silent (Andy Peacock was silent throughout). Instead Gruder immediatly popped up in a completely different Kickstarter campaign (Kody tech backpack), interacting with potential backers, yet remaining silent to backers of the stabilizer campaign on both Kickstarter and Indiegogo. 

With only a little research on the web, it becomes clear that Gruder has a pattern of failed startups, misrepresentation, and leaving investors with losses. Here is a sample of a few more articles:

iA chief exec settles lawsuit

https:// www.bizjournals.com /charlotte/stories /2001/08/27 /daily37.html

Charlotte start-up’s stock gets rave reviews – but read the fine print

http:// www.charlotteobserver.com /news/business /article97800782.html

CEO of Charlotte-based startup Life Clips resigns (leaving a net loss of $19.7 million)

https:// www.bizjournals.com /charlotte/ news/2017 /01/25/ceo-of-charlotte-based-startup-life-clips-resigns.html

Anyone thinking of doing business with or purchasing products from Bob Gruder should reconsider given his history. He displays a pattern of creating startup companies and products, only to cut and run and leave the losses for others. I am out $300, and who knows how much his investors in some of his bigger companies have lost. Don't add yourself to the list.