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Townie, With reference to your statement:
Also nice to see a spark of life
in the number of posts on the board today
Holy Prognostications Mstugeoman!!!
Congratulations, you really nailed the Q3 revenue volume and percent increase numbers.
I was pleasantly surprised by the numbers as I was anticipating that revenue might decrease in the 3rd and correspondingly increase in the 4th based on a shift in ordering patterns occasioned by the domestic inventorying program.
It seems management might have been somewhat surprised also based on this quote from the release:
Why did the Fishers sell out so cheaply?
What do they know that we have yet to learn?
But remember Diz; Mindy went POSTAL!
Seriously, while the insiders control percentage hasn't materially changed, the make-up of the insiders group has gained controlling strength by the elimination/conversion of the voting shares owned by the Fishers which probably exerted a moderating effect previously.
Aero Postal takes control of the Stealth Bomber
My hats off to Stewy and the Postals.They have finally triumphed over our minority stockholders defeat of their original plan to seize control of Capstone which they attempted almost exactly two years ago. That ridiculous plan depended on a clandestine soliciting of votes and subsequent hoped-for approval by a handful of "outside" shareholders which would have granted Postal and Wallach absolute control. I like to think it was my exposé of this secretive plan that embarrassed them into cancelling the solicitation under the guise of calling it a (rather expensive) "mistake".
whoops!
This time they had to pay a little more for a bite of the same apple. But it remains the same rotten piece of fruit which converts CAPC into their own private playground.
From November 2011:
Looks like he assigned the patent to Capstone
http://assignments.uspto.gov/assignments/q?db=pat&pat=D623322
Thanks Uranium
Good information as usual
Looks like they plan to develop or purchase proprietary molds for some upcoming project.
Just a guess, but 2013 expenditures for molds probably has to do with the AC Kinetics project from the MIT-NITS as this would not involve existing off-the-shelf products from SMK,
Good memory Flp! You're absolutely right.
That's possibly where Uranium remembers the molds from also since he visited the CHDT-STP operation when it was starting up and had the opportunity to see some of the original design implementation which he reported to us on this board at the time.
What say"U"?
I remember mentions of "molds" also, Uranium
And I've also forgotten what CAPC products were involved.
This quote from SMK about their capabilities may be germane:
Good points, and I agree
Companies without their own manufacturing facilities have the choices of simply reselling stock items, or re-branding and selling stock items under their own label, or having someone else manufacturer bboutique items for them to sell.
Actually, part of my exploring this SMK relationship is because I wonder at the expenses Capstone incurs in this rather simple modus operandi. Of course, any real financial data on our Asian operations seems to be non-existent in the quarterlies.
I'm also looking forward to hearing the justification for spending half-a-mil on the MIT-NITS. Motor Controllers? I think not.
FYI -the wall plate patent is not for the Capstone product nor does it appear that it would conflict.It's a simple night light as shown here:
http://pdfaiw.uspto.gov/.aiw?Docid=20060077684&homeurl=http%3A%2F%2Fetc-rp27.etc%2Fnetacgi%2Fnph-Parser%3FSect1%3DPTO1%2526Sect2%3DHITOFF%2526d%3DPG01%2526p%3D1%2526u%3D%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsrchnum.html%2526r%3D1%2526f%3DG%2526l%3D50%2526s1%3D%25252220060077684%252522.PGNR.%2526OS%3DDN%2F20060077684%2526RS%3DDN%2F20060077684&PageNum=&Rtype=&SectionNum=&idkey=073EE909434F
(Wow, what a URL!)
Here's a fun game; Spot the "Capstone"products:
http://574982767.en.ec21.com/offer_list.jsp?gubun=S
You may recognize some of our competitors' products also sold in "big box" stores
Does Capstone manufacture Capstone products?
It appears that many "Capstone" products are manufactured by SMK and are available "off the shelf" for whomever would like to slap their own label on them for resale purposes.
However SMK does state that:
Well shucks Msturgeo, it takes a certain talent
to sort through those hundreds of offerings of Chinese Destructive Innovative Technology.
Then, to be forced to design and implement the placing of a label on the chosen offering - well that certainly explains why they get the big bucks.
Hey, I’ll bet they could even design a proprietary Capstone label for something like this:
http://www.smk168.lightstrade.com/view/124624/Door-security-monitor-led-light.html
Spot On Msturgeo! That's a Capstone re-brand.
Look carefully at the QVC image of the back of the unit and at the bottom right of the label you will see "Capstone Lighting"
The original product is sold by SMK in Hong Kong; you can see it here:
http://www.smk168.lightstrade.com/view/124588/Decorative-Power-Failure-Accent-Light-half-moon-led-night-light-motion-sensor-light.html
Strangely, QVC doesn't mention the motion sensor feature although it is the identical model number.
By the way, it appears if you want to go in competition with Stewart to market this exclusive(?) Capstone product, you can apparently order as many as you like under your own label. Just contact Celia at SMK.
Here's a Fun Fact!
When the BOD recently reviewed and extended Wallach's contract and salary arrangement, it was stated that his salary was or would in line with other "Micro-Cap" chief executives.
Trouble is that Capstone is a "Nano-Cap" organization and would have to grow some 1200% to achieve Micro-Cap status.
Whether the erroneous Micro-Cap comparison was cupidity or stupidity on the part of our non-independent board is academic.
But, shouldn't his salary be re-adjusted proportionately?
You really got that right, Angel
Since joining the company in 2006 Stewart Wallach has received total compensation of over $1,650,000 in salary alone according to archived historical data on line.
He presently receives more than $260,000 in annual salary.
In contrast, the current annual salary of .................
The Mayor of the City of Atlanta is $147,500;
and the Governor of the State of Georgia receives only $139,339.
Say WHAT?
Yes Hurricaneman, they mentioned AC Kinetics
And guess what? The project may be a little behind schedule but, By Golly, we will learn what it is all about .........SOON.
(I'm really intrigued by this one. What AC Kinetics appears to be developing is new and efficient types of large industrial electric motor controllers. How this could possibly be scaled down to interact with any present Capstone products I'm anxious to hear. If it's an entirely new line, it sure seems like a major turn in the road.)
Suppose you hosted a conference call
and nobody came???
You know it must be embarrassing for both Capstone and KEI to put on such a nicely scripted performance and not have even one analyst on the phone with a question or comment.
Then to see that performance further denigrated in the marketplace by the mortifying entry into the record books of the only trade post-conference; a miserable, mortifying $146.
You concisely summarized most of the "biggies"
On the subject of KEI............
Tony, here are some more CC resources:
(From the "sticky" posted by Townie in the header)
Is it time for KEI to go?
While they may not have had much to work with at Capstone they certainly have not been successful in one of their advertised goals ....that of increasing shareholders' value through increased company visibility. (or for any other reason)
I wonder how much longer they can take any potential and/or real damage to their reputation through their association with the company?
Have to wonder if their competitors are having a good laugh?
Network, You missed that.0025 by .0049 bid/ask?
That was at ll:39 this morning. Somebody really tried to hold/bring the price down. Simple continued manipulation?
I agree that yesterday's Hail Mary Press Release about the next great thing Capstone "will" accomplish SOON was designed to deflect criticism of what they "aren't" accomplishing presently to maintain or increase(*) shareholders' value.
(*) The very action that KEI brags is their forte. We're paying KEI for what?
Let's all pray for a miracle this afternoon but if we don't see some concrete indication of competency based on performance rather than predictions ............will it be time for us to consider a major strip and rebuild of this turkey?
Remember - WE ARE THE OWNERS
Well Bull, CAPC did trade $414 today.
Seems a terribly lackluster performance on the eve of "earnings".
Throwing the dogs a bone?
Interesting that we finally get a PR release just one day before CAPC reports 2nd quarter results.
Once again, rather than announcing outstanding current sales of a current product, we are told that Wall Plates will be in stores SOON!
Well Whoopee.
I have lost both interest and confidence in what this management says they are going to do. Tell me when it happens!!!
I look at the PAST and see where they repeatedly failed.
I look at the present and wonder why I have to wait until the day before earnings to see only something they are expecting to do.
I suspect the results of Q2 are worse than anticipated and that we were thrown this little PR bone in advance to keep the hungry dogs pacified.
Townie, Thanks for confirming the Costco Pull-Out
I have reported previously personally observing Capstone products on the shelf at my neighborhood Costco. There have been numerous similar posts on this board from others who have visited Costco stores and posted personal, believable observations about product availability.
I find these personal observations to be infinitely more creditable than communications from a company whose answers are necessarily designed to portray unfortunate situations in a golden light.
Having been under the impression that the "new" Capstone business plan was designed to simplify keeping product on the shelves of major retailers (including wholesale clubs) I was terribly disappointed to see you post this excuse from the company about the lack of product at Costco:
Townie, Our "focus" should be on the present.
You've indicated that, when discussing CAPC/Capstone, you deplore looking at the past record of the company while I abhor looking at the future.
So let's compromise and focus on the present.
As others have said, let's see the results of some of those previous promises supported by numbers and without excuses.
Otherwise I can have little confidence or belief in:
RVD,It appears that COSTCO has pulled out.
In addition to the accounts you mentioned earlier, I was unable to find any mention at Costco of any Capstone product.
I always considered Costco as one of the Flagship outlets for our products. Hopefully someone will find something I missed there and post a correction.
Who could forget MEC Promotions LLC?
While they were "promoting" CHDO they were simultaneously "promoting" four other stocks all of which plummeted
when the insider "MECking Crew" dumped.
There was a great quote elsewhere at the time:
Well said, Network
This board should exist for the free exchange of ideas among actual and potential CAPC shareholders. If the company fails to heed the direction of the comments and criticisms, well, that becomes a comment on management themselves.
Townie, That's an excellent DD list "FOR DUMNIES"
Actually, it's a good list for anyone to follow although the original article, which you quoted verbatim, referenced researching Dividend Paying stocks:
"Performing Your Due Diligence when Investing in Dividend Stocks"
By Lawrence Carrel
Part of the Dividend Stocks For Dummies Cheat Sheet
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/performing-your-due-diligence-when-investing-in-di.html
I'm sure your failure to reference the source was a simple versight.
Another slightly more advanced list can be found here:
Investopedia
"Due Diligence In 10 Easy Steps"
http://www.investopedia.com/articles/stocks/08/due-diligence.asp
Thanks for your post as it appears well suited to clarifying any confusion CAPC investors might have gotten from this board as to the exact requirements for due diligence.
Nor should so-called CAPC "DD" be based on:
1) Self serving hyperbole by the company
2) Nor its Publicists
3) Nor its Promoters.
There seems to be an enormous misunderstanding on this board as to what actually constitutes Due Diligence. I strongly suggest reading some of the many professional articles on-line which define its methodology rather than depending on any "experts" on bulletin boards.
From your lips to God's ears.
Shucks Bull, need a light? QVC already has'em
http://www.qvc.com/Eton-Blackout-Buddy---2-Pack-Search-Results.product.E260816.html?sc=E260816-SRCH&cm_sp=VIEWPOSITION-_-37-_-E260816&catentryImage=http://images-p.qvc.com/is/image/e/16/e260816.001?$uslarge$
And they don't use that inefficient, power consuming, induction charging system that makes a joke out of "Eco".
Q: Ya' know what they call those who finish second?
A: LOSERS!
Yeah, once again a PR suffers in translation
Here's a little more data on these hombres who apparently hang out a few blocks away from the Capstone offices.
http://ccfcorp.dos.state.fl.us/scripts/ficidet.exe?action=DETREG&docnum=G11000029271&rdocnum=G11000029271
http://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/SearchResultDetail/EntityName/domp-p06000041713-070e4923-676b-4f1f-9c7c-53dbd7268ca3/TRADERCOM%20USA%20INC/Page1
The BBB, on a scale of A+ to F rates them an "F" (Seems a bit harsh)
http://www.bbb.org/south-east-florida/business-reviews/general-merchandise-retail-by-internet/tradercom-usa-in-miami-fl-92020307#reasonrating
Bull, ask yourself "Cui bono"?
"Who benefits" from holding the stock price down? Well, this might give you a clue (Hint - it ain't you or I!)
'msturgeo - Re -Retail Sales?
Can you clarify/verify this?
Here;s a PRESENT for y'all
3.300 shares of Capstone traded today!
At a price of .008 today!
So we saw $26.40 in trades today!
Is this news enough in the present for everyone?
No need to look bask in 2006 or 2007 because we would be comparing apples and oranges. Days like this just didn't happen then
Perhaps people haven't seen the news about A C Kinetic. Or, perhaps worse, they have, but based on past performance, prefer to see the mystery product actually on the shelf and generating profitable revenue.
It takes little time to research prices/volume etc.
I took the opportunity to archive the historical prices before the symbol change from CHDT to CHDO because I knew the information would be difficult to find thereafter.
For those of us who feel the past does influence the present of Capstone in so many ways I feel this information is more than a simple matter of interest.
If nothing else, it does establish the comparative public (investor) interest in the stock.
For example, on 9/20/2006 when Wallach joined CHDT there were 210 posts on this message board - not an unusual number for the time.
On 4/27/2007 when Wallach was named CEO there were 209 posts.
Now we're presently having a food discussion day with many more posts than usual (although only half a dozen or so posters involved) by comparison we see that the stock shows a PATHETIC LACK OF INTEREST in keeping with the loss of shareholders' value
I certainly do understand the desire of some to want to bury the past but the undeniable progression to the present that is unavoidable