Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
I wonder if some of the other investors that own ETNL would think that going from .032 to .0050 is a healthy pullback.
000's is soon to come.
Management is purely pathetic.
It's great to have a CEO keep investors current on what's happening with the company. I wonder if they twitter?
Future looks extremley bright for this company and it's products.
Must be a demand for the products, unlike some companies the sell hype.
INTERESTING ARTICLE.. ETERNAL IMAGE ON CATCH UP MODE
CUSTOMIZED LICENSE COLLEGE THEME CASKETS HAVE BEEN AROUND SINCE 2002 OR SOONER.
"Ga.-based company sold about 250 of the spirited coffins last year (2002), recognizes that college-themed caskets are unusual, but said he makes sure to "market the product in a tasteful way."
THEMS LIKE ETERNAL IMAGE NEEDS TO HIRE Scott Walston, president of Collegiate Memorials.
HE SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO MARKET THESE COLLEGE THEME CASKETS.
Taking School Spirit to the Grave
Wednesday, January 15, 2003
By Jodi Noffsinger
NEW YORK — If you thought school spirit meant just plastering your college bumper sticker on your car, think again.
These days, devoted alumni and fans of their college team can show their undying school spirit — in a college-themed casket.
"I don't think any of us can deny the experience education has played in our lives," said Scott Walston, president of Collegiate Memorials, which sells the caskets for 46 schools throughout the country. "When families choose the casket, they're setting the stage to conjure up memories to celebrate who the person was."
John Shannon, who sells University of Kentucky caskets at Shannon Funeral Service in Shelbyville, Ky., attributes their popularity to a recent movement to personalize people's final resting place.
"Sometimes caskets will also include the person's hobbies to show this is what Mom or Dad was about," he said, adding that personalization brings a unique response from mourners.
"People will walk into the funeral home and they'll chuckle," Shannon said of his experience with a Kentucky casket. "It's funny for people to see, but it makes sense because in one case, the family said the deceased had a whole room of the house dedicated to the University of Kentucky."
RelatedColumn Archive
Britney Lost Her Panties ... and Now She May Lose Her ShirtShe's Got Legs: Spring Fashion Introduces the 'Cocktail Short'Hollywood Hotspots: Are They All Superficial Central? Life's an (Expensive) Day at the Beach for the Rich and Fabulous Readers Celebrate 50 Years of 'The Cat in the Hat' Full-page Fox Features Archive
Background
Past Stories
Select One Past FOX Features � 2007 Past FOX Features � 2006 Past FOX Features � 2005 Past FOX Features � 2004 Past FOX Features � 2003 Past FOX Features � 2002 Walston, whose Macon, Ga.-based company sold about 250 of the spirited coffins last year, recognizes that college-themed caskets are unusual, but said he makes sure to "market the product in a tasteful way."
Collegiate Memorials doesn't sell directly to customers, but through local funeral homes in areas where there is a demand. Walston depends on funeral directors to promote the caskets because "they know the families and their communities best." The company also makes urns, registry books and monuments with schools' insignias.
The caskets, which cost from $3,250 to $4,900, are created in the school's colors with its insignia embroidered in the lining. (Regular caskets of similar styles cost from $300 to $400 less than collegiate caskets.) Colleges collect royalty fees of 8.5 percent to 10 percent per coffin in addition to annual licensing fees.
The University of Nebraska-themed casket was the top seller in 2001 with 50 sold, according to Walston. But, he added, "We have a lot of interest from other schools like Alabama, Kentucky, Auburn, Oklahoma, and the University of North Carolina."
Walston speculated that the Nebraska casket was a top seller because of increased media attention his company has had in the state. But Doug Allen, a funeral director at Fusselman Wimore Funeral Homes in southeast Nebraska, said the school's fans were finding their own ways to personalize their funerals even before Collegiate Memorials came along.
"We took the regular caskets down to the local auto body shop and had them painted victory red," he said, describing his version of the casket made for "Big N" devotees. "We'd also include a logo from the university inside the casket."
But these days, Allen orders the professional-looking coffins from Collegiate Memorials rather than resort to his homemade versions.
This year, Walston plans to increase the number of schools he represents to more than 200. While the caskets are popular in the South and Midwest, he hopes to expand to Ivy League schools in the Northeast.
"Basically we'll license to any school that has alumni interest in the caskets," he said.
Pat Walker, operations manager of Duke University Stores, said requests for caskets increased since Duke alumni heard about other North Carolina universities having them.
"It's definitely different than a T-shirt," she added.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,75528,00.html
--------------------------------------------------------
Where in the World are these caskets?
March 7, 2003
Take some weatherstripping, an interior, and some handles, and you actually have a way to take go from the game to the graveyard. These are casket, not car, parts. It seems now you can take the thrill of the game and the glory days of college to the grave.
"What better way to celebrate the times than the ones that were for most the year in college," says Scott Walston.
All the big schools are here, but you might be surprised to learn that the highest sales are not going to members of the football team.
"The fan base is big if not bigger than the graduate base."
Woman also make up a large portion of the sales to people who want to make a final statement of who they are, and pay homage to an institution that enriched their lives. Scott is not in a big hurry to do that just yet.
"No but a true businessman believes in his own product so I will be in one."
So what school has the ultimate fans? That is why we are here. Is it Kentucky, Iowa, Notre Dame? It seems Husker mania can be found in a grave yard near you. "Our number one seller is Nebraska. We sent probably 50 caskets up there in a year."
And it seems Scott has dug up an idea that will allow him to bury lots of cash. He now has caskets for 52 schools in 16 states. That means 400 casket sales a year. It seems great ideas keep surfacing at Collegiate Memorials in Macon.
Casket sticker shock is about the same as regular caskets prices-- $3200 to $4900 depending on wood or steel. And if you recognized some of those colors, that's because the paint is actually auto paint from current makes and models.
Collegiate Memorials is near Eisenhower Parkway off Interstate 475 in Macon.
http://www.walb.com/global/story.asp?s=1166406&ClientType=Printable
So that just came up with that revenue figure all on their own?
EI didn't tell them that?
$600,000?
Give me a break.
---------------------------------
Ahem, that was from an article "400 Latest and Greatest Small Business Ideas From Around The World" and blogged early this year...not from EI...
Why put out BS info?
"One company, Eternal Image, already turns over in excess of 600k annually in this niche business."
I see they are up to the same old inflated revenue figures again.
LMAO
"the Vatican signing on with a company that is not legit".
The Vatican line is no longer available.
The Vatican License has not been renewed.
It is no longer on their Web Site.
www.eternalimage.net
EI must not be making much off of these AKC Urns if retailers are able to sell these things for $119.00.
http://www.petheavenexpress.com/store/1863729/product/AKC-DU
Memorialize your beloved departed dog in this top quality official American Kennel Club™ (AKC) Dog Cremation Urn. This beautifully designed Dog Urn is made of burnished copper and bronze die-cast aluminum. The base has a highly-polished clear coat wood-like finish. The top lid has a window to display the picture of your beloved pet. The Paw Print imprint underneath the picture window adds an extra sentiment to this Dog Urn. The AKC logo is embossed on the face of the metal casing, applied using the Eternal Image Liquid Gold Formula.
The FREE engravable gold metallic plaque attaches to the bottom portion of the urn (screws included).
All urns come packaged in boxes. Included is a cremains kit complete with:
tie and bag
3-yr warranty
nameplate engraving card
registration card
September special SALE!
$119.00
(while supplies last)
From October 1 the price goes back to $139.99.
---------------------------------------------------
I thought they use to sell for $179.00
Big price reduction.
Know I understand why they're selling on Amazon.
I wonder how many urns it will take to sell per. month just to pay for the car allowances the Officers get, which is $2,000 per. month.
Well said, Five*
What ever happened to the LOC?
When was the last time EI put out a real PR?
All the investors get now a days is they want investors to sign up for TWEETER and that their selling on Amazon.
I'm surpriced EI is not selling on Ebay.
I do see two people selling on Ebay, but their not selling any.
It's hard to sell urns when you don't have any in inventory to sell.
Temporarily out of stock.
Order now and we'll deliver when available. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information. Your account will only be charged when we ship the item.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available
http://www.amazon.com/Official-American-Kennel-Club-Cremation/dp/B002OHEB0M/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1252602610&sr=8-4
Question for ya Basser:
How can they sell something they don't have a License to sell?
You said:
"I see a huge potential market in the Vatican line of products both in Europe and South America where there are many millions of Catholics."
If there was a huge potential in the Vatican Line why didn't EI keep the License. Must not be a huge demand.
If you haven't noticed on their Web Site www.eternalimage.net, they don't even have the Vatican Line avaliable for people to buy or view.
You have to have a product before you can sell it.
Glad I could help out.
NO FACTUAL BACKING YOU SAY.
SEEMS THEY'VE MADE OUT LIKE BANDITS IN THE PAST WOULDN'T YOU SAY.
Posted by: LC-GATOR Date: Thursday, May 15, 2008 3:04:09 PM
In reply to: Lurker from Mars who wrote msg# 143577 Post # of 174327
Put two and two together.
Posted by: rosebud05
In reply to: None Date:3/30/2008 3:44:43 PM
Post #of 90130
ETNL has had a challenge its first couple years, for its shareholders that is. Company insiders have done just fine.
(38) Clint Mytych
2/15/2006
559,000
0.02000
$11,180.00
(39) Clint Mytych
9/25/2006
1,677,000
0.10000
$167,700.00
(40) Clint Mytych
10/9/2006
2,200,000
0.07000
$154,000.00
(41) Clint Mytych
1/12/2007
3,750,000
0.02600
$97,500.00
(42) Clint Mytych
7/25/2007
96,250,000
0.00104
$100,000.00
(43) Clint Mytych
8/14/2007
1,500,000
0.02960
$44,400.00
(44) Donna Shatter
2/15/2006
50,000
0.02000
$1,000.00
(45) Donna Shatter
9/21/2006
200,000
0.08500
$17,000.00
(46) Donna Shatter
9/25/2006
150,000
0.10000
$15,000.00
(47) Donna Shatter
9/25/2006
600,000
0.10000
$60,000.00
47
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(48) Donna Shatter
10/9/2006
2,200,000
0.07000
$154,000.00
(49) Donna Shatter
1/12/2007
3,750,000
0.02600
$97,500.00
(50) Donna Shatter
8/14/2007
1,500,000
0.02960
$44,400.00
(51) Wallace N. Popravsky
2/15/2006
125,000
0.02000
$2,500.00
(52) Wallace N. Popravsky
9/25/2006
375,000
0.10000
$37,500.00
(53) Wallace N. Popravsky
10/9/2006
550,000
0.07000
$38,500.00
(54) Wallace N. Popravsky
1/12/2007
3,750,000
0.02600
$97,500.00
(55) Wallace N. Popravsky
8/14/2007
1,500,000
0.02960
$44,400.00
(56) James Parliament
10/30/2006
12,500
0.08600
$1,075.00
(57) James Parliament
12/28/2006
3,750
0.02400
$90.00
(58) James Parliament
1/1/2007
31,250
0.02400
$750.00
(59) Carley Enterprises
7/18/2006
300,000*
--------------------------------------------------------------http://www.pinksheets.com/edgar/GetFilingHtml?FilingID=5655774
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
This section describes the transactions we have engaged in with persons who were directors, officers or affiliates at the time of the transaction, and persons known by us to be the beneficial owners of 5% or more of our common stock as of December 17, 2007 (“Principal Shareholder”). Share issuances described below give effect to the previously mentioned stock splits as if they had occurred subsequent to the splits.
We have borrowed funds from various officers and/or directors as follows:
On February 16, 2006, we borrowed $29,750.32 from Clint Mytych. The unsecured loan agreement calls interest of 5% and monthly installments of interest and principal of $1,305.19—the final payment is due in May 2009. We are current on the payments.
On February 16, 2006, we borrowed $41,856.47 from Donna Shatter. The unsecured loan agreement calls interest of 5% and monthly installments of interest and principal of $1,836.30—the final payment is due in June 2009. We are current on the payments.
RECORD SHARES TRADED VOLUME YESTERDAY AND A UPDATE FROM COMPANY
DOES THE TWO HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON?
DID THEY KNOW THESE SHARES WOULD MAKE IT INTO THE MARKET AT THE SAME TIME AS THIS UPDATE?
YOU DECIDE
This is the part that gets me:
"As fellow shareholders we too are sensitive to the price and daily fluctuations of ETNL like you are."
THEN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. HELLO
THE DIFFERANCE BETWEEN THEIR SHARES AND OURS, WE BOUGHT OUR SHARES, THEY WERE GIVEN THEIR'S.
Who gave them the shares? They gave themselves the shares.
Over 140,000,000 of them in 2008
I WONDER HOW MANY THEY BOUGHT WITH THEIR OWN MONEY.
TRUELY AMAZING
September 08, 2009
Shareholder Bulletin
Dear Shareholders,
As fellow shareholders we too are sensitive to the price and daily fluctuations of ETNL like you are. Today's small sell activity represents a very tiny amount of the overall outstanding shares and we want everyone to know that today's activity does not reflect any selling by Eternal Image corporate officers. We believe 100% in the future of Eternal Image, Inc. and would not be very anxious to sell our stock at these extremely low prices.
To help you understand where we are with ETNL stock we thought it would be prudent to provide some updated information:
· Current O/S as of 09/08/09: 647,673,512
· Absolutley no current plans for a reverse split...despite rumors to the contrary on internet blogs
· We are currently in the process of recalling 20 millon shares of restricted stock which were part of the last increase
· We do not believe that any of todays activity is related to the last increase or "new shares" but rather may be attributed to old shares finding their way into the market
· A friendly reminder to sign up and follow Eternal Image on Twitter.com. Be sure to activate email and cell phone updates. If an event occurs that is not required to be disclosed on a Form 8K, Eternal Image will decide the best medium for relaying that event: a Press Release; a Website Bulletin; a Tweet; a combination of these three; or none of them should the event be best disclosed on the subsequent Form 10Q for that Quarter. When the new version of eternalimage.net is launched, there will be a better forum for displaying EI News and Events, including a live Twitter feed for those who are not subscribers but who wish to view our Tweets
Thank you all for your continued support
Hi MATE.
I believe support was lost, wouldn't you say.
What is support NOW?
PPS down approx. 2/3rds since July 16th.
--------------------------------------
Posted by: dancy Date: Thursday, July 16, 2009 12:25:41 PM
In reply to: mm107 who wrote msg# 170845 Post # of 174239
LABS continues this year to soak up shares.....
new support @ .014
5000 x 5000
LABS .0147 X .0153 ABLE
1 X .0158 NITE
1 X ,0163 LABS
1 X .018 ETMM
2 X .02 DOMS UBSS
1 X .03 SALI
2 x .05 BMIC HDSN
1 X .07 MAXM
Help me Five*
If I had $300,000 in ETNL stock before the last R/S, what would it be worth today at the current PPS?
Also, Is there a differance in what the stock price is of a company and the companies performance? Or is the stock price a reflection of the company's performance?
Your a smart man and I value your comments.
.0050 sell for 2,000,000 shares
Clint and crew needs some money
You mean to tell me that the sales stopped or decreased because of one person.
Well then, that makes a lot of sense.
Is he the only one that can sell URNS?
If so, they will be out of business REAL SOON.
AMAZING
Doesn't look like it.
Do you think EI will stay in business just selling urns?
According to their latest 10-Q
Their urn sales decreased by almost half from the 6 months from last year.
For the six months ended
June 30,
2009
2008
Caskets
78
0
Urns
246
562
Medallions
12
0
Vault Covers
0
0
Total
336
562
The reason for the decrease in the sales of units of Urns for the six months ended June 30, 2009 when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008 was Sales Manager was called up to serve active duty for undetermined period of approx. one year and then restructuring of distribution network.
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/868756/000105291809000364/eternalimage10qaug1209.htm
INTERESTING READ
Business Blogs
Dollars & SensePractical advice on how to save money and keep your wits during a lousy economy
Recession-proof? Not funeral homes
By Cox Newspapers
April 13, 2009
The nation’s recession has forced people to change the way they live.
Now, it’s also changing the way they die.
When grieving families venture into Stormet Norem’s Boynton Beach, Fla., funeral home to plan a loved one’s farewell, he sees it in the small choices they make.
Since the Dow tumbled and layoffs mounted last year, relatives are leaning toward less-lavish flower arrangements.
Instead of two days of visitation for their dearly departed, some are going with one.
“They may cut out a limousine,” Norem said. “They’ll drive their own cars.”
He understands the choices. He’s watching his own money, too.
But all those cuts add up.
Norem’s funeral home, Boynton Memorial Chapel, handled about the same number of funerals in 2007 and 2008, “but the dollars are down,” Norem said.
The drop forced him to lay off a funeral director at the end of February, he said. He’s doing the extra work himself.
“I went through this in the early ’80s, right after I opened up, and I made it through then,” Norem said. “You just have to get mean and lean.”
Funeral homes across the country are doing the same, according to a new survey by the National Funeral Directors Association, based in Brookfield, Wis.
Fourteen percent of the funeral directors who responded said they have laid off employees as a result of the economic slump.
They reported that families are choosing less-expensive caskets, and that cremation is becoming an even more common -- and affordable -- alternative to burials.
Families also are asking to finance funeral costs more often, according to the survey.
At the same time, many funeral homes are seeing lagging returns on the trust funds they use for depositing prearranged funeral revenue.
People tend to think the funeral industry is recession-proof -- that the certainty of death ensures its eternal prosperity -- but that’s not the case, association spokeswoman Jessica Koth said.
“The vast majority of funeral homes are small, family-owned businesses that typically serve less than 150 families a year,” Koth said. “Just like any family-owned business, they are feeling the impact of the recession.”
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/business/42917252.html
"The numbers don't lie."
.0065-.0066
You got that right.
Let me help you out Dancy.
This is what I said in my Post:
The point that I'm trying to make here is that Eternal Image sells Speciality Items, They will not be in every funeral Home as some would like. They will have to be pre-ordered and depending on the demand and the cash EI has, may take awhile to get it out the door.
How many people out there would pre-order a Precious Moments casket?
Let me answer that one. ZERO, I WOULD HOPE
-------------------------------------------------
There's going to be exceptions to every situation, such as a terminally ill child. But if a child die's in an accident, the parents are not going to pre-order a casket and wait on it.
Have you ever lost a small child Dancy?
I have, he was 11 years old Dancy. It happened 14 years ago.
Would I have pre-ordered one, just in case he died.
Good Luck with that answer.
Does Eternal Image have the money to put each of the Brand name caskets in every Funeral Home across America?
Do you believe that if EI doesn't have the money to do that, that pre-ordering would be the way to go?
The point that I'm trying to make here is that Eternal Image sells Speciality Items, They will not be in every funeral Home as some would like. They will have to be pre-ordered and depending on the demand and the cash EI has, may take awhile to get it out the door.
How many people out there would pre-order a Precious Moments casket?
Let me answer that one. ZERO, I WOULD HOPE.
"it makes one wonder how much longer they can keep up with expenses."
For as long as they can Dilute.
"I don't believe they can tell you anything of substance."
T/A being ungagged would be a good start.
Twittering isn't much of substance.
LMAO
It goes along they same line as them selling coffee cups and stress balls.
SUBSTANCE?
LET'S GET TO THE MEAT OF THINGS CLINT.
SHAREHOLDERS ARE WAITING
I guess the Eternal Images Twitter thing didn't work out to well.
:) You bet they are #1. I totally agree with the O/S issue. Something needs to be done.
That's what they said. I guess the rules have changed.
If Clint wanted to be upfront with investors he'd either do:
(1) Tell tranfer agent to un-gag the share count.
Or
Find another transfer agent that doesn't gag.
(By Clint doing neither, that tells investors he doesn't want them to know the share count, until he wants investors to know.)
Has anyone checked the O/S recently?
What was the amount they raised it recently? 35,000,000
Do you think they'll raise it again?
If they do raise it, it probably wouldn't be enough to file a Form 8K.
Maybe another 35,000,000
08/04/09
"Some of you have expressed fears that there has been a massive increase in O/S. This is not the case at all. In fact, rest assured that any increase of the O/S that is greater than a few percentage points of the total O/S is considered a "material event" and is therefore bound to be disclosed in a Form 8K."
http://www.eternalimage.net/investors.php
08/13/09
"The 10Q shows a small increase in the Outstanding Share. This structure was necessary, as it was determined that a combination of limited increase and slow production was better than a massive increase in share structure."
http://www.eternalimage.net/investors.php
--------------------------------------------------------
I just loved the Update today:
August 24, 2009
General Bulletin
Friends of Eternal Image,
Eternal Image would like to invite you to become a follower on its Twitter account. You can go to www.twitter.com/eternalimageinc to sign up.
We look forward to communicating you via Twitter in the very near future. Don't get left behind, sign up today!
Thank you all for your continued support
http://www.eternalimage.net/investors.php
-----------------------------------------------------
WHY DON'T THEY JUST COMMUNICATE ON THEIR WEB SITE WITH INVESTORS.
--------------------------------------------------------
DID THEY FORGET ABOUT UPDATING INVESTORS ON THIS:
June 30, 2009
Shareholder Bulletin
Dear Shareholders,
The recently filed 10Q, in its disclosure regarding future money raises, mentions both equity and non-equity type solutions for financing.
In an effort to end further dilution of our stock, Eternal Image has been working with Mastermind Venture Partners on a non-equity capital raise in the form of a perpetual credit line.
We will be announcing the details of this credit line in conjuction with Ms. Susan Wong of Mastermind Venture Partners in the very near future.
Thank you all for your continued support
That's not what I said. This is what I said:
The sticky doesn't cover all the good and the bad. Does it?
Posted by: LC-GATOR Date: Thursday, August 20, 2009 7:56:10 PM
In reply to: Penman81 who wrote msg# 173543 Post # of 173571
"If the next 3-4 quarterly reports start heading south instead of north, we can be worried. Until then, we're still in very good shape to change the face of the funeral industry for good."
"WOW"............Do you think EI just started out selling?
"Very good shape" Your kidding? Right.
I think some need to spend some good DD looking at the old PR's (Can't look at any new ones because there ain't none)
Also spend some time looking at their filings with the SEC.
---------------------------------------------------
"THEY HAVE ENOUGH LICENSES"
One less then they had last year. Instead of 5 they have 4.
"If the next 3-4 quarterly reports start heading south instead of north, we can be worried. Until then, we're still in very good shape to change the face of the funeral industry for good."
"WOW"............Do you think EI just started out selling?
"Very good shape" Your kidding? Right.
I think some need to spend some good DD looking at the old PR's (Can't look at any new ones because there ain't none)
Also spend some time looking at their filings with the SEC.
Everyone has opinions, seems like mine have Facts/News Articles and Sec Filings to back them up.
Imagine that.
I agree. It's been a good flipping stock.
Thanks Longs
I see it closed in the red today.
I'm still waiting for all those PR's that I heard they were saving until after the uplisting.
Seems that Dangling Carrot fell.
Imagine that.
A little outdated wouldn't you say: Jan. 18, 2001
I believe this is 2009, at least here in the USA.
Funeral homes feel the pinch
http://www.journalstandard.com/news/x1885880689/Funeral-homes-feel-the-pinch
By Stefanie Weiss / The Journal-Standard Steve Turner of Walker Mortuary and Funeral Home in Freeport is one of many business owners that could suffer from a funding cut by the Illinois Department of Human Services.
By Jeff Montgomery
The Journal-Standard
Thu Jul 02, 2009, 08:33 PM CDT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Print This | ShareThis
Freeport, Ill. -
(Part one of a two part series detailing the implications of possible cuts to state funding.)
There is an aspect of the funeral services industry that often goes unnoticed.
When a family lacks the means for a proper funeral, the funeral home usually picks up part of the tab. It is not a profitable decision, but the compassionate gesture remains a key part of the relationship between funeral homes and their customers.
“We have been here since 1923,” explained Steve Turner, owner of Freeport’s Walker Mortuary. “If a family is hurting, we do what we can to help.”
In past years, the state has kicked in a small, but crucial sum of money to curb these costs. This contribution is now in serious risk of being eliminated.
Two weeks ago, funeral home owners throughout Illinois learned the state may cut funding for public-aid funerals. The possible cutback is linked to massive cuts to the Department of Human Services (DHS) portion of the state’s Fiscal Year 2009-2010 budget.
The absence of state funding would place a heavy burden on funeral home owners, who would likely be forced to make up the difference.
“We will continue to help, it will just be more difficult,” Turner said.
The state generally gives $1,103 to the funeral home and $552 for cemetery expenses when public aid is required, Turner said. And inheriting these costs would pose a serious challenge to funeral homes statewide.
It is a troubling prospect for an industry already feeling the effects of a tepid economy.
Budget Woes Continue
The funeral business is plagued by a common misconception: The average person tends to think the industry is “recession-proof."
Turner insists that is not the case.
“I don’t believe there is a business or service anywhere that has been unaffected,” Turner said.
Tom Leamon, co-owner of Leamon Family Funeral Homes in Lena, echoed that sentiment Thursday, July 2, 2009.
“People are much more cost-oriented these days,” Leamon said.
The possibility of funding cuts from the state merely adds fuel to the fire.
The state budget, by all accounts, remains mired in a state of uncertainty. Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn vetoed a “bare-bones” version of the state budget Wednesday, July 1, 2009, which marked the first day of the 2009-2010 Fiscal Year.
The official beginning of the new fiscal year, Turner explained, marked a pivotal turning point in the ongoing funding issue. The absence of state funding is no longer a potential problem: Beginning July 1, 2009, it became a real problem with tangible implications.
“We won’t even talk to public-aid,” Turner said. “Unless something changes, we know there will be no financial help.”
Funeral home owners will subsequently face a difficult decision: Pick up a larger portion of the funeral costs or turn people away. Leamon said local funeral homes will inevitably lean toward helping their customers, but admitted it is hard to discern how that will be done.
“How we are going to handle that is up in the air,” Leamon said.
Turner, however, sees a solution.
He is encouraging customers to pre-plan their funeral. This avenue, he says, still generates state support and will not be affected by DHS funding cuts.
“The DHS allows a person to pre-arrange and pre-pay for their funeral and still qualify for benefits,” Turner said.
It is, in essence, a way to make the best of a bad situation. But as lawmakers pore over the state budget, the fallout is being felt throughout Illinois.
----------------------------------------------------------
INTERSTING READ.
They have done the ESPN ads, and also were on CNN and several other Networks. Sparky Anderson was even at the Trade show two years ago. They even were in Several mag.
They have spent over $1,000,000 plus on Marketing and Advertising in the last 3 years.
They have had so much exposure it's unreal.
Two years ago they spent $100,000 just on the trade show.
Go back and check all the PR'S and you will see.
People are only going to buy what they can afford. In todays economy things are tuff, people are either Opt. for cermation or going for those $950.00 internet caskets.
You might be a die hard fan, but when you die and your family is trying to abide by your wishes for a MLB casket or putting food on the table or trying to pay your $100,000 Doctors bill. Guess what they'll spend their money on?
It won't be the Fancy casket that people only see for a couple of days.
"In the event that we are unable to make such advertising expenditures, our chances for successfully executing our business plan may be adversely affected."
Don't you think spending this kind of money on Advertising and Marketing would generate more Revenue then what they have made so far.
Questions is:
Is there enough people out there (Ones that want a License Funeral product) to sell too, to generate enough Revenue to offset there High Expenses?
As it stands today and in the past the answer is NO.
That's taking in account the revenue numbers and expenses that they have reported in their Filings with the SEC.
http://idea.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-idea?action=getcompany&CIK=0000868756&type=&dateb=&owner=include&start=0&count=40&output=atom
Time will tell, but as of now it doesn't look good.
Hi JP,
Wouldn't you think spending $92,477 for the first 6 months of 2009 for Public Relations and Marketing is called advertising?
Last year for the same period they spent $236,557 for Public Relations and Marketing.
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/868756/000105291809000364/eternalimage10qaug1209.htm
The establishment of relationships with advertisers is necessary for us to achieve significant revenues.
Our revenue model includes significant advertising dollars. If we are unable to forge sufficient relationships with key advertisers, we might not be able to achieve the revenues that we are projecting. For the years ending December 31, 2006 and 2007, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, we had public relations and marketing expenses of $97,127; $487,332; and $451,250, respectively. If we have the financial resources, over the next 12 months, we expect to have an additional $400,000 in public relations and marketing expenses. There is no assurance that we will financial resources to do so. In the event that we are unable to make such advertising expenditures, our chances for successfully executing our business plan may be adversely affected.
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/868756/000105291808000473/eternalimages1adec1808f.htm
Finally, we have engaged the services of ASAPR Public Relations and Marketing (717 State Street, Sharptown, MD 21861). The initial term of this agreement was from March 22, 2006 through March 31, 2007. By its provisions, it is extendable for one year terms at our option. We have extended the term through March 31, 2009. Pursuant to this extended agreement we pay ASAPR $6,000 per month. It is responsible for providing us with public relations and marketing expertise, consulting, and critiques. ASAPR is also responsible for promoting our business through a variety of media including radio, television, and print interviews with our management. This firm specializes in campaigns for its clients that increase brand awareness and public recognition. To date, they have succeeded in obtaining free publicity and exposure for us to the general public. Through their efforts, we have been seen on CBS, MSNBC, CNBC, ABC, Fox Business News, Wall Street.Net and written up by The New York Times, Detroit News, and many other networks, television stations, magazines and newspapers
"Maybe the recent pr was not clear enough on this but I believe they have set goals and are moving forward to meet them."
Did I miss something?
I don't remember a PR.
I seen an investor update, but no PR.
They need to put out a PR, explaning to the whole investment community what is actually happening, not an update to some investors. Not all investors look at their web site.
Very well said CD,
A loss today, maybe a profit tomorrow.
ETNL history hasn't been great, but things could change.
Especially if new management comes aboard.
This would be the best way to regain Creditablity.