Daisy, since you've never posted here before, your DD would be very welcome. If there is something we have missed, we would be interested in knowing what that is. Conversely, if there's something you missed, it would be to your benefit as well.

We are also at a really critical point with the company: this is where the rubber hits the road. It seems clear that the business plan for TSHO is strong. However, just as important, if not moreso, is the integrity of management, specifically Luneil De Beer. This conference call should provide some insight into his confidence and motivation for success. We can read PRs all day long, but it doesn't compare to actually hearing it.

I'm not concerned, but the business model is interesting. In reality, I couldn't care less what methods they use as long as they maintain their track record. The list of graphs they have on their site that displays their success is convincing enough to use them as a major resource when researching new investments.

Is it an accurate assumption that they make enough from the companies who pay them to do research plus the monthly dues from members that they can afford not to invest?

Wow, there's another huge gap there. The stock is looking great yet again.

You know, it's exciting to watch, but it's not coming as a surprise.

I have a sneaking suspicion he was never short. I think he's been a confident long-term investor since he first showed up. He's just been entertained by everyone's reactions. Can't say I blame him.

SIRI is looking good. They are making lots of progress on redefining their niche market. There's lots of room to move up based on where they were 4 years ago. And that was when they were competing with XM.

I don't really see any reason for it to move until there are actual commercials and results. I don't think it's pessimistic at all. And to be honest, I feel a bit of security knowing we are staying between 0.75-0.80 during our waiting period. I'd always like it to move, but am afraid that the stock would start to get volatile. Right now, it feels like everything is under control. I admit though, I am interested to see what happens when we hit the 1.00 mark and the visibility jumps.

If the value of the stock one year from now is accurate to the actual net worth of the company, then whether it is worth 0.75 or 1.00 or 2.00 right now doesn't matter since I'm not selling anyway.

Wow, thats amazing. Oh well.

Is anyone following ZVTK? I like their product and am trying to follow as best as I can, but don't seem to have a handle on their sales numbers. They said a PR stating sales by the end of the month would happen, but I haven't seen it yet.

Speaking of the financials, do you have any idea when to expect those to come out? I haven't been paying a lot of attention to their announcements.

That's odd, I have an e-mail on Sept. 28th that states their official recommendation. At that point, it was trading at 0.60. I'm not sure why I don't have anything earlier than that.

Who exactly spotted TSHO at 0.10? I hear that people have gotten in at or close to that price. But from my e-mails from Skymark, they never formally issued a recommendation until it hit 0.66. Am I inaccurate here?

It might have been me who originally mentioned them. I also pulled all my shares when I saw nothing happen. And the ihub board seems to be mostly hope that it will go up. They have big plans though so I'm interested to see what happens. Those plans involve china though which could always go south quick. Definitely one to watch during 2010 though.

Any thoughts that Skymark/ESR's next pick could be ViaSpace (VSPC)? They keep pushing back their deadline for getting things rolling but seem to have major plans in place. It seems VSPC is not going to finalize a deal they are working on until mid or late February, which is also about the same timeline as the next SM/ESR pick. I'm curious as to if the next pick is contingent on these preliminary contracts and actions. Otherwise, they move on to their second choice.

I wasn't really worried. When something drops with no news, it's not concerning. Plus, PR is only good for quick boosts in confidence. It's all about sales revenue. And if that hasn't come out yet, there is nothing to fear. Maybe I'll buy more while it's cheap.

This stock is looking like it's flat and there doesn't seem to be a lot of interest. Yet, they are continuing to expand. Are we waiting on sales results? And do we know when they come out?

is it normal to have such a spread between the 2 ask ranges? 0.75-0.78, then a jump to 2.00 seems strange.

Do they have any thoughts on some of their previous picks like SIRI and SPNG?

Would there really be any reason it would leave the .75-.80 range before the infomercial hits? Everything seems to be in place, they have a schedule, and they don't release fluff PRs. To me it seems the current price doesn't matter much. It's after the first infomercial and then after the first sales report.

EDIT: I forgot they still plan to release the channel lineup is to be released soon.

Oh, you're right. Would you mind explaining the significance of the spread in the bid/ask? I know I've researched this and we've discussed it before. And I understand that somewhere in between is where the brokers make their money. I still don't fully grasp it other than that.

Anyone following L2 know what happened just now to cause that 0.05 drop? I'm not concerned, just curious.

tmj, did you keep some of your position? I remember you said you were going to pull out at the end of the year.

When this hits a dollar, will it start showng up on the radar of companies who aren't allowed to trade below a dollar?

You're right. I was trying to recall the post from memory and thought it was shares instead of dollars. For the past few months that strategy kept crossing my mind. It seems like a way to invest in multiple speculative stocks without overcommitting to one. This way, if it never increases in value, you don't keep pumping money in. But as the one or two good ones progress, you keep improving your position.

Word on the street is that ZVTK is going to release a PR soon on the progress of their sales.

Also, I know someone who owns a couple of their light bulbs and is very pleased with them. They have apparently cleared up the musty smell in the basement.

Investment Strategies:

I've been thinking about this investment strategy that a guy from the Yahoo board had for TSHO. It was as follows:

For every $0.10 increase in pps, he was going to purchase 10,000 more shares of the stock. I thought this was an interesting strategy for penny stocks. This means that, with little risk, you could buy multiple stocks in infancy (< 0.02 pps), then add gradually to only the increasing ones, so as to minimize risk yet benefit from investing from the beginning.

I know this may sound like a novice observation, but I am a novice. Does anyone use investment strategies that are similar to this? I would like to pick out 4 or 5 potential companies and enter early.

Also, don't forget, nothing has actually changed yet. Despite whatever the stock price says, there has not been any fundamental changes with the company since the stock was trading at $0.80. The value now is of little concern. The value after the first report of actual sales is when it is important.

Wow. I can't believe that's real. And that's without airtime or items on shelves.

Is it pretty normal for these sub dollar stocks totaele hits during this time of the year? I'm not overly concerned but it's enough to make my stomach turn some

I actually had the same question humpday did, but he beat me to it. It seems to me they have set theirselves up for a strong variable cost operation. They keep their fixed costs low and pay as they need too. This is good. I'd rather see them do this than bring in their own employees, train them, then pay for the staffing regardless of how many products they sell. This is really the best way to operate though: surround yourself with people who do things better than you.

However, it would be to all of our benefit to re-evaluate the math. A lot of people will be getting a portion of the revenues. This has to cut into the profit margin. Does anyone else know how many people were involved in past successful products? Like the Foreman Grill, Magic Bullet, Sham-wow, etc. Is there any way we can accurately reassess the PPS based on the revenue?

Maone, I noticed that you picked up more TSHO on Friday and got a pretty good deal. I also picked up more shares and bought at 4 cents higher. You commented that a patient trader gets rewarded. How did you know? How did you know it would dip that low again as opposed to going up and staying up around 80 or 82? I caved at 0.78 because I just wanted to make sure I got my shares. I didn't really expect it to drop more. Was that based off a daily trend?

Thanks. I'm buying this morning, trying to figure out what I should set my limit at.

Anyone know what the bid/ask is this morning?

I thought three points made in the article were pretty valid on the surface:

1. It looks and feels like a SPNG stock, especially being right on the heels of that fiasco.

2. Why would Skymark promote a stock and compare it to SPNG, which tanked almost overnight?

3. Skymark gets paid $5,000/month for their research and promotion.


Point 1 and 2 don't really bother me. I think most who followed SPNG know the answers to those. The 3rd point is a bit disconcerting. But to be honest, if they keep their track record intact, I don't care how much anyone pays them so long as they pick right. Also, it should probably be noted that it is a far cry from "pumping stocks." We pay a monthly fee to them to give us recommendations and updates and answer questions when we have them.

Another must read: The Four Hour Work Week, by Tim Ferriss. It will really make you think about what you are working for and how to bend work around your lifestyle.

Are all their products literally coming from the tradeshows? If so, does that mean they are starting with a leg up on the marketing and demographic appeal?

What does ESR/Skymark say about SIRI and SPNG now? SIRI is up but still way below what they were in years past. They have been making steady moves upwards since the beginning of the year. Also, SPNG is just going about business as usual. Despite the recent fiasco, it appears they are still signing contracts and fully intent on selling lots of products.

Has anyone asked ESR/Skymark about these two companies? I'm sure they still pay attention despite not officially tracking them anymore.

I don't, but I hope they stock the shelves of the neighborhood Costco at the same time. And Walgreens and Walmart.

Ok, so where do the puzzle pieces fall now?

Tradeshow Marketing for product development
Cesari Direct for direct tv campaign design
Mike Wadham as product spokesman
LiveOps for call center
Datapak Services for order fulfillment and customer support

Anything missing here? I'd say they are gearing up for an onslaught of sales. If that's the case, then perhaps the On TV sales is only one part and they are expecting other avenues such as retail chains.