-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, BrCSWT5V179Fh6HAtja3pOM9iuuWtL0ztcSJKIbkPcgKh0nsrmW90Os7kY47GHT7 v2ebyLYtHfZJHZyYTe16EQ== 0001017062-98-001873.txt : 19980819 0001017062-98-001873.hdr.sgml : 19980819 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001017062-98-001873 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-1 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 8 FILED AS OF DATE: 19980818 SROS: NASD FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SHOPPING COM CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001045360 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: RETAIL-DEPARTMENT STORES [5311] IRS NUMBER: 330733679 STATE OF INCORPORATION: CA FISCAL YEAR END: 0131 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-1 SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-61777 FILM NUMBER: 98693880 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2101 E COAST HIGHWAY GARDEN LEVEL CITY: CORONA DEL MAR STATE: CA ZIP: 92625 BUSINESS PHONE: 7146404393 S-1 1 FORM S-1 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON AUGUST 18, 1998 REGISTRATION 333-_____________ ================================================================================ SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM S-1 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 SHOPPING.COM (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) CALIFORNIA 5311 33-0733679 (State or other jurisdiction of (Primary Standard Industrial (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Classification Code Number) Identification No.)
2101 EAST COAST HIGHWAY, GARDEN LEVEL CORONA DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA 92625 (949) 640-4393 (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices) MARK V. ASDOURIAN, ESQ. 5 PARK PLAZA, SUITE 1480 IRVINE, CALIFORNIA 92614 (714) 557-4100 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) COPIES TO: JOHN J. GIOVANNONE, ESQ. SHEPPARD, MULLIN, RICHTER & HAMPTON LLP 650 TOWN CENTER DRIVE, 4TH FLOOR COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA 92626-1925 (714) 513-5100 Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE AND FROM TIME TO TIME THEREAFTER. If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. [X] If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ] If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ] If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box. [ ]
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE ==================================================================================================================== PROPOSED TITLE OF EACH AMOUNT MAXIMUM MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF CLASS OF TO BE OFFERING AGGREGATE REGISTRATION SECURITIES TO REGISTERED(1) PRICE PER OFFERING FEE BE REGISTERED SHARE (1) PRICE (1) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Common Stock, 2,334,500 shares (2) $25.25 $58,946,125 $17,683.84 no par value ====================================================================================================================
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act based upon the last sale reported for such security on the over-the-counter bulletin board securities market on August 11, 1998. (2) Includes (i) the estimated maximum number of shares that may be issued upon conversion of the 8% Convertible Debentures and the exercise of warrants issuable thereunder, (ii) 7,500 shares held by Trautman Kramer & Company, Incorporated, and (iii) 152,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of certain purchase warrants. In the event of a stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction involving the Common Stock, in order to prevent dilution, or in the event of an increase in the number of shares issuable upon conversion of the 8% Convertible Debentures by reason of the floating rate conversion price, the number of shares registered shall be automatically increased to cover additional shares in an indeterminate amount in accordance with Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act. THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE. ================================================================================ INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE. ================================================================================ Common Stock of Shopping.com ("Shopping.com" or the "Company") trades in the over-the-counter bulletin board securities market under the symbol "IBUY." FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING CERTAIN RISK FACTORS WHICH SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS, SEE "RISK FACTORS" COMMENCING ON PAGE 10. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page SUMMARY INFORMATION, RISK FACTORS AND RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES..................................................................................................4 THE COMPANY.......................................................................................................5 CAPITALIZATION....................................................................................................7 RISK FACTORS......................................................................................................7 RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES...............................................................................21 USE OF PROCEEDS..................................................................................................21 SELLING SHAREHOLDERS.............................................................................................22 PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION.............................................................................................24 DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED.......................................................................25 INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO THE REGISTRANT.......................................................................27 BUSINESS ........................................................................................................27 PROPERTY ........................................................................................................38 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS................................................................................................38 MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDENDS.......................................................................................41 SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA..........................................................................................42 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS...................................................................................44 LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES..................................................................................48 DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.................................................................................49 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION...........................................................................................53 SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT...................................................56 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS...................................................................59
2 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS........................................................................62 RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES..........................................................................63 FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES....................................................................................F-1 EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES....................................................................... UNDERTAKINGS.....................................................................................................II-3 SIGNATURES.......................................................................................................II-5 INDEX TO EXHIBITS................................................................................................
3 SUMMARY INFORMATION, RISK FACTORS AND RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES. SHOPPING.COM 2,334,500 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information and financial statements, including notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus. This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed in "Risk Factors." This Prospectus covers 2,334,500 shares (the "Shares") of Common Stock, without par value (the "Common Stock"), of Shopping.com ("Shopping.com" or the "Company") offered for the account of certain security holders of the Company (the "Selling Shareholders") as described more fully herein. This Prospectus covers all of the shares of Common Stock that have been issued or are issuable upon the conversion of 8% Convertible Debentures (the "Debentures") in the aggregate amount of $10,000,000 issued and to be issued to the investors herein under "Seller Shareholders" (the "Investors") pursuant to a June and July, 1998 private placement (the "Private Placement") and future private placements. Based on the trading prices of the Common Stock prior to July 31, 1998 and interest accruing on the Debentures through their two year term, the Debentures would convert into 725,000 shares of Common Stock. In addition, upon conversion of the Debentures under such assumptions, warrants to purchase an aggregate of 362,500 shares would be issuable to the Investors (the "Warrants"). The Investors have registration rights which require the Company to register at least 200% of the shares which would be issuable upon a conversion and exercise at the time of filing this Registration Statement. The foregoing estimate is for illustrative purposes only. The actual number of shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion of the Debentures and exercise of the Warrants is subject to adjustment and could be materially more than such estimated amount, depending upon factors that cannot be predicted by the Company at this time, including, among others, the future market price of the Common Stock. See "Risk Factors--Potential Volatility of Stock Price." There is also a limitation on the number of shares of Common Stock that can be issued upon conversion at any particular time. Each Investor has contractually agreed not to convert the Debentures to the extent such a conversion would result in such Investor beneficially owning more than 9.99% of the then outstanding Common Stock, unless the Company is in default under agreements with the Investor. For a further description of the Debentures, see "Risk Factors-- Debentures, Warrants and Options; Potential Dilution and Adverse Impact on Additional Financing" and "Selling Shareholders." 7,500 shares of Common Stock covered hereby are held by Trautman Kramer & Company, Incorporated ('Trautman Kramer"). The remaining 152,000 shares of Common Stock covered hereby are issuable upon the exercise of certain warrants to purchase Common Stock held by, or to 4 be issued to, Trautman Kramer, the placement agent in the Private Placement, three individuals affiliated with the Placement Agent and one unaffiliated individual. The Shares may be offered by the Selling Shareholders from time to time in transactions (which may include block transactions) in the over-the-counter bulletin board securities market, in negotiated transactions, through a combination of such methods of sale, or otherwise, at fixed prices that may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices. The Selling Shareholders may effect such transactions by selling the Shares to or through broker-dealers, who may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the Selling Shareholders and/or the purchasers of the Shares for whom such broker-dealers may act as agents or to whom they may sell as principals, or both (which compensation as to a particular broker-dealer might be in excess of customary commissions). The Company has agreed to bear all expenses of registration of shares, but all selling and other expenses incurred by the Selling Shareholders will be borne by the Selling Shareholders. The Selling Shareholders and any broker-dealers, agents or underwriters that participate with the Selling Shareholders in the distribution of the Shares may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and the commission paid or any discounts or concessions allowed to any such persons, and any profits received on the resale of the Shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. See "Selling Shareholders" and "Plan of Distribution." THE COMPANY Shopping.com (the "Company" or "Registrant") is an Internet-based electronic retailer ("E- retailer") specializing in marketing a broad range of products and services at wholesale prices to both consumers and trade customers. Product categories currently available on the Company's Web site include: computers & software, downloadable software, consumer electronics, office furniture, office products, books, music CDs & cassettes, musical instruments, movies, sheet music, cigar apparel & accessories, cigars, lighters, housewares, gourmet foods, baby & nursery, auto accessories, auto electronics, auto parts catalog, bath, hardware, kitchen, lawn & garden, lighting, patio furniture, plumbing, heating & cooling, storage and organization, tools, luggage, men's furnishing & accessories, travel bags & accessories, women's accessories, marine supplies, bicycles, games & activities, golf & sporting goods, toys & hobbies, video games, pet supplies, bath & body care, fragrances, personal health & beauty care, medical equipment & supplies, vitamins, collectibles, gifts, sunglasses, watches, and prints & posters. The Company has and anticipates that it will continue to enter into arrangements with a number of manufacturers and distributors who will ship their products directly to its customers, allowing the Company to avoid the expense of inventory maintenance and physical store costs. The Company has experienced significant growth in customer traffic since its inception. For example, although the Company only commenced selling on the Internet on July 11, 1997, the number of visitors to the Company's Web site increased from 5,796 during the second quarter of fiscal year 1998 to 929,140 during the second quarter of fiscal year 1999, while the number of Web site hits (pages viewed within the Shopping.com Web site) increased from 183,951 during the second quarter of fiscal year 1998 to 59,108,160 during the second quarter of fiscal year 1999. 5 The Company employs proprietary information systems along with industry software to provide its customers with access to an automated marketplace of products and services, which consist of the inventories of multiple manufacturers and distributors, price comparisons, detailed product descriptions, delivery status of products ordered and back order information. Shopping.com generates revenues similar to a retail store when its customers purchase goods from its Web site. The Company adjusts gross margins on a product by product basis based on competitive prices and its cost of goods. The experience of the Company's management as retailers enables them to effectively negotiate competitive prices with vendors allowing management to set the lowest possible prices for the sale of goods or services. Generally, when a product is purchased by a customer on the Company's Web site, the Company receives payment from the customer's credit card through a financial institution intermediary usually within four business days. The amount received is net of any credit card transaction fees deducted by the financial institution intermediary. Alternatively, the customers can mail their payments directly to Shopping.com. After receipt of the customer's payment, the Company then pays its vendors for the cost of goods sold. Shopping.com's vendors are generally paid within a period ranging from zero (same day) to thirty business days. Additionally, the Company may generate revenues from the shipping and handling charges added to each customer's order. Customers order products and services on Shopping.com's Web site and generally provide payment by either credit card over the Internet through Verisign or by calling 1-888-LOVE-2-SHOP. Shipments are then made by the manufacturer or distributor directly to the customer after verification by Shopping.com that the payment has been properly credited. Because transactions are accomplished without the need to maintain inventory, warehouse facilities, retail store space or attendant personnel, the Company believes it will be able to obtain market share by passing cost savings along to its customers, selling, as a result, its products and services at a discount to typical retail and warehouse/discount stores. For the same reasons, the Company is also able to provide a broader merchandise mix than retail stores, warehouse/discount stores and mail order catalog operators. The Company believes that the principal competitive factors in its market are price, speed of fulfillment, brand name recognition, breadth of selection, personalized services, ease of use, 24-hour accessibility, customer service, convenience, reliability, quality of search engine tools, and quality of editorial and other site content. Shopping.com's strategy is to become a low-price leader in E-retailing on the Internet by utilizing the warehousing, purchasing and distribution strengths of multiple manufacturers and distributors, rather than to assume those roles for itself. The Company believes this approach allows Shopping.com to eliminate many of the risks and costs associated with maintaining inventory, including the cost of leasing warehouse space, inventory obsolescence, inventory tracking systems, and the increased costs associated with employing large numbers of personnel for stocking and shipping duties. By having access to the inventories of multiple manufacturers and distributors, Shopping.com believes it will be able to offer its customers a competitive combination of price, product availability, order fulfillment and delivery services and still attain profitability. Beyond the benefits of a wide selection, purchasing from Shopping.com can be done conveniently, 24-hours a day, without requiring a trip to the store. 6 Shopping.com commenced operations in February, 1996 and incorporated in California on November 22, 1996. The Company's executive offices are located at 2101 East Coast Highway, Garden Level, Corona del Mar, California 92625. CAPITALIZATION. The following table sets forth: (i) the actual capitalization of the Company as of April 30, 1998; (ii) the pro forma capitalization of the Company giving effect to the issuance of certain 8% Convertible Debentures and payment of related financing costs; and (iii) the pro forma capitalization as adjusted to give effect to interest expense through debenture maturity, assumed conversion of the Debentures to the Company's Common Stock, conversion of related accrued interest to the Company's Common Stock, and the exercise of certain warrants issued in connection with the conversion of the Debentures to the Company's Common Stock.
April 30, 1998 (unaudited) ------------------------------------------------ Pro forma, Actual Pro forma as adjusted ------ --------- ----------- Convertible debentures, 8%, due June to July, 2000 $ - $ 10,000,000 $ - Common Stock, no par value 13,394,651 13,582,151 32,432,151 Accumulated deficit (10,429,304) (10,429,304) (13,079,304) ------------- -------------- -------------- Total shareholders' equity $ 2,965,347 $ 3,152,847 $ 19,352,847 ------------- -------------- -------------- Total capitalization $ 2,965,347 $ 13,152,847 $ 19,352,847 ------------- -------------- --------------
RISK FACTORS. In addition to the other information contained in this Prospectus, investors should carefully consider the following risk factors before making an investment decision concerning the Common Stock. All statements, trend analysis and other information contained in this Prospectus relative to markets for the Company's products and trends in net sales, gross margin and anticipated expense levels, as well as other statements including words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect" and "intend" and other similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risks, and the Company's actual results of operations may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. The Need for Additional Capital The Company must seek additional financing in order to sustain operations or achieve planned expansion. The Company anticipates that it needs to raise at least $26 million during the next twelve months in the form of debt and/or equity investments in the Company's securities. There can be no assurance that such additional funds will be available or that if available, such additional funds will be on terms acceptable to the Company. 7 Limited Operating History; Accumulated Deficit; Anticipated Losses; Ability to - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Continue as a Going Concern - --------------------------- The Company commenced operations in February, 1996, was incorporated on November 22, 1996 and began selling products on its Web site on July 11, 1997. Accordingly, the Company has a limited operating history on which to base an evaluation of its business and prospects. The Company's prospects must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered by companies in their early stage of development, particularly companies in new and rapidly expanding markets such as online commerce. Such risks for the Company include, but are not limited to, an evolving and unpredictable business model and the management of growth. To address these risks, the Company must, among other things, obtain a customer base, implement and successfully execute its business and marketing strategy, continue to develop and upgrade its technology and transaction-processing systems, improve its Web site, provide superior customer service and order fulfillment, respond to competitive developments, and attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in addressing such risks, and the failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Since inception, the Company has incurred significant losses, and as of April 30, 1998 had an accumulated deficit of approximately $10.4 million. The Company believes that its success will depend in large part on its ability to (i) obtain wide-spread name recognition, (ii) provide its customers with an outstanding value and a superior shopping experience, (iii) achieve sufficient sales volume to realize economies of scale, and (iv) successfully coordinate the fulfillment of customer orders without the need to maintain expensive real estate warehousing facilities and personnel. Accordingly, the Company intends to invest heavily in marketing and promotion, site development and technology and operating infrastructure development. The Company also intends to offer attractive pricing programs, which will result in low gross margins. Because the Company has relatively low gross margins, achieving profitability depends upon the Company's ability to generate and sustain substantially increased sales levels. As a result, the Company believes that it will incur substantial operating losses for the foreseeable future, and that rate at which such losses will be incurred may increase significantly from current levels based primarily on marketing expenditures and the timing of those expenditures. The Company incurred a net loss of $201,697 and had negative cash flows from operations during the year ended January 31, 1997 of $136,546, and had a shareholders deficit of $78,647 as of January 31, 1997. For the year ended January 31, 1998 the Company had net losses totaling $5,522,029, negative cash flows from operations of $4,842,628 and had an accumulated deficit of $5,723,726. Management raised capital during 1997 through private placement offerings of equity and debt securities and completed an initial public offering in the latter part on 1997, which provided funding to continue present operations, marketing and development activities. The Company has used a portion of the net proceeds of its initial public offering to fund its operating losses. As of January 31, 1998, the Company had approximately $4.8 million remaining of the net proceeds and as of April 30, 1998, the Company had approximately 8 $1.4 million. Such net proceeds, together with cash generated by operations, will, in the Company's view, be insufficient to fund the Company's anticipated operating losses until its sales increase to a sufficient level to cover operating expenses. In order to continue to implement its business plan, the Company must raise additional funds. There can be no assurance that such financing will be available, if at all, in amounts or on terms acceptable to the Company. In addition, the investigation by the SEC, the pendency of several class action suits against the Company, and the attendant adverse publicity may also make it difficult for the Company to raise additional capital to continue its development. See "Legal Proceedings." Unpredictability of Future Revenues; Potential Fluctuations in Quarterly - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Operating Results; Seasonality - ------------------------------ As a result of the Company's limited operating history and the emerging nature of the markets in which it competes, the Company is unable to accurately forecast its revenues. The Company's current and future expense levels are based largely on its investment plans and estimates of future revenues. Sales and operating results generally depend on the volume of, timing of, and ability to fulfill orders received, which are difficult to forecast. The Company will not be unable to adjust spending in a timely manner to compensate for any unexpected revenue shortfall until revenues grow substantially. Accordingly, any significant shortfall in revenues in relation to the Company's planned expenditures could have an immediate adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Further, as a strategic response to changes in the competitive environment, the Company may from time to time make certain pricing, service or marketing decisions that could have a material adverse effect on its business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. The Company expects to experience significant fluctuations in its future quarterly operating results due to a variety of factors, many of which are outside the Company's control. Factors which may adversely effect the Company's quarterly operating results include: (i) the Company's ability to obtain and retain customers, attract new customers at a steady rate, maintain customer satisfaction and establish consumer confidence in conducting transactions on the Internet environment, (ii) the Company's ability to manage fulfillment operations electronically and without warehouse facilities and to establish competitive gross margins, (iii) the announcement or introduction of new Web sites, services and products by the Company and its competitors, (iv) price competition or higher vendor prices, (v) the level of use and consumer acceptance of the Internet and other online services for the purchase of consumer products such as those offered by the Company, (vi) the Company's ability to upgrade and develop its systems and infrastructure and attract new personnel in a timely and effective manner, (vii) the level of traffic on the Company's Web site, (viii) technical difficulties, system downtime or Internet brownouts, (ix) the amount and timing of operating costs and capital expenditures relating to the expansion of the Company's business, operations and infrastructure, (x) delays in revenue recognition at the end of a fiscal period as a result of shipping or logistical problems, (xi) the level of merchandise returns expected by the Company, (xii) governmental regulation and taxation, (xiii) economic conditions specific to the Internet and online commerce, and (xiv) general economic conditions. The Company expects that it will experience seasonality in its business, reflecting a combination of seasonal fluctuations in Internet usage and traditional retail seasonality patterns. 9 Internet usage and the rate of Internet growth may be expected to decline during the summer. Further, sales in the traditional retail industry are significantly higher in the quarter of each year ending January 31 than in the preceding three quarters. Due to the foregoing factors, in one or more future quarters, the Company's operating results may fall below the expectations of securities analysts and investors. In such event, the trading price of the Common Stock would likely be materially adversely affected. Risk of Capacity Constraints; Reliance on Internally Developed Systems; System - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Development Risks - ----------------- A key element of the Company's strategy is to generate a high volume of traffic on, and use of, its Web site. Accordingly, the satisfactory performance, reliability and availability of the Company's Web site, transaction-processing systems and network infrastructure are critical to the Company's reputation and its ability to attract and retain customers, as well as maintain adequate customer service levels. The Company's revenues depend on the number of visitors who shop on its Web site and the volume of orders it fulfills. Any systems interruptions that result in the unavailability of the Company's Web site or reduced order fulfillment process would reduce the volume of goods sold and the attractiveness of the Company's product and service offerings. The Company may experience periodic systems interruptions from time to time. Any substantial increase in the volume of traffic on the Company's Web site or the number of orders placed by customers will require the Company to expand and upgrade further its technology, transaction-processing systems and network infrastructure. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to accurately project the rate or timing of increases, if any, in the use of its Web site or timely expand and upgrade its systems and infrastructure to accommodate such increases. The Company uses a combination of industry supplied software and internally developed software and systems for its Web site, search engine, and substantially all aspects of transaction processing, including order management, cash and credit card processing, shipping and accounting and financial systems. Any substantial disruptions or delays in any of its systems would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Risk of System Failure; Single Site and Order Interface - ------------------------------------------------------- The Company's success, in particular its ability to successfully receive and fulfill orders and provide high-quality customer service, largely depends on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of its computer and communications hardware systems. Substantially all of the Company's computer and communications hardware is located at a single leased facility in Corona del Mar, California. Although the Company has redundant and back-up systems onsite and a disaster recovery plan, the Company's systems and operations may be vulnerable to damage or interruption from fire, flood, power loss, telecommunications failure, break-ins, earthquake and similar events. The Company does not carry business interruption insurance sufficient to compensate fully for any or all losses from any or all such occasions. Despite the implementation of network security measures by the Company, including a proprietary firewall, its servers may be vulnerable to computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins and similar 10 disruptions, which could lead to interruptions, delays, loss of data or the inability to accept and fulfill customer orders. The occurrence of any of the foregoing risks could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Management of Potential Growth; New Management Team; Limited Senior Management Resources The Company has rapidly and significantly expanded its operations, and anticipates that further significant expansion will be required to address potential growth in its customer base and market opportunities. This expansion has placed, and is expected to continue to place, a significant strain on the Company's management, operations and financial resources. From January 31, 1997 to January 31, 1998, the Company expanded from 4 employees to 67 full time and 9 part time employees, respectively, and has since grown to 85 full time and 9 part time employees as of July 31, 1998. The majority of the Company's senior management joined the Company within the last year, and some officers have no prior senior management experience at public companies. The Company's new employees include a number of managerial, technical and operations personnel who have not yet been fully integrated into the Company's operations. To manage the increase in personnel and the expected growth of its operations, the Company will be required to improve existing, and implement new, transaction-processing, operational and financial systems, procedures and controls, and to train and manage its already expanded employee base. Although the Company believes that there will not be a significant increase in the number of employees over the next twelve months, the Company may be required to increase its finance, administrative and operations staff. Further, the Company's management will be required to maintain and expand its relationships with various manufacturers, distributors, freight companies, other Web sites, other Internet Service Providers and other third parties necessary to the Company's operations. There can be no assurance that the Company's current and planned personnel, systems, procedures and controls will be adequate to support the Company's future operations, that management will be able to hire, train, retain, motivate and manage required personnel or that the Company's management will be able to successfully identify, manage, and exploit existing and potential market opportunities. If the Company is unable to manage growth effectively, its business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations would be materially adversely affected. Dependence of Continued Growth of Online Commerce The Company's future revenues and any future profits are substantially dependent upon the widespread acceptance and use of the Internet and other online services as an effective medium of commerce by consumers. Rapid growth in the use of and interest in the Web, the Internet and other online services is a recent phenomenon, and there can be no assurance that acceptance and use will continue to develop or that a sufficiently broad base of consumers will adopt, and continue to use, the Internet and other online services as a medium of commerce. Demand and market acceptance for recently introduced products and services over the Internet are subject to a high level of uncertainty and there exist few proven services and products. The Company relies, and will continue to rely, on consumers who have historically used traditional means of commerce to purchase merchandise. For the Company to be successful, these 11 consumers must accept and utilize novel ways of conducting business and exchanging information. In addition, the Internet and other online services may not be accepted as a viable commercial marketplace for a number of reasons, including potentially inadequate development of the necessary network infrastructure or delayed development of enabling technologies and performance improvements. To the extent that the Internet and other online services continue to experience significant growth in the number of users, their frequency of use or an increase in their bandwidth requirements, there can be no assurance that the infrastructure for the Internet and other online services will be able to support the demands placed on them. In addition, the Internet or other online services could lose their viability due to delays in the development or adoption of new standards and protocols required to handle increased levels of Internet or other online service activity, or due to increased governmental regulation. Changes in or insufficient availability of telecommunications services to support the Internet or other online services could also result in slower response times and adversely affect usage of the Internet and other online services generally and Shopping.com in particular. If use of the Internet and other online services does not continue to grow or grows more slowly than expected, if the infrastructure for the Internet and other online services does not effectively support growth that may occur, or if the Internet and other online services do not become a viable commercial marketplace, the Company's business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations would be materially adversely affected. Rapid Technological Change To remain competitive, the Company must continue to enhance and improve the responsiveness, functionality and features of the Shopping.com online store. The online commerce industry is characterized by rapid technological change, changes in user and customer requirements and preferences, frequent new product and service introductions embodying new technologies and the emergence of new industry standards and practices that could render the Company's existing Web site and proprietary technology and systems obsolete. The Company's future success will depend, in part, on its ability to license leading technologies useful in its business, enhance its existing services, develop new services and technologies that address the increasingly sophisticated and varied needs of its prospective customers, and respond to technological advances and emerging industry standards and practices on a cost-effective and timely basis. The development of a Web site and other proprietary technology entails significant technical and business risks. There can be no assurance that the Company will successfully use new technologies effectively or adapt its Web site, proprietary technology and transaction-processing systems to customer requirements or emerging industry standards. If the Company is unable, for technical, legal, financial or other reasons, to adapt in a timely manner in response to changing market conditions or customer requirements, its business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations would be materially adversely affected. Year 2000 The Company may be interacting with certain computer programs in connection with credit card transactions and programs used by the Company's vendors and suppliers. These programs may refer to annual dates only by the last two digits, e.g.,"97 for "1997." Problems 12 are anticipated to arise for many of these programs in the year 2000 ("Year 2000 Problems"). The Company has taken this problem into account with respect to its own internal programs and believes that its own internal software is not susceptible to Year 2000 Problems. However, the Company has not made a formal assessment of programs used by service providers or other third parties, including the financial institutions processing credit card transactions, with which the Company may have to interact, nor the Company's vulnerability which may result from any such party's failure to remediate their own year 2000 issues. There can be no guarantee that the systems of other companies on which the Company relies will be converted timely and will not have an adverse effect on the Company's systems and the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. SEC Investigation and Shareholder Litigation. The Company is party to an ongoing investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and various lawsuits, each discussed more fully herein under "Legal Proceedings." The Company is devoting management time and effort in its cooperation with the SEC investigation and its vigorous defense of the lawsuits to which it is a party. Diversion of management time and effort from the Company's operations and the implementation of the Company's business plan may adversely and significantly affect the Company and its business. The continued pendency of litigation may make it difficult for the Company to raise additional capital to continue its development and expansion and to attract and retain talented executives. Debentures, Warrants and Options; Potential Dilution and Adverse Impact on Additional Financing. As of July 31, 1998, the Company had outstanding options and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 2,641,850 shares of Common Stock. The Company is also obligated to issue a currently indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Debentures. The exact number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to such conversion cannot be estimated with certainty because, generally, such issuances of Common Stock will vary inversely with the market price of the Common Stock at the time of such conversion. The Debentures are also subject to various adjustments to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. Further, the Company may, at its election, choose to issue additional shares of Common Stock in lieu of cash payments of accrued interest due to the holders of the Debentures. If all of the Debentures had been converted and warrants issued pursuant thereto had been converted on July 31, 1998, the Company would have been obligated to issue 543,750 shares of Common Stock in respect thereto exclusive of shares issuable upon exercise of warrants by the Placement Agent, its affiliates and one unaffiliated individual. Each holder of the Debentures has agreed contractually not to convert the Debentures to the extent that such conversion would result in such holder beneficially owning more than 9.99% of the then outstanding Common Stock unless at such time the Company shall be in default under any provision of the Debentures or under the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated June 26, 1998, between the Company and the Investor, or any of the agreements contemplated therein. 13 To the extent that such options and warrants are exercised, shares of Common Stock are issued in lieu of payment of accrued interest or the Debentures converted (and the warrants issuable upon such conversion are exercised), substantial dilution of the interests of the Company's shareholders is likely to result and the market price of the Common Stock may be materially adversely affected. Such dilution will be greater if the future market price of the Common Stock decreases. For the life of the warrants, options and Debentures, the holders will have the opportunity to profit from a rise in the price of the Common Stock. The existence of the warrants, options and Debentures is likely to affect materially and adversely the terms on which the Company can obtain additional financing and the holders of the warrants, options and Debentures can be expected to exercise them at a time when the Company would otherwise, in all likelihood, be able to obtain additional capital by an offering of its unissued capital stock on terms more favorable to the Company than those provided by the warrants, options and Debentures. Dependence on Key Personnel; Need for Additional Personnel The Company's performance is substantially dependent on the continued services and on the performance of its senior management and other key personnel, particularly John H. Markley, its President and Chief Executive Officer, Mark S. Winkler, its Chief Information and Technology Officer, Douglas A. Hay, an Executive Vice President, and Howard S. Schwartz, an Executive Vice President. The Company's performance also depends on the Company's ability to retain and motivate its other officers and key employees. The loss of the services of any of its executive officers or other key employees could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. The Company has entered into written employment agreements with Mr. Markley for three years terminating on May 31, 2001, and with Mr. Winkler for one year ending May 20, 1998 which subsequently renewed for one year pursuant to an automatic renewal provision therein. Under his employment agreement, Mr. Winkler may only be terminated for "cause." Additionally, a $1,000,000 "key man" life insurance policy on the life of Mr. Markley is being issued to the Company. The Company entered into a two-year employment agreement with Douglas Hay, its Executive Vice President, as of June 1, 1998. The agreement automatically renews for one year terms unless terminated by either party. The Company entered into a three-year employment agreement with Howard Schwartz, its Executive Vice president, as of August 1, 1998. The agreement automatically renews for one year terms unless terminated by either party. The Company's future success depends on its ability to identify, attract, hire, train, retain and motivate other highly skilled technical, managerial, editorial, merchandising, marketing and customer service personnel. Competition for such personnel is intense, and there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully attract, assimilate and retain sufficiently qualified personnel. In particular, the Company may encounter difficulties in attracting and retaining a sufficient number of software developers for its Web site and transaction-processing systems, and there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to retain and attract such developers. The investigation by the SEC, the pending class action litigation, and the attendant adverse publicity may also make it difficult for the Company to attract such developers and other qualified personnel to the Company. See "Legal Proceedings." The failure to attract and retain the necessary technical, managerial, editorial, merchandising, marketing and customer service personnel could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. 14 Online Commerce Security Risks A significant barrier to online commerce and communications is the need for secure transmission of confidential information over public networks. The Company relies on encryption and authentication technology licensed from third parties to provide the security and authentication necessary to effect secure transmission of confidential information, such as credit card numbers. There can be no assurance that advances in computer capabilities, new discoveries in the field of cryptography, or other events or developments will not result in a compromise or breach of the algorithms used by the Company to protect customer transaction data. A party who is able to circumvent the Company's security measures could misappropriate confidential information or cause interruptions in the Company's operations. The Company may be required to expend significant capital and other resources to protect against such security breaches or to alleviate problems caused by such breaches. If any such compromise of the Company's security were to occur, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Concerns over the security of transactions conducted on the Internet and other online services as well as users' desires for privacy may also inhibit the growth of the Internet and other online services generally, and the Web in particular, especially as a means of conducting commercial transactions. The activities of the Company and third-party contractors involve the storage and transmission of proprietary information, such as credit card numbers and other confidential information. Any such security breaches could damage the Company's reputation and expose the Company to a risk of loss, litigation and/or possible liability. There can be no assurance that the Company's security measures will prevent security breaches or that failure to prevent such security breaches will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Merchants on the Internet are subject to the risk of credit card fraud and other types of theft and fraud perpetrated by hackers and online thieves. Credit card companies may hold merchants fully responsible for any fraudulent purchases made when the signature cannot be verified. Although credit card companies and others are in the process of developing anti-theft and anti-fraud protections, and while the Company itself is continually monitoring this problem and developing internal controls, at the present time the risk from such activities could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Risks of International Expansion The Company is currently contemplating expanding its presence in Europe and other foreign markets. To date, the Company has limited experience in sourcing, marketing and distributing products on an international basis and in developing localized versions of its Web site and other systems. In the event that the Company should seek to expand its operations overseas, the Company believes that it would incur significant costs in establishing international facilities and operations, in promoting its name internationally, in developing localized versions of its Web site and other systems and in sourcing, marketing and distributing products in foreign markets. There can be no assurance that the Company's international efforts would be successful. If the revenues resulting from international activities were inadequate to offset the 15 expense of establishing and maintaining foreign operations, such inadequacy could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, there are certain risks inherent in doing business on an international level, such as unexpected changes in regulatory requirements, export and import restrictions, tariffs and other trade barriers, difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations, longer payment cycles, political instability, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, seasonal reductions in business activity in other parts of the world and potentially adverse tax consequences, any of which could adversely impact the success of the Company's international operations. There can be no assurance that one or more of such factors would not have a material adverse impact on the Company's future international operations and, consequently, on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Competition The online commerce industry, particularly on the Internet, is new, rapidly evolving and intensely competitive. The Company expects such competition to intensify in the future. Barriers to entry are minimal, allowing current and new competitors to launch new Web sites at a relatively low cost. The Company currently or potentially competes with a variety of other companies. These competitors include: (i) various online vendors of other consumer and trade products and services such as CUC International, Amazon.com, ONSALE, Peapod, Netgrocer, iMALL, Internet Shopping Network, Micro Warehouse, CDNow, QVC and Home Shopping Network; (ii) a number of indirect competitors that specialize in online commerce or receive a substantial portion of their revenues from online commerce, including America Online, Microsoft Network, Prodigy, and Compuserve; (iii) mail order catalog operators such as Spiegel, Lands End, and Sharper Image; (iv) retail and warehouse/discount store operators such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Target and Price/Costco; and (v) other international retail or catalog companies which may enter the online commerce industry. Both Wal-Mart and Home Depot have announced their intention to devote substantial resources to online commerce at discount prices, which, if successful, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. However, the Company believes that retail and discount/warehouse operators will be somewhat restricted in their ability to lower prices by the need to protect their own pricing strategy to avoid cannibalizing their own store margins. The Company believes that the principal competitive factors in its market are price, speed of fulfillment, name recognition, wide selection, personalized services, ease of use, 24-hour accessibility, customer service, convenience, reliability, quality of search engine tools, and quality of editorial and other site content. Many of the Company's current and potential competitors have longer operating histories, larger customer bases, greater brand name recognition and significantly greater financial, marketing and other resources than the Company. In addition, online retailers may be acquired by, receive investments from or enter into other commercial relationships with larger, well-established and well-financed companies as use of the Internet and other online services increases. Certain of the Company's competitors may be able to secure merchandise from vendors on more favorable terms, devote greater resources to marketing and promotional campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing or inventory availability policies and devote substantially more resources to Web site and systems development than the Company. Increased competition may result in reduced operating margins, loss of market share 16 and a diminished franchise value. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors, and competitive pressures faced by the Company may have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations. Further, as a strategic response to make changes in the competitive environment, the Company may, from time to time, make certain pricing, service or marketing decisions or acquisitions that could have a material adverse effect on its business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. New technologies and the expansion of existing technologies may increase the competitive pressures on the Company. In addition, companies that control access to transactions through network access or Web browsers could promote the Company's competitors or charge the Company a substantial fee for inclusion. Reliance on Certain Suppliers and Shippers Unlike retail and warehouse/discount store operators and certain online commerce providers, the Company, as an E-retailer, carries no inventory, has no warehouse employees or facilities, and relies on rapid fulfillment from its vendors. The Company has no long term contracts or arrangements with any of its vendors or shippers that guarantee the availability of merchandise, the continuation of particular payment terms, the extension of credit limits or shipping schedules. There can be no assurance that the Company's current vendors will continue to sell merchandise to, or that shippers will be able to provide delivery service for, the Company on current terms or that the Company will be able to establish new, or extend current, vendor and shipper relationships to ensure acquisition and delivery of merchandise in a timely and efficient manner and on acceptable commercial terms. If the Company were unable to develop and maintain relationships with vendors and shippers that would allow it to obtain sufficient quantities of merchandise on acceptable commercial terms, or in the event of labor disputes or natural catastrophes, its business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations would be materially adversely affected. Availability of Merchandise; Vendor Credit for the Company Although the Company's merchandising division maintains relationships with vendors which it believes will offer competitive sources of supply, and believes that other sources are available for most of the merchandise it will sell or may sell in the future, there can be no assurance that Shopping.com will be able to obtain the quantity of brand or quality of items that management believes are optimum. The unavailability of certain product lines could adversely impact the Company's operating results. Given its lack of operating history and the uncertainty of the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, certain vendors of products sold by the Company may not be prepared to advance normal levels of credit to the Company. An unwillingness to extend credit may increase the amounts of capital required to finance the Company's operations and reduce returns, if any, on invested capital. The interruption of the trading of the Company's stock on the over-the-counter bulletin board during March and April, 1998 made vendors reluctant to extend credit to the Company. In addition, the investigation by the SEC and the continuation of the attendant adverse publicity may continue to make vendors reluctant to extend credit to the Company. 17 Risks Associated with Entry into New Business Areas The Company may choose to expand its operations by developing new Web sites, promoting new or complementary products or sales formats, expanding the breadth and depth of products and services offered or expanding its market presence through relationships with third parties. Although it has no present understandings, commitments or agreements with respect to any material acquisitions or investments, the Company may pursue the acquisition of new or complementary businesses, products or technologies. There can be no assurance that the Company would be able to expand its efforts and operations in a cost-effective or timely manner or that any such efforts would increase overall market acceptance. Furthermore, any new business or Web site launched by the Company that is not favorably received by consumer or trade customers could damage the Company's reputation or the Shopping.com brand name. Expansion of the Company's operations in this manner would also require significant additional expenses and development, operations and editorial resources and would strain the Company's management, financial and operational resources. The lack of market acceptance of such efforts or the Company's inability to generate satisfactory revenues from such expanded services or products could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Limited Protection of Intellectual Property and Proprietary Rights The Company regards its Shopping.com name and related technology as proprietary and relies primarily on a combination of copyright, trademark, trade secret and confidential information laws as well as employee and third-party non-disclosure agreements and other methods to protect its proprietary rights. There can be no assurance that these protections will be adequate to protect against technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to the Company's technologies. The Company does not currently hold any patents or have any patent applications pending for itself or its products and has not obtained federal registration for any of its trademarks. The Company enters into non-disclosure and invention assignment agreements with certain of its employees and also enters into non-disclosure agreements with certain of its consultants and subcontractors. However, there can be no assurance that such measures will protect the Company's proprietary technology, or that its competitors will not develop software with features based upon, or otherwise similar to, the Company's software or that the Company will be able to prevent competitors from developing similar software. The Company believes that its products, trademarks and other proprietary rights do not infringe on the proprietary rights of third parties. The Company has been displaying its Web site on the Internet without receiving claims from third parties that its products or names infringe on any proprietary rights of other parties. However, the Company is a recent entrant in the sale of merchandise on the Internet, and there can be no assurance that third parties will not assert infringement claims against the Company in the future with respect to current or future products, trademarks or other Company works. Such assertion may require the Company to enter into royalty arrangements or result in costly litigation. The Company is also dependent upon obtaining additional technology related to its operations. To the extent new technological developments are unavailable to the Company on terms acceptable to it, or at all, the Company may be unable to continue to implement its business and any such inability would have a 18 material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Governmental Regulation and Legal Uncertainties The Company is not currently subject to direct regulation by any domestic or foreign governmental agency, other than regulations applicable to businesses generally, and laws or regulations directly applicable to access to online commerce. However due to the increasing popularity and use of the Internet and other online services, it is possible that a number of laws and regulations may be adopted with respect to the Internet or other online services covering issues such as user privacy, pricing, content, copyrights, distribution and characteristics and quality of products and services. Furthermore, the growth and development of the market for online commerce may prompt calls for more stringent consumer protection laws that may impose additional burdens on those companies conducting business online. The adoption of any additional laws or regulations may decrease the growth of the Internet or other online services, which could, in turn, decrease the demand for the Company's products and services and increase the Company's cost of doing business, or otherwise have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations. Moreover, the applicability to the Internet and other online services of existing laws in various jurisdictions governing issues such as property ownership, sales and other taxes, libel and personal privacy is uncertain and may take years to resolve. Any such new legislation or regulation, the application of laws and regulations from jurisdictions whose laws do not currently apply to the Company's business, or the application of existing laws and regulations to the Internet and other online services could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Permits or licenses may be required from federal, state or local government authorities to operate or to sell certain products on the Internet. No assurances can be made that such permits or licenses will be obtainable. The Company may be required to comply with future national and/or international legislation and statutes regarding conducting commerce on the Internet in all or specific countries throughout the world. No assurances can be made that the Company will be able to comply with such legislation or statutes. Sales and Other Taxes The Company does not currently collect sales or other similar taxes with respect to shipments of goods to consumers into states other than California. However, one or more states may seek to impose sales tax collection obligations on out-of-state companies such as the Company, which engage in online commerce. In addition, any new operation in states outside California could subject shipments into such states to state sales taxes under current or future laws. A successful assertion by one or more states or any foreign country that the Company should collect sales or other taxes on the sale of merchandise could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. 19 Risks Associates with Domain Names The Company currently holds various Web domain names relating to its brand, including the "Shopping.com" domain name. The acquisition and maintenance of domain names generally is regulated by governmental agencies and their designees. For example, in the United States, the National Science Foundation has appointed Network Solutions, Inc. as the exclusive registrar for the ".com", ".net", and ".org" generic top-level domains. The regulation of domain names in the United States and in foreign countries is subject to change. Governing bodies may establish additional top-level domains, appoint additional domain name registrars or modify the requirements for holding domain names. As a result, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to acquire or maintain relevant domain names in all countries in which it conducts business. Furthermore, the relationship between regulations governing domain names and laws protecting trademarks and similar proprietary rights is unclear. The Company, therefore, may be unable to prevent third parties from acquiring domain names that are similar to, infringe upon or otherwise decrease the value of its trademarks and other proprietary rights. Any such inability could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Risks of Business Combinations and Strategic Alliances The Company may choose to expand its operations or market presence by entering into business combinations, investments, joint ventures or other strategic alliances with third parties. Any such transactions would be accompanied by the risks commonly encountered in such transactions. These include, among others, the difficulty of assimilating operations, technology and personnel of the combined companies, the potential disruption of the Company's ongoing business, the inability to retain key technical and managerial personnel, the inability of management to maximize the financial and strategic position of the Company through the successful integration of acquired businesses, additional expenses associated with amortization of acquired intangible assets, the maintenance of uniform standards, controls and policies and the impairment of relationships with existing employees and customers. There can be no assurance that the Company would be successful in overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered in connection with such business combinations, investments, joint ventures or other strategic alliances, or that such transactions will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Possible Volatility of Stock Price The trading price of the Common Stock is likely to be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to factors such as actual or anticipated variations in quarterly operating results, announcements of technological innovations, new sales formats or new products or services by the Company or its competitors, changes in financial estimates by securities analysts, conditions or trends in the Internet and online commerce industries, changes in the market valuations of other Internet, online service or retail companies, announcements by the Company of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments, additions or departures of key personnel, sales of Common Stock and other events or factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. In addition, the stock market in general, and the market for Internet-related and technology companies in particular, has 20 experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of such companies. The trading prices of many technology companies' stocks are at or near historical highs and reflect price earnings ratios substantially above historical levels. There can be no assurance that these trading prices and price earnings ratios will be sustained. These broad market and industry factors may materially and adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock, regardless of the Company's operating performance. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company's securities, securities class-action litigation has often been instituted against such company. Such litigation, if instituted, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management's attention and resources, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Shares Eligible for Future Sale Sales of substantial amounts of the Company's Common Stock in the public market after this offering could adversely affect prevailing market prices for the Common Stock. The shares of Common Stock offered hereby will be freely tradeable without restriction in the public market. RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES. The Company has incurred significant operating losses since inception. During the year ended January 31, 1997, the Company had no interest expense and had no preferred stock dividends. Therefore, a presentation of the ratios of earnings to fixed charges and ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock (collectively, "Ratios") is not presented. During the year ended January 31, 1998 and the three months ended April 30, 1998, the Company had insufficient earnings of approximately $6.1 million and $4.7 million, respectively, to cover its fixed charges. As such, the Company does not present Ratios for the year ended January 31, 1998 and the three months ended April 30, 1998. Subsequent to April 30, 1998, the Company issued $2.5 million of 8% Convertible Debentures which will result in an increase to the Company's fixed charges. See "Capitalization" and the financial statement schedules and notes thereto included elsewhere in this document. Management of the Company anticipates that the Company will continue to have insufficient earnings to cover its fixed charges. USE OF PROCEEDS. The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the Shares offered hereunder by the Selling Shareholders. The offering is made to fulfill the Company's contractual obligations to the Selling Shareholders to register certain shares held by the Selling Shareholders. However, certain of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby are issuable in the future upon the conversion of outstanding or issuable debentures or the exercise of outstanding issuable warrants. The Company will receive the exercise prices payable upon any exercise of the warrants. There can be no assurance that all or any part of the warrants will be exercised. 21 SELLING SHAREHOLDERS. The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of the Common Stock as of July 31, 1998 by each of the Selling Shareholders, assuming conversion of the debentures and exercise of the warrants. Unless otherwise indicated below, to the knowledge of the Company, all persons listed below have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares of Common Stock, except to the extent authority is shared by spouses under applicable law. None of the Selling Shareholders has had a material relationship with the Company during the last three years, other than as a result of the ownership of the Common Stock, the debentures, warrants or other securities of the Company. The information included below is based upon information provided by the Selling Shareholders. Because the Selling Shareholders may convert their debentures, exercise their warrants and offer all, some or none of the Common Stock, no definitive estimate as to the number of shares thereof that will be held by the Selling Shareholders after such offering can be provided and the following table has been prepared on the assumption that all shares of Common Stock offered under this Prospectus will be sold.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Common Stock Beneficially Owned on July 31, 1998 (1) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name Shares Percent Shares That May Be ---- ------ ------- Offered Hereunder ----------------- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maslo Fund Ltd. (2) 108,750 2.25 108,750 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wayne Invest & Trade Inc. (2) 108,750 2.25 108,750 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chesterfield Capital Resources Ltd. (2) 108,750 2.25 108,750 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Star High Yield Investment Management Corporation (2) 108,750 2.25 108,750 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sloanes Trading Corp. (2) 108,750 2.25 108,750 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DENEX International, Ltd. (2) 108,750 2.25 108,750 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sholem Liebenthal (2) 108,750 2.25 108,750 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shiya Edel (2) 108,750 2.25 108,750 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BITUSWISS, S.A. (2) 108,750 2.25 108,750 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burstein & Lindsay Securities Corp. (2) 108,750 2.25 108,750 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- David Stefansky (3) 42,300 * 42,300 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Richard Rosenblum (3) 42,300 * 42,300 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vincent Calicchia (4) 1,000 * 1,000 - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anthony Soich (5) 1,000 * 1,000 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Trautman Kramer & Company, Inc. (6) 72,900 1.5 46,500 - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Less than 1% (1) As required by SEC regulations, the number of shares shown as beneficially owned includes shares which can be purchased within 60 days after July 31, 1998. The actual number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned is subject to adjustment and could be materially more or less than the estimated amount indicated depending upon factors which cannot be predicted by the Company at this time, including among others, issuances of the remaining Debentures and the market price of the Common Stock prevailing at the actual date of conversion of Debentures and exercise of Warrants. (2) Beneficial ownership is based upon the conversion of all of the Debentures and exercise of all of the Warrants and based on the lower of the average of the closing bid prices of Common Stock for each of the 30 trading days immediately preceding July 31, 1998 or $16.00. If all Debentures held by such Selling Shareholders had been issued and converted on July 31, 1998 (assuming a price of $16.00 per share of Common Stock) and all resulting Warrants had been exercised, the Company would have been obligated to issue 543,750 shares of Common stock in respect thereto. The actual number of shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the conversion of the debentures and exercise of the warrants is subject to adjustment and could be materially less or more than such estimated amount depending on factors that cannot be predicted by the Company at this time, including, among others, the future market price of the Common Stock. However, each holder of the debentures has agreed contractually not to convert the debentures or exercise the warrants to the extent that such conversion or exercise would result in such holder beneficially owning more than 9.99% of the then outstanding Common Stock unless at such time the Company shall be in default under any provision of the debentures or under the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated June 26, 1998, between the Company and such holder, or any of the agreements contemplated therein. The Company may be required to issue shares in excess of 1,087,500 in certain circumstances. For a further description of the debentures, see "Risk Factors--Debentures, Warrants and Options; Potential Dilution and Adverse Impact on Additional Financing." (3) Includes 42,300 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants issued, and to be issued, in connection with Trautman Kramer's services to the Company as Placement Agent in the Private Placement. The exercise price for a warrant for 5,500 shares is $16.00 with the balance at $24.00, each exercisable for five years from issuance. Mr. Stefansky and Mr. Rosenblum are affiliates of Trautman Kramer. (4) Includes 1,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants issued in connection with Trautman Kramer's services to the Company as Placement Agent in the Private Placement. The exercise price is $24.00, and the warrant is exercisable until June 30, 2003. Mr. Calicchia is an affiliate of Trautman Kramer. 23 (5) Includes 1,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants issued to an individual in connection with the Private Placement. The exercise price is $24.00, and the warrant is exercisable until June 30, 2003. (6) Includes 3,900 shares of Common Stock issued, or to be issued, to Trautman Kramer in connection with the Private Placement and 69,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants issued, or to be issued, in connection with Trautman Kramer's services to the Company as Placement Agent in the Private Placement. The exercise price for a warrant for 9,000 shares is $16.00 with the balance at $24.00, each exercisable for five years from the date of issuance. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION. Sales of the Shares may be effected by or for the account of the Selling Shareholders from time to time in transactions (which may include block transactions) in the over-the-counter bulletin board, in negotiated transactions, through a combination of such methods of sale, or otherwise, at fixed prices that may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or at negotiated prices. The Selling Shareholders may effect such transactions by selling the Shares directly to purchasers, through broker-dealers acting as agents for the Selling Shareholders, or to broker-dealers acting as agents for the Selling Shareholders, or to broker-dealers who may purchase Shares as principals and thereafter sell the Shares from time to time in transactions (which may include block transactions) in the over-the-counter bulletin board, in negotiated transactions, through a combination of such methods of sale, or otherwise. In effecting sales, broker-dealers engaged by a Selling Shareholders may arrange for other broker-dealers to participate. Such broker-dealers, if any, may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the Selling Shareholders and/or the purchasers of the Shares for whom such broker-dealers may act as agents or to whom they may sell as principals, or both (which compensation as to a particular broker-dealers might be in excess of customary commissions). The Selling Shareholders and any broker-dealers, agents or underwriters that participate with the Selling Shareholders in the distribution of the Shares may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act. Any commissions paid or any discounts or concessions allowed to any such persons, and any profits received on the resale of the Shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. The Company has agreed to bear all expenses of registration of the Shares other than legal fees and expenses, if any, of counsel or other advisors to the Selling Shareholders. Any commissions, discounts, concessions or other fees, if any, payable to broker-dealers in connection with any sale of the Shares will be borne by the Selling Shareholders selling such Shares. The Company has agreed to indemnify the Selling Shareholders, or their transferees or assignees, against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the Selling Shareholders or their respective pledgees, donees, transferees or other successors in interest may be required to make in respect thereof. 24 DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED. Common Stock The Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation currently authorize 20,000,000 shares of which 4,069,854 shares are issued and outstanding as of July 31, 1998 without giving effect to the exercise of warrants or options or the conversion of debentures. The holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on each matter submitted to a vote of shareholders, except that, upon giving notice required by law, shareholders may cumulate their votes in the election of directors. Under cumulative voting, each shareholder may give any one candidate whose name is placed in nomination prior to the commencement of voting a number of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected, multiplied by the number of votes to which the shareholder's shares are normally entitled, or distribute such number of votes among as many candidates as the shareholder sees fit. The effect of cumulative voting is that the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock may not be able to elect all of the Company's directors. Holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities and the liquidation preference of any outstanding senior securities. Holders of Common Stock have no preemptive rights and have no rights to convert their Common Stock into any other securities. The outstanding shares of Common Stock are, and the shares of Common Stock offered hereby will be, when issued, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Preferred Stock The Company is authorized to issue 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, none of which are currently issued and outstanding. The Preferred Stock may carry certain rights, preferences and privileges including liquidation, conversion and dividend preferences upon designation by the Board of Directors. Warrants In the private placements of the Company's subsequently retired Series A and Series B Preferred Stock, one warrant exercisable until May 31, 2002 at an exercise price of $3.00 for one share of Common Stock was issued with each two shares of preferred stock purchased for an aggregate of 643,250 shares. In the private placement of the Promissory Notes, warrants to purchase 33,300 were issued for each $100,000 principal of a Promissory Note, which warrants are exercisable until May 31, 2002 at an exercise price of $6.00 per share of Common Stock, for an aggregate of 366,300 shares. In connection with the Company's agreement with En Pointe, the Company issued warrants exercisable for a five year term at an exercise price of $4.50 per share of Common Stock, for an aggregate of 199,800 shares. 25 As part of the private placement of units comprised of promissory notes and warrants, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 132,500 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $14.00 per share, exercisable until May 15 and June 8, 2001. The Company also issued one warrant for the purchase of 300,000 shares of Common Stock exercisable until June 15, 2003 at an exercise price of $21.92 per share. In connection with the issuance of the 8% Convertible Debentures (described below), the Company issued to the placement agent and certain of its affiliates warrants to purchase an aggregate of 33,000 shares of Common Stock exercisable until June 30, 2003 at the exercise price of $24.00. As consideration for the waiver of certain provisions of an agreement with the placement agent, the Company issued to the placement agent and certain of its affiliates 7,500 shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase as aggregate of 20,000 shares of Common Stock exercisable until July 31, 2003 at an exercise price of $16.00. As consideration for equipment leasing agreements, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 2,936 shares of Common Stock, more particularly described herein: (a) 1,079 shares exercisable until February 2, 2000 at an exercise price of $22.25, and (b) 1,857 shares exercisable until December 18, 1999 at an exercise price of $14.75. The warrants may be exercised for unregistered shares of Common Stock, the transfer of which is restricted, unless registered pursuant to registration rights of the warrant holders. Certificates for shares will be issued upon surrender of the certificate(s) for the warrants on or prior to the expiration or the redemption date (as explained above) at the offices of the Company's warrant agent with the form of "Election to Purchase" completed and executed as indicated, accompanied by payment (in the form of certified or cashier's check payable to the order of the Company or assignment of certain securities) of the full exercise price or value for the number of warrants being exercised. The warrants generally contain provisions that protect the holders thereof against dilution by adjustment of the exercise price per share and the number of shares issuable upon exercise thereof upon the occurrence of certain events, including issuances of Common Stock (or securities convertible, exchangeable or exercisable into Common Stock) at less than market value, stock dividends, stock splits, mergers, a sale of substantially all of the Company's assets, and for other extraordinary events; provided, however, that no such adjustment shall be made upon among other things, (i) the issuance or exercise of options or other securities under the Company's Plan or other employee benefit plans, or (ii) the sale or exercise of outstanding options or warrants. The Company is not required to issue fractional shares of Common Stock, and in lieu thereof, will make a cash payment based upon the current market value of such fractional shares. A holder of Warrants will not possess any rights as a stockholder of the Company unless and until the Warrants are exercised. 26 Debentures During June and July 1998, the Company issued to the Investors 8% Convertible Debentures in the aggregate amount of $2,500,000 due two years from the date of issuance. Additional Debentures in the aggregate amount of $2,500,000 will be issued to the same Investors upon the effective date of the Registration Statement (the "Second Tranche"). In addition, Debentures in the aggregate amount of $5,000,000 will be issued to the Investors upon mutual agreement with the Company. The Debentures are convertible into shares of Common Stock at a conversion price per share equal to the lower of (i) the lowest market price for any three trading days selected by the Debenture holder from the thirty trading days prior to the conversion or (ii) $16.00. In addition, upon conversion, the Debenture holders receive warrants to purchase the number of share of Common Stock equal to one-half of the number of shares of Common Stock received in the conversion. The initial warrants will be exercisable until June 5, 2003 at an exercise price equal to the Common Stock conversion price. The registration rights granted the Investors in the Private Placement require the Company to register not less than 200% of the shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon Debenture conversion and warrant exercise at the filing date. Registration Rights The holders of certain warrants have registration rights pursuant to registration rights agreements which allow at least fifty percent of the holders of the warrants to make one demand for registration of the Common Stock held by them after exercise of their warrants. The registration rights agreements for all holders of warrants provide for piggy-back rights on the Company's registration of securities pursuant to which the holders of warrants have contractual rights to have the Company include shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants in a registration statement filed by the Company covering any of its securities. INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO THE REGISTRANT. BUSINESS. General Shopping.com (the "Company" or "Registrant") is an Internet-based electronic retailer ("E-retailer") specializing in marketing a broad range of products and services at wholesale prices to both consumers and trade customers. Product categories currently available on the Company's Web site include: computers & software, downloadable software, consumer electronics, office furniture, office products, books, music CDs & cassettes, musical instruments, movies, sheet music, cigar apparel & accessories, cigars, lighters, housewares, gourmet foods, baby & nursery, auto accessories, auto electronics, auto parts catalog, bath, hardware, kitchen, lawn & garden, lighting, patio furniture, plumbing, heating & cooling, storage and organization, tools, luggage, men's furnishing & accessories, travel bags & accessories, women's accessories, marine supplies, bicycles, games & activities, golf & sporting goods, toys & hobbies, video games, pet supplies, bath & body care, fragrances, personal health & beauty care, medical equipment & supplies, vitamins, collectibles, gifts, sunglasses, watches, and prints & posters. 27 The Company has and anticipates that it will continue to enter into arrangements with a number of manufacturers and distributors who will ship their products directly to its customers, allowing the Company to avoid the expense of inventory maintenance and physical store costs. Although Shopping.com's strategy relies on offering its customers a wide selection of goods and services, for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998, the Company's principal products were consumer electronics, computers and software, music CDs and books. The Company believes that with the development of its marketing strategy and merchandise plan, the sales of computer equipment and software will decrease as a percentage of the Company's total sales. There can be no assurance that this will be the case. The Company has experienced significant growth in customer traffic since its inception. For example, although the Company only commenced selling on the Internet on July 11, 1997, the number of visitors to the Company's Web site increased from 5,796 during the second quarter to 299,320 during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ending January 31, 1998, while the number of Web site hits (pages viewed within the Shopping.com Web site) increased from 183,951 during the second quarter to 11,645,662 during the fourth quarter. During the first and second quarter of its current fiscal year the number of Website visitors increased to 916,980 and 929,140, respectively. The Company believes that its success is dependent upon developing and exploiting the large base of potential customers that the Internet has made available. If the Company is successful in developing a broad customer base, the loss of any one customer would not have a material adverse impact on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations. The Company employs a combination of proprietary information systems and industry software to provide its customers with access to an automated marketplace of products and services, which consist of the inventories of multiple manufacturers and distributors, price comparisons, detailed product descriptions, product availability, delivery status of products ordered and back order information. Utilizing proprietary technology, the Company has designed a fully-scalable systems architecture for the Internet shopping marketplace. Shopping.com generates revenues similar to a retail store when its customers purchase goods from its Web site. The Company adjusts gross margins on a product by product basis based on competitive prices and its cost of goods. The experience of the Company's management as retailers enables them to negotiate with vendors in order to obtain advantageous prices thus allowing management to set selling prices and create the gross profit margin for the sale of goods or services. When a product is purchased by a customer on the Company's Web site, the Company receives payment from the customer's credit card through a financial institution intermediary usually within four business days. The amount received is net of any credit card transaction fees deducted by the financial institution intermediary. In the alternative, the customers can mail their payments to Shopping.com's headquarters. After receipt of the customer's payment, the Company then pays its vendors for the cost of goods sold. Shopping.com's vendors are generally paid within a period ranging from zero (same day) to thirty business days. Additionally, the Company may generate revenues from the shipping and handling charges added to each customer's order. 28 The Company has arrangements with manufacturers and distributors to furnish the goods at predetermined prices. Generally, the Company has no written contracts with its vendors and the arrangements can be terminated by the Company or the vendor at will. The Company intentionally has not entered into any exclusive supplier contracts with its vendors with the exception of En Pointe Technologies, Inc. ("En Pointe"). The strategic advantage of not entering into exclusive supplier agreements is that the Company retains its ability to source several of the same products from different vendors, providing lower prices for the Company's customers. The three vendors which supplied the Company with the most inventory as measured by cost of goods sold, each a vendor of computer and consumer electronic products, supplied approximately 23%, 23% and 7%, respectively of the total cost of goods purchased for resale for the period ending January 31, 1998. Although these three vendors supplied approximately 50% of the Company's total products purchased for resale for the period ending January 31, 1998, the Company believes that it has no material vendors such that the termination of any arrangement would materially adversely affect the Company's business or results of operations. The Company believes that the large percentages attributable to these three vendors will not recur over the next year, but rather are the result of factors, such as large one-time sales in relation to the Company's sales volume in its initial sales year that most likely will not be repeated. In addition, in the event that the relationship with any one vendor should terminate, the Company believes that it would be able to find other comparable suppliers. Customers order products and services on Shopping.com's Web site and generally provide payment by either credit card over the Internet through Verisign or by calling 1-888-LOVE-2-SHOP. Shipments are then made by the manufacturer or distributor directly to the customer after verification by Shopping.com that the payment has been properly credited. Because transactions are accomplished without the need to maintain inventory, warehouse facilities, retail store space or attendant personnel, the Company believes it will be able to obtain market share by passing cost savings along to its customers, selling, as a result, its products and services at a discount to typical retail and warehouse/discount stores. For the same reasons, the Company is also able to provide a broader merchandise mix than retail stores, warehouse/discount stores and mail order catalog operators. The Company believes that the principal competitive factors in its market are price, speed of fulfillment, brand name recognition, breadth of selection, personalized services, ease of use, 24-hour accessibility, customer service, convenience, reliability, quality of search engine tools, and quality of editorial and other site content. Shopping.com's strategy is to become a low-price leader in E-retailing on the Internet by utilizing the warehousing, purchasing and distribution strengths of multiple manufacturers and distributors, rather than to assume those roles for itself. The Company believes this approach allows Shopping.com to eliminate many of the risks and costs associated with maintaining inventory, including the cost of leasing warehouse space, inventory obsolescence, inventory tracking systems, and the increased costs associated with employing large numbers of personnel for stocking and shipping duties. By having access to the inventories of multiple manufacturers and distributors, Shopping.com believes it will be able to offer its customers a competitive combination of price, product availability, order fulfillment and delivery services and still attain profitability. Beyond the benefits of a wide selection, purchasing from Shopping.com can be done conveniently, 24-hours a day, without requiring a trip to the store. 29 Shopping.com commenced operations in February, 1996 and incorporated in California on November 22, 1996. The Company's executive offices are located at 2101 East Coast Highway, Garden Level, Corona del Mar, California 92625. Industry Background According to the U.S. Department of Commerce report, The Emerging Digital Economy [April 1998], "in 1994, three million people, most of them in the United States, used the Internet. In 1998, 100 million people around the world use the Internet. Some experts believe that one billion people may be connected to the Internet by 2005." The emergence of the Internet as a significant communications medium is driving the development and adoption of Web content and commerce applications that offer both convenience and value to consumers, as well as unique marketing opportunities and reduced costs to business. A growing number of customers have begun to conduct business on the Internet including paying bills, booking airline tickets, trading securities and purchasing consumer goods (e.g., personal computers, consumer electronics, compact disks, books, groceries and vehicles). Moreover, online transactions can be faster, less expensive and more convenient than transactions conducted through a human intermediary. The Shopping.com Solution The Shopping.com solution is based on eliminating the retail store intermediary and passing along associated cost savings to both consumer and trade customers in the form of lower pricing on comparable goods and services. The Company believes it will be able to accomplish these objectives because its customer transactions are accomplished without the need to maintain inventory, warehouse establishments, retail or discount store buildings and attendant personnel. The sole source of funds for the Company from the date of inception through April 30, 1998, other than the sale of equity and debt securities, has been from sales of products in the amounts of $850,724 and $917,836 for the year ended January 31, 1998 and the quarter ended April 30, 1998, respectively. Key to the success of Shopping.com is the implementation of an advertising and marketing program that will introduce the availability of Shopping.com as an entertaining, intelligent, and cost-effective alternative to traditional shopping venues. The Company believes that selection of initial product offerings, pricing, delivery mechanisms, customer service, philosophy and a number of other factors are integrally related to the success of the Company. The Company believes that one of the advantages it has over other retail and warehouse/discount stores is being able to showcase new products which may not have as yet achieved market acceptance. In addition, the Company believes that it will not be as much "at risk" when introducing new products and services or when creating consumer demand because it is able to do so without maintaining expensive inventory. Further, the Company believes it will be able to create increased consumer demand by showcasing related products and services to its customers and more accurately gauging their market acceptance. Shopping.com believes that its success will be based on its providing excellent service at all operating levels and aggressively bringing its advantages to the attention of both the consumer and the vendor. 30 Business Strategy The Company's objective is to become a major retailer on the Internet by pursuing the following key strategies: Increase Market Awareness and Brand Name Recognition. Shopping.com believes that it is positioned to become a leader in Internet commerce due to its management team's background and experience operating large retail and discount store formats combined with its expertise in information systems programming and technology. The Company operates in a market in which its name recognition is critical to attracting high quality vendors and a high level of customer traffic. Accordingly, the Company's strategy is to promote, advertise and increase its visibility through a variety of marketing and promotional techniques, including: advertising on leading Internet sites and in printed media, conducting an ongoing public relations campaign and obtaining links from other Web sites. Provide Compelling Retailing Experience for Customers. The Company believes buyers will be attracted by consistently low prices and desirable merchandise in a user-friendly and entertaining environment. Accordingly, the Company intends to continue offering its customers a wide array of opportunities to buy desired merchandise at low prices through a visually stimulating and user-friendly interface which is rich in both product stock keeping units ("SKUs") and product description content. Shopping.com plans to increase the range of merchandise offered to customers worldwide at low prices and collaborating in the development of a shopping environment including multi-lingual content and multiple currency exchange systems. Expand and Strengthen Long-Term Vendor Relationships. The Company's ability to attract, secure, and obtain large quantities of branded merchandise for its Web site is key to its success. The Company continues to build its merchandising staff to facilitate securing long-term relationships with a variety of vendors. Leverage Low Cost Structure. The Company is not required to pay the expenses necessary to support a traditional retail operation which requires inventory, warehouse facilities, retail store space and attendant personnel. However, the Company acts as a principal with both its venders and customers and arranges order fulfillment, payment verification, shipping functions and customer support. By eliminating traditional retail expenses and undertaking only selective point of sale functions, the Company believes it will be able to control its gross margins, monitor its customer service and realize lower operating costs than many of its competitors. Develop Incremental Revenue Opportunities. The Company believes that a significant opportunity exists to develop incremental revenue opportunities, including expanding its product mix with additional products and enabling vendors to showcase new products that are well suited for its Web site. The Company also believes that the anticipated high level of traffic on its Web site will make that Web site an attractive alternative for other companies which wish to advertise on the Web. In addition, the Company hopes to expand its customer base to include 31 Smore international customers. Today, the Company has customers from over 100 nations; and it anticipates increasing this base significantly as its marketing campaign expands globally. Build on Leading Technologies. The Company believes that one of its competitive advantages is its internally developed proprietary technology, which enables the Company to conduct automated sales with its customers. The Company intends to further enhance its proprietary technology to provide an even more compelling shopping experience, as well as to streamline its order processing, distribution and customer support facilities as new technology develops. Such enhancements will include integration of multilingual content and developing multiple currency exchange systems. Merchandising Strategy Shopping.com's merchandising strategy is designed to appeal to all classes of consumer and trade customers. Shopping.com intends to become a one stop shopping service by virtue of its broad merchandise mix and expects to provide the Internet shopper with a selection of variety and pricing unmatched by traditional retailers. With effective user-friendly search engine tools, the Shopping.com customer enjoys a wide array of categories and specialty products not typically offered to the general public under one store roof, while at the same time allowing its customers the ease of virtual shopping from either home or office, as well as substantial price discounts. Shopping.com's merchandise strategy emphasizes what the Company believes to be a competitive advantage, the combination of identifiably low pricing with broad product selection. The Shopping.com merchandise strategy builds upon the broader selection/lower price method of retailing initiated in the warehouse/discount market of the 1980's and early 1990's. Shopping.com's strategy is designed to allow the Company to compete with major retail leaders including warehouse/discount stores, traditional retail chains, and mail order catalog operators by: . offering competitive prices and better values; . offering a broader merchandise mix; . providing a low cost venue for vendors to test market acceptance of new products and services; and . eliminating the expenses of inventory, warehouse facilities, retail store space and attendant personnel. Shopping.com has made arrangements with a number of manufacturers and distributors to supply various products. Building upon the previous business relationships of Shopping.com's management team, the Company's vendors include many who can offer regional warehouse shipping points to meet customers shipping needs and thereby reduce long-haul shipping costs. In addition to meeting the criteria of product selection within a product category, any potential Shopping.com vendor must also meet the Company's standards for quality control, product selections, packaging and shipping logistics. 32 Marketing and Promotion The Company believes that an immediate and rapidly expanding market opportunity exists for Internet-based providers who can offer the consumer and trade customer an almost limitless selection of products and services at low prices via online venues. Although retail stores, warehouse/discount stores, mail order catalog operators and other providers using alternate forms of media to sell products and services all represent significant market segments, no single distribution channel of consumer products and services presently dominates the entire market. Shopping.com's marketing strategy is designed to promote the Shopping.com name, increase customer traffic to its Web site, build strong customer loyalty, maximize repeat purchases and develop incremental revenue opportunities. Shopping.com intends to build customer loyalty through the use of customer preference and behavioral data obtained as a result of monitoring its customers' activities online. The Company's proprietary technology allows for rapid product experimentation, customer buying pattern analysis, instant user feedback and customized data-based marketing for its customers, all of which the Company incorporates in its merchandising. By offering customers compelling values, the Company seeks to increase the number of visitors who make purchases and encourage repeat visits and purchases. Loyal, satisfied customers also generate word-of-mouth advertising and awareness and are able to reach thousands of other customers and potential customers because of the reach of online communication. The Company currently employs and intends to employ a variety of media, product development, business development and promotional activities to achieve its marketing goals: Online Service and Internet Advertising. The Company intends to continue to place advertisements on various Web sites. These advertisements usually take the form of banners that encourage readers to click through directly to Shopping.com's Web site. Traditional Advertising. The Company has used traditional media for advertising in the past and expects to use such media in the future. Customer Gifts. The Company may in the future send gifts to its customers. These gifts will be designed to increase customer loyalty and provide customers with a continuing reminder of the Shopping.com Web site. Customer Service and Order Fulfillment Retail shopping, as currently conducted, usually requires significant investments of time, effort, and associated costs on the part of the consumer. Generally the consumer is required to opt for either (1) limited selection/lower price, or (2) broad selection/higher price. The Company believes that the provider who can offer the consumer a broad selection and a lower price alternative should be well positioned to capture a significant portion of the online shopping market. 33 The Company believes that traditional retail concepts apply to online retailing. Consumers expect online shopping to be entertaining, compelling and enjoyable. To be successful, the Company believes that an online store must also be fast, offer a wide product selection targeted to a variety of individual customer profiles and provide excellent customer service. The Company believes that its ability to establish and maintain long-term relationships with its customers and encourage repeat visits and purchases depends, in part, on the strength of its customer support and service operations and staff. Shopping.com encourages frequent communication with, and feedback from, its customers in order to continually improve its product and service offering. Shopping.com offers an e-mail address to enable customers to request information and to encourage feedback and suggestions. The team of customer support and service personnel is responsible for handling general customer inquiries, answering customer questions about the ordering process, and investigating the status of orders, shipments, and payments. Shopping.com also offers a toll-free line for customers (1-888-LOVE-2-SHOP) who are reluctant to enter their credit card numbers over the Internet. The Company has automated the tools used by its customer support and service staff and intends to actively pursue enhancements to, and further the automation of, its customer support and service systems and operations. Shopping.com's goal is to exploit the opportunity for online shopping by establishing itself as a online low-price leader providing a broad range of products and services over the Internet prior to the arrival of competitors marketing similar offerings. While the Internet presently offers an increasing amount of products, these offerings are generally limited to specialty providers offering limited product and service categories (e.g., airline tickets, books, music, CDs, flowers, and groceries). In addition, the Company believes that its proprietary technology will afford a major advantage over existing and potential Internet providers. See "Factors That May Affect Future Performance - Competition." The transmission, data presentation and shipping of the vast merchandise categories E-retailed by the Company involves the maintenance, continued development and efficient use of the Company's proprietary technology and well trained customer service associates. Since the delivery of merchandise sold to the customer is not within the direct control of the Company, logistics in securing, transmitting and finalizing information necessary for delivery in a manner which will satisfy the Shopping.com customer is important to the success of the Company. The Company utilizes automated interfaces for sorting and organizing its orders to enable it to achieve rapid and economic purchase and delivery times. Under the Company's arrangements with its manufacturers and distributors, electronically ordered products often are shipped by the vendor within days and sometimes within hours of receipt of an order from Shopping.com. The Company has also developed customized information systems and dedicated ordering personnel that specialize in searching special orders for customers. Technology Shopping.com brings to the Internet commerce industry a combination of (i) strong retail management experience, and (ii) computer and information systems design, development, implementation and operation expertise. For the fiscal years ended January 31, 1998 and 1997, 34 the Company spent $893,923 and $83,308 respectively on product development activities. Through the end of the first quarter of the current fiscal year, the Company spent $634,594 on product development activities. While the Company recognizes the importance of the Company's technology to the development and implementation of the Company business strategy, there can be no assurance that the Company has made or is making the optimal allocation of its resources between research and development and the other claims on the Company's resources. Shopping.com's operating system offers the Internet shopper the ability to browse dynamically, securely select and purchase a number of products and services offered by the Company. Management has sought to address anticipated or potential systems downtime by developing and implementing a back-up response to all its information systems. The developed and designed systems architecture accommodates peak transaction loads and will "scale up" appropriately as transaction volume increases with the expected growth in online shopping. In addition, the database-oriented design was developed to permit new media technologies to be quickly introduced into the system without the need for extensive programming. The Company's technology and systems are protected by systems specifically designed to assure continuity of operation in the event of natural catastrophes or local shutdown of power. Shopping.com employs internal protective equipment for its systems. For security, a firewall with special protection has been created to avoid invasion by hackers or competitors. In addition, on-site back-up and redundancy is provided. The Company has formulated a contingency plan in case of a natural disaster. All data is downloaded and stored in locked containers off-site on a daily basis. Security is also afforded customers through the use of a Secured Socket Layer (S.S.L.) key with Verisign to protect credit card information. See "Risk Factors -- Risk of Capacity Constraints; Reliance on Internally Developed Systems; System Development Risks"; "-- Risk of System Failure; Single Site and Order Interface"; and "-- Online Commerce Security Risks." Intellectual Property The Company regards its Shopping.com name and related software as proprietary and relies primarily on a combination of copyright, trademark, trade secret, and confidential information laws, employee and third-party non-disclosure agreements and other methods to protect its proprietary rights. There can be no assurance that these protections will be adequate to protect against technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to the Company's technologies. The Company does not currently hold any patents or have any patent applications pending for itself or its products and has not obtained Federal registration for any of its trademarks. The Company enters into non-disclosure and invention assignment agreements with certain of its employees and enters into non-disclosure agreements with certain of its consultants and subcontractors. However, there can be no assurance that such measures will be adequate to prevent competitors from developing similar software. The Company believes that its products, trademarks and other proprietary rights do not infringe on the proprietary rights of third parties. However, the Company is a recent entrant in the sale of merchandise on the Internet, and there can be no assurance that third parties will not assert infringement claims against the Company in the future with respect to current or future 35 products, trademarks or other Company works. Such an assertion may require the Company to enter into royalty arrangements or result in costly litigation. The Company is also dependent upon existing technology related to its operations. To the extent that new technological developments are unavailable to the Company on terms acceptable to it, or not at all, the Company may be unable to continue to implement its business plan which would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. See "Risk Factors -- Limited Protection of Intellectual Property and Proprietary Rights." Competition The online commerce industry, particularly on the Internet, is new, rapidly evolving and intensely competitive. The Company expects such competition to intensify in the future. Barriers to entry are minimal, allowing current and new competitors to launch new Web sites at a relatively low cost. The Company currently or potentially competes with a variety of other companies. These competitors include: (i) various online vendors of other consumer and trade products and services including CUC International, Amazon.com, ONSALE, NetGrocer, iMALL, Internet Shopping Network, Micro Warehouse, CDNow, QVC and Home Shopping Network; (ii) a number of indirect competitors that specialize in online commerce or derive a substantial portion of their revenues form online commerce, including America Online, Microsoft Network, Prodigy and Compuserve; (iii) mail order catalog operators such as Spiegel, Lands End, and Sharper Image; (iv) retail and warehouse/discount store operators such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Target and Price/Costco; and (v) other international catalog companies which may enter the online commerce industry. Both Wal-Mart and Home Depot have announced their intention to devote substantial resources to online commerce at discount prices, which, if successful, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. However, the Company believes that retail and warehouse/discount operators will be somewhat restricted in their ability to lower prices by the need to protect their own pricing strategy to avoid cannibalizing their store margins. The Company believes that the principal competitive factors for its market are price, speed of fulfillment, name recognition, wide selection, personalized services, ease of use, 24-hour accessibility, customer service, convenience, reliability, quality of search engine tools, and quality of editorial and other site content. Many of the Company's current and potential competitors have longer operating histories, larger customer bases, greater name recognition and significantly greater financial, marketing and other resources than the Company. In addition, online retailers may be acquired by, receive investments from or enter into other commercial relationships with larger, well-established and well-financed companies as use of the Internet and other online services increases. Certain of the Company's competitors may be able to secure merchandise from vendors on more favorable terms, devote greater resources to marketing and promotional campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing or inventory availability policies and devote substantially more resources to the Web site and systems development than the Company. Increased competition may result in reduced operating margins, loss of market share and a diminished franchise value. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors, and competitive pressures faced by the Company may have a material adverse effect on the Company's business prospects, 36 financial condition and results of operations. Further, as a strategic response to changes in the competitive environment, the Company may, from time to time, make certain pricing, service or marketing decisions or acquisitions that could have a material adverse effect on its business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. New technologies and the expansion of existing technologies may increase the competitive pressures on the Company. In addition, companies that control access to transactions through network access or web browsers could promote the Company's competitors or charge the Company a substantial fee for inclusion. See "Risk Factors -- Competition." Governmental Regulation The Company is not currently subject to regulation by any domestic or foreign governmental agency, other than regulations applicable to businesses generally, and laws or regulations directly applicable to access to online commerce. However, due to the increasing popularity and use of the Internet and online services, it is possible that a number of laws and regulations may be adopted with respect to the Internet or other online services covering issues such as user privacy, pricing, content, copyrights, distribution and characteristics and quality of products and services. Furthermore, the growth and development of the market for online commerce may prompt calls for more stringent consumer protection laws that may impose additional burdens on those companies conducting business online. The adoption of any additional laws or regulations may decrease the growth of the Internet or other online services, which could, in turn, decrease the demand for the Company's products and services and increase the Company's cost of doing business, or otherwise have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, the applicability to the Internet and other online services of existing laws in various jurisdictions governing issues such as property ownership, sales and other taxes, libel and personal privacy is uncertain and may take years to resolve. Any such new legislation or regulation, the application of laws and regulations jurisdictions whose laws do not currently apply to the Company's business, or the application of existing laws and regulations to the Internet and other online services could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. Permits or licenses may be required from federal, state or local governmental authorities to operate or to sell certain products on the Internet. No assurances can be given that such permits or licenses will be obtainable. The Company may be required to comply with future national and/or international legislation and statutes regarding conducting commerce on the Internet in all or specific countries throughout the world. No assurance can be made that the Company will be able to comply with such legislation or statutes. See "Risk Factors -- Governmental Regulation and Legal Uncertainties." Environmental Issues The Company's operations are not currently impacted by federal, state, local and foreign environmental protection laws and regulations. 37 Employees As of July 31, 1998, the Company employed 85 full-time and 9 part-time employees, including 18 in Management Information Systems, 5 in Marketing and 12 in Accounting and Administration. One employee holds a doctorate in education. Three additional employees hold master's degrees. The Company believes that its future success will depend in part on its ability to attract, hire and maintain qualified personnel. Competition for such personnel in the online industry is intense. None of the Company's employees are represented by a labor union, and the Company has never experienced a work stoppage. The Company believes its relationship with its employees to be good. See "Risk Factors -- Dependence on Key Personnel; Need for Additional Personnel." PROPERTY. The Company's principal administrative, engineering, marketing and customer service facilities are located in an office building at 2101 East Coast Highway, Corona del Mar, California and encompass approximately 9,200 square feet. The Company expects to outgrow its current space within the next two years. In such event, the Company expects it will be able to find suitable facilities at commercially reasonable prices, although no assurances can be given. The space occupied by the Company is under a triple net lease which will expire on February 28, 2002. The lease provides for monthly rental of approximately $9,690 with annual increases. Beginning in April 1998 the monthly rent rose to approximately $10,994. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. On July 8, 1997, Brian Leneck, a former officer of the Company, resigned. By letter dated July 10, 1997, Robert McNulty, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Company, tendered payment to Leneck to buy back 140,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company pursuant to a shareholder agreement. Leneck rejected the tender, claiming that the amount was not the fair market value of the shares. On March 17, 1998, Leneck filed a lawsuit in Orange County Superior Court of California against the Company, Robert McNulty and three members of the Board of Directors at the time, Bill Gross, Edward Bradley and Paul Hill. Leneck's lawsuit seeks damages for breach of contract, conversion, and breach of fiduciary duty with respect to 70,000 shares. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses, as well as affirmative claims, against Leneck and intends to vigorously protect its rights in this matter. On March 27, 1998, the Company filed a lawsuit in Orange County Superior Court against Leneck asserting, inter alia, breach of contract, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, fraud and deceit, declaratory relief and specific performance. In March of 1998, the Company became aware that the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") had initiated a private investigation to determine whether the Company, Waldron & Co., Inc. ("Waldron"), then the principal market maker in the Company's stock, or any of their officers, directors, employees, affiliates or others had engaged in activities in connection with transactions in the Company's stock in violation of the federal securities laws. The SEC suspended trading in the Company's stock from 9:30 a.m. EST, March 24, 1998 through 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 6, 1998 pursuant to Section 12(k) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. On April 30, 1998, the National Association of Securities Dealers ("NASD") 38 permitted the Company's Common Stock to resume trading on the electronic bulletin boards beginning on April 30, 1998. Because the SEC has not alleged any violations, it is difficult to predict the outcome of their investigation. The Company continues, however, to fully cooperate with the SEC inquiry. Nevertheless, the investigation by the SEC, and the attendant adverse publicity may not only reduce significantly the liquidity of that stock but also make it difficult for the Company to raise additional capital to continue its development and expansion. The inability of the Company to raise additional capital would have material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations and may prevent the Company from carrying out its business plan. On April 16, 1998, Michael A. Martucci on behalf of all persons who purchased shares of the Company's stock between November 25, 1997 and March 26, 1998, filed suit in the California Superior Court for the County of Orange alleging violations of the California securities laws by the Company, Robert McNulty, Douglas Hay, Waldron and one other broker-dealer and two of those firm's executives. The complaint charges that the defendants "participated in a scheme and wrongful course of business to manipulate the price of [the Company's] stock, which included: (i) defendant Waldron's refusal to execute sell orders; (ii) the use of illegal stock parking; (iii) the use of illegal above-market buy-ins to intimidate and dissuade potential short sellers from selling [Company] stock short; (iv) the sale of [Company] shares to discretionary accounts without regard to suitability; and (v) the dissemination of materially false and misleading statements about [the Company's] operating performance and its future prospects." The complaint further alleges that the Company "secretly arranged to sell $250,000 of product to Waldron as part of defendants' effort to have [the Company] post revenue growth prior to the [Company's] planned [initial public offering]," that such sales constituted almost 25% of the Company's revenues between its inception and March 26, 1998 and that the Company did not disclose such sales or their significance in the Prospectus used in the Company's initial public offering. The plaintiff seeks compensatory damages in an unspecified amount, attorneys' fees and costs, injunctive relief, disgorgement or restitution of the proceeds of the Company's IPO and the defendants' profits from trading in the Company' s stock, and the imposition of a constructive trust over the Company's revenues and profits. On May 6, 1998 Steven T. Moore on behalf of all persons who purchased shares of the Company's stock between November 25, 1997 and March 26, 1998 filed suit in United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging violations of the federal securities laws by the Company, Robert McNulty, Douglas Hay, Waldron and one other broker-dealer and two of those firm's executives. The complaint charges that the defendants "participated in a scheme and wrongful course of business to manipulate the price of [the Company's] stock, which included: (i) defendant Waldron's refusal to execute sell orders; (ii) the use of illegal stock parking; (iii) the use of illegal above-market buy-ins to intimidate and dissuade potential short sellers from selling [Company] stock short; (iv) the sale of [Company] shares to discretionary accounts without regard to suitability; and (v) the dissemination of materially false and misleading statements about [the Company's] operating performance and its future prospects." The complaint further alleges that the Company "secretly arranged to sell $250,000 of product to Waldron as part of defendants' effort to have [the Company] post revenue growth prior to the [Company's] planned [initial public offering]," that such sales constituted almost 25% of the Company's revenues between its inception and March 26, 1998 and that the Company did not disclose such sales or their significance in the Prospectus used in the Company's initial public 39 offering. The plaintiff seeks compensatory damages in an unspecified amount, attorneys' fees and costs, injunctive relief, disgorgement or restitution of the proceeds of the Company's IPO and the defendants' profits from trading in the Company' s stock, and the imposition of a constructive trust over the Company's revenues and profits. On April 28, 1998, Abraham Garfinkel on behalf of all persons who purchased shares of the Company's stock between November 25, 1997 and March 26, 1998, filed suit in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging violation of the federal securities laws by the Company, Robert McNulty, Douglas Hay, Waldron and Cery Perle, an affiliate of Waldron. The complaint alleges that defendants acted in concert with each other to manipulate the price of the Company's stock by, inter alia, "work[ing] closely with defendant McNulty on a weekly basis whereby defendant McNulty would pass the supposedly confidential information of those who had 'hit' or contacted Shopping's website." The complaint alleges that the defendants also manipulated the market by engaging in conduct similar to that alleged in the Martucci and Moore actions. The complaint also alleges that the Company's prospectus was misleading by the failure to disclose sales to Waldron as discussed above. The plaintiffs seek damages similar to that sought by Martucci and Moore. On May 18, 1998, Kate McCarthy, on behalf of all persons who purchased shares of the Company's stock between November 25, 1997 and March 26, 1998, filed suit in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging violation of the federal securities laws by the Company, Robert McNulty, Douglas Hay, Waldron and Cery Perle. The complaint alleges that defendants acted in concert with each other to manipulate the price of the Company's stock by, inter alia, "work[ing] closely with defendant McNulty on a weekly basis whereby defendant McNulty would pass the supposedly confidential information of those who had 'hit' or contacted Shopping's website." The complaint alleges that the defendants also manipulated the market by engaging in conduct similar to that alleged in the Martucci and Moore actions. The complaint also alleges that the Company's prospectus was misleading by the failure to disclose sales to Waldron as discussed above. The plaintiffs seek damages similar to that sought by Martucci and Moore. The Company denies that it engaged in any of the acts alleged in any of the above complaints and intends to defend against these actions vigorously. Nonetheless, and despite the Company's insurance coverage for such actions, these class action suits may be very harmful to the Company. Diversion of management time and effort from the Company's operations and the implementation of the Company's business plan at this crucial time in the Company's development may adversely and significantly affect the Company and its business. The continued pendency of this litigation may make it difficult for the Company to raise additional capital to continue its development and expansion and to attract and retain talented executives. The inability of the Company to raise additional capital would have material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations and may prevent the Company from carrying out its business plan. Though a formal complaint has not been filed, Lewis, D'Amato, Brisbois & Bisgaard, the Company's former counsel, forwarded on March 10, 1998, a "Notice of Client's Right to Arbitration" in connection with legal services performed on behalf of the Company. The law firm claims legal fees and costs in the amount of $328,818.97 are due. The Company disputes 40 the amount of fees owed and is in the process of exploring whether the matter can be informally resolved. However, the Company has accrued the claimed amount as of January 31, 1998. Though settlement negotiations have occurred, it is more probable than not that the Company will proceed with its election to have the matter submitted to arbitration before the Los Angeles County Bar Association. By written contracts dated December 12, 1997, the Company retained SoftAware, Inc. to provide facilities and services relative to the maintenance, location and supply of T1 lines to the Company's servers. Subsequent to the execution of the contracts, SoftAware, Inc. experienced a prolonged electrical outage which resulted in the disruption of internet access and communications. Based upon this and other factors, the Company determined that SoftAware, Inc. was incapable of performing under the agreements and declined to proceed. By letter dated May 22, 1998, SoftAware, Inc.'s counsel made written demand upon the Company for $120,000.00 which purportedly reflected the compensatory damages SoftAware suffered as a direct and proximate result of the Company's refusal to proceed with performance under the contract. The Company rejected this demand and offered to reimburse SoftAware, Inc. for reasonable costs incurred in reliance on the contracts in an amount less than $3,000. SoftAware, Inc. has yet to respond to this offer. The Company is involved in two other labor related disputes. Although it is not possible to predict the outcome of these disputes, or any future claims against the Company related hereto, the Company believes that such disputes will not, either individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations. MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDENDS. The Company's common stock began trading under the symbol "IBUY" in the over-the-counter securities market on November 26, 1997. The over-the-counter quotations reflect interdealer bid prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission, and may not represent actual transactions. The over-the-counter market does not constitute active trading and trading in the Company's common stock is limited and sporadic. The following table sets forth the range of high bid and low bid quotations since the Company began trading on November 26, 1997 through the end of the second quarter ended July 31, 1998. The prices were retrieved from "WWW.STOCKTOOLS.COM." Common Stock
For Fiscal Year Ended January 31, 1998 High Low - -------------------------------------- ---- --- Fourth Quarter $15.25 $8.50 For Fiscal Year Ending January 31, 1999 High Low - --------------------------------------- ---- --- First Quarter $39.00 $14.75 Second Quarter $25.50 $17.00
Prior to November 1997 there was no active market for the Company's securities. 41 On March 24, 1998, the SEC suspended trading in the Company's securities for the period from 9:30 a.m. EST, March 24, 1998 through 11:59 p.m. EDT, on April 6, 1998. The SEC's order stated that there appeared to be a "lack of current and accurate information concerning the securities of Shopping.com because of recent market activity in the stock that may have been the result of manipulative conduct." Ref. SEC Release File No. 500-1. The Company became aware in March of 1998 that the SEC had initiated a private inquiry to determine whether violations of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder had occurred in connection with alleged false and misleading statements concerning the alleged control and manipulation of the Company's Common Stock. The SEC is investigating the facts to determine whether violations, if any, have occurred. The Company is fully cooperating with the SEC's inquiry. See "Legal Proceedings." Following the termination of the SEC's suspension, the NASD did not immediately allow the Company's principal market maker, Waldron & Co., Inc. ("Waldron"), to resume trading in the Company's securities on the electronic bulletin boards. Waldron was approved for such trading, and such trading resumed on April 30, 1998. The Company has never declared or paid any cash dividends on its capital stock. The Company currently intends to retain any future earnings of its business, and therefore does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA. The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the financial statement schedules and the notes thereto and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere herein. The financial data as of and for the years ended January 31, 1998 and 1997, are derived from the financial statements of the Company, which have been audited by Singer Lewak Greenbaum & Goldstein LLP, independent auditors, and are incorporated by reference elsewhere in this Prospectus, and are qualified by reference to such financial statements and the notes thereto. The selected financial data as of and for the quarter ended April 30, 1998, is derived from audited and unaudited interim financial statements of the Company, which in the opinion of management include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information set forth therein. The historical results are not necessarily indicative of future results. 42 Shopping.com SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA FORM S-1
Quarter Ended April 30 Year Ended January 31 (unaudited) ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------ 1997 1998 1997 1998 ----------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ Statement of Operations Data: Net Sales $ - $ 850,724 $ - $ 917,836 Cost of sales - 793,957 - 864,889 Gross profit - 56,767 - 52,947 Total operating expenses 201,697 5,027,636 345,977 4,793,491 Loss from operations (201,697) (4,970,869) (345,977) (4,740,544) Total other income (expense) - (551,160) (1,000) 34,966 ----------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ Net loss $ (201,697) $ (5,522,029) $ (346,977) $ (4,705,578) ================= ================== ================= ================== Basic and diluted loss per common share $ (0.16) $ (3.05) $ (0.30) $ (1.17) ================= ================== ================= ================== Weighted-average shares outstanding 1,282,500 1,807,874 1,152,500 4,039,013 ================= ================== ================= ==================
January 31 April 30 (unaudited) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1997 1998 1997 1998 --------------- ------------------- ----------------- --------------------------------- Balance Sheet Data: Pro forma, Actual as adjusted ---------------- ---------------- Cash and cash equivalents $ 63 $4,829,180 $219,163 $1,476,109 $17,676,109 Working capital (deficit) (94,768) 3,977,775 209,204 (350,743) 15,849,257 Total assets 39,184 8,444,732 388,751 5,568,985 21,956,485 Total shareholders' equity (deficit) $(78,647) $6,580,236 $353,226 $2,965,347 $19,352,847
43 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. The following discussion and analysis of the Company's financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Company's financial statements and the related notes thereto incorporated by reference elsewhere herein. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS The following statements contained in this "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" include "forward looking" information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. The forward looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company's industry, management's beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. All statements, trends, analyses and other information contained in this report relative to the actual future results of the Company could differ materially from those projected in the forward looking information. For a discussion of certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected by the forward looking information, see "Risk Factors" herein. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers, however, should carefully review the factors set forth in other reports or documents that the Company files from time to time with the SEC. OVERVIEW Shopping.com (the "Company") began operations in February, 1996, was incorporated on November 22, 1996 and commenced selling on the Internet on July 11, 1997. The Company is an innovative Internet-based electronic retailer ("E-retailer") specializing in retail marketing a broad range of products and services at wholesale prices to both consumer and trade customers. Utilizing proprietary technology, the Company has designed a fully-scalable systems architecture for the Internet shopping marketplace. The Company's management team combines the experiences of: . Executives with extensive background in both retail and warehouse/discount store formats. . Executives who have experience in computer and information systems design and development. . Directors with entrepreneurial skills who currently oversee and manage their own existing companies. The Company began generating sales on July 11, 1997, thus making an evaluation of the Company and its prospects difficult to calculate. Since inception through April 30, 1998, the Company has generated sales of $1,768,560. The Company anticipates that sales from the 44 Company's Web site will constitute substantially all of the Company's sales. Over the next twelve months, the Company intends to increase its revenues by pursuing an aggressive advertising and marketing campaign aimed at attracting customers to shop on its Web Site and to co-brand with other commercial partners which will help increase the Company's brand name recognition as well as increase traffic on the Company's Web Site. The Company must seek additional financing estimated at $26 million over the next twelve months in order to sustain operations or achieve planned expansion. There can be no assurance that such additional funds will be available or that, if available, such additional funds will be on terms acceptable to the Company. The Company anticipates that its operations will incur significant operating losses for the foreseeable future. The Company believes that its success will depend upon its ability to increase obtain sales on its Web site significantly over the next twelve months, which cannot be assured. The Company's ability to generate sales is subject to substantial uncertainty. The Company's prospects must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered by companies in their early stage of development, particularly companies in new and rapidly evolving markets such as online commerce. Such risks for the Company include, but are not limited to, an evolving and unpredictable business model and the management of growth. To address these risks, the Company must, among other things, obtain a customer base, implement and successfully execute its business and marketing strategy, continue to develop and upgrade its technology and transaction-processing systems, improve its Web site, provide superior customer service and order fulfillment, respond to competitive developments, and attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in addressing such risks; and the failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, the Company's lack of an operating history makes predictions of future operating results difficult to ascertain. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to generate sales, or that the Company will be able to achieve or maintain profitability. Since inception, the Company has incurred significant losses and, as of April 30, 1998, had an accumulated deficit of approximately $10.5 million. The Company substantially increased its operating expenses over the past quarter in order to, among other things, fund increased advertising and marketing efforts, expand and improve its Internet operations and user support capabilities, and develop new Internet content and applications. The Company expects to continue to incur significant operating expenses on a quarterly and annual basis for the foreseeable future. To the extent such increases in operating expenses are not offset by revenues, the Company will continue to incur significant losses. The Company's quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are outside of the Company's control. See "Risk Factor - Unpredictability Of Future Revenues; Potential Fluctuations In Quarterly Operating Results; Seasonality." In seeking to effectively implement its business plan, the Company may elect, from time to time, to make certain marketing or acquisition decisions that could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Due to all of the foregoing factors, it is likely that in some future quarters, the Company's results of 45 operations may be below the expectations of securities analysts and shareholders. In such event, the price of the Company's Common Stock could be materially adversely affected. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following is a discussion of the results of operations for fiscal year ended January 31, 1998, and the three months ended April 30, 1998. The Company is not providing any comparisons of its results of operations with the prior year because the Company was in an early stage of development at that time, and such comparisons would not be meaningful. Net Sales Although the Company commenced operations in February, 1996, it did not begin selling products and services on its Web site until July 11, 1997 prior to which time it was still in the process of evaluating the technical features of its Web site. For the twelve months ended January 31, 1998, and the three months ended April 30, 1998, the Company generated net sales of $850,724 and $917,836, respectively. For the twelve months ended January 31, 1998, 40% of the Company's sales were to Waldron & Co., Inc. ("Waldron"), the Company's underwriter and a market maker. The sales to Waldron occurred primarily during the second and third quarters of the twelve-month period ending January 31, 1998 and largely consisted of a one-time purchase of a CISCO and Compaq computer system. The Company's gross margins on such sales were higher than the Company's usual margin on sales. For the three months ended April 30, 1998, sales of $84,162, or approximately 9%, were sales to Waldron. Such sales consisted primarily of computer equipment and office supplies which allowed the Company to generate higher gross margins. For the three months ended April 30, 1998, sales of $108,707 were made to CCI, a computer and computer supply resaler. The sales to CCI constituted approximately 12% of net sales. In addition, the Company had sales of $9,402 to Aubry Hanson, a partnership in which one of the partners is a shareholder of the Company. The sales to Aubry Hanson approximate 1% of net sales of the Company for three months ended April 30, 1998. The Company believes that it is not dependent upon CCI, Waldron or any other customer and that the loss of Waldron, CCI or any other customer as a customer would not have a material adverse impact on the Company. The Company expects the sales to CCI and Waldron to continue to decline as a percentage of total sales. The Company's business model is based on a low profit margin coupled with a large volume of sales to a broad customer base. The Company records sales at the time products are shipped to customers, which includes the retail sales price of the product and any shipping and handling charges billed to its customers. Cost of Sales Cost of sales include the actual cost the Company pays its vendors for the products and the actual shipping and handling charges incurred by the Company to ship products to its customers. The cost of sales for the twelve-month period ended January 31, 1998, and the three months ending April 30, 1998 were $793,957, or approximately 93.3% of net sales, and $864,889, or approximately 94.2% of net sales, respectively. The Company's gross profit margin was approximately 6.7% for the twelve month period ended January 31, 1998, and 5.8% for the three months ended April 30, 1998. The failure to generate sales with sufficient margins 46 to cover its operating expenses will result in losses and could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Advertising and Marketing Expenses Advertising and marketing expenses consist primarily of media costs related to advertising, promotion and marketing literature. Advertising and marketing expenses incurred by the Company for the twelve months ended January 31, 1998 and the three months ending April 30, 1998 were $871,964 and $1,837,990, respectively or approximately 102.5% and 200%, respectively, of net sales. The Company intends to significantly increase its advertising and marketing expenses in future periods. While the Company is hopeful that its net sales will also increase in future periods so that its sales and marketing expense will represent a decreasing percentage of net sales, the Company is not able to predict whether its net sales will increase by a sufficient amount for this to occur. No assurance can be given that the Company will achieve increased net sales or that marketing expense will decrease as a percentage of sales. Product Development Expenses Product development expenses consist primarily of costs incurred by the Company to develop and enhance its Web site. Product development expenses include compensation and related expenses, depreciation and amortization of computer hardware and software, and the cost of acquiring, designing, developing and editing Web site content. Product development expenses incurred by the Company for the twelve months ended January 31, 1998, and three months ended April 30, 1998 were approximately $893,923, or approximately 105.1% of net sales, and $634,594 or approximately 69.1% of net sales, respectively. The Company believes that significant investments in enhancing its Web site will be necessary to become and remain competitive. As a result, the Company may continue to incur, or increase the level of, product development expenses. General and Administrative Expenses General and administrative expenses not otherwise attributable to product development and advertising and marketing expenses consist primarily of compensation, rent expense, fees for professional services and other general corporate purposes. General and administrative expenses incurred by the Company for the twelve months ended January 31, 1998, and three months ended April 30, 1998 were $3,261,749, or approximately 383.4% of net sales, and $2,320,907, or approximately 252.9% of net sales, respectively. The Company expects general and administrative expenses to significantly increase in future periods as a result of, among other things, increased hiring and expansion of facilities. Interest Income and Expense Interest expense for the twelve months ending January 31, 1998 was $580,679 or 68.3% of net sales and is primarily attributable to the Promissory Notes issued by the Company from inception through January 31, 1998. Included in interest expense is $221,000 of loan origination fees related to the Promissory Notes and $299,700 of financing costs related to the issuance of 47 certain warrants in connection with $600,000 of Promissory Notes. The Promissory Notes were paid using the proceeds of the Company's initial public offering. Interest income on cash and cash equivalents for the three months ended April 30, 1998 was $36,418 or approximately 4% of net sales. Interest income was due to the Company having certain interest-bearing cash and cash equivalents accounts. Interest expense for the three months ended April 30, 1998 was $1,452 or less than 1% of net sales and is primarily attributable to interest on accounts payable. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES The Company's principal sources of liquidity were cash and cash equivalents derived from public and private sales of the Company's equity and debt securities, and from sales of product in the amounts of $850,724 and $917,836 for the year ended January 31, 1998 and the quarter ended April 30, 1998, respectively. Capital expenditures for the twelve month period ended January 31, 1998 and the three month period ended April 30, 1998 were $1,629.166 and $418,386, respectively. The Company has current and long-term capital lease obligations for certain office equipment, the aggregate amount of which, as of January 31, 1998 and April 30, 1998 were $439,718 and $690,109, respectively. The Company anticipates a substantial increase in its capital expenditures in 1998 consistent with its anticipated growth. The Company experienced a net loss of $5,522,029 and generated net sales of $850,724 for the year ended January 31, 1998. The Company experienced a net loss of $4,705,578 and generated net sales of $917,836 for the three month period ended April 30, 1998. The Company's ability to survive and grow for the immediate future will depend on the Company's ability to raise additional capital from public or private equity or debt sources. In addition, the Company believes that it will need to raise additional funds in order to avail itself of any unanticipated opportunities (such as more rapid expansion, acquisitions of complementary businesses or the development of new products or services), to react to unforeseen difficulties (such as the loss of key personnel or the rejection by Internet users of the Company's Web site content) or to otherwise respond to unanticipated competitive pressures. The Company has used rather than provided cash from its operations. These factors raise a substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. In view of the matters described above, recoverability of a major portion of the Company's recorded asset amounts is dependent upon the Company's ability to raise sufficient capital to fund its working capital requirements until the Company can generate sufficient sales volume to cover its operating expenses. Management of the Company believes that its current cash on hand plus the existing working capital will not be sufficient to sustain current operations for the balance of the fiscal year ending January 31, 1999. The Company is currently negotiating with several investors about raising additional capital through private placement offerings. However, there can be no assurance that such capital resources will be available to the Company or that if available, such funding will be on terms acceptable to the Company. In addition, the investigation by the SEC, the pendency of lawsuits and the attendant 48 adverse publicity may not only reduce significantly the liquidity of the Company's stock but also make it difficult for the Company to raise additional capital to continue its development and expansion. See "Legal Proceedings." If additional funds are raised through the issuance of equity securities, the percentage ownership of the Company's then existing shareholders will be reduced. Moreover, shareholders may experience additional and significant dilution, and such equity securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of the Company's Common Stock. These factors raise a substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. In view of the matters described above, recoverability of a major portion of the Company's recorded asset amounts is dependent upon the Company's ability to raise sufficient capital to fund its working capital requirements until the Company can generate sufficient sales volume to cover its operating expenses. EMPLOYEES As of July 31, 1998, the Company employed 85 full time and 9 part time employees. This is an increase from January 31, 1998, when the number of employees was 67 full time and 9 part time employees. The Company believes that its future success will depend in part on its ability to attract, hire and maintain qualified personnel. However, the Company believes there will not be a significant increase in employees over the next twelve months. Competition for such personnel in the on-line industry is intense. None of the Company's employees is represented by a labor union, and the Company has never experienced a work stoppage. The Company believes its relationship with its employees to be good. FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE PERFORMANCE The Company's business, financial condition and results of operations may be impacted by a number of factors including, without limitation, the factors discussed under "Risk Factors." DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
Name Age Position with Shopping.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Frank W. Denny 63 Chairman - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John H. Markley 58 President, Chief Executive Officer and Director - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Douglas A. Hay 44 Executive Vice President and Director - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Howard S. Schwartz 51 Executive Vice President - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kristine E. Webster 29 Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Secretary - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark S. Winkler 39 Chief Information and Technology Officer - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paul J. Hill 52 Director - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edward F. Bradley 59 Director - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
49 FRANK W. DENNY. Mr. Denny joined Shopping.com in April 1998 as its Chairman of the Board. He is also the President and CEO of Group InterCom, an international marketing and consulting group headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, and has served in those offices since 1991. Through its United States and International offices Group InterCom is engaged in the sale, marketing and manufacture of general hard lines retail merchandise. Group InterCom also is a consulting firm specializing in retail concept development and implementation as well as mergers and acquisitions. Prior to this time, Mr. Denny was a founder, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of Builders Square, one of the largest retail home improvement warehouse operations in the United States. Prior to Builders Square, Mr. Denny was President of W.R. Grace Home Centers, a chain of home centers operating over 300 stores nationally. Mr. Denny was an officer of the Home Center Institute and a charter member of the National Home Center Congress and Exposition. He was also founder of the Do It Yourself Research Institute based in Indianapolis, Indiana. JOHN H. MARKLEY. In June 1998 Mr. Markley became the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of its Board of Directors. Mr. Markley devotes substantially all of his business time to the Company. In June 1993, Mr. Markley founded Allwoods Management Group and is currently a principal of Allwoods Management Group which provides management consulting services to businesses, law firms and financial institutions including acquisition analysis, business planning and financial feasibility studies. Since August 1989, Mr. Markley has served and currently serves as the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Pay-N-Pak, a corporation and a home improvement chain with 102 stores in 14 states which had sales of $500 million but is currently a non-operating entity which filed for protection under the Federal Bankruptcy Code (11 USC) in 1991. From 1985 to 1989, Mr. Markley was a managing partner and broker at Re/Max Rivera Realty and Re/Max South County Realtors which had sales in residential and commercial real estate worth $200 million and helped manage six offices and 100 associates. From 1980 to 1985 , Mr. Markley was President of W.R. Grace Western Region Home Center Division. As President of W.R. Grace Western Region Home Center Division, Mr. Markley managed a chain of 94 home improvement stores in six Western states. From 1971 to 1980, Mr. Markley was executive vice-president and general manager of Cashways Building Materials, a chain of 12 home improvement stores with annual sales in excess of $100 million. Prior to 1971, Mr. Markley held other managerial positions with home improvement companies. DOUGLAS HAY. Mr. Hay joined the Company in May 1997 as its Executive Vice President and was elected as a member of the Board of Directors in July 1997. Mr. Hay has spent over 25 years in the field of marketing consumer products and services. From 1990 to April 1997, Mr. Hay was General Manager of Projects Et Al Inc., a business consulting firm that developed marketing and merchandising programs for some of the nations leading retail companies. Mr. Hay has also served as Vice President of Marketing for Northern Automotive, Inc., an automotive parts retail company. HOWARD S. SCHWARTZ. Mr. Schwartz joined the Company in July 1998 as its Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration. Mr. Schwartz brings to the Company more than 15 years of broad-based experience in the retail industry most recently as Managing Director of Marketing Strategies Group, Inc., a company specializing in strategic positioning, brand 50 development, customer acquisition and retention. From November 1993 to August 1996, Mr. Schwartz served as Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of Standard Brands Paint Company, a chain of 100 paint and home decorating stores with annual sales in excess of $200 million, operating in six Western states. From December 1991 to June 1993 Mr. Schwartz was Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of Conran's-habitat, a national chain of upscale home furnishings stores. From July 1983 to December 1991 Mr. Schwartz served as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance for a national specialty store chain and a regional discount department store chain. From September 1980 to July 1983 Mr. Schwartz was Group Controller of the W.R. Grace Specialty Retail Group, a group of specialty retail companies with over 550 stores nationally and combined annual sales in excess of $1.3 billion. Mr. Schwartz has also worked in executive financial capacities for Revlon, Inc. and U.S. Industries, Inc. Prior to that he was with Ernst & Young, LLP from June 1968 to July 1974. Mr. Schwartz, a Certified Public Accountant, received his Bachelor of Science degree from Long Island University in 1968. KRISTINE E. WEBSTER. Ms. Webster joined the Company in July 1997 as its Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary. From July 1995 to August 1997, Ms. Webster served as an Assistant Professor of Accounting at La Sierra University, a private four year university and as an adjunct professor at California State University, San Bernardino. From April 1993 to July 1995, Ms. Webster served as the Controller of National Xpress Logistics, a transportation logistics brokerage company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of US Xpress Enterprises, Inc. Prior to that she was with Ernst and Young, LLP form January 1988 to April 1992. From May 1992 to March 1993, she was a consultant and contract professor. In addition, since December 1990, Ms. Webster has owned Plaza travel, a travel agency specializing in group travel. Ms. Webster received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree, summa cum laude, from Loma Linda University in 1989 and her Master of Business Administration degree from La Sierra University in 1991. She is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of California. MARK S. WINKLER. Mr. Winkler joined the Company in May 1997 as its Chief Information and Technology Officer. From 1978 to April 1997, Mr. Winkler founded and served as Chief Executive Officer of Winkler and Associates, a software consulting company which provided consulting services for various companies including Warner Brothers, IBM, Inc. - Broadcast Solutions Division, Pacificare HMO, American Express Company, Los Angeles Times, Air Freight Forwarding Company, Inc., Jefferies & Company, Inc., Alliance Logistics Resources, Inc., Bank of America State Trust Company, TRW, Inc., and Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Mr. Winkler received his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1981. PAUL J. HILL. Mr. Hill joined the Company as a member of its Board of Directors in April 1997. He brings over 25 years of experience in managing diversified integrated companies operating in areas such as insurance, real estate, communications, resources and manufacturing. From June 1994 to the present, Mr. Hill has served as Chairman of Crown Life Insurance Company. Mr. Hill has participated as a board member and officer of many public and private companies in both the United States and Canada. From 1978 to the present, Mr. Hill has also been President of Harvard Developments Limited, a diversified company with operations in real estate, broadcasting, manufacturing, oil and gas and insurance. Mr. Hill received a Bachelor of 51 Science and Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgetown University in 1967 and a Master of Business Administration form the University of Western Ontario in 1969. EDWARD F. BRADLEY. Mr. Bradley joined the Company as a member of its Board of Directors in April 1997. From December 1996 to the present, Mr. Bradley has been President and Chairman of Cannon Industries, Inc., a business development and venture capital firm. Prior to joining Cannon Industries, Inc., from January 1993 to December 1996, Mr. Bradley was the Corporate Director of Quality of Geneva Steel Corp., an integrated steel manufacturer. From 1985 to January 1993, Mr. Bradley carried on a management consulting business. From 1972 to 1985, Mr. Bradley was President of his environmental consulting company with regional offices in New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Detroit, and Milwaukee. From October 1997 to the present, Mr. Bradley has been a director of Kyzen Corporation, a company which manufactures and markets chemical cleaning solutions. Mr. Bradley has also functioned as a Special Consultant to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C. Mr. Bradley received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1961 and a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1964 from the University of Notre Dame, and is a Registered Professional Engineer. From 1988 to June 1996, Mr. Bradley was an Adjunct Professor in Engineering Economics at the University of Utah. 52 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION. Summary Compensation Table The following table shows as to the Chief Executive Officer and each employee whose total annual salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 (the "Named Officers").
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiscal Annual Compensation Long-Term All Other Year Compensation Awards Compensation Name and Principal Position End --------------------------------- ------------------------- ($) 1/31 Salary Bonus Other Annual Restricted Number of ($) ($) Compensation Stock Securities ($) Awards Underlying ($) Options - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert McNulty, CEO (1) 1998 113,801 104,105 44,588(2) 0 25,000 0 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark S. Winkler, 1998 133,177 0 0 75,000 0 0 Chief Information and Technology Officer - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael Miramontes, 1998 116,200 0 11,000(4) 300,000 0 0 Administration and Human Resources (3) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Resigned June 1, 1998. (2) Includes $14,508 automobile allowance. (3) Resigned June 12, 1998. (4) Automobile allowance. 53 Option Grants In The Last Fiscal Year The following table shows, as to each of the Named Officers, information concerning stock options granted during the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998. Option Grants in Fiscal 1998 (Individual Grants)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Potential Realizable Number of Percent Of Total Exercise Value At Assumed Securities Options Granted Or Base Expiration Annual Rates of Stock Name and Principal Underlying to Employees In Price Date Price Appreciation for Position Options Fiscal Year 1998 ($/Sh) Option Term -------------------------- 5% 10% - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert McNulty, CEO 25,000 15.9% 3.00 July 16, 2002 20,721 45,788 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark S. Winkler, 0 --- --- --- Chief Information and Technology Officer - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael Miramontes, 0 --- --- --- Administration and Human Resources (2) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Resigned June 1, 1998. (2) Resigned June 12, 1998. 54 Option Exercises And Holdings The following table sets forth, for each of the Named Officers, certain information concerning the number of shares subject to both exercisable and unexercisable stock options as of January 31, 1998. Also reported are values for "in-the-money" options that represent the positive spread between the respective exercise prices of outstanding stock options and the fair market value of Shopping.com's Common Stock as of January 31, 1998. No options were exercised by any Named Officer in fiscal 1998.
Number Of Securities Value Of Unexercised In-The- Name and Principal Position Underlying Unexercised Money Options at Fiscal Year Options At Fiscal Year End End ($) (1) ----------------------------------- ------------------------------------ Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert McNulty, CEO (2) 25,000 0 293,750 0 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark S. Winkler, 0 0 0 0 Chief Information and Technology Officer - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael Miramontes, 0 0 0 0 Administration and Human Resources (3) - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Market value of underlying securities based on the closing price of Shopping.com's Common Stock on January 30, 1998 (the last trading day of fiscal 1998) of $14.75 minus the exercise price. (2) Resigned June 1, 1998. (3) Resigned June 12, 1998. Director Compensation Each of the Company's directors in fiscal 1998 were granted options to purchase 25,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share. Two such directors, Bill Gross and Robert McNulty, have since left the board and were replaced by Frank Denny and John Markley. Employment Agreements The Company has entered into a written employment agreement with Mr. Winkler for one year ending May 20, 1998 which was subsequently renewed for one year pursuant to an automatic renewal provision therein. Under his employment agreement, Mr. Winkler may only be terminated for cause. Mr. Winkler's agreement provides for base annual salary of $200,000. The Company entered into an employment agreement with John H. Markley, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, on June 1, 1998 through May 31, 2001. The agreement renews for one year terms unless either party terminates the agreement. Either party may terminate the agreement for cause. Mr. Markley's base compensation will escalate from $175,110 to $300,040 during the initial three years. Mr. Markley will also receive an 55 automobile allowance of $1,000 per month and a 12-month housing allowance of $1,500 per month. As of June 1, 1998, the Company entered into an agreement with Mr. Douglas Hay to serve as Executive Vice President. The term of the agreement is for two years and is automatically renewed for one-year terms unless terminated by either party with written notice given by January 31 of any year beginning January 31, 2001. The agreement provides for a bi-weekly base salary of $8,465. The agreement also provides that Mr. Hay will participate in a formula based program to be approved annually by the Board of Directors and providing for the opportunity to receive up to an amount equal to his base compensation for exceeding the Company's annual business plan net profit. The Company entered into a three-year employment agreement with Howard S. Schwartz, an Executive Vice President of the Company, on August 1, 1998. The term will renew year to year unless terminated by either party. Either party may terminate for cause. Mr. Schwartz's base compensation will escalate from $140,010 to $219,986 over the three-year base period. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT. The following table sets forth as of July 31, 1998 certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock by (i) any person (including any "group" as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company's voting securities, (ii) each director and each nominee for director of the Company, (iii) each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table appearing herein, and (iv) all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name and Address (1) Number of Shares Percentage of Total - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert J. McNulty (2) 1,556,500 34.2% 2401 Bayshore Drive Newport Beach, California - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark S. Winkler 25,000 * 27863 Longhill Drive Rancho Palos Verdes, California - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Douglas A. Hay (3) 424,750 10.1% 4630 East Sunnyside Lane Phoenix, Arizona - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paul J. Hill (4) 404,751 9.7% 2000-1874 Scarth Street Regina, Saskatchewan Canada - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
56
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name and Address (1) Number of Shares Percentage of Total - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edward F. Bradley (5) 304,750 7.3% 1515 N. 600 E. Mapleton, Utah - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kristine E. Webster (6) 45,000 1.1% 25510 Buckly Murrieta, CA 92563 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- idealab! (7) 787,500 18.5% 130 West Union Street Pasadena, CA 91103 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cyber Depot, Inc. (8) 350,000 8.4% 3334 E. Coast Highway, #306 Corona del Mar, CA 92625 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edward F. Harris (9) 326,431 8.2% P.O. Box 593 Glenbrook, Nevada - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- William D. Long (10) 321,301 8.0% P.O. Box 522 Glenbrook, Nevada - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John H. Markley (11) 454,750 10.5% 120 Eastlake Drive Palm Springs, CA 92264 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Frank W. Denny (12) 400,000 9.7% 8221 Pimlico Boerne, Texas - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Howard S. Schwartz 0 * 1701 South El Molino Avenue San Marino, CA 91108 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- All directors and executive officers as 2,059,001 50.6% a group (eight persons) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Less than 1% of the total. (1) Except as otherwise indicated below, the persons whose names appear in the table above have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of stock shown as beneficially owned by them subject to community property laws, where applicable. (2) Includes 250,000 shares and options to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock of an exercise price of $21.25 per share owned by Cyber Depot, Inc. Mr. McNulty is the principal shareholder of Cyber Depot, Inc. Also included are warrants to purchase 187,500 57 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share, options to purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share, options to purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $14.25 per share and options to purchase 150,000 shares at $16.00 per share held by Mr. McNulty. In addition, Mr. McNulty terminated his voting power for 35,000 shares of Common Stock held by other shareholders which were previously included in Mr. McNulty's beneficial ownership. Mr. McNulty gave voting power for 204,750 shares of Common Stock each to Douglas Hay, Edward Bradley, Paul Hill and John Markley which have been included in Mr. McNulty's beneficial ownership. In addition, Cyper Depot, Inc. gave voting power for 250,000 shares of Common Stock to Frank Denny which have been included in Mr. McNulty's beneficial ownership. (3) Includes options to purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share, options to purchase 25,000 shares at $14.25, 50,000 shares at $16.00 and 50,000 shares at $21.00. Includes the proxy for 204,750 shares granted by Mr. McNulty. (4) Includes 66,667 shares of Common Stock, warrants to purchase 33,334 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share, options to purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $14.25 per share and options to purchase 50,000 shares at $16.00 per share held by Kipling Isle, Ltd., a corporation controlled by Paul J. Hill. Includes an option to purchase 25,000 shares held by Paul J. Hill at $3.00. Includes the proxy for 204,750 granted by Mr. McNulty to by Paul J. Hill. (5) Includes options to purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share, option to purchase 25,000 shares at $14.25, and option to purchase 50,000 shares at $16.00. Includes the proxy for 204,750 shares granted by Mr. McNulty. (6) Includes warrants to purchase 4,166 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share and options to purchase 12,500 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share. (7) Includes warrants to purchase 187,500 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share. As of March 24, 1998, Bill Gross, a director of Bill Gross' idealab!, ceased to be a director of the Company. Bill Gross individually has an option to purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share and an option to purchase 25,000 shares at $14.25. (8) Includes warrants to purchase 187,500 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share and options to purchase 100,000 shares at $21.00. Cyber Depot, Inc. gave voting power to 250,000 shares to Frank Denny which have been included in Cyber Depot Inc.'s beneficial ownership. (9) Includes 16,795 shares of Common Stock held by The Harris Assets Revocable Trust, 59,823 shares of Common Stock held by Ed Harris Rollover IRA, 220,000 shares of Common Stock held by the Harris Family Trust and 29,813 shares of Common Stock held by The Harris Family Charitable Remainder Unitrust as reported by the shareholder as of January 31, 1998. 58 (10) Includes 192,000 shares of Common Stock held by William D. Long & Kay K. Long TTEES UTD 12/31/86 FBO The Long Family Trust and 11,000 shares of Common Stock held by William D. Long, Ken Thomson and Edward Harris TTEES: BEK Investment Trust, UTD 2/16/94 as reported by the shareholder as of January 31, 1998. (11) Includes options to purchase 150,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $16.00 per share and options to purchase 100,000 shares at $21.00. Includes the proxy for 204,750 granted by Mr. McNulty. (12) Includes options to purchase 100,000 shares at $16.00 and options to purchase 50,000 shares at $21.00. Includes the proxy for 250,000 granted by Cyber Depot, Inc. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS. In April 1997, in a private placement, the Company sold 500,000 shares of its Series A Preferred Stock at a price of $0.40 per share and 100,000 shares of its Common Stock at $0.02 per share to idealab!, a corporation of which Bill Gross, a former director of the Company, is a director. In connection therewith, idealab! was issued five year warrants to purchase 187,500 shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $3.00 per share, as well as registration rights providing for one demand and unlimited piggy-back registration rights. In May 1997, the Company sold 66,667 shares of its Series B Preferred Stock in a private placement at a price of $3.00 per share to Kipling Isle, Ltd., a company controlled by Paul J. Hill, a Director of the Company. In connection therewith, Kipling Isle, Ltd. was issued five year warrants to purchase 33,333 shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $3.00 per share, as well as registration rights providing for one demand and unlimited piggy-back registration rights. In May 1997, the Company sold 100,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock in a private placement at a price of $3.00 per share to Christopher B. Cannon who controls Cannon Industries, Inc., in which Edward Bradley, a Director of the Company, is an executive officer. Mr. Cannon was issued five year warrants to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $3.00, as well as registration rights providing for one demand and unlimited piggy-back registration rights. In June 1997, the Company, through idealab!, purchased its domain name, Shopping.com, from Magdalena Yesil. As consideration, Ms. Yesil received 30,000 shares of the common stock of idealab!, 30,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company and $30,000 from the Company. In August 1997, the Company sold 8,333 shares of its Series B Preferred Stock in a private placement at a price of $3.00 per share to Ms. Webster, the Company's Chief Financial Officer and Secretary. In connection therewith, Ms. Webster was issued five year warrants to purchase 4,166 shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $3.00 per share, as well as registration rights providing for one demand and unlimited piggy-back registration rights. 59 On August 19, 1997, Shopping.com signed an agreement with CitySearch, a market innovator in providing community-based online information services for the Web, to provide necessary back office transactions support for CitySearch's new electronic commerce pilot program. According to the agreement, Shopping.com will provide "shopping cart" tools, customer credit authentication and verification, coordination with the merchant that an order has been placed, communication with the customer when the order will be shipped, collection of payment from the user and disbursement of payments to the merchant. CitySearch plans to develop, manage, and monitor the electronic commerce program, select customers for participation in the pilot program, as well as market the program through its Austin CitySearch Web site. The pilot program will be launched in early September and will run for a minimum of two months. In October 1995, Mr. Gross, a former director of the Company, co-founded City-Search, a web-based city directory which operates in eight cities, and has served on its Board since such time. In connection with its underwriting agreement, the Company paid Waldron & Co., Inc. ("Waldron"), the Company's lead underwriter in its initial public offering ("IPO"), commissions and an allowance for expenses in the amount of 10% and 3%, respectively, of the gross proceeds of the IPO. Additionally, the Company had product sales to Waldron of approximately $342,000 during the year ended January 31, 1998. During the year ended January 31, 1998, the Company obtained short-term non-interest bearing promissory Notes in the amount of $305,000 from affiliates of Waldron, which were fully repaid subsequent to the IPO. The Company made advances to Robert McNulty of approximately $156,000, which were repaid during the year ended January 31, 1998. Approximately $98,000 of such repayments were made by Cyber Depot. In addition, during the year ended January 31, 1998, the Company made advances of $16,000 to Cyber Depot which were fully repaid during the year. The Company retained the services of certain consultants, which were also shareholders. Consulting expenses amounted to approximately $50,900 of which $28,390 was unpaid as of April 30, 1998. In February 1998, each of the Company's directors were granted options to purchase 25,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $14.25 per share, for a total amount of 125,000 stock options granted. Certain of these options were granted to Kipling Isle, Ltd., a corporation controlled by Mr. Paul J. Hill, a director. In April 1998, Mr. Frank Denny joined the Board of Directors as Chairman of the Board to replace Bill Gross. In May, 1998, Mr. Denny was granted options to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $16.00 and 50,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of the closing price of the Company's Common Stock on the effective date of grant ($21.00). The effective date of grant was June 1, 1998. In May 1998, Mr. Douglas Hay, a director and Executive Vice President of the Company, was granted options to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at 60 $16.00 per share and 50,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of the closing price of the Company's Common Stock on the effective date of grant ($21.00). The effective date of grant was June 1, 1998. In May 1998, Mr. Edward Bradley, a director of the Company, was granted options to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $16.00. The effective date of grant was June 1, 1998. In May 1998, Kipling Isle, Ltd., a corporation controlled by Paul J. Hill, a director, was granted options to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $16.00. The effective date of grant was June 1, 1998. In June 1998, Mr. John Markley became a director and was named the Company's President and CEO following Mr. Robert McNulty's departure on June 1, 1998. Mr. Markley was granted options to purchase 150,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $16.00 and 100,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of the closing price of the Company's Common Stock on the effective date of grant ($21.00). The effective date of grant was June 1, 1998. On April 1, 1998 the Company entered into a two-year consulting agreement (the "Agreement") with Stilden Co., Inc., a Texas Corporation ("Stilden") to provide general consulting services relating to operation, promotion and financing of the Company. Pursuant to the Agreement, Stilden will receive $7,000 per month, reimbursement for business expenses and a housing allowance of $1,600 per month for a period of twelve months. Mr. Denny, a director of the Company, is the president, principal shareholder and a director of Stilden. On June 1, 1998, the Company entered into a three-year Consulting Agreement with Cyber Depot (the "Cyber Depot Agreement"). Pursuant to the Cyber Depot Agreement, Cyber Depot will receive $21,500 per month and options to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price equal to the closing market price of the Company's Common Stock on June 1, 1998 ($21.00). Mr. McNulty, a former officer and director of the Company, is the principal shareholder of Cyber Depot. As a result of the issuance of the below-market stock options including those described above and issued during the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998, the Company will record a compensation change of approximately $2,800,000 during the three months ending July 31, 1998. The Company believes that all of the transactions set forth above were made on terms no less favorable to the Company than could have been obtained on an arms-length basis from unaffiliated third parties. The Company has adopted a policy pursuant to which all transactions (including, without limitation, the borrowing of money) between the Company and its officers, directors and affiliates will be on terms no less favorable for the Company than could be obtained on an arms-length basis from unrelated third parties and will be approved by a majority of the independent and disinterested members of the Company's Board of Directors. 61 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. Limitation of Liability and Indemnification Matters The Company has adopted provisions in Article IV of its Articles of Incorporation that limit the liability of its directors for monetary damages to the fullest extent permissible under California law. California law provides that a corporation's articles of incorporation may contain provisions eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as directors, except for liability (1) for acts or omissions involving intentional misconduct or a knowing and culpable violation of law, (2) for acts or omissions that a director believes to be contrary to the best interests of the corporation or its shareholders or that involve the absence of good faith on the part of the director, (3) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit, (4) for acts or omissions that show a reckless disregard for the director's duty to the corporation or its shareholders in circumstances in which the director was or should have been aware would pose a risk of serious injury to the corporation or its shareholders, (5) for acts or omissions that constitute an unexcused pattern of inattention that amounts to an abdication of the director's duty to the corporation or its shareholders, (6) for any transaction between the corporation and the director or between the corporation and another corporation having interrelated directors as provided in Section 310 of the California Corporations Code ("Cal. Corp. Code"), or (7) for any distribution, loan or guarantee as provided in Section 316 of the Cal. Corp. Code. Section 317 of the Cal. Corp. Code provides that a corporation shall have the power to indemnify any director, officer, employee or other agent of the corporation against expenses (including attorney's fees and expenses establishing a right to indemnification under this Section), judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action or proceeding if that person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in the best interest of the corporation and, in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful. Article VIII of the Company's Bylaws provides that the Company shall, to the maximum extent and in the manner permitted by the Cal. Corp. Code, indemnify any person (or estate of any person) who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, in any proceeding (including any threatened, pending, or completed action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative) by reason of the fact that such person (1) is or was a director or officer of the corporation or a predecessor corporation, or (2) is or was an agent other than a director or officer of the corporation or a predecessor corporation who, at the time, is or was also serving as a director or officer of the corporation or a predecessor corporation. To the fullest extent permitted by California law, indemnification under Article VIII includes expenses incurred for attorney's fees and for establishing a right to indemnification under the Company's Bylaws. In addition, in the manner and to the fullest extent permitted by California law, any such expenses shall be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such proceedings. Company has entered into indemnification agreements with certain of its executive officers and directors. The Company's indemnification agreements require the Company, among 62 other things, to indemnify such persons against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as executive officers or directors and to advance their expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act") may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Company pursuant to the foregoing, the Company has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES. The following are all securities sold by Registrant within the past three (3) years without registering the securities under the Securities Act/1/:
DATE TITLE AMOUNT (1) (a) March 1997-June 1997 Common Stock 1,282,500 Shares
(b) There were no underwriters used in connection with this offering. 1,150,000 shares of Common Stock were offered and sold to Robert J. McNulty, CEO of the Registrant. Subsequently, Mr. McNulty gifted an aggregate of 325,000 of such shares to various employees of the Company for no consideration. In addition, the Company offered and sold shares of Common Stock to idealab!, a company controlled by Bill Gross, a former director of Registrant (100,000 shares); Alvin S. Morrow, (2,500 shares); and 30,000 shares to an independent consultant who provided the Registrant's web site address; all of whom were accredited investors and residents of the State of California. (c) The securities were sold for two cents ($.02) per share except for the 30,000 shares issued to an independent consultant which were valued at $.20 per share for an aggregate consideration of $30,650. (d) The issuer relied on Section 4(2) and 3(a)(11) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. (e) Not Applicable. - -------- /1/ All share amounts and related information reflect a one-for-two reverse stock split effective upon the effective date of the Company's initial public offering. The warrants to purchase 122,500 shares of the Company's Common Stock issued to Waldron & Co., Inc. as the Underwriters' Representative are not included because such warrants were registered in connection with the Company's initial public offering. As of July 31, 1998, the Company had issued 1,188,000 options, largely to employees, officers and directors. 63
DATE TITLE AMOUNT (2) (a) March 1997-April 1997 Series A Preferred Stock 750,000 Shares Warrants for 375,000 Warrants Common Stock
(b) There were no underwriters used in connection with this offering. The securities were offered and sold only to two accredited investors, Cyber Depot, Inc., a corporation controlled by Robert J. McNulty, President and CEO of the issuer, and idealab! a corporation controlled by Bill Gross, a director of Registrant. One Warrant was issued for each two shares. (c) The securities were sold for forty cents ($.40) per share of Series A Stock. (d) The issuer relied on Rule 506 under Regulation D based on the fact that all offerees were accredited investors under Rule 501. (e) The Warrants are convertible into one share of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share. The Warrants expire five years from the date of issuance.
DATE TITLE AMOUNT (3) (a) April 1997 Series B Preferred Stock 536,500 Shares -September 1997 Warrants for Common Stock 268,250 Warrants
(b) There were no underwriters used in connection with 536,500 shares of this offering. Waldron & Co., Inc. acted as placement agents for 200,000 shares of this offering and received fees of $78,000. The securities were offered and sold only to accredited investors. One Warrant was issued for each two shares of Series B Stock. (c) The securities were sold for Three Dollars ($3.00) per share for an aggregate consideration of $1,609,500. The Warrants are exercisable for five years for the purchase of one share of Common Stock at a strike price of $3.00. (d) The issuer relied on Rule 506 under Regulation D based on the fact that all offerees were accredited investors under Rule 501. (e) Not applicable.
DATE TITLE AMOUNT (4) (a) June 1997-Sept. 1997 Promissory Notes $1,150,000 Warrants for 382,950 Warrants Common Stock
(b) No underwriters were used in connection with $50,000 principal amount of such Notes. Waldron & Co., Inc., acted as placement agents in connection with the placement of the $1,100,000 principal amount of such Notes, and received fees of $143,000. The securities were 64 offered and sold only to qualified and accredited investors. 333 Warrants were issued for each $1,000 in principal amount of such Notes. (c) The Notes were sold for an aggregate consideration of $1,150,000. The accompanying Warrants are exercisable for five years for the purchase of one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $6.00 per share. (d) The issuer relied on Rule 506 under Regulation D based on the fact that all offerees were accredited investors under Rule 501. (e) The Warrants are exercisable for five years for the purchase of one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $6.00 per share. In May 1998, 16,650 Warrants were exercised in a "cashless" exercise and 13,295 shares of the Company's Common Stock were issued.
DATE TITLE AMOUNT (5) (a) April 1997 Common Stock 8,000 Shares
(b) There were no underwriters used in connection with this private placement. The securities were offered and sold to Typhoon Capital Consultants, LLC in exchange for consulting services. (c) The securities were valued at $6.00 per share and were exchanged for business consulting services, for an aggregate consideration valued at $48,000. (d) The issuer relied on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. (e) Not applicable.
DATE TITLE AMOUNT (6) (a) September 1997 Common Stock 125,000 Shares Promissory Note $600,000 Warrants for 199,800 Shares Common Stock
(b) Waldron & Co., Inc. acted as placement agent in connection with this private placement and was paid $78,000 in fees therefor. The securities were issued to En Pointe Technologies, Inc., an accredited investor. (c) The Common Stock was valued at $6.00 per share and was issued as consideration for a 5 year license to the Company to use En Pointe's EPIC software. The Notes were issued at face value for a $600,000 loan to the Company. 333 Warrants were issued for each $1,000 principal amount of the Note. The Warrants are exercisable for five years for the purchase of one share of stock at a strike price of $4.50 per share. 65 (d) The issuer relied on Rule 506 under Regulation D based on the fact that En Pointe is an accredited investor. (e) The Warrants are exercisable for five years for the purchase of one share of stock at a strike price of $4.50 per share.
DATE TITLE AMOUNT (7) (a) February 1998 Common Stock 47,059 Shares
(b) There were no underwriters used in connection with this offering. The shares were offered pursuant to a Subscription Agreement between the Company and Premiere Radio Network, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("PRN"), dated February 19, 1998. (c) PRN agreed to purchase the shares in consideration of radio advertising valued at $1,000,000. (d) The Company relied on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. (e) In the event that the average closing price of the Company's Common Stock for the ten days prior to February 19, 1999 is less than $21.25 per share, the Company will issue to PRN up to 52,941 additional shares.
DATE TITLE AMOUNT (8) (a) May 1998 Warrants for 132,500 Shares Common Stock Promissory Notes $1,325,000
(b) Waldron & Co., Inc. acted as placement agent in connection with this private placement and was paid 7% of the total amount raised plus an expense allowance of 3%. (c) The shares were offered pursuant to Subscription Agreements, Promissory Notes and Warrant Agreements between the Company and individual investors, each dated May 15, 1998 (except Mr. Kern's dated June 8, 1998). Pursuant to the Subscription Agreements, each investor purchased units consisting of a promissory Note in the principal amount of $25,000 bearing interest at an annual rate of 10% interest and principal payable November 15, 1998 and warrants to purchase 2,500 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $14.00 per share. The units were sold to Ray Fisk (two units), Mike Weikamp (four units), Jon Aubry (twenty units), William Schweitzer (two units), Zahra Khiaban (three units), Carlos Beharie (sixteen units), Tony Nikolich (two units) and Daniel E. Kern (four units). A total consideration of $1,325,000 was paid in this offering. (d) The Company relied on Section 4(2) and Regulation D Rule 505 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission as the exemption from registration. The investors were all accredited investors. 66
DATE TITLE AMOUNT (9) (a) June and July 1998 8% Convertible $2,500,000 Debentures Due in 2 years Warrants for 1 share for every Common Stock 2 shares issued upon conversion of the Debenture
(b) Trautman, Kramer & Company, Incorporated and Waldron & Co., Inc. acted as placement agents in connection with this private placement, receiving 9% and 1%, respectively, of the net proceeds. The Debentures in the amount of $250,000 were sold to each of ten Investor listed in "selling stockholders." Subject to certain restrictions on the ability of the holders of the Debentures to convert, the Debentures are convertible into shares of the Company's Common Stock at a conversion price for each share of Common Stock equal to the lower of (i) the lowest market price for any three trading days selected by the Debenture holder from the thirty trading days prior to the conversion, or (ii) $16.00. (c) The total consideration was $2,500,000. (d) The issuer relied on Section 4(2) and Regulation D Rule 506 promulgated by the securities and Exchange Commission as the exemption from registration. Each investor was an accredited investor.
DATE TITLE AMOUNT (10) (a) June 1998 Warrants for Common 300,000 Shares Stock
(b) There were no underwriters used in connection with this offering. The warrants were issued to Ladenberg Thalmann & Co., Inc. pursuant to the Company's retainer of Ladenberg as its investment banker and financial advisor. The warrants are exercisable after December 15, 1998 until June 15, 2003 at $21.92 per share. (c) The warrants were issued to Ladenberg Thalmann & Co., Inc. pursuant to the Company's retainer of Ladenberg as its investment banker and financial advisor. (d) The Company relied on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Regulation D promulgated under the Act. (e) The warrants are exercisable after December 15, 1998 until June 15, 2003 at $21.92 per share. 67
DATE TITLE AMOUNT (11) (a) June 1998 Warrants for Common 33,000 Shares Stock
(b) There were no underwriters in connection with this offering. The placement agent for the private placement of the 8% Convertible Debentures and its affiliates were issued the warrants. (c) The warrants were issued as consideration for the placement agent's services. (d) The Company relied on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1993, as amended, and Regulation D promulgated under the Act. (e) The warrants are exercisable at $24.00 per share until June 30, 2003.
DATE TITLE AMOUNT (12) (a) July 1998 Common Stock 7,500 Shares Warrants for Common 20,000 Shares Stock
(b) There were no underwriters in connection with this offering. The placement agent for the private placement of the 8% Convertible Debentures and its affiliates were issued the warrants. (c) The Common Stock and warrants were issued as consideration for the placement agent's services. (d) The Company relied on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Regulation D promulgated under the Act. (e) The warrants are exercisable at $16.00 per share until July 31, 2003.
DATE TITLE AMOUNT (13) (a) August 1998 Warrants for Common 2,936 Stock
(b) There were no underwriters in connection with this offering. The warrants were issued to companies providing equipment leasing facilities to the Company. (c) The consideration was the provision of computer equipment leasing. (d) The Company relied on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Regulation D promulgated under the Act. (e) 1,079 shares are exercisable at $22.25 until February 2, 2000. 1,857 shares are exercisable at $14.75 until December 18, 1999. 68 INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Schedule No. Description Page F-1 Balance Sheet as of April 30, 1998 F-2 Statement of Operations for the Three Months Ended April 30, 1998 and April 30, 1997 F-3 Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended April 30, 1998 and April 30, 1997 F-4 Notes to Condensed Financial Statements F-5 Report of Independent Auditors F-6 Balance Sheet as of January 31, 1998 F-7 Statements of Operations for the Years Ended January 31, 1997 and 1998 F-8 Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the Years Ended January 31, 1997 and 1998 F-9 Statements of Cash Flow for the Years Ended January 31, 1997 and 1998 F-10 Notes to Financial Statements dated January 31, 1998 F-11 Computations of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Changes and Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Changes and Referred Stock Dividends
SHOPPING.COM BALANCE SHEET As of April 30, 1998 (unaudited)
April 30, 1998 ASSETS (Unaudited) ------ -------------- Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,476,109 Accounts receivable, net 87,877 Other receivables 25,384 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 308,041 ------------ Total Current assets 1,897,411 Furniture and equipment, net 3,131,509 Deposits 509,510 Other assets 30,555 ------------ Total assets $ 5,568,985 ============ LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY ------------------------------------ Current liabilities Current portion of capital lease obligations $ 251,459 Accounts payable 1,459,162 Accrued legal and related costs 323,535 Other accrued liabilities 213,998 ------------ Total current liabilities 2,248,154 Capital lease obligation, net of current portion 355,484 ------------ Total liabilities 2,603,638 ------------ Commitments Shareholders' equity Common stock, no par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized, 4,049,059 shares issued and outstanding 13,394,651 Accumulated deficit (10,429,304) ------------ Total shareholders' equity 2,965,347 ------------ Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 5,568,985 ============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. SCHEDULE F-1 SHOPPING.COM STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Three Months Ended April 30, (Unaudited)
1998 1997 ------------ ----------- (unaudited) (unaudited) Net sales $ 917,836 $ -- Cost of sales 864,889 -- ----------- --------- Gross profit 52,947 -- Operating expenses: Advertising and marketing 1,837,990 -- Product development 634,594 33,308 General and administrative 2,320,907 312,669 ----------- --------- Total operating expenses 4,793,491 345,977 ----------- --------- Loss from operations (4,740,544) (345,977) Other income (expense): Interest Income 36,418 -- Interest Expense (1,452) (1,000) ----------- --------- Total other income 34,966 (1,000) ----------- --------- Net Loss $(4,705,578) $(346,977) =========== ========= Basic Loss Per Share $(1.17) $ (0.30) =========== ========= Diluted Loss Per Share $(1.17) $ (0.30) =========== ========= Weighted Average Shares Outstanding 4,039,013 1,152,500 =========== =========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. SCHEDULE NO. F-2 SHOPPING.COM STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS For the Three Months Ended April 30, (unaudited)
1998 1997 ------------- ---------- Cash flows from operating activities Net loss $(4,705,578) $(346,977) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities Depreciation of furniture and equipment 162,724 (1,276) Common stock issued for advertising 1,000,000 - Expense recognized from issuing stock options 90,689 - Decrease (Increase) in prepaid expenses 357,980 (7,866) (Increase) in other assets (340,324) (55,092) Decrease (Increase) in accounts/advances receivable 9,507 (17,700) (Increase) in other receivables (7,827) - Decrease (Increase) in accounts payable 609,448 (461) Decrease (Increase) in other accrued liabilities (37,531) (31,845) ----------- --------- Net cash used in operating activities (2,860,912) (461,217) ----------- --------- Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of furniture and equipment (418,386) (71,533) ----------- --------- Net cash used in investing activities (418,386) (71,533) =========== ========= Cash flows from financing activities Collection on stock subscription receivable - 23,000 Payments on note payable - (50,000) Payments on capital lease obligations (73,773) - Proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock, Series A - 300,000 Proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock, Series B - 499,900 Payment of offering costs - (21,050) Net cash provided by financing activities (73,773) 751,850 ----------- --------- Net increase (decrease) in cash (3,353,071) 219,100 Cash, beginning of period 4,829,180 63 ----------- --------- Cash, end of period $ 1,476,109 $ 219,163 =========== =========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. SCHEDULE NO. F-3 SHOPPING.COM NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 1: BASIS OF PRESENTATION - ------ The accompanying condensed financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information as contemplated by the SEC under Item 310(b) of Regulation S-B. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all normal, recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's January 31, 1998 annual report on Form 10-KSB. The results of operations for the three months ended April 30, 1998 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending January 31, 1999. NOTE 2: FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT - ------ Furniture and equipment consist of the following:
April 30, 1998 -------------- Computer hardware $1,863,082 Computer software 1,262,511 Furniture & equipment 286,309 Leasehold improvements 89,200 ---------- 3,501,102 Less: Accumulated depreciation 369,593 ---------- $3,131,509 ==========
NOTE 3: ADVANCES - RELATED PARTIES - ------ During the first quarter of 1998, an officer was advanced a total of $3,344 from the Company. In addition, the Company advanced one of its employees $7,500 bringing the employees total advances to $18,500 of which $1,000 was repaid during the first quarter of 1998. Total advances to related parties at April 30, 1998 were $22,041 which was included in "0ther receivables" in the balance sheet. NOTE 4: CONSULTING FEES - RELATED PARTY - ------ For the three months ended April 30, 1998, the Company retained the services of certain consultants, which were also shareholders. Consulting expenses amounted to approximately $50,900 of which $28,390 was unpaid as of April 30, 1998. SCHEDULE NO. F-4 -- Page 1 NOTE 5: SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY - ------ In February, 1998 the Company issued 47,059 shares of Common Stock for $1,000,000 of radio advertising based on the then fair market value of the Common Stock. The advertisements were aired during the three months ended April 30, 1998 and accordingly, $1,000,000 was expensed during this period. Up to 52,941 additional shares of Common Stock may be issuable under the radio advertising agreement on February 19, 1999 if on such date the average closing price of the Company's Common Stock for the previous ten days is less than $21.25 per share. NOTE 6: PROMISSORY NOTES - ------ On May 15, 1998 the Company issued $1,225,000 of Promissory Notes, which have a due date of six months from the date of issuance. The Promissory Notes are unsecured, subordinated and carry an interest rate of 10% per annum. The Promissory Notes include issuances to certain existing shareholders of the Company. In connection with the issuance of these Promissory Notes, 122,500 warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock were issued which warrants are exercisable until May 15, 2001 at an exercise price of $14.00 per share of Common Stock. These below market warrants will result in additional interest charges of approximately $735,000 over the term of the Promissory Notes. NOTE 7: 8% CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES - ------ The Company entered into an agreement in June 1998 whereby the Company issued 8% Convertible Debentures due May 31, 2000 in the principal amount of $1,000,000. The 8% Convertible Debentures are convertible into shares of Common Stock at a conversion price not to exceed $16.00 per share (the "Base Rate"). The holder of the 8% Convertible Debenture will receive one warrant to purchase a share of Common Stock for each two shares of Common Stock issued in connection with the corresponding conversion of the Debentures (the "Warrants"). The Warrants attributable to each conversion shall have an exercise price equal to the lesser of (a) 120% of the lowest market price for any three trading days prior to conversion or (b) 125% of the Base Rate. The Warrants expire on June 5, 2003. NOTE 8: STOCK OPTIONS - ------ In February 1998, each of the Company's directors were granted options to purchase 25,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $14.25 per share, for a total amount of 125,000 stock options granted. Certain of these options were granted to Kipling Isle, Ltd., a corporation controlled by Mr. Paul J. Hill, a director. In April 1998, Mr. Frank Denny joined the Board of Directors as Chairman of the Board to replace Bill Gross. In May, 1998, Mr. Denny was granted options to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $16.00 and 50,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of the closing price of the Company's Common Stock on the effective date of grant ($21.00). The effective date of grant was June 1, 1998. SCHEDULE NO. F-4 -- Page 2 In May 1998, Mr. Douglas Hay, a director and Executive Vice President of the Company, was granted options to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at $16.00 per share and 50,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of the closing price of the Company's Common Stock on the effective date of grant ($21.00). The effective date of grant was June 1, 1998. In May 1998, Mr. Edward Bradley, a director of the Company, was granted options to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $16.00. The effective date of grant was June 1, 1998. In May 1998, Kipling Isle, Ltd., a corporation controlled by Paul J. Hill, a director, was granted options to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $16.00. The effective date of grant was June 1, 1998. In June 1998, Mr. John Markley became a director and was named the Company's President and CEO following Mr. Robert McNulty's departure on June 1, 1998. Mr. Markley was granted options to purchase 150,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $16.00 and 100,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of the closing price of the Company's Common Stock on the effective date of grant ($21.00). The effective date of grant was June 1, 1998. As a result of the issuance of the below-market stock options including those described above and issued during the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998, the Company recorded a compensation charge of $90,689 during the three months ended April 30, 1998 and will record a compensation charge of approximately $2,800,000 during the three months ending July 31, 1998. Refer to Note 9 for a description of additional similar charges to be recorded. NOTE 9: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - ------ CONSULTING AGREEMENTS On March 26, 1998 the Company entered into a one-year Consulting Agreement (the Double 12 Agreement") with Double 12, Ltd., a California corporation ("Consultant"), for matters concerning strategic partnerships, public relations, communications or other business development activities. The Double 12 Agreement includes quarterly fee payments of $40,000 and an option to extend the service period for an additional six months. On April 1, 1998 the Company entered into a two-year consulting agreement (the "Agreement") with Stilden Co., Inc., a Texas Corporation ("Stilden") to provide general consulting services relating to operation, promotion and financing of the Company. Pursuant to the Agreement, Stilden will receive $7,000 per month, reimbursement for business expenses and a housing allowance of $1,600 per month for a period of twelve months. Mr. Denny, a director of the Company, is the president, principal shareholder and a director of Stilden. On June 1, 1998, the Company entered into a three-year Consulting Agreement with Cyber Depot (the "Cyber Depot Agreement"). Pursuant to the Cyber Depot Agreement, Cyber Depot will receive $21,500 per month and options to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock SCHEDULE NO. F-4--Page 3 at an exercise price equal to the closing market price of the Company's Common Stock on June 1, 1998 ($21.00). Mr. McNulty, a former officer and director of the Company, is the principal shareholder of Cyber Depot. EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS As of June 1, 1998, the Company entered into an agreement with Mr. Douglas Hay to serve as Executive Vice President. The term of the agreement is for two years and is automatically renewed for one-year terms unless terminated by either party with written notice given by January 31 of any year beginning January 31, 2001. The agreement provides for a bi-weekly base salary of $8,465. The agreement also provides that Mr. Hay will participate in a formula based program to be approved annually by the Board of Directors and providing for the opportunity to receive up to an amount equal to his base compensation for exceeding the Company's annual business plan net profit. Also as of June 1, 1998, the Company entered into an agreement with Mr. John Markley to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer. The term of the agreement is for three years and is automatically renewed for one-year terms unless terminated by either party with written notice given by January 31 of any year beginning January 31, 2001. The agreement provides for a bi-weekly base salary of $6,735 for the first year, $9,615 for the second year and $11,540 for the third year. The agreement also provides that Mr. Markley will participate in a formula based bonus program to be approved annually by the Board of Directors and providing for the opportunity to receive up to an amount equal to his base compensation for exceeding the Company's annual business plan net profit. In addition, Mr. Markley will receive a twelve month housing allowance of $1,500 per month. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS As more fully described in this Registration Statement, the Company is subject to various litigations and SEC investigations. As the outcome of these issues is uncertain and the Company believes its insurance coverage is adequate to cover any resulting liability, the Company does not maintain any reserves at April 30, 1998. TERMINATION AND BUY-OUT AGREEMENT On June 1, 1998 Mr. McNulty resigned as President, CEO and director of Shopping.com. Pursuant to a Termination and Buy-Out Agreement dated as of June 1, 1998 between the Company and Mr. McNulty, Mr. McNulty will receive $500,000, with $100,000 payable on or before July 31, 1998 and the balance due in $50,000 increments on or before each succeeding fiscal quarter end beginning October 31, 1998 until fully paid. Amounts payable under this agreement are payable on demand in one lump-sum payment at the option of Mr. McNulty upon thirty days written notice to the Company in the event a majority of the current members of the Board of Directors are replaced by new members. In addition, Mr. McNulty received options to purchase 150,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $16.00 per share. SCHEDULE NO. F-4--Page 4 The issuance of these below-market stock options will result in a charge to operations of approximately $750,000 during the three months ending July 31, 1998. SCHEDULE NO. F-4--Page 5 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS Board of Directors and Shareholders Shopping.com We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Shopping.com as of January 31, 1998, and the related statements of operations, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended January 31, 1998. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Shopping.com as of January 31, 1998, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended January 31, 1998 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As shown in the financial statements, the Company incurred a net loss of $5,522,029, had negative cash flows from operations for the year ended January 31, 1998, and is involved in a class action lawsuit (see Note 10). These factors, among others, as discussed in Note 1 and Note 10 to the financial statements, raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties. SCHEDULE NO. F-5 SHOPPING.COM BALANCE SHEET January 31, 1998 ================================================================================ ASSETS
Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $4,829,180 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $10,000 97,384 Other receivables 17,557 Prepaid advertising and other prepaid expenses 666,021 ---------- Total current assets 5,610,142 Furniture and equipment, net 2,634,849 Other assets 199,741 ---------- Total assets $8,444,732 ========== LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities Current portion of capital lease obligations $ 207,589 Accounts payable 849,714 Accrued legal and related costs 436,035 Other accrued liabilities 139,029 ----------- Total current liabilities 1,632,367 Capital lease obligations, net of current portion 232,129 ----------- Total liabilities 1,864,496 ----------- Commitments and contingencies Shareholders' equity Preferred stock, Series A convertible, no par value 1,500,000 shares authorized 0 shares issued and outstanding - Preferred stock, Series B convertible, no par value 4,000,000 shares authorized 0 shares issued and outstanding - Common stock, no par value 20,000,000 shares authorized 4,002,000 shares issued and outstanding 12,303,962 Accumulated deficit (5,723,726) ----------- Total shareholders' equity 6,580,236 ----------- Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 8,444,732 ===========
SCHEDULE NO. F-6 SHOPPING.COM STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS For the Years Ended January 31, ================================================================================
1998 1997 ------------ -------------- Net sales $ 850,724 $ - Cost of sales 793,957 - ----------- ----------- Gross profit 56,767 - ----------- ----------- Operating expenses Advertising and marketing 871,964 - Product development 893,923 83,308 General and administrative 3,261,749 118,389 ----------- ----------- Total operating expenses 5,027,636 201,697 ----------- ----------- Loss from operations (4,970,869) (201,697) ----------- ----------- Other income (expense) Interest expense (580,679) - Interest income 29,519 - ------- ----------- Total other income (expense) (551,160) - ----------- ----------- Net loss $(5,522,029) $ (201,697) =========== =========== Basic loss per share $(3.05) $(0.16) =========== =========== Diluted loss per share $(3.05) $(0.16) =========== =========== Weighted-average shares outstanding 1,807,874 1,282,500 =========== ===========
SCHEDULE NO. F-7--Page 1 SHOPPING.COM STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY For the Years Ended January 31, ================================================================================
Preferred Stock Preferred Stock Series A Convertible Series B Convertible Common Stock Additional -------------------- -------------------- ---------------------- Paid-in Accumulated Shares Amount Shares Amount Shares Amount Capital Deficit Total --------- --------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- Balance, February 1, 1996 - $ - - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Issuance of common stock 1,152,500 23,050 23,050 Capital contributed by Cyber Depot, Inc. to purchase assets and develop proprietary software 100,000 - 100,000 Net loss (201,697) (201,697) --------- --------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- Balance, January 31, 1997 - - - - 1,152,500 23,050 100,000 (201,697) (78,647) Issuance of common stock for cash 100,000 2,000 2,000 Issuance of common stock for services 38,000 54,000 54,000 Issuance of preferred stock, Series A for cash 500,000 200,000 200,000 Issuance of preferred stock, Series A for assets and proprietary software of Cyber Depot, Inc. 250,000 100,000 (100,000) - Issuance of preferred stock, Series B for cash 536,500 1,609,500 1,609,500 Offering costs (126,219) (126,219) Issuance of common stock for software 125,000 750,000 750,000 Issuance of common stock in initial public offering 1,300,000 11,700,000 11,700,000 Offering costs (2,325,512) (2,325,512)
SCHEDULE NO. F-8 -- Page 1 SHOPPING.COM STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Continued) For the Years Ended January 31, ================================================================================
Preferred Stock Preferred Stock Series A Convertible Series B Convertible Common Stock Additional -------------------- -------------------- ---------------------- Paid-in Accumulated Shares Amount Shares Amount Shares Amount Capital Deficit Total --------- --------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ------------ Conversion of preferred stock, Series A to common stock (750,000) $(300,000) $ 750,000 $ 300,000 $ $ $ - Conversion of preferred stock, Series B to common stock (536,500) (1,483,281) 536,500 1,483,281 - Issuance of warrants for financing costs 299,700 299,700 Compensation expenses related to issuance of stock options 17,443 17,443 Net loss (5,522,029) (5,522,029) ----------- ----------- Balance, January 31, 1998 - $ - - $ - 4,002,000 $12,303,962 $ - $(5,723,726) $ 6,580,236 ========= ========= ========== ========= ========== =========== ========== =========== ===========
SCHEDULE NO. F-8 -- Page 2 SHOPPING.COM STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS For the Years Ended January 31, ================================================================================
1998 1997 ------------- ---------- Cash flows from operating activities Net loss $ (5,522,029) $(201,697) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities Depreciation of furniture and equipment 205,593 1,276 Amortization of loan origination fees 221,000 -- Common stock issued for services 54,000 -- Issuance of warrants for financing costs 299,700 -- Compensation expense related to stock options granted 17,443 -- (Increase) decrease in Accounts receivable (97,384) -- Other receivables (17,557) -- Prepaid advertising and other prepaid expenses (666,021) -- Other assets (195,785) (3,956) Increase (decrease) in Accounts payable 638,728 35,986 Accrued legal and related costs 112,500 Other accrued liabilities 107,184 31,845 ------------ --------- Net cash used in operating activities (4,842,628) (136,546) ------------ --------- Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of furniture and equipment (1,629,166) (13,441) ------------ --------- Net cash used in investing activities (1,629,166) (13,441) ------------ --------- Cash flows from financing activities Issuance of note payable - related party 305,000 50,000 Payments on note payable - related party (355,000) -- Payment on capital lease obligations (9,393) -- Issuance of notes payable 1,750,000 -- Payments on notes payable ( 1,750,000) -- Payment of loan origination fees (221,000) -- Proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock, Series A 200,000 100,000 Proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock, Series B 1,609,500 -- Payment of offering costs on preferred stock, Series B (126,219) -- Proceeds from the issuance of common stock 11,725,000 50 Payment of offering costs on initial public offering ( 1,826,977) - ------------ --------- Net cash provided by financing activities 11,300,911 150,050 ------------ --------- Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 4,829,180 63 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 63 - ------------ --------- Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 4,829,180 $ 63 ============ =========
SCHEDULE NO. F-9 -- Page 1 SHOPPING.COM STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued) For the Years Ended January 31, - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosures of cash flow information During the years ended January 31, 1998 and 1997, the Company paid $280,979 (including $221,000 of loan origination fees) and $0 in interest, respectively. Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities During the year ended January 31, 1997, the Company issued common stock in the amount of $23,000 for a subscription receivable. During the year ended January 31, 1998, the Company entered into the following non-cash transactions: issued 250,000 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock in exchange for certain assets and software research and development of Cyber Depot, Inc. valued at $100,000. entered into a capital lease obligation of $449,111. issued 199,800 warrants to purchase common stock for financing costs $299,700. issued 38,000 shares of common stock for services valued at $54,000. issued 125,000 shares of common stock for software valued at $750,000. converted 750,000 and 536,500 shares of preferred stock, Series A and Series B, respectively, into 1,286,500 shares of common stock. SCHEDULE NO. F-9 -- Page 2 SHOPPING.COM NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS January 31, 1998 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Organization and Line of Business - --------------------------------- Shopping.com (the "Company") was incorporated in California on November 22, 1996. Cyber Depot, Inc. ("Cyber") was incorporated in California in January 1996 and among other business ventures commenced the design and development of proprietary software for the Internet shopping marketplace in February 1996. In March 1997, Cyber agreed to sell certain assets and liabilities and proprietary software to Shopping.com for 250,000 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock, and Shopping.com continued the design and development of the proprietary software. The operations of Cyber devoted to the design and development of the proprietary software are considered to be the predecessor operations of the Company and have been included with the operations of the Company since February 1996. The propriety software acquired by the Company in this transaction has been expensed as software research and development. The Company is engaged in the design and development of proprietary software for marketing a broad range of products and services at wholesale prices to both consumer and trade customers over its Internet web site. On July 11, 1997, the Company commenced selling products over the Internet through its web site at http://www.shopping.com. Basis of Presentation - --------------------- The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles which contemplate continuation of the Company as a going concern. However, the Company has experienced net losses of $5,522,029 and $201,697 for the years ended January 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. In addition, the Company has used, rather than provided, cash from its operations. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. In view of the matters described above, recoverability of a major portion of the recorded asset amounts shown in the accompanying balance sheet is dependent upon the Company's ability to raise sufficient capital to fund its working capital requirements until the Company can generate sufficient sales volume to cover its operating expenses. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts, or amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue in existence. In addition to the capital raised in 1997 through private debt and equity offerings and the Company's initial public offering ("IPO"), the Company is currently negotiating with several investors about raising additional capital through private placement offerings. Management of the Company believes that its current cash on hand plus the additional capital that is expected to be raised in the future will be sufficient to cover its working capital needs until the Company's sales volume reaches a sufficient level to cover operating expenses. Estimates - --------- The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of SHEDULE NO. F-10 -- Page 1 SHOPPING.COM NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS January 31, 1998 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- assets and liabilities and the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents - ------------------------- For purpose of the statements of cash flows, cash equivalents include amounts invested in a money market account with a high-quality financial institution. The Company considers all highly-liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates market. Revenue Recognition - ------------------- The Company recognizes revenue at the time the vendor ships the product to the customer. Outbound shipping and handling charges are included in net sales. The Company provides an allowance for sales returns, which have been insignificant based on historical experience. A significant portion of the Company's sales are from the United States. International sales are minimal. Net Loss Per Share - ------------------ In 1997, the Financial Accounting Standard Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 128, "Earnings per Share." SFAS No. 128 replaced the previously reported primary and fully diluted earnings per share with basic and diluted earnings per share. Unlike primary earnings per share, basic earnings per share excludes any dilutive effects of options, warrants, and convertible securities. Diluted earnings per share is very similar to the previously reported fully diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Common equivalent shares are excluded from the computation if their effect is anti-dilutive. Net loss per share amounts for all periods have been restated to conform to SFAS No. 128 requirements. Prior to SFAS No. 128, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") required that, even where anti-dilutive, common and common equivalent shares issued during the twelve-month period prior to the filing of an IPO be included in the calculation of earnings per share as if they were outstanding for all periods presented (using the treasury stock method and the IPO price). Because of new requirements issued in 1998 by the SEC for companies that recently completed an IPO and interpretation by FASB of the initial application of SFAS No. 128, the number of shares used in the calculation of basic net loss per share has changed to exclude common equivalent shares, even when anti-dilutive. Net loss per share for the year ended January 31, 1997 has been restated to conform with SFAS No. 128 and Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 98. SCHEDULE NO. F-10 -- Page 2 SHOPPING.COM NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS January 31, 1998 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Furniture and Equipment - ----------------------- Furniture and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of three to fifteen years as follows: Computer hardware 5 years Computer software 3 years Purchased software 5 years Furniture and equipment 5 to 7 years Leasehold improvements 15 years Maintenance and minor replacements are charged to expense as incurred. Gains and losses on disposals are included in the results of operations. Advertising - ----------- The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising costs for the years ended January 31, 1998 and 1997 were $871,964 and $0, respectively. Prepaid advertising expense represents amounts paid for advertisements that were not run prior to the balance sheet date. Product Development - ------------------- Product development expenses consist principally of payroll and related expenses for development and maintenance of the Company's web site. All product development costs have been expensed as incurred. Income Taxes - ------------ The Company utilizes SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes," which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each period end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. The provision for income taxes represents the tax payable for the period and the change during the period in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Fair Value of Financial Instruments - ----------------------------------- The Company measures its financial assets and liabilities in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. For certain of the Company's financial instruments, including cash, accounts payable, and other accrued liabilities, the carrying amounts approximate fair value due to their short SCHEDULE NO. F-10 -- Page 3 SHOPPING.COM NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS January 31, 1998 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- maturities. The amounts shown for note payable also approximate fair value because current interest rates offered to the Company for debt of similar maturities are substantially the same. Stock Split - ----------- At the completion of the Company's IPO on November 25, 1997, the Company effected a one-for-two reverse stock split of its common stock. All share and per share data have been retroactively restated to reflect this stock split. Stock Options - ------------- SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," establishes and encourages the use of the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based compensation arrangements under which compensation cost is determined using the fair value of stock-based compensation determined as of the date of grant and is recognized over the periods in which the related services are rendered. The statement also permits companies to elect to continue using the current implicit value accounting method specified in Accounting Principles Bulletin ("APB") Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," to account for stock-based compensation. The Company has elected to use the implicit value based method and has disclosed the pro forma effect of using the fair value based method to account for its stock-based compensation. Risks and Uncertainties - ----------------------- The Company's future revenues and any future profits are substantially dependent upon the widespread acceptance and use of the Internet and other online services as an effective medium of commerce by consumers. Rapid growth in the use of and interest in the Web, the Internet, and other online services is a recent phenomenon, and there can be no assurance that acceptance and use will continue to develop or that a sufficiently broad base of consumers will adopt, and continue to use, the Internet and other online services as a medium of commerce. To remain competitive, the Company must continue to enhance and improve the responsiveness, functionality, and features of the Shopping.com online store. The Internet and the online commerce industry are characterized by rapid technological change, changes in user and customer requirements and preferences, frequent new product and service introductions embodying new technologies, and the emergence of new industry standards and practices that could render the Company's existing Web site and proprietary technology and systems obsolete. The Company's success will depend, in part, on its ability to license leading technologies useful in its business, enhance its existing services, develop new services and technology that address the increasingly sophisticated and varied needs of its prospective customers, and respond to technological advances and emerging industry standards and practices on a cost-effective and timely basis. A significant barrier to online commerce and communications is the secure transmission of confidential information over public networks. The Company relies on encryption and authentication technology licensed from third parties to provide the security and authentication necessary to effect secure transmission of confidential information, such as customer credit card numbers. There can be no assurance that advances in computer capabilities, new discoveries in the field of SCHEDULE NO. F-10 -- Page 4 SHOPPING.COM NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS January 31, 1998 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- cryptography, or other events or developments will not result in a compromise or breach of the algorithms used by the Company to protect customer transaction data. The online commerce market, particularly over the Internet, is new, rapidly evolving, and intensely competitive, which competition the Company expects to intensify in the future. Barriers to entry are minimal, and current and new competitors can launch new Web sites at a relatively low cost. The Company currently or potentially competes with a variety of other companies. The Company carries no inventory, has no warehouse employees or facilities, and relies on rapid fulfillment from its vendors. To satisfy customer orders, the Company has no long-term contracts or arrangements with any of its manufacturers or distributors that guarantee the availability of merchandise, the continuation of particular payment terms, the extension of credit limits, or the shopping schedules, except En Pointe. The Company regards its Shopping.com brand name and related software as proprietary and relies primarily on a combination of copyright, trademark, trade secret and confidential information laws, and employee and third party non- disclosure agreements and other methods to protect its proprietary rights. There can be no assurance that these protections will be adequate to protect against technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to the Company's technologies. The Company does not currently hold any patents or have any patent applications pending for itself or its products and has not obtained federal registration for any of its trademarks. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements - ----------------------------------------- In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income." This statement requires companies to classify items of other comprehensive income by their nature in a financial statement and display the accumulated balance of other comprehensive income separately from retained earnings and additional paid-in capital in the equity section of a statement of financial position. SFAS No. 130 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. Management believes that SFAS No. 130 will not have a material effect on the Company's financial statements. In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, "Disclosure About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information." This statement establishes additional standards for segment reporting in the financial statements and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. Management believes that SFAS No. 131 will not have an effect on the Company's financial statements. Developmental Stage Company - --------------------------- From inception to October 31, 1997, the Company was in the development stage. Through October 31, 1997, the Company had a deficit accumulated during the development stage of $2,595,785. SCHEDULE NO. F-10 -- Page 5 SHOPPING.COM NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS January 31, 1998 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Concentrations - -------------- During the year ended January 31, 1998, the Company had sales to Waldron & Co., Inc. ("Waldron"), the Company's lead underwriter in its IPO, that accounted for approximately 40% of net sales for the period (see Note 9). During the year ended January 31, 1998, the Company purchased inventory from three vendors that accounted for approximately 23%, 23%, and 7% of cost of goods sold, The Company has no long-term contracts or arrangements with any of its vendors that guarantee the availability of merchandise (except for the vendor mentioned in Note 4), the continuation of particular payment terms, or the extension of credit limits. There can be no assurance that the Company's current vendors will continue to sell merchandise to the Company on current terms or that the Company will be able to establish new or extend current vendor relationships to ensure acquisition of merchandise in a timely and efficient manner and on acceptable commercial terms. If the Company were unable to develop and maintain relationships with vendors that would allow it to obtain sufficient quantities of merchandise on acceptable commercial terms, such inability could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. NOTE 2 - CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS The Company maintains cash balances at financial institutions located in California. Accounts at each institution are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $100,000. Uninsured balances aggregated to $174,339 at January 31, 1998. The Company also has investments in a money market account with a high-quality brokerage house of $4,293,979 at January 31, 1998. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents. NOTE 3 - FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT Furniture and equipment at January 31, 1998 consisted of the following: Computer hardware $1,302,081 Computer software 494,070 Purchased software 750,000 Furniture and equipment 237,056 Leasehold improvements 58,511 ---------- 2,841,718 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 206,869 ---------- Total $2,634,849 ==========
SCHEDULE NO. F-10 -- Page 6 SHOPPING.COM NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS January 31, 1998 ________________________________________________________________________________ NOTE 4 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Litigation - ---------- The Company settled a lawsuit filed in July 1997, against the Company, Cyber Depot, and the Company's president, with a consultant seeking damages for breach of an alleged contractual relationship. The matter has settled pursuant to a settlement agreement dated March 26, 1998. The Company has accrued for the settlement in the January 31, 1998 financial statements. The Company is subject to a claim by a former officer for alleged breach of contract, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and other causes of action. In addition, the officer rejected a tender by the Company to repurchase 140,000 shares of common stock pursuant to a shareholder agreement claiming that the amount tendered was not the fair market value of the shares. The exposure to the Company in this matter, if any, is uncertain as of the date of this report. Management believes it has meritorious defenses against the officer and has filed a lawsuit seeking damages on March 27, 1998, and believes that the outcome of this matter will not have a material affect on the Company. Also see Note 10 for additional litigation. Leases - ------ The Company leases a facility for its corporate offices under a non-cancelable operating lease agreement that expires in 2002. Future minimum lease payments under this non-cancelable operating lease are as follows:
Year Ending January 31, ----------------------- 1999 $128,019 2000 136,590 2001 142,815 2002 149,043 2003 37,650 -------- Total $594,117 ========
Rent expense for the years ended January 31, 1998 and 1997 was $100,625 and $13,451, respectively. SCHEDULE NO. F-10 -- Page 7 SHOPPING.COM NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS January 31, 1998 ________________________________________________________________________________ The Company also leases certain office equipment under a non-cancelable capital lease arrangement. Future minimum lease payments under this lease agreement are as follows:
Year Ending January 31, ----------------------- 1999 $241,678 2000 187,260 2001 29,436 2002 29,436 2003 14,718 -------- 502,528 Less amount representing interest 62,810 -------- 439,718 Less current portion 207,589 -------- Long-term portion $232,129 ========
Included in furniture and equipment at January 31, 1998 is capital lease equipment of $449,111 with accumulated amortization of $11,126. Agreements - ---------- On September 15, 1997 the Company entered into an agreement with En Pointe Technologies, Inc. ("En Pointe") whereby: . En Pointe made an investment in the Company by purchasing $600,000 of subordinated notes (see Note 6). In connection therewith, the Company issued 199,800 warrants to purchase the Company's common stock at $4.50 per share. As a result of these warrants being issued with an exercise price less than the fair market value of similar warrants, the Company has recognized an additional financing cost of $299,700; . En Pointe granted the Company a license to En Pointe's proprietary EPIC Software for five years in exchange for 125,000 shares of the Company's common stock valued at $6.00 per share. The Company has agreed to pay an annual maintenance and upgrade fee of $100,000. The initial annual fee was paid concurrent with the funding of the $600,000 subordinated notes; . En Pointe has also agreed to provide (i) consulting services to the Company by customizing its EPIC Software and (ii) information system services for a quarterly fee estimated to be $60,000 and $50,000, respectively. The initial quarterly fees of $60,000 and $50,000 were paid concurrent with the funding of the $600,000 subordinated notes. SCHEDULE NO. F-10 -- Page 8 SHOPPING.COM NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS January 31, 1998 ________________________________________________________________________________ . En Pointe is the Company's exclusive supplier for a period of five years for computer hardware, software, and network peripherals which En Pointe is authorized to sell. . On April 13, 1998, the Company entered into an agreement whereby the placement agent agreed to offer and sell on a best efforts basis, up to $10,000,000, 8% convertible debentures of the Company pursuant to Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1993, as amended. For the year ended January 31, 1997, the Company had a note payable to a related party which was personally guaranteed by an officer of the Company. In addition, the note was personally guaranteed by a vice president of the Company and secured by a second deed of trust on a residence owned by the vice president. The note accrued interest at the highest rate permitted by California law (approximately 11% at January 31, 1997) and was due 90 days from January 13, 1997. During the year ended January 31, 1998, this note was repaid. Also see Note 9. NOTE 6 - NOTES PAYABLE During June through September 1997, the Company issued $1,750,000 (which includes the $600,000 mentioned in Note 4) of subordinated notes. The notes bear interest at 10% per annum and are unsecured. The notes were due at the earlier of nine months from the date of issuance or closing of the IPO. The notes were repaid in December 1997. In connection with the note agreement, each note holder is entitled to receive 333 warrants for each $1,000 loaned to purchase the Company's common stock for $6.00 per share ($4.50 per share for the 199,800 warrants issued to En Pointe). There is a twelve-month "lock-up" on the warrants and the common stock underlying these warrants. None of the 582,750 warrants issued to the note holders were exercised as of January 31, 1998. NOTE 7 - SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Series A Convertible Preferred Stock - ------------------------------------ In March 1997, the Company issued 250,000 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock ("Series A Preferred") in connection with the acquisition of certain assets and liabilities and proprietary software developed by Cyber (see Note 1). The historical cost of the assets and liabilities and proprietary software acquired was approximately $100,000 which is the amount used to value the 250,000 shares of Series A Preferred. In April 1997, the Company sold 500,000 shares of Series A Preferred for a price of $0.40 per share. The holders of the Series A Preferred were entitled to receive a non-cumulative dividend of $0.04 per share per annum, payable in cash at the option of the Company. No dividends were declared or paid during the year ended January 31, 1998. SCHEDULE NO. F-10 -- Page 9 SHOPPING.COM NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS January 31, 1998 ________________________________________________________________________________ Each share of Series A Preferred was convertible into shares of common stock at the option of the holder. In addition, Series A Preferred will be automatically converted into shares of common stock based upon the effective conversion price immediately upon the closing of an IPO of not less than $6,000,000. The Series A Preferred had a liquidation preference of $0.40 per share plus all declared and unpaid dividends prior to the payment of any amount to the holders of common stock. Each holder of Series A Preferred was issued one warrant for every two shares of Series A Preferred to purchase a share of the Company's common stock for $3.00 per share resulting in 375,000 warrants being issued. None of these warrants were exercised as of January 31, 1998. Upon the effective date of the Company's IPO, the 750,000 outstanding shares of Series A Preferred were converted into 750,000 shares of the Company's common stock. Series B Convertible Preferred Stock - ------------------------------------ During May through September 1997, the Company sold 536,500 shares (8,333 shares to an officer of the Company) of Series B convertible preferred stock ("Series B Preferred") for a price of $3.00 per share. The holders of the Series B Preferred were entitled to receive a non-cumulative dividend of $0.30 per share per annum, payable in cash at the option of the Company. No dividends were declared or paid during the year ended January 31, 1998. Each share of Series B Preferred was convertible into shares of common stock at the option of the holder. In addition, Series B Preferred were automatically converted into shares of common stock based upon the effective conversion price immediately upon the closing of an IPO of not less than $6,000,000. The Series B Preferred had a liquidation preference of $3.00 per share plus all declared and unpaid dividends prior to the payment of any amount to the holders of common stock. Each holder of Series B Preferred was issued one warrant for every two shares of Series B Preferred to purchase a share of the Company's common stock for $3.00 per share resulting in 268,250 warrants (4,166 warrants to an officer of the Company) being issued. None of these warrants were exercised as of January 31, 1998. Upon the effective date of the Company's IPO, the 536,500 outstanding shares of Series B Preferred were converted into 536,500 shares of the Company's common stock. Common Stock - ------------ During the year ended January 31, 1998, the Company issued 38,000 shares of common stock for services valued at $54,000. On November 25, 1997, the Company completed its IPO by issuing 1,300,000 shares of common stock for gross proceeds of $11,700,000. SCHEDULE NO. F-10 -- Page 10 SHOPPING.COM NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS January 31, 1998 ________________________________________________________________________________ On February 19, 1998, the Company entered into an agreement with Premiere Radio Networks, Inc. ("Premiere") whereby the Company issued to Premiere 47,059 shares of the Company's common stock for advertising time valued at $1,000,000 that was provided by Premiere. Stock Options - ------------- The Company's board of directors adopted the 1997 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") and reserved 250,000 shares of common stock for grants of stock options under the Plan. Generally, options granted under the Plan expire upon the earlier of ten years from the date of grant (five years in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a holder of 10% or more of the Company's outstanding capital stock) or three months after the optionee's termination of employment or service. The Company has adopted only the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123. It applies APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and related interpretations in accounting for its plans and does not recognize compensation expense for its stock-based compensation plans other than for restricted stock and options issued to outside third parties. If the Company had elected to recognize compensation expense based upon the fair value at the grant date for awards under this plan consistent with the methodology prescribed by SFAS 123, the Company's net loss and loss per share would be reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below for the year ended January 31, 1998: Net loss As reported $(5,522,029) Pro forma $(5,796,592) Basic and diluted loss per common share As reported $ (3.05) Pro forma $ (3.21)
The fair value of these options was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for the year ended January 31, 1998: dividend yield of 0%; expected volatility of 110%; risk-free interest rate of 5.4%; and expected life of 3.11 years. The weighted-average fair value of options granted during the year ended January 31, 1998 was $3.87, and the weighted-average exercise price was $3.00. The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because the Company's employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its employee stock options. SCHEDULE NO. F-10 -- Page 11 SHOPPING.COM NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS January 31, 1998 ________________________________________________________________________________
Weighted-Average Number Granted Price of Shares Per Share --------- ---------------- Outstanding, January 31, 1997 Granted - $ -- 232,500 $4.94 ------- Outstanding, January 31, 1998 232,500 $4.94 ======= Exercisable, January 31, 1998 137,500 $3.00 =======
The weighted-average remaining contractual life of options outstanding issued under the Plan is 4.46 years at January 31, 1998. Options available for future grant at January 31, 1998 were 17,500. During the year ended January 31, 1998, the Company issued 67,000 stock options to employees where the exercise price was less than the fair value of the Company's stock at the date of grant. The Company will recognize compensation expense of $17,443, $112,750, $112,750, $112,750, and $95,307 during the years ended January 31, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002, respectively, related to the issuance of these 67,000 stock options. Warrants - -------- Outstanding warrants as of January 31, 1998 were as follows:
Number of Weighted-Average Warrants Exercise Price --------- ---------------- Issued in connection with Series A preferred 375,000 $3.00 Series B preferred 268,250 $3.00 Subordinated notes 582,750 $5.49 Total 1,226,000 =========
All of the above warrants are exercisable. NOTE 8 - INCOME TAXES For the years ended January 31, 1998 and 1997, the Company did not provide a provision for income taxes due to the net loss incurred. At January 31, 1998, the Company has approximately $5,600,000 and $2,800,000 in net operating loss carry forwards for federal and state income tax purposes, respectively, that begin to expire in 2012 and 2002, respectively. The components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities for income taxes consist of a deferred tax asset relating to the net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $2,050,000. The other components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities are immaterial. The Company has established a valuation allowance of approximately $2,014,000 to fully offset its deferred tax asset as the Company does not believe the recoverability of this deferred tax asset is more SCHEDULE NO. F-10 -- Page 12 SHOPPING.COM NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS January 31, 1998 ________________________________________________________________________________ likely than not. The valuation allowance increased by approximately $2,068,000 during the year ended January 31, 1998. NOTE 9 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS During the year ended January 31, 1998, the Company incurred legal expenses of approximately $546,000, which counsel was also a shareholder of the Company. At January, 31, 1998, the Company had accounts payable balances of approximately $324,000 related to such counsel. In connection with its underwriting agreement, the Company paid Waldron commissions and an allowance for expenses in the amount of 10% and 3%, respectively, of the gross proceeds of the IPO. These expenses were recorded as offering costs in the statement of shareholders' equity. Additionally, the Company had product sales to Waldron of approximately $342,000 during the year ended January 31, 1998, of which approximately $106,000 was included in accounts receivable at January 31, 1998. During the year ended January 31, 1998, the Company obtained short-term non- interest bearing promissory notes in the amount of $305,000 from affiliates of Waldron, which were fully repaid subsequent to the IPO. No interest expense was imputed due to the short period of time that the promissory notes were outstanding. The Company made advances to an officer of approximately $156,000, which were fully repaid during the year ended January 31, 1998. Approximately $98,000 of the repayments were made by Cyber Depot, a company in which the officer is a controlling shareholder. Total employee advances outstanding at January 31, 1998 amounted to $17,557, which is included in other receivables on the balance sheet. During the year ended January 31, 1998, the Company made advances of $16,000 to Cyber, which were fully repaid during the year. During the year ended January 31, 1998, the Company retained the services of certain consultants, which were also shareholders. Consulting expenses amounted to approximately $91,000 and were substantially paid as of January 31, 1998. At January 31, 1998, the Company had accounts payable to these consultants of approximately $2,000. As more fully described in Note 4, the Company entered into an agreement with En Pointe, a shareholder. Additionally, the Company purchased various computer hardware from En Pointe for approximately $223,000. At January 31, 1998, the Company had accounts payable to En Pointe of approximately $114,000. NOTE 10 - SEC INVESTIGATION / CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT In March 1998, the Company became aware that the SEC had initiated a private investigation to determine whether the Company, Waldron, or any its officers, directors, employees, affiliates or others had engaged in fraudulent activities in connection with transactions in the Company's common stock. Such investigation resulted in the SEC temporarily suspending trading in the Company's stock. The trading suspension has expired, and the Company and its officers and directors believe that they have not been guilty of any fraudulent conduct in connection with the transactions in the Company's stock. SCHEDULE NO. F-10 -- Page 13 SHOPPING.COM NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS January 31, 1998 ________________________________________________________________________________ On April 16, 1998, a class action lawsuit was filed against the Company, certain officers of the Company, Waldron, two of Waldron's executives, and one other broker-dealer ("Defendants") on behalf of all persons who purchased shares of the Company's stock between November 25, 1997 and March 26, 1998 alleging violations of the California securities laws by the Defendants. The complaint charges that the Defendants participated in a scheme and wrongful course of business to manipulate the price of the Company's stock. The Company does not believe that it is guilty of the acts alleged in the complaint and intends to defend against this action vigorously. Nonetheless, and despite the Company's insurance coverage for such actions, management believes this class action suit may be very harmful to the Company. In addition, diversion of management time and effort from the Company's operations and the implementation of the Company's business plan at this crucial time in the Company's development may adversely and significantly affect the Company and its business. The continued pendency of this litigation and private investigation may make it difficult for the Company to raise additional capital to continue its development and expansion. The inability of the Company to raise additional capital would have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position and results of operations and may prevent the Company from carrying out its business plan. SCHEDULE NO. F-10 -- Page 14 Shopping.Com Computations of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends Schedule F-11
Three Months Year Ended January 31 Ended April 30, ----------------------- -------------- 1997 1998 1998 -------- ---------- ---------- Fixed charges Interest expense $ - $ 59,979 $ 1,452 Amortization of loan origination fees - 221,000(b) - Issuance of warrants for financing costs - 299,700(b) - -------- ---------- ---------- Total fixed charges $ - $ 580,679 $ 1,452 ======== ========== ========== Loss Loss from operations $201,697 $4,970,869 $4,740,544 Fixed charges - 580,679 1,452 -------- ---------- ---------- Total loss $201,697 $5,551,548 $4,741,996 ======== ========== ========== Ratio of loss to fixed charges (a) N/A N/A ======== ========== ========== Earnings are approximately this amount lower than were needed to cover total fixed charges. (a) $6,132,227 $4,743,448 ======== ========== ==========
- ------------------------- (a) There was no interest expense for this period. (b) The amount shown relates to a noncash nonrecurring charge included in the loss from operations. N/A - This computation is not presented as the Company incurred a loss from operations thereby having insufficient earnings to cover its fixed charges. This information is presented only to derive the earnings deficit for disclosure purposes. SCHEDULE F-11 EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES. (a) EXHIBITS Exhibit No. Description 3.1 Form of Restated Articles of Incorporation of Shopping.com. 3.2* Bylaws of Shopping.com. Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 3.02 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 24, 1997 (Registration No. 333-36215). 3.3 Form of Certificate of Amendment of Bylaws dated August ____, 1998. 4.1* Form of Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of June 5, 1998 between the Company and each Investor. Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 4.22 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.B. for the quarter ended April 30, 1998 (Filed with the SEC on June 22, 1998, File No. 000-29518.) 4.2* Form of Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and each Investor. Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 4.23 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.B. for the quarter ended April 30, 1998 (Filed with the SEC on June 22, 1998, File No. 000-29518.) 4.3* Form of 8% Convertible Debenture Due June 30, 2000 made by the Company payable to each Investor. Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 4.24 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended April 30, 1998 (Filed with the SEC on June 22, 1998, File No. 000-29518.) 4.4 Form of Warrant Agreement dated June, 1998 between the Company and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co., Inc. 4.5 Form of Warrant Agreement dated July 13, 1998 between the Company and Trautman, Rosenblum and Stephansky. 4.6 Form of Warrant Agreement dated June 9, 1998 between the Company and Trautman, Rosenblum, Stephansky, Soich and Calicchia. 4.7 Form of Warrants dated April 10, 1998, between the Company and Leasing Ventures, LLC. II-1 10.1 Agreement between the Company and Howard S. Schwartz dated August 1, 1998. 23.1** Form of Consent of Singer Lewak Greenbaum & Goldstein LLP. - --------------- * Previously filed. ** Executed document to be supplied by pre-effective amendment. (b) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES Schedule No. Description F-1 Balance Sheet as of April 30, 1998 F-2 Statement of Operations for the Three Months Ended April 30, 1998 and April 30, 1997 F-3 Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended April 30, 1998 and April 30, 1997 F-4 Notes to Condensed Financial Statements F-5 Report of Independent Auditors F-6 Balance Sheet as of January 31, 1998 F-7 Statements of Operations for the Years Ended January 31, 1997 and 1998 F-8 Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the Years Ended January 31, 1997 and 1998 F-9 Statements of Cash Flow for the Years Ended January 31, 1997 and 1998 F-10 Notes to Financial Statements dated January 31, 1998 F-11 Computations of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Changes and Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Changes and Referred Stock Dividends II-2 UNDERTAKINGS. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described in "Indemnification of Directors and Officers" herein, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that: (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: (i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement. (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement. (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at the time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. II-3 (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. (4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (5) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective. (6) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. II-4 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Corona del Mar, State of California, on this 15th day of August, 1998. SHOPPING.COM By: /s/ JOHN H. MARKLEY -------------------------------------- John H. Markley President, Chief Executive Officer and Director Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signature Capacity Date --------- -------- ---- /s/ FRANK W. DENNY - ------------------------------- Frank W. Denny Chairman of the Board August 12, 1998 /s/ JOHN H. MARKLEY - ------------------------------- John H. Markley Chief Executive Officer, August 15, 1998 President and Director /s/ KRISTINE WEBSTER - ------------------------------- Kristine E. Webster Senior Vice President, August 14, 1998 Chief Financial Officer and Secretary /s/ DOUGLAS A. HAY - ------------------------------- Douglas A. Hay Executive Vice President August 14, 1998 and Director /s/ PAUL J. HILL - ------------------------------- Paul J. Hill Director August 14, 1998 /s/ EDWARD F. BRADLEY - ------------------------------- Edward F. Bradley Director August 14, 1998
II-5 INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. Description Page 3.1 Form of Restated Articles of Incorporation of Shopping.com. 3.2* Bylaws of Shopping.com. Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 3.02 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 24, 1997 (Registration No. 333-36215). 3.3 Form of Certificate of Amendment of Bylaws dated August __, 1998. 4.1* Form of Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of June 5, 1998 between the Company and each Investor. Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 4.22 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.B. for the quarter ended April 30, 1998 (Filed with the SEC on June 22, 1998, File No. 000-29518.) 4.2* Form of Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and each Investor. Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 4.23 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.B. for the quarter ended April 30, 1998 (Filed with the SEC on June 22, 1998, File No. 000-29518.) 4.3* Form of 8% Convertible Debenture Due June 30, 2000 made by the Company payable to each Investor. Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 4.24 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended April 30, 1998 (Filed with the SEC on June 22, 1998, File No. 000-29518.) 4.4 Form of Warrant Agreement dated June, 1998 between the Company and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co., Inc. 4.5 Form of Warrant Agreement dated July 13, 1998 between the Company and Trautman, Rosenblum and Stephansky. 4.6 Form of Warrant Agreement dated June 9, 1998 between the Company and Trautman, Rosenblum, Stephansky, Soich and Calicchia. 4.7 Form of Warrants dated April 10, 1998, between the Company and Leasing Ventures, LLC. 10.1 Agreement between the Company and Howard S. Schwartz dated August 1, 1998. 23.1** Form of Consent of Singer Lewak Greenbaum & Goldstein LLP.
- ------------------- * Previously filed. ** Executed document to be supplied by pre-effective amendment.
EX-3.1 2 RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION EXHIBIT 3.1 RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF SHOPPING.COM The undersigned certify that: 1. They are the president and the secretary, respectively, of SHOPPING.COM, a California corporation. 2. The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of this Corporation are amended and restated to read as follows: I. The name of this Corporation is SHOPPING.COM II. The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the General Corporation Law of California other than the banking business, the trust company business or the practice of a profession permitted to be incorporated by the California Corporations Code. III. (a) The Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, as "Common Stock" and "Preferred Stock." The total number of shares of all classes of stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue is Twenty-Five Million (25,000,000) shares, consisting of Twenty Million (20,000,000) shares of common stock, no par value per share (the "Common Stock"), and Five Million (5,000,000) shares of preferred stock, no par value per share (the "Preferred Stock"). (b) The share of Common Stock may be issued from time to time for such consideration as the Board of Directors may determine. Each holder of shares of -1- Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held of record on all matters on which the holders of Common Stock are entitled to vote. (c) The shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series and for such consideration as the Board of Directors may determine. The Board of Directors is authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed by law, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, and by filing a certificate pursuant to the applicable law of the State of California to fix the designation, powers, preferences, and rights of the shares of each such series of Preferred Stock, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including, but not limited to, the dividend rights, dividend rate or rates, conversion rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions), the redemption price or prices, and the liquidation preferences of any wholly unissued series of share or Preferred Stock, or any of them, all to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by the General Corporation Law of California, and to increase or decrease the number of shares of any series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding. In case the number of shares of any series of Preferred Stock shall be so decreased, the shares representing such decrease shall resume the status which they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series. No vote of the holders of the Common Stock or the Preferred Stock shall, unless otherwise provided in the resolutions creating any particular series of Preferred Stock, be a prerequisite to the issuance of any shares of any series of the Preferred Stock authorized by an complying with the conditions of this Certificate of Incorporation." IV. The liability of the directors of the Corporation for monetary damages shall be eliminated to the fullest extent permissible under California law. V. The Corporation shall indemnify any director or officer and may indemnify any agent of the Corporation in all circumstances in which indemnification is permitted by the provisions of Section 317(a), (b), and (c) of the General Corporation Law of California and shall advance the expenses of any director or officer and may advance the expenses of any agent in all circumstances in which such advancement of expenses is permitted by the provisions of Section 317 of the General Corporation Law of California (without regard to the authorization required by that section); provided, however, that such indemnification is not authorized with respect to an action for a breach of the duty of the director, officer or agent to the Corporation or its shareholders, if any of the exceptions to exoneration from liability of directors set -2- forth in Section 204(a)(1) of the General Corporation Law of California are applicable; and the director, officer or agent shall repay to the Corporation any such advancement of expenses if the director, officer or agent is adjudged guilty of any of the conduct specified in such exceptions or if indemnification is expressly prohibited by said Section 31. This provision does not limit in any way the permissive indemnification provided for in said Section 317. The director, officer or agent may sue in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses grated by this Article V. The Corporation is authorized to indemnify the directors, officers and agents of the Corporation to the fullest extent permissible under California law. VI. From time to time any of the provisions of this Articles of Incorporation may be amended, altered or repealed, and other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of California at the time in force may be added or inserted in the manner and at the time prescribed by said laws, and all rights at any time conferred upon the shareholders of the Corporation by this Articles of Incorporation are granted subject to the provisions of this Article VI. 1. The foregoing amendment and restatement of Articles of Incorporation has been duly approved by the Board of Directors. 2. the foregoing amendment and restatement of Articles of Incorporation has been duly approved by the required vote of shareholders in accordance with section 902, California Corporations Code. The total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation is 4,062,354. The number of shares voting in favor of the amendment equaled or exceeded the vote required. The percentage vote required was more than 50%. There are no shares of Preferred Stock outstanding. We further declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the matters set forth in this certificate are true and correct of our own knowledge. DATE:_________________ __________________________________ John H. Markley, President __________________________________ Kristine E. Webster, Secretary -3- EX-3.3 3 CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS EXHIBIT 3.3 CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS OF SHOPPING.COM The undersigned, being the duly elected Secretary of Shopping.com, a California corporation (the "Corporation"), hereby certifies that following are true, accurate and complete resolutions adopted by a Unanimous Written Consent of the Board of Directors of the Corporation on __________, 1998, and that the same have not been amended or revoked and are now in full force and effect: "WHEREAS, the shareholder of the Corporation at its 1998 Annual Meeting of the Shareholders held on July 15, 1998, approved an amendment to the Bylaws of the Corporation as set forth below. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Section 2(a) of Article III of the Bylaws of the Corporation as amended to date, is hereby amended and restated to read as follows: (a) The authorized number of directors of the corporation shall be not less than five (5) nor more than nine (9). The exact number of directors shall be five (5) until changed, within the limits specified above, by a bylaw amending this Section 2(a), duly adopted by the board of directors or by the shareholders. The indefinite number of directors may be changed, or a definite number may be fixed without provision for an indefinite number, by a duly adopted amendment to this bylaw duly adopted by the vote or written consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote; provided, however, than an amendment reducing the fixed number or the minimum number of directors to a number less than five (5) cannot be adopted if the votes cast against its adoption at a meeting, or the shares not consenting in the case of an action by written consent, are equal to more than sixteen and two-thirds (16 2/3%) of the outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon. No amendment may change the stated maximum number of authorized directors to a number greater than two (2) times the stated minimum number of directors minus one (1)." IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this _____ day August, 1998. _____________________________ Kristine E. Webster, Secretary EX-4.4 4 WARRANT FOR THE PURCHASE OF SHARES EXHIBIT 4.4 WARRANT FOR THE PURCHASE OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK 300,000 Shares FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Shopping.com, Inc. (the "Company"), a California corporation, hereby certifies that Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., or its permitted assigns are entitled to purchase from the Company, at any time or from time to time commencing December 15, 1998, and prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time then current, on June 15, 2003, fully paid and non-assessable shares of the common stock, no par value, of the Company at the purchase price of $21.92 per share. (Hereinafter, (i) said common stock, together with any other equity securities which may be issued by the Company with respect thereto or in substitution therefor, is referred to as the "Common Stock," (ii) the shares of the Common Stock purchasable hereunder are referred to as the "Warrant Shares," (iii) the aggregate purchase price payable hereunder for the Warrant Shares is referred to as the "Aggregate Warrant Price," (iv) the price payable hereunder for each of the shares of the Warrant Shares is referred to as the "Per Share Warrant Price" and (v) this warrant and all warrants hereafter issued in exchange or substitution for this warrant are referred to as the "Warrants.") The Aggregate Warrant Price is not subject to adjustment. The Per Share Warrant Price is subject to adjustment as hereinafter provided; in the event of any such adjustment, the number of Warrant Shares shall be adjusted by dividing the Aggregate Warrant Price by the Per Share Warrant Price in effect immediately after such adjustment. 1. Exercise of Warrant. (a) This Warrant may be exercised, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, commencing December 15, 1998 (the "Commencement Date"), and prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time then current, on June 15, 2003 (the "Expiration Date"), by the holder of this Warrant (the "Holder") by the surrender of this Warrant (with the subscription form at the end hereof duly executed) at the address set forth in Subsection 1 0(a) hereof, together with proper payment of the Aggregate Warrant Price, or the proportionate part thereof if this Warrant is exercised in part. Payment for the Warrant Shares shall be made by certified or official bank check, payable to the order of the Company. If this Warrant is exercised in part, this Warrant must be exercised for a number of whole shares of the Common Stock, and the Holder is entitled to received a new Warrant covering the number of Warrant Shares in respect of which this Warrant has not been exercised and setting forth the proportionate part of the Aggregate Warrant Price applicable to such Warrant Shares. Upon such exercise and surrender of this Warrant, the Company will (i) issue a certificate or certificates in the name of the Holder for the number of whole shares of the Common Stock to which the Holder shall be.,entitled and, if this Warrant is exercised in whole, in lieu of any fractional share of the Common Stock to which the Holder shall be entitled, pay cash equal to the fair value of such fractional share (determined in such reasonable manner as the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine), and (ii) deliver the other securities and properties receivable upon the exercise of this Warrant, or the proportionate part thereof if this Warrant is exercised in part, pursuant to the provisions of this Warrant. -1- (b) In lieu of exercising this Warrant in the manner set forth in paragraph 1 (a) above, this Warrant may be exercised between the Commencement Date and the Expiration Date by surrender of the Warrant without payment of any other consideration, commission or remuneration, together with the cashless exercise subscription form at the end hereof, duly executed. The number of shares to be issued in exchange for the Warrant shall be the product of (x) the excess of the market price of the Common Stock on the date of surrender of the Warrant and the exercise subscription form over the Per Share Warrant Price and (y) the number of shares subject to issuance upon exercise of the Warrant, divided by the market price of the Common Stock on such date. Upon such exercise and surrender of this Warrant, the Company will (i) issue a certificate or certificates in the name of the Holder for the number of whole shares of the Common Stock to which the Holder shall be entitled and, in lieu of any fractional share of the Common Stock to which the Holder shall be entitled, pay cash equal to the fair value of such fractional share (determined in such reasonable manner as the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine), and (ii) deliver the other securities and properties receivable upon the exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the provisions of this Warrant. 2. Reservation of Warrant Shares. The Company agrees that, prior to the expiration of this Warrant, the Company will at all times have authorized and in reserve, and will keep available, solely for issuance or delivery upon the exercise of this Warrant, such number of shares of the Common Stock and such amount of other securities and properties as from time to time shall be deliverable to the Holder upon the exercise of this Warrant, free and clear of all restrictions on sale or transfer (except such as may be imposed under applicable federal and state securities laws) and free and clear of all preemptive rights and all other rights to purchase securities of the Company. 3. Protection Against Dilution. (a) If, at any time or from time to time after the date of this Warrant, the Company shall distribute to the holders of its outstanding Common Stock, (i) securities, other than shares of Common Stock, or (ii) property, other than cash dividends paid in conformity with past practice, without payment therefor, with respect to Common Stock, then, and in each such case, the Holder, upon the exercise of this Warrant, shall be entitled to receive the securities and property which the Holder would have held on the date of such exercise if, on the date of this Warrant, the Holder had been the holder of record of the number of shares of the Common Stock subscribed for upon such exercise and, during the period from the date of this Warrant to and including the date of such exercise, had retained such shares and the securities and properties receivable by the Holder during such period. Notice of each such distribution shall be forthwith mailed to the Holder. (b) (b) If, at any time or from time to time after the date of this Warrant, the Company shall (i) pay a dividend or make a distribution on its capital stock in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares, (iii) combine its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares or (iv) issue by reclassification of its Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, the Per Share Warrant Price in effect immediately prior to such action shall be adjusted so that the Holder of any Warrant thereafter exercised shall be entitled to receive the number of shares of Common Stock or other capital stock -2- of the Company which he would have owned or been entitled to received immediately following the happening of any of the events described above had such Warrant been exercised immediately prior thereto. An adjustment made pursuant to this (b) shall become effective immediately after the record date in the case of a dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or reclassification. If, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to this (b), the holder of any Warrant thereafter surrendered for exercise shall become entitled to receive shares of two or more classes of capital stock or shares of Common Stock and other capital stock of the Company, the Board of Directors (whose determination shall be conclusive and shall be described in a written notice to the Holder of any Warrant promptly after such adjustment) shall determine the allocation of the adjusted Per Share Warrant Price between or among shares of such classes or capital stock or shares of Common Stock and other capital stock. (c) Except as provided in 3(e), in case the Company shall hereafter issue or sell any shares of Common Stock for a consideration per share less than the Per Share Warrant Price in effect immediately prior to such issuance or sale, the Per Share Warrant Price shall be adjusted as of the date of such issuance or sale so that the same shall equal the price determined by dividing (i) the sum of (A) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such issuance or sale multiplied by the Per Share Warrant Price plus (B) the consideration received by the Company upon such issuance or sale by (ii) the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding after such issuance or sale. (d) Except as provided in 3(e), in case the Company shall hereafter issue or sell any rights, options, warrants or securities convertible into Common Stock entitling the holders thereof to purchase the Common Stock or to convert such securities into Common Stock at a price per share (determined by dividing (i) the total amount, if any, received or receivable by the Company in consideration of the issuance or sale of such rights, options, warrants or convertible securities plus the total consideration, if any, payable to the Company upon exercise or conversion thereof (the "Total Consideration") by (ii) the number of additional shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise or conversion of such securities) less than the then Per Share Warrant Price in effect on the date of such issuance or sale, the Per Share Warrant Price shall be adjusted as of the date of such issuance or sale so that the same shall equal the price determined by dividing (i) the sum of (A) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the date of such issuance or sale multiplied by the Per Share Warrant Price plus (B) the Total Consideration by (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the date of such issuance or sale plus the maximum number of additional shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise or conversion of such securities. (e) No adjustment in the Per Share Warrant Price shall be required in the case of (i) the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of options which have been granted under the Company's Stock Option Plan as in effect on the date hereof, or (ii) the issuance of shares pursuant to the exercise of this Warrant, or (iii) shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise or conversion of any rights, options, warrants or securities convertible into Common Stock which are outstanding as of the date of this Warrant or which the Company is contractually obligated to issue as of the date of this Warrant. (f) In case of any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party other than a merger or consolidation in which the Company is the continuing corporation, or in case of any sale -3- or conveyance to another entity of the property of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, or in the case of any statutory exchange of securities with another entity (including any exchange effectuated in connection with a merger of any other corporation with the Company), the Holder of this Warrant shall have the right thereafter to convert such Warrant into the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property which he would have owned or have been entitled to receive immediately after such consolidation, merger, statutory exchange, sale or conveyance had this Warrant been exercised immediately prior to the effective date of such consolidation, merger, statutory exchange, sale or conveyance and in any such case, if necessary, appropriate adjustment shall be made in the application of the provisions set forth in this Section 3 with respect to the rights and interests thereafter of the Holder of this Warrant to the end that the provisions set forth in this Section 3 shall thereafter correspondingly be made applicable, as nearly as may reasonably be, in relation to any shares of stock or other securities or property thereafter deliverable on the exercise of this Warrant. The above provisions of this 3(f) shall similarly apply to successive consolidations, mergers, statutory exchanges, sales or conveyances. Notice of any such consolidation, merger, statutory exchange, sale or conveyance, and of said provisions so proposed to be made, shall be mailed to the Holder not less than 20 days prior to such event. A sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company for a consideration consisting primarily of securities shall be deemed a consolidation or merger for the foregoing purposes. (g) No adjustment in the Per Share Warrant Price shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least $0.05 per share of Common Stock; provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this (g) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment; and provided further, however, that adjustments shall be required and made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 (other than this (g)) not later than such time as may be required in order to preserve the tax-free nature of a distribution to the Holder of this Warrant or Common Stock. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. Anything in this Section 3 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall be entitled to make such reductions in the Per Share Warrant Price, in addition to those required by this Section 3, as it in its discretion shall deem to be advisable in order that any stock dividend, subdivision of shares or distribution of rights to purchase stock or securities convertible or exchangeable for stock hereafter made by the Company to its shareholders shall not be taxable. (h) Whenever the Per Share Warrant Price is adjusted as provided in this Section 3 and upon any modification of the rights of the Holder of this Warrant in accordance with this Section 3, the Company shall, at its own expense, within ten (10) days of such adjustment or modification, deliver to the holder of this Warrant a certificate of the Principal Financial Officer of the Company setting forth the Per Share Warrant Price and the number of Warrant Shares after such adjustment or the effect of such modification, a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment or modification and the manner of computing the same. In addition, within thirty (30) days of the end of the Company's fiscal year next following any such adjustment or modification, the Company shall, at its own expense, deliver to the Holder of this Warrant a certificate of a firm of independent public accountants of recognized standing selected by the Board of Directors (who may be the regular auditors of the Company) setting forth the same information as required by such Principal Financial Officer Certificate. -4- (i) If the Board of Directors of the Company shall declare any dividend or other distribution in cash with respect to the Common Stock, other than out of earned surplus, the Company shall mail notice thereof to the Holder not less than 10 days prior to the record date fixed for determining shareholders entitled to participate in such dividend or other distribution. 4. Fully Paid Stock; Taxes. The Company agrees that the shares of the Common Stock represented by each and every certificate for Warrant Shares delivered on the exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms hereof shall, at the time of such delivery, be validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable and not subject to preemptive rights or other contractual rights to purchase securities of the Company, and the Company will take all such actions as may be necessary to assure that the par value or stated value, if any, per share of the Common Stock is at all times equal to or less than the then Per Share Warrant Price. The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay, when due and payable, any and all federal and state stamp, original issue or similar taxes which may be payable in respect of the issue of any Warrant Share or certificate therefor. 5. Registration Under Securities Act of 1933. (a) The Company agrees that if, at any two times during the period commencing on December 15, 1998 and ending on June 15, 2003, the Holder and/or the Holders of any other Warrants and/or Warrant Shares who or which shall hold not less than 50% of the Warrants and/or Warrant Shares outstanding at such time and not previously sold pursuant to this Section 5, request that the Company file a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act") covering all or any of the Warrant Shares, the Company will (i) promptly notify the Holder and all other registered holders, if any, of other Warrant and/or Warrant Shares that such registration statement will be filed and that the Warrant Shares which are then held, and/or which may be acquired upon the exercise of Warrants, by the Holder and such holders will be included in such registration statement at the Holders and such Holders' request, (ii) cause such registration statement to cover all Warrant Shares which it has been so requested to include, (iii) use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective as soon as practicable and to remain effective and current and (iv) take all other action necessary under any federal or state law or regulation of any governmental authority to permit all Warrant Shares which it has been so requested to include in such registration statement to be sold or otherwise disposed of and will maintain such compliance with each such federal and state law and regulation of any governmental authority for the period necessary for the Holder and such Holders to effect the proposed sale or other disposition. (b) The Company agrees that if, at any time and, from time to time, the Board of Directors of the Company shall authorize the filing of a registration statement (any such registration statement being sometimes hereinafter called a "Subsequent Registration Statement") under the Act (otherwise than pursuant to Section 5(a) hereof) in connection with the proposed offer of any of its securities by it or any of its shareholders, the Company will (i) promptly notify the Holder and all other registered Holders, if any, of other Warrants and/or Warrant Shares that such Subsequent Registration Statement will be filed and that the Warrant Shares which are then held, and/or which may be acquired upon the exercise of the Warrants, by the Holder and such Holders will be included in such Subsequent Registration Statement at the Holder's and such Holders' request, (ii) cause such -5- Subsequent Registration Statement to cover all Warrant Shares which it has been so requested to include, (iii) cause such Subsequent Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable and to remain effective and current and (iv) take all other action necessary under any federal or state law or regulation of any governmental authority to permit all Warrant Shares which it has been so requested to include in such Subsequent Registration Statement to be sold or otherwise disposed of and will maintain such compliance with each such federal and state law and regulation of any governmental authority for the period necessary for the Holder and such Holders to effect the proposed sale or other disposition. (c) Whenever the Company is required pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5 to include Warrant Shares in a registration statement, the Company shall (1) furnish each Holder of any such Warrant Shares and each underwriter of such Warrant Shares with such copies of the prospectus, including the preliminary prospectus, conforming to the Act (and such other documents as each such Holder or each such underwriter may reasonably request) in order to facilitate the sale or distribution of the Warrant Shares, (ii) use its best efforts to register or qualify such Warrant Shares under the blue sky laws (to the extent applicable) of such jurisdiction or jurisdictions as the Holders of any such Warrant Shares and each underwriter of Warrant Shares being sold by such Holders shall reasonably request and (iii) take such other actions as may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such Holders and such underwriters to consummate the sale or distribution in such jurisdiction or jurisdictions in which such Holders shall have reasonably requested that the Warrant Shares be sold. (d) The Company shall pay all expenses incurred in connection with any registration or other action pursuant to the provisions of this Section, including the attorneys' fees and expenses of the Holder(s) of the Warrant Shares covered by such registration incurred in connection with such registration or other action, other than underwriting discounts and applicable transfer taxes relating to the Warrant Shares. (e) The market price of Common Stock shall mean the price of a share of Common Stock on the relevant date, determined on the basis of the last reported sale price of the Common Stock as reported on the NASDAQ National Market System ("NASDAQ"), or, if there is no such reported sale on the day in question, on the basis of the average of the closing bid and asked quotations as so reported, or, if the Common Stock is not listed on NASDAQ, the last reported sale price of the Common Stock on such other national securities exchange upon which the Common Stock is listed, or, if the Common Stock is not listed on any national securities exchange, on the basis of the average of the closing bid and asked quotations on the day in question in the over-the-counter market as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers' Automated Quotations System, or, if not so quoted, as reported by National Quotation Bureau, Incorporated or a similar organization. 6. Indemnification. (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each selling holder of Warrant Shares and each person who controls any such selling holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act, and each and all of them, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions, joint or several, to which any selling holder of Warrant Shares or they or any of them may become subject under the Act or otherwise and to reimburse the persons indemnified as above for -6- any legal or other expenses (including the cost of any investigation and preparation) incurred by them in connection with any litigation or threatened litigation, whether or not resulting in any liability, but only insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions arise out of, or are based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement pursuant to which Warrant Shares were registered under the Act (hereinafter called a "Registration Statement"), any preliminary prospectus, the final prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto (or in any application or document filed in connection therewith) or document executed by the Company based upon written information furnished by or on behalf of the Company filed in any jurisdiction in order to register or qualify the Warrant Shares under the securities laws thereof or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or (ii) the employment by the Company of any device, scheme or artifice to defraud, or the engaging by the Company in any act, practice or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit, or any conspiracy with respect thereto, in which the Company shall participate, in connection with the issuance and sale of any of the of the Warrant Shares; provided, however, that (i) the indemnity agreement contained in this (a) shall not extend to any selling holder of Warrant Shares in respect if any such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions arising out of, or based upon, any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement, or any such omission or alleged omission, if such statement or omission was based upon and made in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by a selling holder of Warrant Shares specifically for use in connection with the preparation of such Registration Statement, any final prospectus, any preliminary prospectus or any such amendment or supplement thereto. The Company agrees to pay any legal and other expenses for which it is liable under this (a) from time to time (but not more frequently than monthly) within 30 days after its receipt of a bill therefor. (b) Each selling holder of Warrant Shares, severally and not jointly, will indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, its officers who shall have signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company, but in each case to the extent, and only to the extent, that any statement in or omission from or alleged omission from such Registration Statement, any final prospectus, any preliminary prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto was made in reliance upon information furnished in writing to the Company by such selling holder specifically for use in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement, any final prospectus or the preliminary prospectus or any such amendment or supplement thereto; provided, however, that the obligation of any holder of Warrant Shares to indemnify the Company under the provisions of this (b) shall be limited to the product of the number of Warrant Shares being sold by the selling holder and the market price of the Common Stock on the date of the sale to the public of these Warrant Shares. Each selling holder of Warrant Shares agrees to pay any legal and other expenses for which it is liable under this (b) from time to time (but not more frequently than monthly) within 30 days after receipt of a bill therefor. (c) If any action is brought against a person entitled to indemnification pursuant to the foregoing Sections 6 (a) or (b) (an "indemnified party") in respect of which J indemnity may be sought against a person granting indemnification (an "indemnifying party") pursuant to such Sections, such indemnified party shall promptly notify such indemnifying party in writing of the -7- commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party of any such action shall not release the indemnifying party from any liability it may have to such indemnified party otherwise than on account of the indemnity agreement contained in (a) or (b) of this Section 6. In case any such action is brought against an indemnified party and it notifies an indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party against which a claim is to be made will be entitled to participate therein at its own expense and, to the extent that it may wish, to assume at its own expense the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided, however, that (i) if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded based upon advice of counsel that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the indemnified party shall have the right to select separate counsel to assume such legal defenses and otherwise to participate in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties and (ii) in any event, the indemnified party shall be entitled to have counsel chosen by such indemnified party participate in, but not conduct, the defense at the expense of the indemnifying party. Upon receipt of notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense of such action and approval by the indemnified party of counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 6 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed such counsel in connection with the assumption of legal defenses in accordance with proviso (i) to the next preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel), (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action or (iii) the indemnifying party has authorized the employment of counsel for the indemnified party at the expense of the indemnifying party. An indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any action or proceeding effected without its written consent. (d) In order to provide for just an equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnity agreement provided for in (a) of this Section 6 is unavailable to a selling holder of Warrant Shares in accordance with its terms, the Company and the selling holder of Warrant Shares shall contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and liabilities, of the nature contemplated by said indemnity agreement, incurred by the Company and the selling holder of Warrant Shares, in such proportions as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the selling holder of Warrant Shares from any offering of the Warrant Shares; provided, however, that if such allocation is not permitted by applicable law or if the indemnified party failed to give the notice required under (c) of this Section 6, then the relative fault of the Company and the selling holder of Warrant Shares in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages and liabilities and other relevant equitable considerations will be considered together with such relative benefits. (e) The respective indemnity and contribution agreements by the Company and the selling holder of Warrant Shares in section (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Section 6 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any investigation made by any selling holder of Warrant Shares or by or on behalf of any person who controls such selling holder or by the Company or any controlling person of the Company or any director or any officer of the company, -8- (ii) payment for any of the Warrant Shares or (iii) any termination of this Agreement, and shall survive the delivery of the Warrant Shares, and any successor of the Company, or of any selling holder of Warrant Shares, or of any person who controls the Company or of any selling holder of Warrant Shares, as the case may be, shall be entitled to the benefit of such respective indemnity and contribution agreements. The respective indemnity and contribution agreements by the Company and the selling holder of Warrant Shares contained in (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Section 6 shall be in addition to any liability which the Company and the selling holder of Warrant Shares may otherwise have. 7. Limited Transferability. (a) This Warrant is not transferable or assignable by the Holder except (i) to Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., any successor firm or corporation of Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. (ii) to any of the officers or employees of Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. or of any such successor firm or (iii) in the case of an individual, pursuant to such individual's last will and testament or the laws of descent and distribution and is so transferable only upon the books of the Company which it shall cause to be maintained for the purpose. The Company may treat the registered holder of this Warrant as he or it appears on the Company's books at any time as the Holder for all purposes. The Company shall permit any holder of a Warrant or his duly authorized attorney, upon written request during ordinary business hours, to inspect and copy or make extracts from its books showing the registered holders of Warrants. All Warrants will be dated the same date as this Warrant. (b) By acceptance hereof, the Holder represents and warrants that this Warrant is being acquired, and all Warrant Shares to be purchased upon the exercise of this Warrant will be acquired, by the Holder solely for the account of such Holder and not with a view to the fractionalization and distribution thereof and will not be sold or transferred except in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder, and the Holder agrees that neither this Warrant nor any of the Warrant Shares may be sold or transferred except under cover of a Registration Statement under the Act which is effective and current with respect to such Warrant Shares or pursuant to an opinion, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Company's counsel, that registration under the Act is not required in connection with such sale or transfer. Any Warrant Shares issued upon exercise of this Warrant shall bear the following legend: "The Securities represented by this certificate have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and are restricted securities within the meaning thereof. Such securities may not be sold or transferred except pursuant to a Registration Statement under such Act which is effective and current with respect to such securities or pursuant to an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the issuer of such securities that such sale or transfer is exempt from the registration requirements of such Act." 8. Loss, etc., of Warrant. Upon receipt of evidence satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant, and of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Company, if lost, stolen or destroyed, and upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, if mutilated, and upon -9- reimbursement of the Company's reasonable incidental expenses, the Company shall execute and deliver to the Holder a new Warrant of like date, tenor and denomination. 9. Warrant Holder Not Shareholders. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Warrant does not confer upon the Holder any right to vote or to consent to or receive notice as a shareholder of the Company, as such, in respect of any matters whatsoever, or any other rights or liabilities as a shareholder, prior to the exercise hereof. 10. Communication. No notice or other communication under this Warrant shall be effective unless, but any notice or other communication shall be effective and shall be deemed to have been given if, the same is in writing and is mailed by first- class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to: (a) the Company at 2101 East Coast Highway, Garden level, Corona Del Mar, California 92625 or such other address as the Company has designated in writing to the Holder; or (b) the Holder at 590 Madison Avenue, 35th floor, New York, New York 10022 or such other address as the Holder has designated in writing to the Company. 11. Headings. The headings of this Warrant have been inserted as a matter of convenience and shall not affect the construction hereof. 12. Applicable Law. This Warrant shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Shopping.com, Inc. has caused this Warrant to be signed by its Chairman of the Board and its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed and attested by its Secretary this __ day of June, 1998. ATTEST: By: ________________________ By: ________________________ Secretary Chairman of the Board [Corporate Seal] -10- SUBSCRIPTION The undersigned, __________, pursuant to the provisions of the foregoing Warrant, hereby agrees to subscribe for and purchase _____ shares of the Common Stock of _____ covered by said Warrant, and makes payment therefor in full at the price per share provided by said Warrant. Dated: Signature: Address: -11- SUBSCRIPTION FOR CASHLESS WARRANT SUBSCRIPTION The undersigned, _____, pursuant to the provisions of the foregoing Warrant, hereby agrees to subscribe to that number of shares of the Common Stock as are issuable in accordance with the formula set forth in paragraph 1(b) of the Warrant, and makes payment therefor in full by surrender and delivery of this Warrant. Dated: Signature: Address: -12- ASSIGNMENT FOR VALUE RECEIVED, _____ hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby, and does irrevocably constitute and appoint _____, attorney, to transfer said Warrant on the books of __________. Dated: Signature: Address: -13- PARTIAL ASSIGNMENT FOR VALUE RECEIVED, _____ hereby assigns and transfers unto _____ the right to purchase _____ shares of the Common Stock of _____ by the foregoing Warrant, and a proportionate part of said Warrant and the rights evidenced hereby, and does irrevocably constitute and appoint _____ attorney, to transfer that part of said Warrant on the books of _____. Dated: Signature: Address: -14- EX-4.5 5 WARRANT AGREEMENT - DATED 7-13-98 EXHIBIT 4.5 THESE SECURITIES AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON THEIR EXERCISE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED UNLESS COVERED BY AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SAID ACT, A "NO ACTION" LETTER FROM THE SECURITIES AND EX CHANGE COMMISSION WITH RESPECT TO SUCH TRANSFER, A TRANSFER MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144 OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER TO EFFECT THAT ANY SUCH TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM SUCH REGISTRATION. SHOPPING.COM COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT 1. Issuance; Certain Definitions. In consideration of good and ----------------------------- valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged by SHOPPING.COM, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), _____________________ or registered assigns (the "Holder") is hereby granted the right to purchase at any time until 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on July 31, 2003 (the "Expiration Date"). _______________________________ (_________) fully paid and nonassessable shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.001 per share (the "Common Stock") at an initial exercise price per share (the "Exercise Price") of $16.00 per share, subject to further adjustment as set forth in Section 6 hereof. 2. Exercise of Warrants. This Warrant is exercisable in whole or in -------------------- part at the Exercise Price per share of Common Stock payable hereunder, payable in cash or by certified or official bank check, or by "cashless exercise," by means of tendering this Warrant Certificate to the Company to receive a number of shares of Common Stock equal in Market Value to the difference between the Market Value of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant and the total cash exercise price thereof. Upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate with the annexed Notice of Exercise Form duly executed (which Notice of Exercise Form may be submitted either by delivery to the Company or by facsimile transmission as provided in Section 8 hereof), together with payment of the Exercise Price for the shares of Common Stock purchased, the Holder shall be entitled to receive a certificate or certificates for the shares of Common Stock so purchased. For the purposes of this Section 2, "Market Value" shall be an amount equal to the average closing bid price of a share of Common Stock, as reported by Bloomberg, LP or, if not so reported, as reported on the over-the-counter market for the five (5) trading days preceding the Company's receipt of the Notice of Exercise From duly executed multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate. 3. Reservation of Shares. The Company hereby agrees that at all --------------------- times during the term of this Warrant there shall be reserved for issuance upon exercise of this Warrant such number of shares of its Common Stock as shall be required for issuance upon exercise of this Warrant (the "Warrant Shares"). -1- 4. Mutilation or Loss of Warrant. Upon receipt by the Company of ----------------------------- evidence satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant, and (in the case of loss, theft or destruction) receipt of reasonably satisfactory indemnification, and (in the case of mutilation) upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, the Company will execute and deliver a new Warrant of like tenor and date any such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Warrant shall thereupon become void. 5. Rights of the Holder. The holder shall not, by virtue hereof, be -------------------- entitled to any rights of a stockholder in the Company, either at law or equity, and the rights of the Holder are limited to those expressed in this Warrant and are not enforceable against the Company except to the extent set forth herein. 6. Protection Against Dilution. --------------------------- 6.1 Adjustment Mechanism. If an adjustment of the Exercise -------------------- Price is required pursuant to this Section 6, the Holder shall be entitled to purchase such number of additional shares of Common Stock as will cause (i) the total number of shares of Common Stock Holder is entitled to purchase pursuant to this Warrant, multiplied by (ii) the adjusted purchase price per share, to equal (iii) the dollar amount of the total number of shares of Common Stock Holder is entitled to purchase before adjustment multiplied by the total purchase price before adjustment. 6.2 Capital Adjustments. In case of any stock split or reverse ------------------- stock split, stock dividend, reclassification of the Common Stock, recapitalization, merger or consolidation, or like capital adjustment affecting the Common Stock of the Company, the provisions of this Section 6 shall be applied as if such capital adjustment event had occurred immediately prior to the date of this Warrant and the original purchase price had been fairly allocated to the stock resulting from such capital adjustment; and in other respects the provisions of this Section shall be applied in a fair, equitable and reasonable manner so as to give effect, as nearly as may be, to the purposes hereof. A rights offering to stockholders shall be deemed a stock dividend to the extent of the bargain purchase element of the rights. 6.3 Adjustment for Spin Off. If, for any reason, prior to the ----------------------- exercise of this Warrant in full, the Company spins off or otherwise divests itself of a part of its business or operations or disposes all or of a part of its assets in a transaction (the "Spin Off") in which the Company does not receive compensation for such business, operations or assets, but causes securities of another equity (the "Spin Off Securities") to be issued to security holders of the Company, then (a) the Company shall cause (i) to be reserved Spin Off Securities equal to the number thereof which would have been issued to the Holder had all of the Holder's unexercised Warrants outstanding on the record date (the "Record Date") for determining the amount and number of Spin Off Securities to be issued to security holders of the -2- Company (the "Outstanding Warrants") been exercised as of the close of business on the trading day immediately before the Record Date (the "Reserved Spin Off Shares"), and (ii) to be issued to the Holder on the exercise of all or any of the Outstanding Warrants, such amount of the Reserved Spin Off Shares equal to (x) the Reserved Spin Off Shares multiplied by (y) a fraction, of which (I) the numerator is the amount of the Outstanding Warrants then being exercised, and (II the denominator is the amount of the Outstanding Warrants; and (b) the Exercise Price on the Outstanding Warrants shall be adjusted immediately after consummation of the Spin Off by multiplying the Exercise Price by a fraction (if, but only if, such fraction is less than 1.0), the numerator of which is the Average Market Price of the Common Stock for the five (5) trading days immediately following the fifth trading day after the Record Date, and the denominator of which is the Average Market Price of the Common Stock on the five (5) trading days immediately preceding the Record Date; and such adjusted Exercise Price shall be deemed to be the Exercise Price with respect to the Outstanding Warrants after the Record Date. For the purposes of this Section 6.3, the "Average Market Price of the Common Stock" shall mean, for the relevant period, (x) the average closing bid price of a share of Common Stock, as reported by Bloomberg, LP or, if not so reported, as reported on the over-the-counter market or (y) if the Common Stock is listed on a stock exchange, the closing price on such exchange on the date indicated in the relevant provision hereof, as reported in The Wall Street Journal. 7. Transfer to Comply with the Securities Act Registration Rights. -------------------------------------------------------------- (a) This Warrant has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and has been issued to the Holder for investment and not with a view to the distribution of either the Warrant or the Warrant Shares. Neither this Warrant not any of the Warrant Shares or any other security issued or issuable upon exercise of this Warrant may be sold, transferred, pledge or hypothecated in the absence of an effective registration statement under the Act relating to such security or an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company that registration is not required under the Act. Each certificate for the Warrant, the Warrant Shares and any other security issued or issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall contain a legend on the face thereof, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Company, setting forth the restrictions on transfer contained in this Section. (b) The Company hereby grants to the Holder piggyback registration rights with respect to the Warrant Shares. In the event the Company is filing a Registration Statement for itself or on behalf of any of its shareholders, the Company shall notify the Holder in writing reasonably in advance of such filing (but at least five business days) and give the Holder the opportunity to include all or any party of the Warrant Shares (whether or not previously issued, to the extent permissible under the Act or any regulation promulgated thereunder. Upon the Holder's notification that the Holder desires to have all or any portion of the Warrant Shares included in such registration, the -3- Company shall, at no cost or expense to the Holder, include or cause to be included in such registration statement the Warrant Shares so identified by the Holder. 8. Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted ------- hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, telegraphed, telexed, sent by facsimile transmission or sent by certified, registered or express mail, postage pre-paid. Any such notice shall be deemed given when so delivered personally, telegraphed, telexed or sent by facsimile transmission, or, if mailed, two days after the date of deposit in the United States mails, as follows: (i) if to the Company, to: SHOPPING.COM 2101 East Coast Highway Garden Level Costa del Mar, CA 92625 ATTN: John Markley Telephone No.: (714) 640-4393 Telecopier No.: (714) 640-4374 (ii) if to the Holder, to: ________________________ c/o Trautman Kramer & Company, Incorporated 500 Fifth Avenue 14th Floor New York, NY 10110 Telephone: (212) 575-550 Telecopier: (212) 271-0611 Any party may be notice given in accordance with this Section to the other parties designate another address or person for receipt of notices hereunder. 9. Supplements and Amendments; Whole Agreement. This Warrant may be ------------------------------------------- amended or supplemented only by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto. This Warrant of even date herewith contain the full understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and there are no representations, warranties, agreements or understandings other than expressly contained herein and therein. 10. Governing Law. This Warrant shall be deemed to be a contract ------------- made under the laws of the State of New York and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of such State applicable to contracts to be made and performed entirely within such State. -4- 11. Counterparts. This Warrant may be executed in any number of ------------ counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. 12. Descriptive Headings. Descriptive headings of the several -------------------- Sections of this Warrant are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Warrant as of the 13th day of July, 1998. SHOPPING.COM By: __________________________________ Name: Its: Attest: _______________________________ Name: Title: -5- NOTICE OF EXERCISE OF WARRANT The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the right, represented by the Warrant Certificate dated as of ________________, 1998, to purchase ______ shares of the Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, of SHOPPING.COM and tenders herewith payment in accordance with Section 1 of said Common Stock Purchase Warrant. Please deliver the stock certificate to: Dated: ________________________ ______________________________ [Name of Holder] By: __________________________ [_] CASH: $____________________ [_] CASHLESS EXERCISE -6- EX-4.6 6 WARRANT AGREEMENT - DATED 6-9-98 EXHIBIT 4.6 THESE SECURITIES AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON THEIR EXERCISE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED UNLESS COVERED BY AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SAID ACT, A "NO ACTION" LETTER FROM THE SECURITIES AND EX CHANGE COMMISSION WITH RESPECT TO SUCH TRANSFER, A TRANSFER MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144 OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER TO EFFECT THAT ANY SUCH TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM SUCH REGISTRATION. SHOPPING.COM COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT 1. Issuance; Certain Definitions. In consideration of good and ----------------------------- valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged by SHOPPING.COM, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), _____________________ or registered assigns (the "Holder") is hereby granted the right to purchase at any time until 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on June 30, 2003 (the "Expiration Date"). _______________________________ (_________) fully paid and nonassessable shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.001 per share (the "Common Stock") at an initial exercise price per share (the "Exercise Price") of $24.00 per share, subject to further adjustment as set forth in Section 6 hereof. 2. Exercise of Warrants. This Warrant is exercisable in whole or in -------------------- part at the Exercise Price per share of Common Stock payable hereunder, payable in cash or by certified or official bank check, or by "cashless exercise," by means of tendering this Warrant Certificate to the Company to receive a number of shares of Common Stock equal in Market Value to the difference between the Market Value of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant and the total cash exercise price thereof. Upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate with the annexed Notice of Exercise Form duly executed (which Notice of Exercise Form may be submitted either by delivery to the Company or by facsimile transmission as provided in Section 8 hereof), together with payment of the Exercise Price for the shares of Common Stock purchased, the Holder shall be entitled to receive a certificate or certificates for the shares of Common Stock so purchased. For the purposes of this Section 2, "Market Value" shall be an amount equal to the average closing bid price of a share of Common Stock, as reported by Bloomberg, LP or, if not so reported, as reported on the over-the-counter market for the five (5) trading days preceding the Company's receipt of the Notice of Exercise From duly executed multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate. 3. Reservation of Shares. The Company hereby agrees that at all --------------------- times during the term of this Warrant there shall be reserved for issuance upon exercise of this Warrant such number of shares of its Common Stock as shall be required for issuance upon exercise of this Warrant (the "Warrant Shares"). -1- 4. Mutilation or Loss of Warrant. Upon receipt by the Company of ----------------------------- evidence satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant, and (in the case of loss, theft or destruction) receipt of reasonably satisfactory indemnification, and (in the case of mutilation) upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, the Company will execute and deliver a new Warrant of like tenor and date any such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Warrant shall thereupon become void. 5. Rights of the Holder. The holder shall not, by virtue hereof, be -------------------- entitled to any rights of a stockholder in the Company, either at law or equity, and the rights of the Holder are limited to those expressed in this Warrant and are not enforceable against the Company except to the extent set forth herein. 6. Protection Against Dilution. --------------------------- 6.1 Adjustment Mechanism. If an adjustment of the Exercise -------------------- Price is required pursuant to this Section 6, the Holder shall be entitled to purchase such number of additional shares of Common Stock as will cause (i) the total number of shares of Common Stock Holder is entitled to purchase pursuant to this Warrant, multiplied by (ii) the adjusted purchase price per share, to equal (iii) the dollar amount of the total number of shares of Common Stock Holder is entitled to purchase before adjustment multiplied by the total purchase price before adjustment. 6.2 Capital Adjustments. In case of any stock split or reverse ------------------- stock split, stock dividend, reclassification of the Common Stock, recapitalization, merger or consolidation, or like capital adjustment affecting the Common Stock of the Company, the provisions of this Section 6 shall be applied as if such capital adjustment event had occurred immediately prior to the date of this Warrant and the original purchase price had been fairly allocated to the stock resulting from such capital adjustment; and in other respects the provisions of this Section shall be applied in a fair, equitable and reasonable manner so as to give effect, as nearly as may be, to the purposes hereof. A rights offering to stockholders shall be deemed a stock dividend to the extent of the bargain purchase element of the rights. 6.3 Adjustment for Spin Off. If, for any reason, prior to the ----------------------- exercise of this Warrant in full, the Company spins off or otherwise divests itself of a part of its business or operations or disposes all or of a part of its assets in a transaction (the "Spin Off") in which the Company does not receive compensation for such business, operations or assets, but causes securities of another equity (the "Spin Off Securities") to be issued to security holders of the Company, then (a) the Company shall cause (i) to be reserved Spin Off Securities equal to the number thereof which would have been issued to the Holder had all of the Holder's unexercised Warrants outstanding on the record date (the "Record Date") for determining the amount and number of Spin Off Securities to be issued to security holders of the -2- Company (the "Outstanding Warrants") been exercised as of the close of business on the trading day immediately before the Record Date (the "Reserved Spin Off Shares"), and (ii) to be issued to the Holder on the exercise of all or any of the Outstanding Warrants, such amount of the Reserved Spin Off Shares equal to (x) the Reserved Spin Off Shares multiplied by (y) a fraction, of which (I) the numerator is the amount of the Outstanding Warrants then being exercised, and (II the denominator is the amount of the Outstanding Warrants; and (b) the Exercise Price on the Outstanding Warrants shall be adjusted immediately after consummation of the Spin Off by multiplying the Exercise Price by a fraction (if, but only if, such fraction is less than 1.0), the numerator of which is the Average Market Price of the Common Stock for the five (5) trading days immediately following the fifth trading day after the Record Date, and the denominator of which is the Average Market Price of the Common Stock on the five (5) trading days immediately preceding the Record Date; and such adjusted Exercise Price shall be deemed to be the Exercise Price with respect to the Outstanding Warrants after the Record Date. For the purposes of this Section 6.3, the "Average Market Price of the Common Stock" shall mean, for the relevant period, (x) the average closing bid price of a share of Common Stock, as reported by Bloomberg, LP or, if not so reported, as reported on the over-the-counter market or (y) if the Common Stock is listed on a stock exchange, the closing price on such exchange on the date indicated in the relevant provision hereof, as reported in The Wall Street Journal. 7. Transfer to Comply with the Securities Act Registration Rights. -------------------------------------------------------------- (a) This Warrant has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and has been issued to the Holder for investment and not with a view to the distribution of either the Warrant or the Warrant Shares. Neither this Warrant not any of the Warrant Shares or any other security issued or issuable upon exercise of this Warrant may be sold, transferred, pledge or hypothecated in the absence of an effective registration statement under the Act relating to such security or an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company that registration is not required under the Act. Each certificate for the Warrant, the Warrant Shares and any other security issued or issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall contain a legend on the face thereof, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Company, setting forth the restrictions on transfer contained in this Section. (b) The Company hereby grants to the Holder piggyback registration rights with respect to the Warrant Shares. In the event the Company is filing a Registration Statement for itself or on behalf of any of its shareholders, the Company shall notify the Holder in writing reasonably in advance of such filing (but at least five business days) and give the Holder the opportunity to include all or any party of the Warrant Shares (whether or not previously issued, to the extent permissible under the Act or any regulation promulgated thereunder. Upon the Holder's notification that the Holder desires to have all or any portion of the Warrant Shares included in such registration, the -3- Company shall, at no cost or expense to the Holder, include or cause to be included in such registration statement the Warrant Shares so identified by the Holder. 8. Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted ------- hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, telegraphed, telexed, sent by facsimile transmission or sent by certified, registered or express mail, postage pre-paid. Any such notice shall be deemed given when so delivered personally, telegraphed, telexed or sent by facsimile transmission, or, if mailed, two days after the date of deposit in the United States mails, as follows: (i) if to the Company, to: SHOPPING.COM 2101 East Coast Highway Garden Level Corona del Mar, CA 92625 ATTN: John Markley Telephone No.: (714) 640-4393 Telecopier No.: (714) 640-4374 (ii) if to the Holder, to: ________________________ c/o Trautman Kramer & Company, Incorporated 500 Fifth Avenue 14th Floor New York, NY 10110 Telephone: (212) 575-550 Telecopier: (212) 271-0611 Any party may be notice given in accordance with this Section to the other parties designate another address or person for receipt of notices hereunder. 9. Supplements and Amendments; Whole Agreement. This Warrant may be ------------------------------------------- amended or supplemented only by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto. This Warrant of even date herewith contain the full understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and there are no representations, warranties, agreements or understandings other than expressly contained herein and therein. 10. Governing Law. This Warrant shall be deemed to be a contract ------------- made under the laws of the State of New York and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of such State applicable to contracts to be made and performed entirely within such State. -4- 11. Counterparts. This Warrant may be executed in any number of ------------ counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. 12. Descriptive Headings. Descriptive headings of the several -------------------- Sections of this Warrant are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Warrant as of the 9th day of June, 1998. SHOPPING.COM By: __________________________________ Name: Its: Attest: _______________________________ Name: Title: -5- NOTICE OF EXERCISE OF WARRANT The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the right, represented by the Warrant Certificate dated as of ________________, 1998, to purchase ______ shares of the Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, of SHOPPING.COM and tenders herewith payment in accordance with Section 1 of said Common Stock Purchase Warrant. Please deliver the stock certificate to: Dated: ________________________ ________________________________ [Name of Holder] By: ___________________________ [_] CASH: $____________________ [_] CASHLESS EXERCISE EX-4.7 7 WARRANT AGREEMENT - DATED 4-10-98 EXHIBIT 4.7 SHOPPING.COM WARRANT AGREEMENT THIS WARRANT HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THIS WARRANT MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS AN EXEMPTION THEREFROM IS AVAILABLE. This Warrant Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into as of April 10, 1998 by and between, SHOPPING.COM, INC., a California corporation (the "Company") and Leasing Ventures, LLC (the "Holder"). RECITALS WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to grant to Holder warrants to purchase 1079 shares of Company Common Stock in exchange and in consideration for good and valuable goods and services. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the parties agree hereto as follows: 1. Description: Execution: ----------------------- (a) The Company agrees to issue to the Holder and the Holder agrees to accept the Warrant Certificate evidencing the right to purchase _________ shares of the Company common stock at a purchase price of _______________ Dollars _________ Cents ($_____) per Share as to which the Warrant is exercisable. The Warrant Certificate shall be substantially in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit A. (b) This Agreement shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its President. Upon delivery of this Warrant to the Holder, this Agreement shall be binding upon the Company, and the Holder shall be entitled to all the benefits set forth herein. 2. Terms of Warrant. ---------------- The Warrant shall become exercisable at any time after the date hereof and remain exercisable, subject to the conditions set forth in Section 3 until the close of business on _____________ (the "Expiration Date"). -1- 3. Exercise of Warrant. ------------------- (a) Subject to (b) below, at any time until the Expiration Date, the Holder shall have the right to purchase from the Company (and the Company shall promptly issue to the Holder) one fully-paid and nonassessable share of Common Stock at the Exercise Price (as defined below) for each Warrant, by surrendering the appropriate Warrant Certificate and the Subscription Form attached hereto to the Company at its executive offices and paying the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares to be purchased, in cash, by check or by cancellation of indebtedness. (b) The Warrant may be exercised in whole and in part but not in increments of less than 100 shares. In case of partial exercise, the Warrant Certificate shall be surrendered and a new Warrant Certificate of the same tenor and for the purchase of the number of shares not purchased upon such partial exercise shall be issued by the Company to the Holder hereof. The Warrants shall be deemed to have been exercised immediately prior to the close of business on the date of their surrender for exercise as provided above, and the person or entity entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise shall be treated for all purposes as the Holder of such shares of record as of the close of business on such date. Prior to such exercise, neither the Holder nor any person entitled to receive shares issuable upon exercise shall be or have any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company. No adjustments shall be made for dividends or other stockholder rights for which the record date is prior to the date of exercise. As soon as practicable on or after such date, the Company shall issue in the name of, and deliver to the person or persons entitled to receive, a certificate or certificates for the full number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon such exercise. 4. Exercise Price. The initial Exercise Price for each share of Common -------------- Stock issuable pursuant to the Warrant shall be Twenty-Two Dollars Twenty-Five Cents ($22.25) per Share, adjusted as provided below. The Exercise Price must be paid, in cash, cashier's check or by cancellation of indebtedness from the Company to the Holder. 5. Adjustment of Warrant Price and Number of Shares of Common Stock. ---------------------------------------------------------------- The number and kind of securities purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants and the Exercise Price shall be subject to adjustment from time to time upon the happening of certain events, as follows: -2- 5.1 Adjustments. The exercise Price of the Warrant shall be subject ----------- to adjustment as follows: (a) In case the Company shall issue rights, options, warrants or convertible securities to all or substantially all holders of its Common Stock, without any charge to such holders, entitling the holder thereof to subscribe for or purchase Stock at a price per share which is lower at the date of issuance of such rights, options, warrants or securities than the then Current Fair Market Value (as defined in Section 7 hereof), the price of shares of Stock thereafter purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrant shall be reduced to a price equal to an amount which would entitle the Holder to receive the same number of shares of Common Stock and other securities that he would have received had he exercised the Warrants immediately prior to such issuance. (b) For the purpose of this Section 5, the term "Common stock" shall mean (i) the class of stock designated as the Common Stock of the Company at the date of this Agreement, or (ii) any other class of stock resulting from successive changes or reclassifications of such Common Stock consisting solely of changes in par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value. 5.2 No Adjustment for Dividends. Except as provided in Section 5.1 --------------------------- hereof, no adjustment in respect of any dividends or distributions out of earnings shall be made during the term of a Warrant or upon the exercise of a Warrant. 5.3 No Adjustment in Certain Cases. No adjustments shall be made ------------------------------ pursuant to Section 5 hereof in connection with the grant or exercise of presently authorized or outstanding options to purchase Common Stock under the Company's existing stock option plan or the exercise of presently outstanding warrants to purchase Common Stock. 5.4 Preservation of Purchase Rights Upon Reclassification, ------------------------------------------------------ Consolidation, etc. In case of any consolidation of the Company with or merger - ------------------- of the Company into another corporation or in case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation of the property, assets or business of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, the Company or such successor or purchasing corporation, as the case may be, shall execute with the Holder an agreement that the Holder shall have the right thereafter, upon payment of the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such action, to purchase, upon exercise of each Warrant, the kind and amount of shares and other securities and property which it would have owned or have been entitled to receive after the occurrence of such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance had each Warrant been exercised immediately prior to such action. In the -3- event of a merger described in Section 368(a)(2)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, in which the Company is the surviving corporation, the right to purchase shares of Common Stock under the Warrant shall terminate on the date of such merger and thereupon the Warrant shall become null and void, but only the controlling corporation shall agreed to substitute for the Warrant its warrant which entitle the holders thereof to purchase upon their exercise the kind and amount of shares and other securities and property which they would have owned or entitled to receive had the Warrant been exercised immediately prior to such merger. Any such agreements referred to in this Subsection 5.4 shall provide for adjustments, which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for in Section 5 hereof. The provisions of this Subsection 5.4 shall similarly apply to successive consolidations, mergers, sales or conveyances. 6. Registration Rights. ------------------- 6.1 Definitions. ----------- (a) "Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). (b) "Registrable Securities" shall mean (x) shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrant and (y) any Common Stock issued at a dividend or other distribution with respect to or in exchange for or in replacement of the shares referenced in (x) above, provided, however, that Registrable Securities shall not include any share of Common Stock which have previously been registered or which have been sold to the public. (c) The terms "register", "registered", and "registration" shall refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement in compliance with the Securities Act and applicable sales and regulations thereunder, and the declaration or ordering of the effectiveness of such registration statement. (d) "Registration Expenses" shall mean all expenses incurred in effecting any registration pursuant to this Agreement, including, without all registration, qualification, and filing fees, printing expenses, escrow fees, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, blue sky fees and expenses of any regular or special audits incident to or required by any such registration but shall not include selling expenses and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Holder. -4- (e) "Rule 144" shall mean Rule 144 as promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar successor rule that may be promulgated by the Commission. (f) "Rule 145" shall mean Rule 145 as promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar successor rule that may be promulgated by the Commission. 6.2 "Piggyback Registration". If the Company shall determine to ------------------------ register any of its shares of Common Stock in a form commitment public offering for its own account, other than a registration relating solely to employee benefit plans, or a registration relating solely to a Rule 145 transaction on Form S.4, or any registration form that does not permit secondary sales, the Company will: (a) promptly give to Holder written notice thereof; (b) use its best efforts to include in such registration (and any related qualification under the blue sky laws or other compliance), except as set forth in Section 6.3 below, and in any underwriting involved therein, all the Registrable Securities specified in a written request or requests made by Holder within twenty (20) days after the written notice from the Company described in clause 6.2(a) above is given. Such written request may specify all or a part of Holders Registrable Securities, and (c) pay all Registration Expenses, other than the selling expenses of Holder's Registrable Securities. 6.3 Underwriting. If the registration of which the Company gives ------------ notice is for a registered public offering involving an underwriting, the Company shall so advise the Holder as a part of the written notice. In such event, the right of the Holder to registration pursuant to this Section 6 shall be conditioned upon Holder's participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of the Holder's Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein. The Holder shall (together with the Company) enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the representative of the underwriter of underwriters selected by the Company. 6.4 Exclusion of Registrable Securities. Notwithstanding any other ----------------------------------- provisions of this Section 6, if the representative of the underwriter advises the Company that marketing factors require a limitation on the number of shares to be underwritten, the representative may (subject to the limitations set forth below), -5- exclude all Registrable Securities from, or limit the number of Registrable Securities to be included in the registration and underwriting. The Company shall so advise the Holder, and the number of shares of securities that are entitled to the included in the registration and underwriting shall be allocated first to the Company for securities being sold for its own and thereafter to the Holder, pro rata with any other holders of Common Stock having registration rights. If the Holder does not agree to the terms of any such underwriting he shall be excluded therefrom by written notice from the Company or the underwriter. Any Registrable Securities or other securities excluded or withdrawn from such underwriting shall be withdrawn from such registration. If shares are so withdrawn from the registration or if the number of shares of Registrable Securities to be included in such registration was previously reduced as a result of marketing factors, the Company shall then offer to all persons who have retained the right to include securities in the registration the right to include additional securities in the registration in an aggregate amount equal so the number of shares so withdrawn, with such shares to be allocated among the persons requesting additional inclusion pro rata amongst those persons requesting inclusion. 6.5 Registration Procedures. In the case of each registration by the ----------------------- Company pursuant to Section 6, the Company will keep Holder advised in writing as to the initiation of each registration and as to the completion thereof, at its expense, the Company will use its best efforts to: (a) Keep such registration effective for a period of one hundred twenty (120) days or until the Holder has completed the distribution described in the registration statement relating thereto, whichever first occurs; provided, however, that (x) such 120-day period shall be extended for a period of time equal to the period the Holder refrains from selling any securities included in such registration at the request of an underwriter of Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company and (y) in the case of any registration of Registrable Securities on Form S-3 which are intended to be offered on a continuous or delayed basis, such 120-day period shall be extended, if necessary, to keep the registration effective until all such Registrable Securities are sold, provided that Rule 145, or any successor rule under the Securities Act, permits an offering on a continuous or delayed basis, and provided further that applicable rules under the Securities Act governing the obligation to file a post-effective amendment that (I) includes any prospectus by Section (O)(a)(3) of the Securities Act or (II) reflects facts or events representing a material or fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement, the incorporation by reference of information required to be included in (i) and (II) above to be contained in periodic reports filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in the registration statement. -6- (b) Prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such registration and the prospectus used in connection with such registration statement as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement. (c) Furnish such number of prospectuses and other documents, incident thereto, including any amendment of or supplement to the prospectus, as the Holder from time to time may reasonably request; (d) Notify the Holder at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue meaning of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or incomplete in the light of the circumstances then existing, and at the request of Holder, prepared and furnish to the Holder a reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of such prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such shares, such prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or incomplete in the light of the circumstances then existing; (e) Cause all such Registrable Securities registered pursuant hereunder to be listed on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed; (f) Provide a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities registered pursuant to such registration statement and a CUSIP number for all such Registrable Securities in each case not later than the effective date of such registration; and (g) Otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make available to its security holders, as soon as practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve months, but not more than eighteen months, beginning with the first month after the effective date of the Registration Statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act. -7- 7. Fractional Shares; Issuance of Shares; Legends. ---------------------------------------------- 7.1 Fractional Shares. The Company shall not be required to issue ----------------- fractional shares that of Company Common Stock on the exercise of a Warrant. If any fraction of a share of Stock would, except for the provisions of this Section 6, be issuable of a Warrant (or specified portion thereof), the Company shall, in lieu thereof pay an amount in cash equal to the then Current Fair Market Value, multiplied by such fraction. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Current Fair Market Value" shall mean (i) if the Common Stock is traded in the over-the-counter market and not in the NASDAQ Small Cap Market or the National Market nor on any national securities exchange, the average of the per share closing bid prices of he Common Stock on the 10 consecutive trading days immediately preceding the date in question, as reported by NASDAQ or an equivalent generally accepted reporting service, or (ii) if the Common Stock is traded in the NASDAQ Small Cap Market or the National Market or on a national securities exchange, the average for the 10 consecutive trading days immediately preceding the date in question of the daily per share closing prices of the Common Stock in the NASDAQ Small Cap Market or the National Market or on a national securities exchange, the average for 10 consecutive trading days immediately preceding the date in question of the daily per share closing prices of the Common Stock in NASDAQ Small Cap Market or the National Market or on the principal stock exchange on which it is listed, as the case may be, or (iii) if the class of Stock is not publicly traded or quoted, the fair market value as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company based on (with appropriate adjustments) the most recent purchases of the Company's stock and/or other relevant factors including the Company's income and assets or evaluation reports --------- received by the Company. 7.2 Issuance of Shares. All shares of Stock issued upon exercise of ------------------ a Warrant will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. 7.3 Legends. If the Stock to be issued upon exercise of this Warrant ------- has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, then the stock certificates representing such shares of Common Stock shall bear a legend substantially in the following form: THE SHARES OF STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "ACT") OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND ARE RESTRICTED SECURITIES, SUCH SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION THEREFROM UNDER THE ACT AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS. -8- 8. Transferability. --------------- The Warrant or the Shares of Company Common Stock underlying the Warrant shall not be transferred, and the Company shall not be required to register any transfer on the books of the Company, unless the Company shall have been provided with an opinion of counsel satisfactory to its prior to such transfer that registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws is not required in connection with the transaction resulting in such transfer. Each new Warrant or Company Common Stock certificate issued upon any transfer as above provided shall bear an appropriate investment legend, except that such Warrant or Company Common Stock certificate shall not bear such restrictive legend if the opinion of counsel referred to above is to further effect that such legend is not required in order to establish compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act or if such transfer is made in accordance with the provisions of Rule 144(k) promulgated under the Securities Act. The Warrant may also be transferred by will or devise and by the laws descent. Any attempt to transfer, sell or otherwise dispose of this Warrant (except as provided above) shall be void and shall not convey any rights or privileges to the transferee. 9. Miscellaneous. ------------- 9.1 Notices. ------- All notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be deemed to have been duly given if in writing and delivered personally, given by prepaid telegram, or mailed first class, postage prepaid, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the following address. If to the Company: SHOPPING.COM, INC. 2101 East Coast Highway, Garden Level Corona del Mar, California 92625 Attn: Howard Schwartz With a copy to: Mark V. Asdourian, Esq. 5 Park Plaza, Suite 1480 Irvine, California 92614-5976 If to Holder: Richard Heard Insight Investments, Corp. 265 South Anita Drive, Suite 200 Orange, California 92868-3314 -9- Any party may change the address to which such communications are to be directed to it by giving written notice to the other party. Except as otherwise provided in this Warrant, all notice shall be deemed given when delivered in person, or if placed in the mail as aforesaid, then two (2) days thereafter. 9.2 Modifications. ------------- The parties may, by mutual consent, amend, modify, supplement and waive any right under this Warrant in any manner agreed by then in writing at any time. 9.3 Entire Agreement. ---------------- This Agreement, and any document, instruments or agreements specifically referred to herein, set forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and supersede all prior agreement, arrangements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. 9.4 Headings. -------- The section and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for convenient reference only, and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation hereof. 9.5 Governing Law, Arbitration. -------------------------- This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without any regard to the choice of law provisions thereof. Any dispute arising under this Agreement shall be resolved by binding arbitration under the rules of commercial arbitration of the American Arbitration Association in Orange County, California. 9.6 Severability. ------------ If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, it shall be deemed severable from the remaining provisions of this Agreement which shall remain in full force and effect. 9.7 Waiver. ------ No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any breach thereof shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or not -10- similar) or any other breach hereunder nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver. Either party may waive performance of any provision of this Agreement, the non-performance of which would otherwise constitute a breach of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the non-performance of any condition precedent to such party's performance, without affect the enforceability of this Agreement or the provisions contained herein. 9.8 Heirs, Successors and Assigns. ----------------------------- The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective heirs, successors and assigns of the parties hereto. Holders may transfer and assign the Warrants only as provided in Section 7 and any assignment in violation of the foregoing shall be void. 9.9 Attorneys' Fees. --------------- If any legal action is instituted to enforce or interpret the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party in such action shall be entitled to actual attorneys' fees in addition to any other relief to which the party is entitled. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this instrument as of the date first written above. SHOPPING.COM, INC., a California corporation By: _______________________________ Title: _______________________________ LEASING VENTURES, LLC By: _______________________________ Title: _______________________________ -11- EX-10.1 8 AGREEMENT BETWEEN HOWARD SCHWARTZ & SHOPPING.COM EXHIBIT 10.1 AGREEMENT --------- This Agreement is made on August 1, 1998 between Howard S. Schwartz (HSS) an individual residing in California, and SHOPPING.COM (S.C.), a California corporation. Howard S. Schwartz has accepted the position of Executive Vice President of Shopping.com and Shopping.com wishes to employ HSS. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows: ARTICLE I Term 1. The term of this Agreement shall be for a period of three years commencing August 1, 1998 and ending on July 31, 2001. The contract will automatically be renewed in one-year increments unless either party terminates via giving written notice by June 1st each year starting with June 1, 2001. Employer may terminate this Agreement at any time for "Cause" with or without notice. For purposes of the Agreement, the term "Cause" shall mean any of the following: (i) Employee's willful breach or habitual neglect of the duties and obligations required of him, either expressly or impliedly by the terms of the Agreement; (ii) Employee's failure to perform his duties in a manner consistent with good business judgment, or in the best interests of Employer; (ii) The event of Employee being charged by any federal, state, or local authority with act of dishonesty, any act involving public ridicule or moral turpitude, or an act constituting a felony, and Employee either being convicted or entering a plea of guilty or nolo contendere; or (iv) Employee's commission of a fraud, embezzlement, or mis appropriation, whether or not a criminal or civil charge is filed in connection therewith. -1- ARTICLE II Services HSS shall provide executive management for the financial and administration functions of S.C.'s business. HSS will devote substantially all of his business time to the operation of S.C. HSS shall report directly to the President and Chief executive Officer of Shopping.com. HSS agrees to obtain, at S.C.'s expense, key man life insurance of $1.0 million with the company as the beneficiary. ARTICLE III Compensation HSS shall receive a bi-weekly base compensation of $5,385 during the period commencing August 1, 1998 and ending July 31, 1999. For the period commencing August 1, 1999 through July 31, 2000 the bi-weekly base compensation shall be $7,692. For period commencing August 1, 2000 through July 31, 2001 the bi- weekly base compensation shall be $8,461. Actual business expenses will be 100% reimbursed by S.C. HSS will document all expenses on an approved expense form. S.C. has authorized a $1,000 per month auto allowance. S.C. agrees to provide health and life insurance for the employee at the company's expense. In addition to the above, HSS will participate in a formula bonus which will provide for the opportunity to receive an amount equal 100% of HSS base compensation for exceeding the Shopping-com annual business plan net profit. The incentive plan shall be approved annually by the Board of Directors. ARTICLE IV Non-Disclosure and Secrecy 1. HSS agrees that, during the term of this Agreement, and at all times thereafter, it will keep and cause all S.C. information in strictest confidence and will not either directly or indirectly use or allow to be used for personal benefit, or the benefit of others, disseminate or disclose any Confidential Information or Trade Secrets (as such terms are defined below) used and/or obtained in providing the Services hereunder, except to parties to this Agreement, regardless of whether the Confidential information of Trade Secrets have been conceived or developed, in whole or in part by HSS. HSS acknowledges and agrees that the terms "Confidential Information" and "Trade Secrets" as used in this Agreement include without limitation, the whole or any portion or phase of any design, process, service, procedure, formula, improvement, customer list, information with respect to customer requirements and practices, marketing research and development information, statistical data, sources of merchandise, technical information, computer models, and all other information concerning the industry and business in which the S.C. concept operates and which is of value in the operation of S.C. business, or is otherwise understood to be, of a -2- confidential character and which has not been published or otherwise understood to be, of a confidential character and which has not been published or otherwise become a matter of general public knowledge, under circumstances involving no breach of this Agreement. HSS agrees that all Trade Secrets and Confidential Information are and shall be the property of S.C. regardless of whether conceived or developed by HSS pursuant to the Services. To that end, HSS hereby assigns to S.C. all rights and all Trade Secrets and proprietary information developed by HSS in providing the Services. 2. Upon termination or earlier expiration of this Agreement HSS shall surrender to S.C. at any time of such expiration or termination of this Agreement or upon demand by S.C. at any time all material of a confidential and secret nature, including without limitation, the Confidential Information and Trade Secrets, and any other documents of a proprietary nature as may then be in HSS (s) possession or control. ARTICLE V Miscellaneous 1. Injunctive Relief. HSS acknowledges and agrees that any breach ----------------- of obligations to be performed by and pursuant to Article IV is likely to result in irreparable harm to S.C. and HSS therefore consents and agrees that if it violates any such obligations, S.C. shall be entitled, among and in addition to any other rights and remedies available under this Agreement or otherwise, to temporary and permanent injunctive relief to prevent HSS from committing or continuing a breach of such obligations. 2. Entire Agreement. This agreement constitutes the whole Agreement ----------------- between the parties hereto and there are no other terms other than those contained herein. This Agreement supersedes any prior contract or understanding related to retaining HSS. 3. Amendment. No variation of this Agreement shall be deemed valid --------- unless in writing and signed by the parties hereto. 4. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in ------------- accordance with the laws of California 5. Severability. Each provision of this Agreement is intended to ------------ be severable from the other so that if any provision or term hereof is illegal or invalid for any reason whatsoever, such illegality or invalidity shall not effect the validity of the remaining provisions and terms hereof. -3- 6. Indemnity and Hold Harmless. S.C. agrees to indemnify and does --------------------------- hold harmless HSS from and against any and all liabilities, claims, demands, damages, costs and expenses (including attorney's fees) resulting from, arising out of, or occasioned by any S.C. business related activity. 7. Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned by HSS to any ---------- other person or party without S.C.'s prior written consent which may be withheld in S.C.'s sole discretion. Notwithstanding the forgoing, S.C. may assign this Agreement to any successor corporation, affiliated company of subsidiary. In the case of assignment by S.C., Assignee shall assume, in writing, S.C. obligations. 8. Representation and Warranty. HSS hereby agrees that any --------------------------- documents produced with respect to the business of S.C. shall be marked "Confidential" and "Property of Shopping.com" whether those documents are produced by HSS or by a vendor or party chosen by HSS. 9. Captions. Captions used in this Agreement are used for -------- convenience only and are not intended to, nor are they to be construed to, have any substantive meaning or control in the construction of the Agreement. 10. Notices. Any Notice given by one party to any other party ------- hereunder shall be delivered to the party at the address indicated below that party's signature to this Agreement. Such notice shall be given to U.S. Mail, certified, and shall be deemed delivered on the date of actual receipt or the date of first refusal to accept delivery. 11. Representation By Counsel. Each party agrees and acknowledges ------------------------- that it has had the opportunity to consult with independent legal, tax and financial counsel of each party's choice in order to be advised with respect to the effect of this Agreement. -4- 12. Construction. Any issues with respect to construction or ------------ interpretation of this Agreement are to be resolved without resort to the presumption that any ambiguities in this Agreement should be construed against the drafter. Agreed to: Date: July 16, 1998 /s/ Howard S. Schwartz ---------------------------------- Howard S. Schwartz /s/ Edward F. Bradley /s/ Frank W. Denny - ------------------------------------ ---------------------------------- Shopping.com Shopping.com By: Ed Bradley By: Frank W. Denny /s/ John H. Markley ---------------------------------- Shopping.com By: John H. Markley -5-
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