Becoming an IBM shareholder, what do you think?

I just wanted to ask other IBM/Lenovo users their opinions. I've been thinking of becoming a shareholder, not only for the investment (IBM seems to do well over the long term), but also for the added benefit of being able to purchase from the SPP site (legally).
From IBM's site, they recommend Computershare. I just recieved an email reply from them, and they said according to their site, I could sign up with a minimal investment of $500, OR $50/month for 10 consecutive automatic payments.
I know this isn't directly related to Lenovo computers, but I'd like to ask other Lenovo forum members their opinion on this. What do you think?

 

There are ALOT of DIY stock brokerage programs out there, that provide a wealth of information and have lower per trade fees and have no minimum investment.

optionsxpress
tradeking
optionshouse
scottrade
fidelity
etrade
firstrade
sharebuilder
charlesschwab
tdameritrade

Most offer similar options. The price difference comes in when you weigh services. Cheaper ones will do everything the expensive ones will, but won't have educational info, advising information, and things like that for new traders. Anyways, look into one/any of those and just do it yourself. You save money and actually know what your money is doing for you.

 

I'm trying to find the link now, but I remember reading that to get the SPP purchase program, you have to have actual stock certificate in paper form in your possession, and be an officially registered stockholder with IBM (IIRC). I'm not quite sure how it works, but since IBM officially recommends computershare, I was thinking of going that route. I'm still researching though.

Edit: Well here's one. It says;

So to become part of the Investor Services Program, it looks like you have to do it their way.

Edit 2: Ah here it is. http://www.ibm.com/investor/services/

 

Who has paper stock certificates now-a-days...

 

Maybe if I was on the board and had like 15% of the shares... but for the average investor... who the hell requests a paper stock certificate? I don't think people really take possession of those anymore, given the dawn of electronic trading. Anyhow, most e-brokerages won't issue a paper certificate; but they will send you one if you ask. Do note that it costs a lot to have a paper certificate issued. Etrade, Ameritrade and Scottrade all charge $40 for a certificate issue.

 

...anyone who bought stocks before the days of electronic securities transactions.

 

I have two paper certificates XOM from the early 90's.

I would contact them about the wording....owning the stock is owning the stock. They would/should honor spp.

IBM is a great investment sign up for a DRIP w/compushare....and forget about it.

drake

 

Compushare, or Computershare? I'll give Lenovo a call tomorrow and see what they say.

 

What benefits do you get by purchasing from the SPP site?

 

Significant discounts (read: employee pricing).

 

just buy from the EPP site, since Lenovo took over it stopped being for employees only. It's friends and family=> they never ask who your friend is or anything like that. For Canada check redflagdeals, there is a ~250page topic with people ordering from EPP, not a single 1 had a problem.

 

Well, I found some interesting information, maybe someone may find this useful.
I called Lenovo's SPP sales number. They could only tell me, if I'm a Lenovo stock holder, than I qualify to purchase through the SPP site. She couldn't give me any more information, and couldn't put me in touch with anybody who would know. So I called IBM, who put me in touch with Computershare. There are two options. I can either invest $500, or, $50 over 10 consecutive purchases, however after the first $50 I am "officially" an IBM stockholder, and would recieve a stockholder packet in the mail from IBM, with my 'Stockholder Offer ID', which is the "official" requirement on IBM's end to participate in the SPP program.
Other than that, I have no information. Oh, and the lady did say it doesn't matter where I own Lenovo stock, just have to own it, but she couldn't speak for IBM.
That's all.

Oh, and @ mythos,

It's not only unethical, I question the legality of it. Since Lenovo made the change to their CPP site, only friends and family of Lenovo/IBM employees/contractors can access [ a different site than CPP ] .

 

I don't think we're suppose to link those portals, per the forum rules.

 

You're right. Fixed.

 

tread lightly here.   please keep the discussion about obtaining IBM or Lenovo shares.

 

Well, I think for the investment (and the perks ), I'm going to start investing next month. Computershare is sending me a packet in the mail to get me started. The fees don't seem too bad. 1% of your purchase toward stock goes to their fee, and a $15 initial setup fee.

 

If you have a brokerage account anywhere or an IRA, you can buy one share of IBM stock and be a stock owner. Closed at $127 today.
.

 

Talin --

I was a little skeptical of your claim about being able to purchase Lenovo products using the EPP just because you were an IBM stockholder. So I asked my wife, an IBM executive who is enrolled in the SPP, and she verified that in our quarterly Computershare statements there are always flyers about how to buy Lenovo products. As an IBM shareholder, I encourage you to buy all the shares you can afford.

For what it's worth, I bought my last 2 Lenovo laptops (T61p and T500) from the refurb site and the public site, since the deals were better than on the EPP site. Go figure.

Happy Hunting.

 

Well I wouldn't have said it if it weren't true.

 

Well, I just talked with Lenovo SPP. They said you have a limit of 5 orders per customer from the SPP site. That means, 5 orders period. After that you have to go through the regular channels. So, getting IBM/Lenovo stock just for the sake of getting the discount, probably isn't worth it.

 

sounds familiar.

 

Yep, it does.

 

Well, not that it's really worth posting considering this thread has died p), but I got my packet in the mail today from Computershare. I've already filled it out and will stick it in the mail box tonight. The start up cost is only $60 ($50 investment, plus $10 to open new account), and is $50/month for 9 months afterward. Not bad.