FAQ
At Stock-Search-Global, we've done our best to create a Web site that anticipates and satisfies our customers' needs. With that goal in mind, we've compiled a list of frequently asked questions. If you do not find an answer to your question here, contact us at (800) 418-9451 or sales@stock-search-global.com.
FAQS ON RESEARCHING OLD STOCK CERTIFICATES AND BONDS
Question: Do you research old stock certificates and bonds from Canada only?
Answer: No. Stock-search-global.com can provide company research for old Canadian companies, as well as stock searches of businesses in other countries. If you have companies to research outside of Canada, please e-mail, fax or call us.
Question: How long does it take to research old stocks and bonds?
Answer: The research can take anywhere from several days to a few weeks. If the company research is in our reference library or in our large 15 year database, we can usually provide you with the company status within a week. However, business and company research can sometimes take a month if there have been several mergers or name changes.
Question: Can an unlisted company stock certificate or bond be cashed in even though it has another person's name on it?
Answer: If the original owner of the stock has "signed off" on the back of the stock certificate even though it hasn't been cashed in, it becomes what is known as a "bearer certificate" which generally means whoever owns the certificate is considered the owner. If the stock certificates are not signed on the back and the company is still in business, the policy on cashing in the stock certificates will vary from business to business.
Question: I have three un-cancelled stock certificates from an old mining company. What is your stock research company policy?
Answer: If they are all from the same company, there's just one research fee. It is important to tell us how many certificates you have and the total number of shares. There is only one $50.00 fee for each company searched.
Question: My old stock certificate has small punch holes on the signatures. What does that mean?
Answer: That is one of several types of cancellations which means the certificate has already been cashed in. Other forms of cancellations can include razor-like cuts over the signatures or in the body, punch holes across the certificate or has "Cancelled" written or stamped on the front of the certificate. If your certificates have any of these cancellation marks, they no longer have a cash value. However, it may have a collector (scripophily) value
Question: If the old stock certificate I own has no negotiable value, how is the collector value determined?
Answer: The collecting field for old stocks and bonds is called "scripophily" (scrip-awfully). People who collect old securities as a hobby have various reasons for collecting them. What determines the collector value depends upon:
- Their age (the older the better)
- Their condition (the cleaner the better)
- Their attractiveness (the more colorful and illustrated the better)
- The province it is incorporated in.
- The industry represented. (mining, railroads, transportation, energy etc.)
- Autograph value (A small percentage are signed by famous people.
- The quantity found. A single piece is usually more valuable than 50.
Question: Why not have a stock broker check on my old stock certificates for me?
Answer: You can, except with today's stock market volume, you'll find most stock brokers don't have the time or capabilities to investigate them. They make their commissions buying and selling stocks, not researching them. If they don't find it listed on an exchange, they "assume" its no longer active.
Question: Can we pay for your stock research service by credit card or do we need to mail in payment?
Answer: We do not accept credit cards but we do accept cheques and money orders.
Question: If I'm paying by cheque, do I need to send you the original certificates?
Answer: No, you keep the originals. You will need to photocopy the front of each different stock company researched and mail them to us along with your payment. The photocopies can be important because they provide information that can assist in our research. If you have access to a scanner a scanned copy of the certificate(s) can be e-mailed to us.
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