简体中文
EnglishWhat to Know Before Ordering OldCompany.com's Stock Research Service
Updated
OldCompany.com's research service is designed for people who hold old stock or bond certificates and cannot determine whether the issuing company still exists, was acquired, or has any remaining value. Before ordering, gather the exact company name printed on the certificate, the certificate type (stock or bond), and any dates or transfer agent details you can find. The service is most useful when the company no longer trades under its original name or cannot be located through a simple internet search. The site states there are no hidden fees, so confirm the current price and turnaround directly on the order page before submitting.
What the Service Covers
According to the site, OldCompany.com researches company stock and bond certificates from anywhere in the world. Its stated purpose is to answer questions such as:
- Did the company go out of business?
- Is the company operating under a different name?
- Was the company acquired by another company?
- How can I contact the current company?
- Does the certificate have collector value?
The service is positioned for certificates where the company is no longer traded on an exchange or cannot be found online. If your certificate is from a well-known, currently traded company, you may be able to contact the transfer agent directly instead.
What to Prepare Before Ordering
The more identifying information you provide, the more precise the research can be. Before placing an order, collect:
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Exact company name as printed | Names change through mergers and reorganizations |
| State or country of incorporation | Helps distinguish companies with similar names |
| Certificate type (stock or bond) | Different records and value paths apply |
| Date of issue | Narrows the search to the right era |
| Any transfer agent or registrar names | Can point to successor institutions |
| Certificate number (if visible) | May help verify authenticity and history |
If you only have a partial name or an unclear scan, the research may still proceed, but results could be less definitive.
How to Decide If It Fits Your Situation
Use these conditions to judge whether the service matches your needs:
- You cannot find the company online. If a search returns nothing or only unrelated results, this is the core use case.
- The company name on the certificate differs from any current entity. Mergers and name changes are common reasons a certificate appears worthless when it may not be.
- You want to know about collector value. The service also addresses whether a certificate has value to collectors, separate from any financial claim.
- You have certificates from outside the U.S. The site states it handles certificates from anywhere in the world.
If your certificate is from a company that still trades under the same name, contact the company's investor relations or transfer agent first. That route is usually faster and may be free.
Ordering and Verification
The site provides an online order entry for the research service. Before you pay:
- Open the order page and confirm the current fee and what is included.
- Check that the service description matches your certificate type and location.
- Note the stated turnaround time, if provided.
- Keep a copy of your order confirmation and any reference number.
After receiving results, verify any successor company or transfer agent information independently before acting on it. If the research identifies a current company, contact that company's transfer agent directly to confirm whether any claim remains.
Background and Credibility Signals
The site states that the service has operated since 1880 and has been online since 1996. It identifies the founder as Bob Kerstein, a CPA since 1978, and says the company is an Accredited Member of the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating. It also states it is the successor to archives and publishing rights from Marvyn Scudders Manuals, Robert D. Fisher Manuals, R.M. Smythe, and Herzog & Co. These claims are worth noting when comparing alternatives, but you should still confirm current pricing and scope on the order page, since the input material does not list specific fees or payment methods.
Common Pitfalls
- Assuming a certificate is worthless because the company is gone. The site's core message is that value may persist through successors or collector markets.
- Ordering without enough identifying detail. Missing dates or incorporation state can slow or limit the research.
- Confusing collector value with financial value. These are separate questions; make clear which one you care about.
- Skipping the free checks first. A quick search of your state's secretary of state database or the SEC's EDGAR system may resolve simple cases before you pay for research.