ADVANTAGES TO BEING AN IDE MEMBER

• Access to the IDE archives with information on 3,000 private placement investigations (many of them listed on this site).
• An unlimited number of due-diligence investigations on any private placement investment opportunities, in order to illustrate basic investing principles.
• Assistance in attempting to get money back from a private placement investment, if you elect to do so.
• Access to investing 'buying entities' formed by IDE members to purchase discount opportunities that pass IDE exclusive basic investing parameters.
• Assistance in researching private investment losses, to see if the entire amount can be written off of your taxes in the current year, rather than being limited to the $3,000 a year passive write off ruling.
• An opportunity to become a part of the process of finding screening, and investing in private opportunities and receive part of the VCOS fees charged to the Companies seeking financing. (See www.vcos.us)
• Networking with other investors to exchange knowledge and expertise for your own business efforts.
• A surefire way to eliminate annoying investment 'cold calls' for as long as you remain an IDE member.
• A methodology, knowledge and support in avoiding scams; no matter how subtle, well constructed and tempting they are.
• Access to an extensive and continually growing listing of brokers and salesmen who have been cited as selling fraudulent investment by state and federal regulatory authorities.
• Access to state and federal regulatory authorities, so you can file your complaint where it will do the most good.
• Access to a posting of brokers or salespersons who other IDE members have had unpleasant experiences with; and where you can post your own experiences.
• Knowledge about the 'stages' of business development, how to spot those stages, how they develop, how they're financed, and how the success or failure of a company is to pass through these stages will affect you will affect you as an investor.
• Knowledge on how financial instruments, stock an bond markets, mutual funds, hedge funds, and brokerage firms really work, an how knowing this can help you assess real risks, and possibly avoid losses.
• Investment professionals and club members willing to help you, who are NOT on a commission basis, and who do NOT subtly distort the truth because of potential commission payments.
• Access to someone that will tell you the truth. Not just about what you can do, but what you cannot do as well.
• Even pooling the knowledge of thousands of people, we don't know all the answer. But if we can't help you with your question or problem, we wont lie to you, or 'fake an answer. We will tell you we don't know, and then move heaven and earth to find that answer for you.