SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 9, 1999
COMPAQ COMPUTER CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
DELAWARE 1-9026 76-0011617
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(State or Other (Commission (IRS Employer
Jurisdiction File Number) Identification No.)
of Incorporation)
20555 SH 249
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77070
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(Address of Principal (Zip Code)
Executive Offices)
(281) 370-0670
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(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
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(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.
In a release dated March 9, 1999, Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE:
CPQ) announced the completion of its acquisition of Shopping.com (OTC:
IBUY), a leading online retailer of goods and services. The news release is
attached as Exhibit 99.
ITEM 7. EXHIBITS.
Exhibit 99 News Release dated March 9, 1999, announcing that the
Company has completed the acquisition of Shopping.com.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
COMPAQ COMPUTER CORPORATION
Dated: March 11, 1999 By: /s/ Earl L. Mason
-----------------------------
Earl L. Mason
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
COMPAQ COMPUTER CORPORATION P.O. BOX 692000 NEWS RELEASE
PUBLIC RELATIONS HOUSTON, TEXAS 77269-2000
TEL 281-514-0484
FAX 281-514-4583
HTTP://WWW.COMPAQ.COM
Compaq Logo appears here]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- -----------------------
COMPAQ COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF SHOPPING.COM
FOCUS ON CUSTOMER SERVICE, RELIABILITY PART
OF ALTAVISTA'S STRATEGIC PUSH
HOUSTON, March 9, 1999 -Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE:CPQ) today
announced the completion of its acquisition of Shopping.com (OTC:IBUY), a
leading online retailer of goods and services.
Shopping.com will become an operating division of AltaVista Company, a wholly
owned subsidiary of Compaq. With the addition of Shopping.com, AltaVista
users can now access the integrated capabilities of AltaVista's powerful
Internet guide (http://www.altavista.com) with the robust e-commerce features
of Shopping.com (http://www.shopping.com).
AltaVista users will benefit from Shopping.com's 63 Warehouse Power Stores,
providing a comprehensive selection of over two million name-brand products,
backed by more than 1,000 merchandising partners. Shopping.com also offers the
Maximizer frequent shopping program, where customers earn reward dollars on
all purchases and services.
"Our goal is to make Shopping.com the most satisfying place to shop on the
Internet," said Mike Rubin, Vice President & General Manager, E-Commerce of
AltaVista Company. "Shopping.com hosts a state-of-the-art transaction
capability that best complements AltaVista's content and customer traffic.
This acquisition provides a unique opportunity to combine these capabilities
into one superior experience for all levels of Internet users."
- MORE -
UPDATED FEATURES, FOCUS ON CUSTOMER SERVICE
Under its new management, Shopping.com has begun implementing a series of new
features and policies focusing on high levels of customer service. Customers
can now receive answers to their questions around-the clock, 24 hours a day, 7
days a week. Customers can also expect faster service through the integration
of new internal support systems and the doubling of the site's customer
service staff.
For convenience, Internet users can expect a link from the AltaVista Search
Site to Shopping.com to be activated within the next 90 days. In addition,
Shopping.com will offer customers who have a complaint on file with the Better
Business Bureau prior to March 1, 1999 a $250 Shopping.com gift certificate,
good on future purchases.
As a leading online retailer of goods and services, Shopping.com was
recognized by Computer Retail Week as one of the top 100 retailers for 1998
computer retail sales.
ALTAVISTA LEADS THE INDUSTRY
AltaVista is a pioneer in Web search technology and continues to set new
standards, from indexing the entire Internet, to providing the first of their
kind language translation, AV Photo Finder and AV Family Filter search
capabilities. With an extensive line-up of content and services, AltaVista is
now regarded as one of the top destinations on the Internet.
Over the last several months, AltaVista has made extensive enhancements to
make navigating the Internet relevant, fast and effective for Web users of all
proficiency levels. For more information, visit AltaVista's flagship site at
http://www.altavista.com or http://www.av.com.
- MORE -
COMPANY BACKGROUND
AltaVista Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Compaq Computer Corporation.
A Fortune Global 100 company, Compaq is the second largest computer company in
the world and the largest global supplier of personal computers. Compaq
develops and markets hardware, software, solutions, and services, including
industry-leading enterprise computing solutions, fault-tolerant
business-critical solutions, networking and communication products, commercial
desktop and portable products and consumer PCs. The company is an industry
leader in environmentally friendly programs and business practices.
Compaq products are sold and supported in more than 100 countries through a
network of authorized Compaq marketing partners. Customer support and
information about Compaq and its products are on the World Wide Web at
http://www.compaq.com.
# # #
Compaq, Registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Product names mentioned
herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective
companies.
For further editorial information, contact:
Compaq Computer Corporation Eileen Quinn 408-285-9272 [email protected]
Shandwick International Steve Marchant 617-266-8400 [email protected]
