I live in the U.S. and would like to buy some Pepsico stock this
Monday.  I've never bought individual stocks before; I don't plan to
make a habit of it either.

Ideally I could call Pepsico or email them and buy the shares directly
from them, but I don't know if this is an option.

I know there are online companies that do this, but don't know
anything about them or the process or the problems inherent in doing
it that way.

About all I *do* know is that I have no interest in initiating an
ongoing relationship with a stockbroker or financial planner who's
going to want to review my portfolio, help me plan for retirement, or
sell me anything else.  All I want is to buy some Pepsico shares with
as little hassle and as few strings attached as possible.

Please tell me:

1) Does Pepsico sell directly and if so how would I go about it.  Are
there any details I need to know, e.g. minimum purchase, etc.

2) If the answer to #1 is "No,"  what are my other options in
ascending order of hassle-factor, with brief instructions for how to
implement them and brief descriptions of the pros and cons or possible
hassle-points for each one.  I am not interested in a sales pitch for
any particular online companies, but links to a representative
sampling of the most popular/reliable/successful/whatever would be
appreciated.

I'd do this myself but am in a migraine fog this weekend and am not up
to it.  Would really like to be ready to move on it on Monday.  To
avoid a "blind leading the blind" situation, I'd appreciate it if
researchers with no experience in investments would pass on this one
and let someone who knows the language and nuances answer the
question.

Many thanks!

Good Day:

By all means call Pepsico.
Ask them about their DRIP plan.
It is the answer to your desire to own stock in a company without the
hassle and commissions that come from dealing with discount brokers.

An excellent place for you to start is the following website on DRIPS:
http://www.dripcentral.com/

"For many individuals, the biggest obstacle that prevents them from
getting started investing is a lack of money. "I don't have thousands
of dollars to open a brokerage account. How can I invest in the stock
market?" The answer is quite simple: invest in stocks through dividend
reinvestment plans -- also known as DRIPs. Using DRIPs, anyone can
build a portfolio of common stock with no or low commissions or fees."

For additional information on simplifying your stock purchase plans,
please visit the following FUN site.  It is an enjoyable way to
immerse yourself in the nuances of stock ownership:

http://www.fool.com/search/query.htm?qt=DRIP&go=1&button=Go


As you already indicate a desire for Pepsico, the plan of action
should commence with a quick call to the Pepsico headquarters to
gather information on their DRIP's.

Good Hunting!

Brad-ga

---

Request for Answer Clarification by yreka-ga on 20 Jul 2002 12:27 PDT

Hi Brad -- Thanks for your prompt attention to my question, but I'm
not clear on a couple of things.  I asked if I can buy Pepsico stock
directly from the company, and if so how to do it.  Does your
suggestion that I call Pepsico and ask about their DRIP plan mean that
you know for a fact that they have one?  If so, some information about
it would be helpful as I requested.

My whole point in asking the question was for someone to do the
research for me and just tell me what to do if it is indeed a simple
process; if previous experience is any indication, this blasted
headache will be around until Tuesday, and it will be all I can do
Monday to just point and click, push a few buttons on the phone, or
utter a few simple requests.  I'll appreciate any specific information
you are able to provide.  Thanks.

---

Request for Answer Clarification by yreka-ga on 20 Jul 2002 12:57 PDT

Oh, I see that weisstho has just answered the first part of my
question with information from the pepsico website, and that there is
no way for me to buy my first shares of their stock directly from the
company.  In that case, I still need the information requested in the
second part, restated as such:  Are there
reliable/honest/inexpensive/uncomplicated ways for me to buy the
shares as I do not wish to get involved with local stockbrokers and
financial planners?  If so what are they?  Online? Through the mail? 
What are some examples?  What are the pros/cons?

The researcher did not answer my questions, and I cannot wait any
longer for clarification.  Sorry, but I'm going to use the helpful
information I received from weisstho to complete my stock purchase
tomorrow.

I thought I spelled out what I needed quite clearly, but the
researcher appears to have worked on this for a little while and then
taken off for the weekend without answering my questions or checking
for clarification.

Dear Yreka, 

Brad's idea is excellent. Dividend reinvestment plans are an
inexpensive, expedient and effective means of acquiring additional
shares of stock in a company where an individual already owns stock.

Pepsico, says the following about their DRIP ("Divident ReInvestment
Plan):  "shareholders, holding at least five (5) shares, are eligible
to participate only as to those shares of PepsiCo stock registered in
their names and as to those acquired under the Plan."  The information
on their site however seems to indicate that the initial shares to
qualify for participation in the DRIP cannot be purchased directly
from Pepsico and therefore would have to be purchased outside of
Pepsico, through a broker or other investment representative
authorized to sell shares of exchange listed stock.

Please see Pepsico's excellent shareholder information site at
http://www.pepsico.com/

Further information can be had by asking for clarification.

Best,
weisstho-ga

Hello Yreka,

I am sure that Brad will provide the comprehensive information that
you seek. However, in the interval, may I offer a suggestion?

Thanks!  :-)  I understand not wanting to get mailed/called to death,
etc. by a broker, but truly, in my experience, if I wanted to make a
one shot purchase of one company's stock I would go down to my bank's
discount brokerage operation, walk in, and say "this is very important
to me. I want to make ONE purchase, this ONE time. Would you please
arrange for me to purchase X shares of Pepsico as a one time
transaction. I do not want a relationship. I only want these specific
shares, and I want to own them in my own name, not in nominee form, so
that I can participate in Pepsico's dividend reinvestment plan.  Can
you please do this for me?"  Maybe better yet, call them up, ask for
their fax, and send them a memo in outline form:
1.  This is important to me.
2.  I want to make ONE purchase
3.  This one time
 
and so on. 

There are some interesting on-line services, but you will ultimately
have to mail applications back and forth, wire money or wait for
checks to clear. For a one-shot, it is a bigger pain that I think it's
worth, in my opinion.

Good luck, and thanks for visiting Google Answers.
weisstho-ga

Thanks weisstho for providing the information I needed after seeing
that the official answer didn't address my specific concerns.  I have
requested a refund and wish GA would just send the $ to you, but I
understand that is not possible.  We'll see what I come up with.