Table of Contents

 

 

 
|   | **UNITED   STATES**                      | OMB APPROVAL                                                     |
|--------|------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   | **SECURITIES   AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION** | OMB Number: 3235-0063                                            |
|   | **Washington, D.C. 20549**               | Expires: December 31, 2012                                       |
|   | ******FORM 10-K**                   | Estimated average   burden hours per   response: 2,101.00   |
|   |

 

**(Mark One)**

 

**x****                ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934**

 

**For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010**

 

**or**

 

**o****                   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934**

 

**For the transition period from           to               **

 

**Commission file Number  000-51257**

 

**BIDZ.com, Inc.**

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

| **Delaware**                                                   | ** ** | **95-4728109**                         |
|----------------------------------------------------------------|------------|----------------------------------------|
| State or other jurisdiction of   incorporation or organization |       | (I.R.S. Employer   Identification No.) |
|                                                           |       |                                   |
| **3562 Eastham Drive, Culver City, California**                | ** ** | **90232**                              |
| (Address of principal executive offices)                       |       | (Zip Code)                             |

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code  **(310) 280-7373**

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

| **Title of each class** | ** ** | **Name of each exchange on which registered** |
|----------------------------------------|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Common Stock, $.001 par value**      | ** ** | **NASDAQ Capital Market**                                                   |

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

 

(Title of class)

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. o YES x NO

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. o YES x NO

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. x YES o NO

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its  corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o  No o

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

 

| Large accelerated filer o                |   | Accelerated filer  o        |
|-----------------------------------------------|--------|----------------------------------|
|                                          |   |                             |
| Non-accelerated filer o                  |   | Smaller reporting company x |
| (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |   |                             |

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). o YES x NO

 

        The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant based upon the price of the common stock as of June 30, 2010 was approximately $17.5 million. For purposes hereof, directors, executive officers and 10% or greater shareholders have been deemed affiliates.  This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for others purposes.

 

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock was 19,379,177 as of February 28, 2011.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Information required by Part III (Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14) is incorporated by reference to portions of our definitive proxy statement for our 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of December 31, 2010.

 

 

 

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** **

**BIDZ.COM, INC.**

 

**ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010**

 
| ** **                                                                                                                  | **Page** |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------|
|                                                                                                                        |     |
| PART I                                                                                                                 | 03       |
| Item 1.   Business                                                                                                          | 03       |
| Item   1A. Risk Factors                                                                                                     | 14       |
| Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments                                                                                           | 25       |
| Item 2.   Properties                                                                                                        | 25       |
| Item   3. Legal Proceedings                                                                                                 | 25       |
|                                                                                                                        |     |
| PART II                                                                                                                | 27       |
| Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related   Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities | 27       |
| Item   6. Selected Financial data                                                                                           | 28       |
| Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of   Financial Condition and Results of Operations                        | 29       |
| Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures   about Market Risk                                                       | 36       |
| Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data                                                                         | 36       |
| Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants   on Accounting and Financial Disclosure                              | 36       |
| Item 9A. Controls and Procedures                                                                                            | 36       |
| Item   9B. Other Information                                                                                                | 38       |
|                                                                                                                        |     |
| PART III                                                                                                               | 38       |
| Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate   Governance                                                           | 38       |
| Item 11. Executive Compensation                                                                                             | 38       |
| Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial   Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters                   | 38       |
| Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related   Transactions, and Director Independence                                        | 38       |
| Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services                                                                             | 39       |
|                                                                                                                        |     |
| PART IV                                                                                                                | 39       |
| Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules                                                                         | 39       |

 

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**Part I**

 

**Item 1.****          ****Business**

 

**Overview**

 

We are a leading online retailer of jewelry, featuring a live auction format on bidz.com. We have established our retail brand in the online marketplace by offering high-quality merchandise, a unique user-friendly shopping experience, and the opportunity for buyers to achieve significant cost savings versus traditional retail channels. A key to our success has been our ability to efficiently and cost effectively source closeout jewelry, watches, accessories and brand name merchandise, and rapidly respond to changing consumer demands for our merchandise. We offer our products through a continuous live format, featuring a $1 minimum opening bid, and a unique 15-second auction extension period that allows our auctions to continue until all bids are received. On select auctions we maintain a reserve price that must be met before a sale will be consummated. In 2009, we started offering auctions with a minimum opening bid that is higher than $1. The majority of our auctions are short-term, often lasting several hours, providing immediate gratification to our customers and encouraging frequent visits and active viewing of our website.

 

Our product inventory includes gold, platinum, and silver jewelry set with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and other precious and semi-precious stones; watches, accessories and brand name merchandise. We believe we are one of the larger online retailers of jewelry based on revenue and web traffic.

 

The following aspects of our innovative auction model differentiate us from other auction websites:

 

·                  $1 minimum bid format for many auctions,

 

·                  interactive auctions with 15-second time extensions for all auctions each time a bid is received within 15 seconds of termination of the auction, and

 

·                  short term auctions, often lasting several hours, providing our customers immediate gratification to encourage frequent visits and active viewing of our website.

 

In addition to our auction site (*www.bidz.com*) we have a fixed pricing format (*www.buyz.com*) that offers similar items of merchandise as those listed for auction.  This online store provides us access to different types of consumers, and in 2010 we offer customers the ability to design their own rings.

 

Modnique.com, our online retail site for designer products and consumer goods, provides a sale event concept. We negotiate favorable deals with designers and manufacturers, including purchasing inventory from recognizable brand names at deep discounts to attract customers that are fashion minded as well as cost conscious. Inventory is often sold that is held by our suppliers using a just in time ordering and/or drop ship model.

 

In line with our growth plans, we previously completed a major upgrade of our auction platform at the end of 2007. The new auction system supports a broad range of leading browser software including Microsoft Internet Explorer, FireFox and Safari. The new system touts high availability, faster end-user response time and greater scalability among the key features delivered in this release. We have leveraged this new software solution to launch additional site features and our online retail store, buyz.com. We launched the Spanish and Arabic versions of our website in 2008. In 2009, we completed and deployed an implementation of Dynamics AX, a robust ERP solution from Microsoft. Dynamics AX replaced our proprietary in-house business management software in the areas of inventory management, order management, customer management, logistics, purchasing, warehouse management, fulfillment, and accounting.

 

We sell to consumers looking for reliable bargains on jewelry, watches, accessories and brand name merchandise. Because we purchase and retain all of our inventory onsite, we can provide our customers with timely service and delivery of their purchases. In addition, each item is inspected by one of our trained product specialists prior to its placement on our website, which assures our customers of the quality of their purchases of our products. We operate in a highly competitive market with low barriers to entry. By selling our own merchandise, we provide a buying environment in which we minimize the fraudulent activity and questionable product quality that are frequently associated with purchases from third-party sellers. We also provide a 15-day return policy on all merchandise, some of which may be subject to a restocking fee. We believe that many of our customers resell merchandise that they purchase from our auctions on eBay and through other retail channels. Our auctions and fixed price sales are conducted 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We also offer 24-hour customer support via telephone, email and online live-help.

 

There is no charge to a potential buyer for registering on our website or placing bids. Buyers have access to a broad selection of items without expensive additional markups or commissions to intermediaries. Our website offers detailed product information, including

 

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photographs of our merchandise. Our website also provides a dynamic display of auto-refreshing screens, enabling our customers to follow our in-progress auctions in real-time. Successful bidders are automatically notified when an auction is completed.

 

We purchase inventory directly from manufacturers and liquidators. We also closely monitor our sales trends to assess consumer demand for certain product styles and categories and purchase such non-closeout inventory directly from manufacturers. We have eliminated various inefficiencies and mark-ups associated with traditional intermediaries in the jewelry and other product markets. Our sourcing model provides a critical alternative liquidation channel for manufacturers, for which disposal of closeout inventory may represent a significant challenge. We have the flexibility to purchase a variety of lot sizes, and our centralized warehouse and fulfillment center enables our suppliers to ship their products to a single location, easing the burden on their infrastructure. We have developed a database of product descriptions and pictures that enables us to rapidly post inventory for sale. In addition, we closely monitor sales and gross margin trends of our products on a daily basis, allowing us to carefully select additional products for purchase and adjust supplier pricing as necessary.

 

**History**

 

We commenced operations in early 1998 by offering a limited selection of merchandise for sale on eBay’s website through our predecessor, Asset Lenders of America, a group of 11 collateral lending stores. In the fall of 1998, we formed Bidz.com, Inc. as a California corporation, acquired Asset Lenders of America, and purchased the domain name *www.bidz.com*. In February 1999, we launched the *www.bidz.com*website and began offering closeout jewelry through our auction format. In November 1999, we merged Asset Lenders of America into our Company. In June 2006, the Company reincorporated in the state of Delaware.

 

**Industry Overview**

 

**Growth of Online Commerce and the Online Auction Market**

 

The Internet’s development into a significant global medium for communication, content, and commerce has led to substantial growth in online shopping and has provided online retailers with new opportunities to eliminate intermediaries from the traditional retail supply chain. Internet usage and online commerce continue to grow worldwide. The growth can be attributed to factors such as an increased awareness of the convenience of online shopping, an expanded range of products available online, improvements in security and electronic payment technology, and increased access to broadband Internet connections facilitating online shopping.

 

Online auction sites have created a robust global marketplace, which overcomes the inefficiencies associated with traditional auction purchasing while offering the benefits of online commerce. Companies such as eBay spearheaded the creation of a centralized online auction market, offering buyers a significantly broader selection of goods to purchase. Today, online auction sites offer significant convenience, allowing trading at all hours and providing continually updated product offerings. By leveraging the interactive nature of the Internet, our website also enables customers to experience the excitement of live auctions, including the competitive bidding process.

 

**The Jewelry Market**

 

Jewelry is designed and manufactured by a large number of manufacturers. Jewelry manufacturers sell to a variety of wholesalers, distributors, and retailers. Jewelry in turn is sold to consumers through a variety of jewelry stores. The U.S. brick and mortar jewelry retail market consists primarily of small, independent stores, regional operators, and a limited number of national retail chains, such as Tiffany & Co., Zales, and Kay Jewelers. Multi-line department and discount stores and others also sell jewelry, such as Wal-Mart, Target, J. C. Penney, and Costco, as well as enterprises such as QVC and Home Shopping Network. Despite the presence of major jewelry retail chains, a majority of the jewelry retail business remains fragmented.

 

Manufacturers traditionally hold inventory to buffer against uncertain demand within their normal, offline sales channels. Manufacturers’ primary distribution channels consist of regular sales to major established retailers at wholesale prices and sales to wholesalers that service smaller retail chains. In recent years, several dynamics have shifted inventory risk from retailers to manufacturers, including the following:

 

·              dominant retailers insisting on just-in-time deliveries from manufacturers,

 

·              dominant retailers often demanding to cancel orders mid-production and returning unsold merchandise,

 

·              rapid changes in style, color, or models, turning inventory into closeout merchandise,

 

·              incorrect estimates of consumer demand leading to overproduction, and

 

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·              changes in a retailer’s financial situation or strategy resulting in cancelled orders.

 

Disposal of closeout jewelry represents a significant challenge for many manufacturers and liquidators. Manufacturers often use multiple channels, such as catalogs, resellers, liquidators, and small retailers, to sell their closeout jewelry inventory as a result of the wide variety in lot size of their products. Multiple channels create additional logistical burdens, reduce the control of manufacturers over distribution and devalue the merchandise as inventory becomes available at discounted prices in multiple locations.

 

Manufacturers are often required to adhere to delivery and quantity specifications. If a manufacturer does not meet required delivery schedules or specifications, or products are unsold, the products may be returned to the manufacturer. In both cases, manufacturers rarely meet their costs on their closeout products. Manufacturers often opt to melt down the jewelry into its component parts and reconstruct jewelry pieces with current season styles. The melt-down process is difficult, requires skilled labor, and results in a very low return on manufacturing costs.

 

**Our Value Proposition**

 

*Value to Buyers*

 

Through online auctions and the fixed price online store on our websites, we believe that we offer value to a broad range of customers by providing the following:

 

***Bargain prices.     ***The price of all our products on our online auctions is dictated by the buyer alone based on that buyer’s valuation of the product. Regardless of the closing price, once an auction is closed for those auctions without a reserve price, the final bidder will receive the product. Our products that are sold at fixed price are offered at substantial discount to retail. Therefore, many items offered on our website are sold at a substantial discount to the prices in traditional retail channels, such as at jewelry and other retail stores located in shopping malls.

 

***Entertaining auction format.***    We offer our customers the excitement of winning an item that may not be available in the future. We offer short-term, live auctions, many lasting several hours, providing our customers an alternative to the traditional, longer auction format. We believe the shorter time frame of our auctions encourages repeat visits and active viewing of our website.

 

***Broad product selection.***    We offer a broad selection of jewelry, including rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and jewelry sets, and watches, accessories and brand name merchandise. Our selection includes gold and silver jewelry, as well as jewelry with precious and semi-precious stones.

 

***Product quality assurance.***    We provide detailed and accurate descriptions of each product. Our trained product specialists inspect our jewelry, utilizing the Gemological Institute of America Diamond and Colored Stone Grading System prior to posting on our website for auction. We guarantee the quality of our products through our 15-day return policy on all of our merchandise with a money-back guarantee if the product is not as described on our website. Items that are returned that are identical to their description are subject to a restocking fee, which is 15% of the original purchase price and shipping fees are non-refundable.

 

***Prompt fulfillment and responsive customer service.***    We maintain in inventory all the products we offer on our website, enabling us to ensure prompt order fulfillment and delivery to our customers. Our customer service representatives are available seven days a week, via telephone, live-help and e-mail, and are trained to provide assistance and answer a broad range of questions regarding payment, delivery, and other matters.

 

***Positive shopping experience.***    Our easy-to-navigate website provides our customers with clear and detailed information about our products, including multiple photographs of many items. Customers can purchase our products 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Buyers are provided a two-day payment grace period on all products purchased.

 

*Value to Suppliers*

 

Jewelry, accessories and brand name manufacturers and suppliers continually look for a cost-effective, efficient way to sell their regular and closeout inventory. Our ability to purchase merchandise in various quantities provides a critical one-stop inventory clearance alternative for manufacturers and suppliers and an efficient sales channel for liquidators that purchase closeout inventory from manufacturers.

 

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***Single source for product disposition.***    Unlike many multi-store retail chains that often require large lot purchases to stock appropriate levels of inventory at their multiple locations, we have the flexibility to buy and sell both small and large merchandise lots in a highly efficient manner. As a single source for the sale of regular and closeout merchandise, we provide suppliers with greater control of distribution by reducing the need to spread products across multiple channels. In addition, manufacturers and liquidators are often required to adhere to stringent product quantity and delivery schedule requirements. Products not delivered on time or in exact amounts are returned. We have the flexibility to tailor our purchasing to a supplier’s needs with regard to quantity, variety, and timing.

 

***Resolution of channel conflict.***    Manufacturers seek to avoid liquidating their products through traditional retail channels in which their discounted products may be sold alongside their full-price products. Such side-by-side selling can result in weaker pricing and decreased brand strength, which is known as channel conflict or sales channel pollution. As a result, many manufacturers turn to liquidation wholesalers and discount retailers. These liquidation channels, however, provide manufacturers limited control over distribution and are unreliable and expensive to manage. Because we offer an alternate online distribution channel that focuses on the auction sale of merchandise, our suppliers are able to sell their discounted merchandise independently of their full-priced products. We believe this enables our suppliers to avoid customer confusion and potential loss of sales of their full-priced merchandise products.

 

***Profitable alternative for suppliers.***    We eliminate various inefficiencies and mark-ups associated with traditional intermediaries. Manufacturers can also sell excess jewelry products to us rather than expend the labor and cost of melting and reworking their gold, platinum or silver products.

 

**Growth Strategy**

 

Our objective is to become the leading online retailer of jewelry, watches, accessories and brand name merchandise. We intend to achieve this objective through the following strategies:

 

***Expanding our customer base***by maintaining and expanding our relationships with third-party search engines, affiliate partners, shopping comparison sites, Internet portals, and websites and by increasing our online advertising expenditures within these channels;

 

***Enhancing sourcing relationships***by expanding the number of suppliers from which we purchase regular and closeout inventory, thereby assuring consistent availability of a wide variety of designs and styles of jewelry, watches, accessories and brand name merchandise, and purchasing for cash from suppliers that do not extend credit terms and to obtain better supplier pricing;

 

***Increasing the breadth and depth of our product offerings***by increasing available inventory within specific merchandise categories, allowing us to make more variety available and enabling us to list more auction items on a daily basis;

 

***Continuing to build market share for our sale event site,modnique.com***by increasing the product offering of brand name merchandise at substantial discount; and

 

***Focusing on new international markets***by expanding into and creating a strong presence in a number of English-speaking countries, including the Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, and New Zealand, along with the foreign language versions of our website: Spanish and Arabic.

 

**Marketing**

 

Our marketing strategy is designed to generate consumer traffic by increasing awareness of our website and recognition of our brand, building a loyal buyer base, and maximizing repeat purchases. Our website has experienced substantial growth in users and buyers, as evidenced through data compiled by us through the measurement tools on our website.

 

Our marketing and advertising efforts consist primarily of the following initiatives:

 

***Search marketing:    ***We purchase search engine advertising primarily at an auction based price, which is paid each time a potential customer clicks on one of our advertisements. We currently maintain advertising relationships with, among others, Google (US, Australia, Canada, European Union, South East Asia, Mid East and South America), Yahoo (US, and Australia), and Bing for search engine advertising.

 

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***Online banner marketing:***    We utilize banner advertisements from the largest banner advertising channels. We focus on contextual and behavioral advertisements that appear on websites related to jewelry, fashion, shopping and women’s lifestyle. The Company maintains portal advertising relationships with Yahoo, MSN, Casale Media, Advertising.com, ValueClick Media, AOL and others. The fee structure for our purchase of banner advertisements is based on a set price for an action (such as clicks or new buyers), or on a cost per thousand basis, for which we pay a set fee per thousand banner advertisements that appear on the selected websites.

 

***E-mail campaigns:***    We utilize an electronic direct marketing program to encourage prospect activation, customer referrals, customer retention, repeat purchases and customer acquisition. This program includes permission-based e-mail marketing to visitors who indicate a desire to continue to receive product recommendations and promotional discounts. We purchase e-mail direct marketing for a set fee per thousand e-mails sent or for each new lead from websites and marketing agencies that meet our policies against spamming. We also purchase on a cost per action basis such as clicks, new registrations and new buyers.

 

***Affiliate programs:***    We attract customers by participating in affiliate programs. Our affiliate programs offer other website operators an opportunity to earn commissions by providing their visitors access to our website. We use Link Share for our U.S. affiliate programs and Commission Junction for our European affiliate programs. We also work with several other Affiliate Networks including Azoogle, Hydra Media, Neverblue Media and Zanox. In so doing, we intend to extend the reach of our website and draw customers from a variety of other websites. By participating in our affiliate programs, website publishers earn volume-based commissions by directing customers to our website.

 

***Refer a friend program:*********    We attract new customers by having our existing customers participate in our refer a friend program that started in 2010. The existing customer will earn store credits when a friend has registered as a new customer and the first purchase has shipped. The store credits will typically be valid for 6 months and can be applied towards payments for purchases.

 

**Sourcing Strategy**

 

We purchase closeout inventory directly from manufacturers, distributors and liquidators. We also closely monitor our sales trends to assess consumer demand for certain merchandise and categories and purchase regular merchandise inventory directly from manufacturers. We have eliminated various inefficiencies and mark-ups associated with traditional intermediaries in the jewelry, watches, accessories and brand name market. Our sourcing model provides a critical alternative liquidation channel for manufacturers, for which disposal of closeout inventory represents a significant challenge. We have the flexibility to purchase a variety of lot sizes, and our centralized warehouse and fulfillment center enables our suppliers to ship their products to a single location, easing the burden on their infrastructure and allows us to reduce cost. We have developed a database of product descriptions and pictures that enables us rapidly to post inventory for sale. In addition, we closely monitor sales and gross margin trends of our products on a daily basis, allowing us to select carefully additional products for purchase and adjust supplier pricing as necessary.

 

We identify manufacturers, distributors and liquidators with high-value products by capitalizing on our extensive experience in the industry. Our sourcing model capitalizes on our close industry relationships to avoid several layers of supply chain intermediaries and the mark-ups associated with additional intermediaries. We closely monitor the historical sales trends of our products on a daily basis.

 

We do not have any formal or binding supply agreements with any of our suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, or other suppliers. We purchase and carry inventory in the majority of the products we offer for sale to ensure availability and expedited delivery. In an effort to achieve a more diverse supplier base, we have started to acquire substantially more high-end brand name products. Currently, we acquire inventories from our suppliers on a cash and revolving credit basis with payment typically due within 60 to 90 days when purchased on credit terms.

 

We also purchase, from time to time, loose diamonds and semi-precious stones and send them to manufacturers to produce into finished jewelry inventory. On a selective and limited basis, we take consignment inventory from our vendors to sell on our website. Since we only make payment for the inventory when payment is made by our customers this arrangement is beneficial to our cash flow. Sales of such merchandise remain small as our main focus is on closeout inventory.

 

**Merchandising Strategy**

 

We seek to maintain profitability while providing variety and value to our customers by carefully selecting the types of products we post on our website at any given time, the duration of the auction for each item, and the frequency with which we re-post comparable items after sales. We actively monitor our auctions and sales so that we are able to adjust continually the makeup and quantity of goods on our website at any given time. Since bids on a large portion of our merchandise start at $1, losses are incurred on

 

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approximately 20% to 30% of the items sold during the year. The risks associated with a $1 minimum bid auction are mitigated by profits generated from items sold at a gain and auctions that are sold with reserve prices, which resulted in an overall 24.9% gross profit margin in 2010.

 

We post more expensive items with longer auction durations, typically running for two to three days, allowing customers to peruse the piece and make thoughtful decisions. Less expensive items are selected for shorter auctions, typically running for several hours, creating more excitement for the product and providing the customer with more immediate gratification. Items purchased in bulk are slotted for posting sequentially so that all items simultaneously posted on our website are unique.

 

**Technology Operations**

 

Our system is divided into two main components: our website front-end and our back-office system. Our website is internally developed and handles all aspects of the auction process, including notifying users via e-mail of auction status.  Our back-office business management system is Microsoft Dynamics AX. This system maintains records for our registered users, sales invoicing and cash receipts, auction transactions, inventory control, and historical transaction data.

 

Our system architecture is built on industry-standard platforms that are designed to provide continuous service 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Our website and back-office servers are located at a third-party co-location facility operated by Savvis Inc. in El Segundo, CA. Savvis provides redundant internet connectivity, physical security, climate control, redundant power delivered through a 100% uptime guarantee.

 

Our systems include both Oracle and Microsoft SQL database engines operating in a multi-processing Microsoft Windows environment designed to accommodate large volumes of online traffic and are configured for high fault tolerance with fail-over redundancy and load balancing. Our Internet servers utilize VeriSign Inc. digital certificates to provide secure website communications for sales and payment transactions.

 

We are currently planning to develop a second co-location in a different geographic region to provide greater load balancing and disaster recovery. We utilize the firewall protection and the services of Security Metrics, which provides regular scanning of our systems for security vulnerabilities. We are PCI DSS compliant and use a 3rd party, HostedPCI Inc., to maintain credit card (PAN) security.

 

At December 31, 2010, we had a technology and development staff of 22. We have structured the technology and development functions into two distinct departments: software development and production support. We anticipate that we will continue to devote significant resources to product development and product management in the future as we add new features and functionality.

 

**Customer Service and Fulfillment Operations**

 

An important element of our sales strategy is to provide a high level of customer service support in order to establish long-term relationships with our customers and encourage repeat visits and purchases. Our customer service support staff provides detailed payment, billing, and delivery guidance and is trained to answer a broad array of questions regarding auctions and payments conducted on our website. Our informed and helpful staff together with the informative and educational aspects of our website, promote customer confidence in purchase decisions.

 

At December 31, 2010, we had a customer service and billing staff of 22 and the support of an outsourced international customer service center. We utilize automated online live-help, e-mail and phone systems to route traffic to our customer service and billing support representatives to provide personalized assistance. The customer service center operates seven days a week and 24 hours a day for telephone support, online live-help and e-mail support. We outsource substantially all of our online telephone, live-help and e-mail support.

 

Customers may utilize the following payment methods: credit card, PayPal, Bill-Me-Later, money orders, and checks. We also offer our customers the opportunity to make Lay-Away payments. We require payment to be received by us prior to shipping the merchandise.

 

We maintain a fraud prevention department to detect suspect payments. Our internal system flags suspect payments when the billing address or other pertinent information does not match cardholder information. Our fraud prevention department then requests that the customer provide additional information to verify identity before shipment is released.

 

We provide our customers with a two-day grace period to pay for products won through auctions. If payment is not received by the second day, the purchase order lapses and the product is cycled back into inventory. If a customer purchases additional items during

 

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the two-day period, we offer the customer the opportunity to save on shipping by aggregating all purchased items into one shipment. If payment is not made within the two-day period, the product is offered for auction again and thus the same item may be auctioned more than once.

 

Our goal is to fulfill purchase orders on a timely, secure, and accurate basis. We inspect and track each product at all stages of the receiving and order fulfillment process. Following payment, the merchandise is processed for shipment. Customer orders are typically delivered within seven business days, depending on the shipping method. Many purchases are delivered with signature or delivery confirmation. We ship all products via nationally recognized carriers, such as Federal Express.

 

We have a 15-day return policy for our online customers on all of our merchandise with a money-back guarantee if the product is not as described on our website. Cash refund for items that are returned and are as described are subject to a 15% restocking fee, but full refund may be granted on store credit. Our facility has security controls with restricted access and has been designed for the prompt receipt, storage, and shipment of our products. In addition, we have security guards on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week to patrol the premises. Security is complemented by video and alarm surveillance.

 

**Seasonality**

 

Historically, sales in the jewelry industry are seasonal and have been higher in the fourth quarter as a result of higher consumer spending during the December holiday shopping season. Approximately 16.9%, 24.9% and 27.7% of our net revenue was generated during the fourth quarter of 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively. The fourth quarters of 2008 and 2009 were exceptions as we encountered a significant slowdown in sales resulting from the 2008 financial and economic crisis that curtailed discretionary spending. As the economy recovers, we expect to experience more pronounced seasonal fluctuations in our net revenue and anticipate a disproportionate amount of our revenue will be in the fourth quarter, as shown by the 27.7% of net revenue in 2010 that was recorded in the fourth quarter.

 

**Competition**

 

The online jewelry, watches, accessories and brand name merchandise auction market is rapidly evolving, and intensely competitive with relatively low barriers to entry, as new competitors can launch websites at relatively low cost. We believe that competition in the online retail market is based predominantly on the following:

 

·              Price,

 

·              Product quality and selection,

 

·              Vendor reliability,

 

·              Shopping convenience,

 

·              Customer service, and

 

·              Brand recognition.

 

We currently compete with a variety of online auction sellers, such as eBay and uBid; online liquidation companies, such as Overstock; and online jewelry retailers, such as Blue Nile. We also compete with traditional offline jewelry retail chains, such as Zales, and Kay Jewelers, as well as with department and discount and other stores that sell at wholesale prices, such as Wal-Mart, Target, J. C. Penney, and Costco, as well as with QVC and Home Shopping Network. We compete primarily on the basis of our prices, the selection of merchandise, and our website functionality and ease-of-use. The negative factors relating to our competitive position relate primarily to the relative size and name recognition of our competitors.

 

As the online liquidation market grows, we believe that companies involved in online retail, as well as traditional retailers and liquidation brokers, will increase their efforts to develop services that compete with our online services. We also face potential competition from online companies not yet focused on the liquidation market and from retail companies not yet operating online.

 

Many of our competitors have greater brand recognition, longer operating histories, larger customer bases, and significantly greater financial, marketing, and other resources than we do. Smaller competitors may enter into strategic or commercial relationships with larger, more established and well-financed companies. Some of our competitors could enter into exclusive distribution arrangements with our suppliers and deny us access to their products, devote greater resources to marketing and promotional campaigns, and devote substantially more resources to their website and systems development than we do. New technologies and the continued enhancement of existing technologies also may increase competitive pressures on us.

 

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**Intellectual Property**

 

We regard our domain names and similar intellectual property as critical to our success and hold registered trademarks for “Bidz.com” and the Bidz Logo. We also rely on a combination of laws and contractual restrictions with our employees, customers, suppliers, affiliates, and others to establish and protect our proprietary rights. Despite these precautions, it may be possible for a third party to copy or otherwise obtain and use our intellectual property without authorization. We currently do not hold any patents pertaining to intellectual property surrounding the technology and business processes utilized by Bidz.com. In addition, others may independently develop substantially similar intellectual property. Although we may pursue the registration of our additional trademarks and patents in the United States, effective trademark and patent protection may not be available or may not be sought by us in every country in which our products are made available online.

 

From time to time, we may be subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of our business, including claims of alleged infringement of the trademarks and other intellectual property rights of third parties. In addition, litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets, or to determine the validity and scope of our intellectual proprietary rights and those of others. Any such litigation, regardless of outcome or merit, could result in substantial costs and diversion of management and technical resources, any of which could materially harm our business.

 

**Government Regulation**

 

We are subject to federal and state consumer protection laws, including laws protecting the privacy of consumer non-public information and regulations prohibiting unfair and deceptive trade practices. In particular, under federal and state financial privacy laws and regulations, we must provide notice to consumers of our policies on sharing non-public information with third parties, must provide advance notice of any changes to our policies and, with limited exceptions, must give consumers the right to prevent sharing of their non-public personal information with unaffiliated third parties. Furthermore, the growth and demand for online commerce could result in more stringent consumer protection laws that impose additional compliance burdens on online retailers. These consumer protection laws could result in substantial compliance costs and could interfere with the conduct of our business.

 

Moreover, there is currently great uncertainty in many states on how existing laws of property ownership, sales and other taxes, and libel and personal privacy, etc. apply to the Internet and commercial online retailers. Although these issues may take years to resolve, various tax authorities in a number of states, as well as a Congressional advisory commission, have already proposed or passed new state tax regulations which subjected us to additional state sales tax collection or payment responsibilities.  We anticipate that more states will follow, and that other legislation or regulation from jurisdictions whose laws do not currently apply to our business may arise and result in significantly more taxes on our business. Furthermore, there is a possibility that we may be subject to significant fines or other payments for any past failures to comply with the new requirements.

 

Numerous states and foreign jurisdictions, including California, where our headquarters is located, have regulations regarding how auctions may be conducted and the liability of auctioneers in conducting such auctions. No final legal determination has been made on whether the California regulations apply to the Internet and commercial online retailers such as us, and little precedent exists in this area. Several states and some foreign jurisdictions have attempted, and may attempt in the future, to impose such regulations on our business. Regulatory and licensure claims could result in costly litigation or could require us to change our manner of doing business in ways that increase our costs or reduce our revenue or force us to prohibit listings of certain items for some locations. We could also be subject to fines or other penalties. Any of these outcomes could harm our business.

 

California applies the burden of security risks to personal data to those owning and operating the host computer systems and networks, under a mandatory disclosure law (SB 1386) which recently was amended to include employee Health information.  Companies holding computerized personal information of California residents are required to take steps either to encrypt this personal information or adopt, as part of an information security policy, notice and disclosure procedures for any computer security breaches, whether or not the breach occurs in California. If we were found to be noncompliant we could be subject to civil suits, including class actions, for damages and injunctive remedies in California courts.

 

California has also recently passed a new law (SB 657) to address the reporting of human trafficking, and this law applies to large volume (over $100 million) retailers doing business in California specifically.  The full extent of the impact of this law is still unclear, but added policies and procedures at a minimum are required to be in place.  More extensive investigations for suppliers may incur unknown additional costs.  Compliance by retailers is required by Jan 1, 2012.

 

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**Employees**

 

At December 31, 2010, we had 177 full-time and no part-time employees. We may utilize part-time employees, temporary employees, and independent contractors to respond to fluctuations in our business. None of our employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement with us, and we consider our relations with our employees to be good.

 

We have an agreement with Administaff, a professional employer organization, to manage all payroll processing, workers’ compensation, health insurance, and other employment-related benefits for our employees. Although Administaff processes our payroll and pays our workers’ compensation, health insurance and other employment-related benefits, we are responsible for such payments and for complying with state and federal employment regulations, as well as all personnel management policies and procedures that are maintained by Administaff. We pay Administaff a fee based on the aggregate salaries paid to our employees for these services.

 

**Delaware Reincorporation**

 

On June 22, 2006 the Company reincorporated in the state of Delaware. In connection with our reincorporation in Delaware, we are authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value, and 4,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock, $0.001 par value.

 

The following discussion describes the Delaware Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws that were adopted and is intended to be a summary and does not describe all provisions of our certificate of incorporation or bylaws or Delaware law that may be applicable to us. For a more thorough understanding of the terms of our capital stock, you should refer to our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, which have been filed as exhibits to this report.

 

**Common Stock**

 

The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by stockholders. There will be no cumulative voting. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding preferred stock, holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available for that purpose. In the event of the liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of our company, the holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities and the liquidation preferences of any outstanding preferred stock. The common stock has no preemptive or conversion rights, other subscription rights, or redemption or sinking fund provisions.

 

**Preferred Stock**

 

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes our Board of Directors, without any vote or action by the holders of our common stock, to issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more series. Our Board of Directors is authorized to determine the number of shares and to fix the designations, powers, preferences, and the relative, participating, optional, or other rights of any series of preferred stock. Issuances of preferred stock would be subject to the applicable rules of Nasdaq or other organizations on which our securities are then quoted or listed. Depending upon the terms of preferred stock established by our Board of Directors, any or all series of preferred stock could have preference over the common stock with respect to dividends and other distributions and upon our liquidation. If any shares of preferred stock are issued with voting powers, the voting power of the outstanding common stock would be diluted. No shares of preferred stock are presently outstanding, and we have no present intention to issue any shares of preferred stock.

 

**Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws**

 

*General*

 

Our Delaware certificate of incorporation, our bylaws, and the DGCL contain certain provisions that could delay or make more difficult an acquisition of control of our company not approved by our Board of Directors, whether by means of a tender offer, open market purchases, a proxy contest, or otherwise. These provisions have been implemented to enable us, particularly but not exclusively in the initial years of our existence as a publicly owned company, to develop our business in a manner that will foster our long-term growth without disruption caused by the threat of a takeover not deemed by our Board of Directors to be in the best interests of our company and our stockholders. These provisions could have the effect of discouraging third parties from making proposals involving an acquisition or change of control of our company even if such a proposal, if made, might be considered desirable by a majority of our stockholders. These provisions may also have the effect of making it more difficult for third parties to cause the replacement of our Board of Directors or our current management without the concurrence of our Board of Directors.

 

There is set forth below a description of the provisions contained in our Delaware certificate of incorporation and bylaws and the DGCL that could impede or delay an acquisition of control of our company that our Board of Directors has not approved. This

 

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description is intended as a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, which are included as exhibits to this report, as well as the DGCL.

 

*Authorized but Unissued Preferred Stock*

 

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes our Board of Directors to issue one or more series of preferred stock and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred stock, the terms and rights of such series without any further vote or action by our stockholders. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock may enable our Board of Directors to render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of our company by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, or other extraordinary transaction. Any issuance of preferred stock with voting and conversion rights may adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock, including the loss of voting control to others. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock will also enable our Board of Directors, without stockholder approval, to adopt a “poison pill” takeover defense mechanism. We have no present plans to issue any shares of preferred stock.

 

*Number of Directors; Removal; Filling Vacancies*

 

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provides that the number of directors shall be fixed only by resolution of our Board of Directors from time to time. Our certificate of incorporation provides that directors may be removed by stockholders for cause by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote. Delaware law provides that vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled only by a majority vote of the remaining directors or by the sole remaining director.

 

*Classified Board*

 

Our certificate of incorporation provides for our board to be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, serving staggered terms. Approximately one-third of our board will be elected each year. The provision for a classified board could prevent a party who acquires control of a majority of our outstanding common stock from obtaining control of the board until our second annual stockholders meeting following the date the acquirer obtains the controlling share interest. The classified board provision could have the effect of discouraging a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us and could increase the likelihood that incumbent directors will retain their positions.

 

*Stockholder Action*

 

Our certificate of incorporation provides that stockholder action may be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders. This provision prohibits stockholder action by written consent in lieu of a meeting. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws further provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called only by our Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, President, or Secretary, and shall be called by any such person at the request in writing of a majority of the Board of Directors. Stockholders are not permitted to call a special meeting or to require our Board of Directors to call a special meeting of stockholders.

 

The provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws prohibiting stockholder action by written consent may have the effect of delaying consideration of a stockholder proposal until the next annual meeting unless a special meeting is called as provided above.

 

These provisions would also prevent the holders of a majority of the voting power of our stock from unilaterally using the written consent procedure to take stockholder action. Moreover, a stockholder could not force stockholder consideration of a proposal over the opposition of the Board of Directors by calling a special meeting of stockholders prior to the time our chairman or a majority of the whole board believes such consideration to be appropriate.

 

*Advance Notice for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations*

 

Our bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for stockholder proposals to be brought before any annual or special meeting of stockholders and for nominations by stockholders of candidates for election as directors at an annual meeting or a special meeting at which directors are to be elected. Subject to any other applicable requirements, including, without limitation, Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, only such business may be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as has been brought before the meeting by, or at the direction of, our Board of Directors, or by a stockholder who has given our Secretary timely written notice, in proper form, of the stockholder’s intention to bring that business before the meeting. The presiding officer at such meeting has the authority to make such determinations. Only persons who are nominated by, or at the direction of, our Board of Directors, or who are nominated by a stockholder that has given timely written notice, in proper form, to our Secretary prior to a meeting at which directors are to be elected, are eligible for election as directors.

 

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*Amendments to Bylaws*

 

Our certificate of incorporation provides that only our Board of Directors or the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an annual or special meeting of stockholders have the power to amend or repeal our bylaws.

 

*Amendments to Certificate of Incorporation*

 

Any proposal to amend, alter, change, or repeal any provision of our certificate of incorporation requires approval by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of all of the shares of our capital stock entitled to vote on such matters.

 

*Delaware Statutory Provisions*

 

Anti-Takeover Provision of Delaware Law. Under Section 203 of the DGCL, no Delaware Corporation shall engage in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder. “Business combination” includes a merger, consolidation, asset sale, or other transaction resulting in financial benefit to the interested stockholder. “Interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years, did own 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock. This prohibition does not apply if:

 

·                                          prior to the time that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction resulting in the stockholder’s becoming an interested stockholder,

 

·                                          upon consummation of the transaction resulting in the stockholder’s becoming an interested stockholder, the stockholder owns at least 85% of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation, excluding voting stock owned by directors who are also officers and certain employee stock plans, or

 

·                                          at or subsequent to the time that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, the business combination is approved by the board and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock that the interested stockholder does not own.

 

A Delaware corporation may elect not to be governed by these restrictions. We have not made such election. Although Marina Zinberg owns more than 15% of our stock, she is not subject to the restrictions of Section 203.

 

**Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors**

 

Our certificate of incorporation limits the liability of our directors to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. In addition, our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

**Indemnification for Securities Act Liabilities**

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted for directors, officers, or controlling persons pursuant to the provisions described in the preceding paragraph, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

**Transfer Agent and Registrar**

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC. The transfer agent’s address is 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219 and its telephone number is (718) 921-8124.

 

**Available Information**

 

The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act). The Company therefore files periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Such reports may be obtained by visiting the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549, or by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an internet site (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information.

 

Financial and other information can also be accessed on the shareholders’ information section of the Company’s website at www.bidz.com. The Company makes available copies of its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after filing such material electronically or otherwise furnishing it to the SEC.  You may obtain copies of financial and other information by calling (310) 280-7333 or by sending a request to Bidz.com, Inc.’s Investor Relations Department, 3562 Eastham Drive, Culver City, California 90232.  Also posted on our website are the Company’s Corporate

 

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Governance Principles, the charters of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee.

 

Information on the Company’s website is not incorporated into this Form 10-K or the Company’s other securities filings and is not a part of them.

 

**ITEM 1A.  Risk Factors**

 

*Our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and prospects, and the prevailing market price and performance of our common stock, may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including the matters discussed below. Certain statements and information set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as other written or oral statements made from time to time by us or by our authorized officers on our behalf, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “seeks,” “projects,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. We intend for our forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and we set forth this statement in order to comply with such safe harbor provisions. You should note that our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or when made and we undertake no duty or obligation to update or revise our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Although we believe that the expectations, plans, intentions, and projections reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. The risks, uncertainties, and other factors that our stockholders and prospective investors should consider include, but are not limited to, the following:*

 

***The adverse domestic and global economic conditions or the perception of said conditions may have adverse effects on our growth and operating results.***

 

The continued success of our business depends on the willingness of our customers to spend in a discretionary manner.  While we do offer lower priced merchandise and may consequently fare better than those who exclusively offer more expensive merchandise, jewelry is essentially perceived as a luxury good. If the economy continues to decline it will cause people to feel less comfortable purchasing discretionary goods and would cause a negative effect on our operating results. Our annual and quarterly operating results may vary significantly in the future based on economic factors over which we have little or no control. Because we have little or no control over these factors and/or their magnitude, our operating results are difficult to predict. Any substantial adverse change in the economic factors could negatively affect our business and results of operations.

 

***Our business has been and may continue to be significantly impacted by the decline in worldwide economic conditions, and the current uncertainty in the outlook for the global economy makes it more likely that our actual results will differ materially from expectations.***

 

Global financial markets have been experiencing extreme disruptions in recent years, including severely diminished liquidity and credit availability, declines in consumer confidence, declines in economic growth, increases in unemployment rates, and uncertainty about economic stability. There can be no assurance that there will not be further deterioration in financial markets and confidence in economic conditions.  These economic uncertainties affect businesses such as ours in a number of ways, making it difficult to accurately forecast and plan our future business activities. The current tightening of credit in financial markets may lead consumers to postpone spending, which may cause our customers to reduce purchases of jewelry. Demand for jewelry is a function of the health of the economies in the United States and around the world. Since the US economy and other economies around the world still face uncertain growth, the demand for jewelry has been and may continue to be adversely affected and therefore, demand for our jewelry products and our operating results have been and may continue to be adversely affected as well. We cannot predict the timing, strength or duration of any economic disruption or subsequent economic recovery, worldwide, in the United States, in our industry, or in the jewelry market. These and other economic factors have had and may continue to have a material adverse effect on demand for our jewelry products and on our financial condition and operating results.

 

***Our future operating results are highly dependent upon how well******we manage our business to respond to the economic recession.***

 

Our annual and quarterly operating results may fluctuate based on how well we manage our business to respond to the economic recession. Some of these factors include the following:

 

·          our ability to manage our sales and marketing efforts;

·          our ability to structure our organization to achieve our operating objectives and to meet the needs of our customers; and

·          our ability to manage expenses and inventory levels.

 

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If we fail to manage our business effectively, our results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

***Growth of our business may depend on our ability to successfully introduce and expand new product offerings, including those on modnique.com***

 

Our ability to significantly increase our net sales and maintain and increase our profitability may depend on our ability to successfully introduce and expand new product lines beyond our current offerings. In February 2010, we launched modnique.com, a division that will be focused on online retailing of designer products, entertainment tickets, travel, and other consumer goods through a sale event concept. If we offer a new website such as modnique.com that is not accepted by consumers, the Bidz.com brand and reputation could be adversely affected, our net sales may fall short of expectations and we may incur substantial expenses that are not offset by increased net sales. Introduction and expansion of new product lines may also strain our management and operational resources.

 

***Our business may be impacted by our ability to obtain debt financing for our operations and the unavailability of funding could adversely affect our business.***

 

As a result of current economic uncertainties, including with respect to global capital and credit markets and overall economic growth, we may find it more difficult or expensive to secure additional capital or credit to pursue actions we would consider beneficial to us or our shareholders. We have terminated, on April 2, 2010, a revolving line of credit with Bank of America. If we are unable to obtain alternative financing from another lender or lenders in the future, on terms that are acceptable to us, our business, ability to continue operations and financial condition could be adversely impacted.

 

***The trading price in our common stock may be volatile and you may lose all or part of your investment.***

 

The market price of our common stock has been subject to significant fluctuations and these fluctuations could continue. Some factors that could affect the market price of our common stock are as follows:

 

·                  actual or anticipated changes in our operating results,

 

·                  our stock is subject to short selling and may cause trading in our common stock to be volatile,

 

·                  our stock is subject to margin calls and may cause trading in our common stock to be volatile,

 

·                  changes in research analysts’ recommendations or estimates of financial performance,

 

·                  changes in market valuation of similar companies, economic and general market conditions,

 

·                  announcements of significant contracts, company developments, commercial relationships, banking credit facilities, capital commitments, acquisitions or joint ventures,

 

·                  issuance of additional shares of common stock or other securities, and

 

·                  intellectual property or litigation developments.

 

Trading in our common stock may experience significant price and volume fluctuations and adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. Following periods of volatility in the market price of a public company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against that company. Such litigation could result in substantial cost and a diversion of management’s attention and resources. See Item 3, Legal Proceedings, below.

 

***Repurchases of our common stock may not prove to be the best use of our cash resources.***

 

We have and plan to continue to repurchase shares of our common stock. Since the inception of our share repurchase program in June 2007, through December 31, 2010, we have repurchased 5.8 million shares for a total of approximately $21.2 million. Our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $33.5 million of our common stock and a total of $12.3 million remains available for repurchases. These repurchases and any repurchases we may make in the future may not prove to be at optimal prices and our use of cash for the stock repurchase program may not prove to be the best use of our cash resources and may adversely impact our future liquidity.

 

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***We have been and may continue to become the target of securities class action suits and derivative suits which could result in substantial costs and divert management attention and resources.***

 

Securities class action suits and derivative suits are often brought against companies following periods of volatility in the market price of their securities, such as we experienced at the end of 2007. Defending against these suits, even if meritless, can result in substantial costs to us and could divert the attention of our management. See Item 3, Legal Proceedings, below.

 

***We may be at risk to accurately report financial results or detect fraud if we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls.***

 

As directed by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted rules requiring public companies to include a report that contains an assessment by management on the company’s internal control over financial reporting in their annual reports on Form 10-K. While we are consistently working on improvements and conducting rigorous reviews of our internal controls over financial reporting, our independent auditors may interpret Section 404 requirements and apply related rules and regulations differently. If our independent auditors are not satisfied with our internal control over financial reporting or with the level at which it is documented, operated or reviewed, they may decline to accept management’s assessment. We were not required to have our independent auditors provide an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, as we were not an “accelerated filer” as of December 31, 2010. Additionally, if we are not able to meet all the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner or with adequate compliance, we might be subject to sanctions or investigation by regulatory authorities, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

In conducting its assessment, our management concluded that there were material weaknesses, as defined in the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s Auditing Standard No. 5, in our disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009.  We have implemented controls to remediate those material weaknesses during the year ended December 31, 2010 and management concluded that these material weaknesses were fully remediated as of December 31, 2010 and through the date of this report. See discussion included in Item 9A “Controls and Procedures” below for additional information regarding our disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting.

 

We cannot assure you that significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in our disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting will not be identified in the future.  Also, future changes in our accounting, financial reporting, and regulatory environment may create new areas of risk exposure. Failure to modify our existing control environment accordingly may impair our controls over financial reporting and cause our investors to lose confidence in the reliability of our financial reporting, which may adversely affect our stock price.

 

***Our branded inventory may be vulnerable to complaints or claims of infringement on intellectual property rights***

 

We purchase branded merchandise from third party vendors and are relying on their licensing agreements with the brand owners. In the event that a third party vendor misrepresents its licensing rights, we are vulnerable to complaints or claims of infringement on intellectual property rights and could be subject to legal proceedings and/or barred from selling the affected merchandise. If the third party vendor does not have the ability to take financial responsibility over the infringement our results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

***We will devote necessary resources to respond promptly and thoroughly to the SEC investigation.***

 

On February 10, 2009 and October 27, 2009, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued subpoenas to us to produce documents relating to the Company’s inventory reserve policies, vendor marketing contributions, as well as other matters. We intend to cooperate fully with the SEC’s formal investigation, and our management will devote the resources required to respond promptly and thoroughly to any additional information or documents requests by the SEC. Although the investigation is ongoing and it is difficult to predict the time required by senior management to respond to it, we do not presently anticipate that the investigation will adversely affect management, our results of operations or our financial position. Until the investigation is concluded, however, it is difficult to assess its impact on us.

 

***We must continue to generate a high volume of visitor traffic to our website and convert those visitors into buyers.***

 

Our net revenue depends to a significant extent on the number of customers who visit our website to purchase merchandise and the dollar amount of their purchases. Generating increased traffic to our website and converting that traffic into buyers requires us to achieve effective results from our marketing campaigns; offer a wide variety of products that our customers can purchase at favorable prices; maintain a user-friendly shopping experience; ensure the satisfactory availability, performance, and reliability of our website, network infrastructure, and transaction processing systems; and provide high-quality customer service. Our business will be harmed if we are unable to increase our customer base and the dollar volume of the orders customers place with us.

 

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***We are subject to “prank” bidding by persons who are not required to provide their identification.***

 

Presently, we do not require new users to our site to provide their identification upon registration. Consequently, from time to time we are subject to “prank” bidders who may win auctions but do not intend to purchase our merchandise.  Although the Company re-auctions merchandise not purchased by such bidders, a large number of failed auctions in which winning bidders do not complete their purchases could adversely affect our results of operations.

 

***We may face increasing costs to acquire new customers.***

 

The acquisition of new customers is a key factor in increasing demand for our jewelry products and increasing our revenue. We currently attract new customers by driving traffic to our website using a marketing and advertising strategy that includes targeted keyword searches, online banner advertising, targeted e-mail advertising, participation in affiliate programs, and our refer a friend program. We do not maintain long-term contracts or arrangements with any companies, including any search engines, Internet portals, or other websites, and we may not successfully enter into additional relationships or maintain existing ones. In addition, traffic to our website could decline if our online marketing programs become less effective or the traffic decreases to the search engines, Internet portals, and websites with which we advertise. Our business could be materially and adversely affected if any substantial number of companies on which we advertise experience financial or operational difficulties or experience other corporate developments that adversely affect their performance. A failure to maintain or expand existing online advertising relationships or to establish additional online advertising relationships that generate a significant amount of traffic from other websites could result in decreased sales or limit the growth of our business.

 

***Our growth will depend on our ability to increase the popularity of our website, and we may not be able to do so effectively.***

 

We believe that continuing to increase the popularity of our website will be critical to expanding our business. Promoting and positioning our website will depend largely on the success of our marketing efforts and our ability to provide a variety and sufficient quantity of high-quality products at attractive prices in a convenient manner. Promoting our website will require us to increase our marketing budget and otherwise increase our financial commitment to creating and maintaining brand loyalty among users. Brand promotion activities may not yield increased revenue, and even if they do, any increased revenue may not offset the expenses we incur in building our website popularity and our brand. If we do attract new users to our website, they may not conduct transactions on a frequent basis or in sufficient dollar amounts. If we fail to promote and maintain our website or incur substantial expenses in an unsuccessful attempt to promote and maintain our brand, our business would be harmed.

 

***We anticipate expanding our international sales activities, causing our business to become increasingly susceptible to numerous risks that could affect our profitability.***

 

In 2008, 2009 and 2010, 23.9%, 31.7% and 40.9%, respectively, of our net revenue was generated by shipments to customers outside of the United States. We plan, over time, to expand our reach into international markets. We do not, however, currently have any overseas fulfillment, distribution, or server facilities. We cannot be certain that we will be able to expand our global presence. In addition, there are certain risks associated with doing business on an international basis, including regulatory requirements, legal uncertainty regarding liability, tariffs, and other trade barriers, longer payment cycles, and potentially adverse tax consequences, any of which could adversely affect our business. Although our foreign sales historically have been denominated in U.S. dollars, we also may be subject to increased risks relating to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations to the extent we decide to denominate our sales in foreign currencies.

 

***Customer complaints or negative publicity about our customer service could adversely affect our reputation and, as a result, our business could suffer.***

 

Customer complaints or negative publicity about our customer service could severely diminish consumer confidence and the use of our website. Effective customer service requires significant personnel expense, and this expense, if not managed properly, could significantly impact our profitability. The failure to manage or train our customer service representatives properly could compromise our ability to handle customer inquiries and complaints effectively. If we do not handle customer inquiries and complaints effectively, we may lose customer confidence. As a result, our revenue could suffer and our operating margin may decrease.

 

***Quarterly financial results may not be consistent and impact our stock price.***

 

There are numerous influences on our quarterly financial results that extend beyond the normal seasonal trends. Fluctuations that are under our control include: our ability to influence the timing and quantity of items we place for auction; our decision to acquire merchandise at favorable prices; our expenditures on marketing and our ability to attract customer visits to our website. Fluctuations that are not under our control that may directly impact our quarterly financial results include: changes in market price for precious

 

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metals and gems; changes in consumers’ discretionary income and demand for our products; and changes in fashion trends.

 

***We do not have a guaranteed supply of jewelry products, and we have a concentration of inventory purchases from our top two suppliers****.*

 

The success of our business depends, in part, on our ability to offer our customers a wide variety of jewelry that they can purchase at prices that are substantially below those of traditional jewelry retailers. We do not have any formal or binding supply agreements with any of our manufacturers, distributors, or other suppliers for our supply of jewelry products. As a result, we do not have a guaranteed supply of jewelry products at favorable prices. Our inability to maintain and expand our jewelry supply relationships or the inability of our suppliers to continue to supply us with jewelry products at favorable prices would substantially harm our business and results of operations.

 

In addition, we have a concentration of inventory purchases from a small number of suppliers. Our top vendors based on the amount of purchases vary from quarter to quarter.  The top two suppliers accounted for approximately 14.6%, 27.7% and 21.4% of our total purchases in 2008, 2009, and 2010, respectively.

 

***We may give substantial deposits of inventory to our manufacturing vendors to produce finished jewelry products.***

 

We may be at risk of loss for the diamonds, precious and semi-precious gems that we have given to our manufacturing vendors to produce into finished jewelry products. If the businesses of the vendors fail, the diamond inventory is lost or stolen, the vendors do not have adequate insurance coverage or if the vendors fail to produce and deliver finished jewelry products, we would incur substantial losses that would have a material impact on our net income and financial position.

 

***Competition from online auctioneers and other online companies with greater brand recognition may adversely affect our sales.***

 

The market for online auctions is rapidly evolving and intensely competitive. We expect competition to intensify further in the future. Barriers to entry are relatively low, and current and new competitors can launch new websites at relatively low cost using commercially available software.

 

We currently compete with a number of other companies, and other competitors may appear in the future. Our competitors currently include various online auction services and retailers, including eBay, Blue Nile and Overstock. We also encounter competition from national jewelry retail chains, such as Zales, and Kay Jewelers, and mass retailers and other enterprises, such as Wal-Mart, Target, J. C. Penney, Costco, QVC, and Home Shopping Network. Many of our competitors have greater brand recognition, longer operating histories, larger customer bases, and significantly greater financial, marketing, and other resources than we do. Smaller competitors may enter into strategic or commercial relationships with larger, more established, and better financed companies. Other competitors may enter into exclusive distribution agreements with our suppliers that deny us access to suppliers’ products. Competitors may also devote greater resources to marketing and promotional campaigns and to website and systems technology than we do. We may not be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors or address increased competitive pressures. Furthermore, attempts have been made in the past to develop and market synthetic stones and gems to compete in the market for gemstones and gemstone jewelry. We expect such efforts to continue in the future. If any such efforts are successful in creating widespread demand for synthetic or alternative gemstone products, demand and price levels for our products could decline and our business and results of operations would be substantially harmed.

 

***We rely heavily on the sale of jewelry for our net revenue, and demand for these products could decline.***

 

Luxury products, such as jewelry, are discretionary purchases for consumers. The volume and dollar amount of such purchases may be affected by adverse trends in the general economy and consumer perceptions of those trends, and purchases may significantly decrease during economic downturns. The success of our business depends in part on macroeconomic factors, such as employment levels, salary levels, tax rates, and credit availability, all of which affect disposable income and consumer spending. Any reduction in disposable income or consumer spending may affect us more significantly than companies in other industries.

 

Our net revenue and results of operations depend in part on the demand for jewelry. Consumers’ tastes are subject to frequent, significant, and sometimes unpredictable changes. Should prevailing consumer tastes for jewelry change or the demand for jewelry decrease, the sale of our products could decline and our business and results of operations would suffer.

 

Furthermore, our ability to increase our net revenue and enhance our profitability may depend on our ability to expand our product offerings beyond our current offerings. If we offer new products that are not accepted by customers, our brand and reputation could be adversely affected, our sales may fall short of expectations, and we may incur substantial expenses that are not offset by increased sales.

 

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***Because we carry our jewelry products in inventory, our net revenue and gross margin may decrease if we are unable to predict and plan for changes in consumer demand.***

 

If our sales increase, we will be required to increase our inventory proportionately. Consumer tastes and preferences for jewelry products can change rapidly, thereby exposing us to significant inventory risks. Currently, because the products we sell also consist of closeout merchandise from manufacturers, distributors, and other suppliers, we have less control over the specific items that we offer for sale than we would if we primarily ordered goods manufactured for us. In addition, it is important that we are able to purchase jewelry that we perceive to be in demand. The demand for specific products can change between the time we order items and when we sell them. As a result, we may be required to take significant inventory markdowns, which could reduce our gross margin, if we do not accurately predict these trends or if we overstock unpopular merchandise.

 

***We may be subject to a tax liability for past sales and our future sales may decrease if we are required to collect sales and use taxes on the products we sell.***

 

In accordance with current regulatory requirements and our interpretation of current law, we currently collect sales or other taxes with respect to shipments of goods into several states including California, New York, Rhode Island and North Carolina. However, additional states or foreign countries may seek to impose sales or other tax obligations on us in the future. A successful assertion by one or more states or foreign countries that we should be collecting sales or other taxes on the sale of our products could result in substantial tax liabilities for past and future sales, discourage customers from purchasing products from us, decrease our ability to compete with traditional retailers, and otherwise substantially harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

***We rely on suppliers and third-party carriers as part of our fulfillment process, and these third parties may fail to meet shipping schedules or requirements****.*

 

We rely on suppliers to deliver our orders promptly, which we then carry in inventory to ensure availability and expedited delivery to our customers. We also rely on third-party carriers to ship our products to our customers. As a result, we are subject to various risks, including employee strikes and inclement weather, associated with the ability of third-party carriers to provide delivery services to meet our shipping needs and those of our suppliers. The failure of our suppliers and third-party carriers to deliver products to us or our customers in a timely manner or otherwise to serve us or our customers adequately would damage our reputation and brand and substantially harm our business and results of operations.

 

***Increases in the cost of precious metals and precious and semi-precious stones would increase the cost of our jewelry products.***

 

The jewelry industry is affected by fluctuations in the prices of precious metals and precious and semi-precious stones. The availability and prices of gold, silver, platinum, and other precious metals and precious and semi-precious stones may be influenced by such factors as cartels, political instability in exporting countries, changes in global demand, and inflation. Shortages of these materials due to increase in demand or prices could reduce the quantity of products we have available for sale and our ability to sell our products for more than our cost, causing reduced sales or lower margins compared to our historical and expected sales and margins.

 

***The satisfactory availability, performance, and reliability of our website, network infrastructure, and transaction processing systems are critical to our ability to attract, retain, and service customers.***

 

Any problems with the availability, performance, or reliability of our website, network infrastructure, or transaction processing systems could result in decreased customer traffic, reduced orders, reduced order fulfillment performance, and lower net revenue as well as negative publicity and damage to our reputation. In order to remain competitive, we must continually seek to improve and expand the functionality and features of our website, network infrastructure, transaction processing systems, and delivery and shipping functions to accommodate any substantial increase in the volume of traffic to and orders from our website. We may not be successful in these efforts, and we may not be able to project accurately the rate or timing of increases, if any, in the use of or sales from our website, or timely expand or upgrade our website, infrastructure, or systems to accommodate any such increases. Additionally, we may not be able to remedy any availability, performance, or reliability problems in a timely manner, or at all, because we depend in part on third parties for such availability, performance, and reliability. Our website and back-office servers are located at a third-party co-location facility operated by Savvis Inc. in El Segundo, CA which is vulnerable to fire, earthquakes, and similar events.

 

***Our business and results of operations would be harmed in the event of any failure of our auction and bidding systems hardware, which is located at a single third-party co-location facility, or any failure of our fulfillment and administrative hardware.***

 

Our business depends in part on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of our computer and communications hardware. The servers

 

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and other hardware necessary to operate our website, including our auction and bidding systems, are located at a single third-party co-location facility in El Segundo, CA. We rely on that facility to provide Internet access with the speed, capacity, and reliability required to meet our customer traffic. Our servers and other hardware that run office administration tasks are located at our headquarters. Our servers and other hardware are vulnerable to damage or interruption from human error, fire, flood, significant power loss, telecommunications failure, terrorist attacks, acts of war, break-ins, earthquakes, and similar events. We do not currently have fully redundant systems in multiple locations or a formal disaster recovery plan, and our business interruption insurance may be insufficient to compensate us for any losses that may occur. In addition, our servers are vulnerable to computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins, and similar disruptions, which could lead to interruptions, delays, loss of critical data, the inability to accept and fulfill customer orders, or the unauthorized disclosure of confidential customer data. System disruptions or failures would also create a large number of customer questions and complaints that need to be addressed by our customer service support personnel. The occurrence of any of the foregoing risks could substantially harm our business, reputation, and results of operations.

 

***Our failure to protect confidential information of our customers and our network against security breaches could damage our reputation and substantially harm our business and results of operations.***

 

A significant risk to online commerce and communications is the secure transmission of confidential information over public networks. Third parties may have the technology or expertise to breach our security measures, placing private customer transaction data at risk. Our security measures may not prevent all security breaches which could result in substantial harm to our business and results of operations and damage to our reputation. Currently, a majority of our sales are billed to our customers’ credit card accounts directly. Under current credit card practices, we are liable for fraudulent credit card transactions because we do not obtain cardholder signatures. We rely on encryption and authentication technology licensed and managed by third parties to effect secure transmission of confidential information, including credit card numbers. We do not currently carry insurance against this risk. Advances in computer capabilities, new discoveries in the field of cryptography, or other developments may result in a compromise or breach of the technology we use to protect customer transaction data. In addition, anyone who is able to circumvent our security measures could misappropriate proprietary information or cause interruptions in our operations. Any such compromise of our security could damage our reputation and brand and expose us to a risk of loss or litigation and possible liability, which would substantially harm our business and results of operations.

 

In addition, the Payment Card Industry (PCI) imposes strict customer credit card data security standards that require us to provide quarterly self assessments to ensure that our customer credit card information is protected. Failure to meet the PCI data security standards could result in substantial fines and/or loss of the right to collect credit card payments. The loss of credit card activity would materially impact operations.

 

***We are vulnerable to fraudulent activities on our website, including unauthorized use of customer information and identity theft by third parties****.*

 

Our network security measures to prevent third parties from penetrating our network and improperly accessing our customers’ personal information or credit card information may not be successful. Although we have not experienced any theft of our customers’ credit card information to date, as new discoveries in the field of cryptography and advances in computer capabilities occur, our security measures may not effectively prevent others from obtaining improper access to our customer information. In addition, third parties may target our customers directly with fraudulent identity theft schemes designed to appear as legitimate e-mails from us. In March 2006, one such third party attempted to solicit customer information through a tactic, commonly known as “phishing,” whereby an e-mail purporting to be from us solicited customer information from recipients of the e-mail. Any such security breach or fraud perpetrated on our customers could expose us to increased costs and could harm our business, reputation, and results of operations.

 

***Our ability to grow our business will be impaired by delays, interruptions, or failures of the Internet.***

 

Our success depends on the continued growth and maintenance of the Internet. The Internet has experienced, and is likely to continue to experience, significant growth in the numbers of users and amount of traffic. If Internet usage continues to grow as anticipated, the infrastructure may not be able to support the level of usage and its performance and reliability may decline. If outages or delays on the Internet increase, overall Internet usage could grow more slowly or decline. In addition, the performance of the Internet may be harmed by increased number of users or bandwidth requirements or by viruses, worms, and similar issues. The Internet has experienced a variety of outages and other delays as a result of damage to portions of its infrastructure, and it could face outages and delays in the future. These outages and delays could reduce the level of Internet usage.

 

***We depend on the continued growth and acceptance of online commerce, and our business will be substantially impaired if the growth of online commerce slows or does not grow as expected.***

 

Our success depends on the widespread acceptance and use of the Internet as an effective medium for commerce by consumers. The acceptance and use of the Internet may not continue to expand as expected, and a sufficient broad base of consumers necessary for its

 

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continued growth may not adopt the Internet as a medium for commerce. Consumers who historically have used traditional means of commerce may have concerns about privacy, the inability to physically inspect merchandise before buying, delivery time, product damage during shipment, and the costs and inconvenience involved in returning purchased items, which may inhibit their crossover to e-commerce. In order to expand our user base, we must appeal to and acquire consumers who historically have used traditional means of commerce to purchase goods. If these new customers execute fewer or lower dollar amounts of orders than our historical users, and we are unable to gain efficiencies in our operating costs, including the cost of acquiring new customers, our business and profits could be adversely affected.

 

***Increased product returns and the failure to predict product returns could substantially harm our business and results of operations.***

 

As we expand our business and product offerings, rates of product return may increase. Any significant increase in product returns above our return assumptions and allowances could substantially harm our business and results of operations.

 

***Our inventory is vulnerable to damage or loss caused by fire, flood, earthquakes, and similar events, and we face the risk of theft of our products from inventory or during shipment.***

 

Our inventory is stored at our warehouse/office facilities in Culver City and Marina Del Rey, California. Consequently, our merchandise supply is vulnerable to fire, flood, earthquakes, and similar events that may impact our facility. Any damage to or loss of all or a significant portion of our inventory could cause significant delays in shipment of goods to our customers, resulting in negative publicity about and diminished customer confidence in our website. In addition, we may experience theft of our products while they are being held in inventory or during the course of their shipment to our customers by third-party carriers. We have implemented security measures to prevent such theft and maintain insurance to cover losses resulting from theft. Nevertheless, we could incur significant losses from theft, which would substantially harm our business and results of operations, if our security measures fail, losses exceed our insurance coverage, or we are not able to maintain insurance at a reasonable cost.

 

***Increases in credit card processing fees could increase our costs.***

 

Our merchant bank processor, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card, PayPal and Bill-Me-Later could increase the processing and interchange fees that they charge for transactions using their cards or service. Increases in processing and interchange fees may result in increased operating costs and reduced profit margin.

 

***We may default on our obligations, if we are unable to generate sufficient cash through sales in a timely manner.***

 

Since our formation, we have funded our operations through the sale of equity securities and cash generated from operations. The working capital characteristics of our business have allowed us to collect cash from sales to customers within several business days of the related sale, while we typically have extended payment terms with our suppliers. We do not, however, have any formal or binding supply agreements with any of our suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, or other suppliers or any other formal agreements with them on payment terms. Accordingly, there is a risk that we may default on our obligations if we are unable to generate sufficient cash through sales in a timely manner.

 

***Seasonal fluctuations in our net revenue could cause our quarterly results to fluctuate and cause our results of operations to be below expectations.***

 

Historically, sales in the jewelry industry are seasonal and have been higher in the fourth quarter of the calendar year as a result of higher consumer spending during the December holiday season. Approximately 16.9%, 24.9% and 27.7% of our net revenue was generated during the fourth quarter of 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively. The fourth quarter of 2008 and 2009 were exceptions as we encountered a significant slowdown in sales resulting from the 2008 financial and economic crisis. The fourth quarter of 2009 was further affected by the migration of our proprietary enterprise operating system to an ERP system running on a customized Microsoft Dynamics AX as unexpected deficiencies in implementing the new system had a material adverse effect on our results operations. As we continue to recover and grow, we expect to experience more pronounced seasonal fluctuations in our net revenue and anticipate a disproportionate amount of our revenue will occur in the fourth quarter. In anticipation of any increased sales activity during the fourth quarter, we may incur significant additional expenses, including higher sales and marketing costs and additional staffing in our fulfillment and customer support operations. If we were to experience lower than expected sales during any future fourth quarter, it would have a disproportionately large impact on our results of operations for that year. In the future, our seasonal sales patterns may become more pronounced, may strain our personnel and fulfillment activities, and may cause a shortfall in sales compared with expenses in a given period, which would substantially harm our business and results of operations.

 

***Sales growth in prior periods may not be indicative of our future growth.***

 

Our sales have fluctuated significantly in the past, in part, as a result of varying amounts of funds we have spent on advertising and

 

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inventory levels and may fluctuate significantly in the future because of varying advertising and inventory costs. These factors may prevent the meaningful use of period-to-period comparisons of financial results. For these and other reasons, investors should not rely on past sales growth rates as a prediction of our future sales growth.

 

***We had grown quickly, and our business will suffer if we fail to manage our future growth.***

 

We had expanded our operations at a rapid pace prior to the 2008 financial and economic crisis. This expansion had placed a significant strain on our management, operations, and financial resources. When the economy recovers, we anticipate adding personnel in the future, including managerial, technical, and operations personnel. In order to manage the future growth of our operations, we also will be required to improve existing and implement new transaction-processing, operational and financial systems, procedures, and controls. If we are unable to manage growth effectively, our business and results of operations will be harmed.

 

***Descriptions of our merchandise are not guarantees and may confuse, mislead, or disappoint our customers.***

 

Our jewelry, watch, accessories, and brand name merchandise descriptions are provided by our full-time Gemological Institute of America, or GIA, trained gemologists and other experienced product specialists. We also provide appraisal summaries from third-party gemological laboratories for some of our jewelry items. Nevertheless, there is a subjective component involved with respect to assessing the clarity, color, and carat characteristics of diamonds and other gemstones. In addition, mistakes or omissions of important information in our descriptions may occur. Even if our descriptions are accurate, buying a product online may lead to disappointment resulting in returned merchandise. For example, a customer may determine that a piece does not have the expected look, feel, and overall appearance of the merchandise that the buyer envisioned from the website photograph.

 

Additionally, in response to customer requests and as a courtesy to resellers, we provide “Compare,” and/or “Retail” prices for merchandise listed on our website. Compare prices are not meant to reflect fair market values or manufacturer suggested retail prices, and in fact, may be higher than prices found in local retail stores. As a consequence, perceived misrepresentations in item descriptions by disappointed buyers may occur, resulting in negative publicity about and diminished customer confidence in our website.

 

***We may unknowingly be involved in “conflict” diamond purchases that result in a negative public relationship impact.***

 

There has been an increase in attention to “conflict” diamonds originating out of war-torn regions of Africa. The proceeds from the sale of “conflict” diamonds have been used to fund ongoing aggression and terrorist activities throughout the world. We make every effort to evaluate our vendor sources to ensure they are not a dealer in “conflict” diamonds. In addition we have implemented an anti-money laundering program to guard against both illicit purchase and sales activities. If these risks were to occur, we may face a negative public reaction to our brand name resulting in loss of sales.

 

***We may not be able to maintain our domain name uniqueness.***

 

Our Internet domain name is critical to our success. Under current domain name registration practices, no other entity can obtain an identical domain name, but can obtain a similar name or the identical name with a different suffix, such as “.net” or “.org,” or with a different country designation, such as “jp” for Japan. We have not registered our domain name with different suffixes nor have we registered our name in any other jurisdiction. As a result, third parties may use domain names that are similar to our domain name, which may result in confusion to potential customers and lost sales. We are aware that other businesses have registered the name “bidz” with other suffixes and in other countries.

 

***We may be subject to assertions by third parties for infringement on their intellectual property rights.***

 

Third parties may in the future assert that we have infringed on their intellectual property rights as we self-develop our auction platform and other operating systems.  We have a larger exposure to being accused of intellectual property rights infringements than if we had purchased our technology off the shelf. We also may be at risk for selling items that infringe on other third party trade dress rights, copyright, or patent rights that may cause the offended party to bring an action against us. In either event of alleged infringement, we would face substantial litigation cost to defend ourselves and utilization of our management and personnel resources.

 

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***We may be unable to protect or enforce our own intellectual property rights adequately, and we may become subject to intellectual property litigation.***

 

We regard the protection of our trademarks, copyrights, domain name, trade dress, and trade secrets as critical to our success. We rely on a combination of common law as well as trademark, copyright, trade dress, and trade secret laws to protect our intellectual property rights. We also have entered into confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with our employees and relevant contractors and nondisclosure agreements with relevant parties with whom we conduct business in order to limit access to and disclosure of our proprietary information. These contractual arrangements and other steps we have taken to protect our intellectual property may not prevent misappropriation of our intellectual property or deter independent development of similar intellectual property by others Effective trademark, copyright, patent, trade dress, trade secret, and domain name protection is very expensive to maintain and may require litigation.

 

Third parties may from time to time claim that we have infringed their intellectual property relating to our business model or auction systems. We expect that participants in our market increasingly will be subject to infringement claims as the number of services and competitors in our industry segment grows. Any claim like this, whether meritorious or not, could be time-consuming, result in costly litigation, cause service upgrade delays, or require us to enter into royalty or license agreements. These royalty or license agreements may not be available on acceptable terms or at all. As a result, any such claim could harm our business.

 

***We may be unable to enforce protection of our intellectual property rights under the laws of other countries.***

 

We anticipate that we will become increasingly subject to international intellectual property risks, including differing intellectual property laws, which may be insufficient to protect our intellectual property, unique local laws, and lack of applicable law or clear precedent.

 

***Various legal rules and regulations related to privacy and the collection, dissemination, and security of personal information may adversely affect our marketing efforts.***

 

We are subject to increasing regulation at the federal, state, and international levels relating to privacy and the use of personal user information designed to protect the privacy of personally identifiable information as well as to protect against its misuse. These laws include the Federal Trade Commission Act, the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003, FCC regulations, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, CA SB 1389, HIPAA, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Homeland Security Act, and related regulations. In May 2009, we received a Civil Investigation Demand for Information from the Federal Trade Commissioner (“FTC”) relating to email marketing practices. We have been cooperating fully with the FTC regarding this matter, and in a notice dated April 2, 2010, FTC has decided not to recommend enforcement action against us. Several states have proposed legislation that would limit the use of personal information gathered online or require online services to establish privacy policies. Moreover, proposed legislation in the United States and existing laws in foreign countries require companies to establish procedures to notify users of privacy and security policy, obtain consent from users for collection and use of personal information, and/or provide users with the ability to access, correct, and delete personal information stored by companies. These regulations and other laws, rules, and regulations enacted in the future may adversely affect our ability to collect, disseminate, or share demographic and personal information about users and our ability to e-mail or telephone users, which could be costly and adversely affect our marketing efforts**.**

 

***We may be subject to regulations governing the conduct and liability of auctioneers, which could affect the way in which we conduct our business or otherwise increase our cost of doing business.***

 

Numerous states and foreign jurisdictions, including California, where our headquarters are located, have regulations regarding how auctions may be conducted and the liability of auctioneers in conducting such auctions. No final legal determination has been made whether the California regulations apply to our business, and little precedent exists in this area. Several states and some foreign jurisdictions have attempted, and may attempt in the future, to impose regulations that could affect us or our users, which could harm our business.

 

***We are subject to regulations relating to consumer privacy, which could increase the cost of our doing business, expose us to litigation costs, increase our service or delivery costs, and otherwise harm our business.***

 

Several states have proposed, and California, Minnesota, Utah, and Vermont have recently passed, legislation that would limit the uses of personal user information gathered online or offline. Many states already have such laws and continually consider strengthening them, especially against online services. However, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, or FCRA, a federal statute enacted in 1970 to protect consumer privacy, includes a provision preempting conflicting state laws on the sharing of information between corporate affiliates. The preemptive provisions of FCRA were permanently extended in 2002, thereby ensuring that we are not subject to the laws of each individual state with respect to matters within the scope of FCRA, but remain subject to the other provisions of FCRA.

 

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The Federal Trade Commission also has settled several proceedings against companies regarding the manner in which personal information is collected from users and provided to third parties. As noted above, we have cooperated with the FTC in an investigation relating to email marketing and received no enforcement action against us. Specific statutes intended to protect user privacy have been passed in many foreign jurisdictions. Compliance with these laws, given the tight integration of our systems across different countries and the need to move data to facilitate transactions among our users, such as payment companies and shipping companies, is both necessary and difficult. Failure to comply could subject us to lawsuits, fines, criminal penalties, statutory damages, adverse publicity, and other losses that could harm our business. Changes to existing laws or the passage of new laws intended to address these issues could directly affect the way we do business or could create uncertainty on the use of the Internet. This could reduce demand for our products, increase the cost of our doing business, expose us to litigation costs, increase our service or delivery costs, or otherwise harm our business.

 

***New and existing regulations could harm our business.***

 

We are subject to the same foreign and domestic laws as other companies conducting both online and offline business. There are still relatively few laws specifically directed towards online business. However, due to the increasing popularity and use of the Internet and online services, many laws relating to the Internet are being debated at all levels of government around the world, and it is possible that such laws and regulations will be adopted. These laws and regulations could cover issues such as user privacy, freedom of expression, pricing, fraud, content and quality of products and services, taxation, advertising, intellectual property rights, and information security. Applicability to the Internet of existing laws governing issues, such as property ownership, copyrights and other intellectual property issues, taxation, libel and defamation, obscenity, and personal privacy is uncertain. The vast majority of these laws was adopted prior to the advent of the Internet and related technologies and, as a result, do not contemplate or address the unique issues of the Internet and related technologies. Those laws that do reference the Internet, such as the U.S. Digital Millennium Copyright Act and the European Union’s Directive on Distance Selling and Electronic Commerce, have only recently begun to be interpreted by the courts and implemented by the European Union member states, so their applicability and scope remain uncertain. As our activities and the types of goods listed on our website expand, regulatory agencies may claim that we or our users are subject to licensure in their jurisdiction, either with respect to our business in general, or in order to allow the sale of certain items, such as real estate, event tickets, boats, and automobiles.

 

In addition, because our products are available over the Internet in multiple states and because we sell merchandise to consumers residing in multiple states, we could be required to qualify to do business as a foreign corporation in each state in which our products are available. Our failure to qualify as a foreign corporation in a jurisdiction in which we are required to do so could subject us to penalties. Any new legislation or regulation, or the application of laws or regulations from jurisdictions whose laws do not currently apply to our business could have a material adverse affect on our business.

 

***We depend to a very significant extent on David Zinberg, our Chief Executive Officer.***

 

Our performance depends substantially upon David Zinberg, our Chief Executive Officer, who has extensive experience with the purchase and sale of jewelry. We rely on Mr. Zinberg to make critical operational decisions on a daily basis, such as product offerings and purchases, and to make key strategic plans. We have an employment agreement with Mr. Zinberg extending through July 2011 and renewable annually. The loss of the services of Mr. Zinberg would adversely affect our business and operations.

 

***We do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock, and, consequently, your only opportunity to achieve a return on your investment is if the price of our common stock appreciates.***

 

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. We intend to invest any future earnings to fund our business. Therefore, stockholders likely will not receive any dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. Investors cannot be certain that they will receive a positive return on their investment when they sell their shares or that they will not lose the entire amount of their investment.

 

***The concentration of our capital stock ownership with our founder and executive officers and directors and their affiliates will limit your ability to influence corporate matters.***

 

Our founder, executive officers, and directors together beneficially own approximately 39.4% of our common stock as of December 31, 2010. Marina Zinberg, who is the sister of David Zinberg, our Chief Executive Officer, owns an additional 20.8% of our common stock.  As a result, these individuals will have significant influence over our management and affairs and over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and the approval of significant corporate transactions, such as a merger or a sale of our company or its assets, for the foreseeable future. This concentrated control will limit the ability of other stockholders to influence corporate matters. Because of this, we may take actions that some of our stockholders do not view as beneficial. As a result, the market price of our common stock could be adversely affected because stockholders may not view favorably the concentration of control in the hands of management.

 

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***Our charter documents and Delaware law could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, and discourage a takeover.***

 

On June 22, 2006, we reincorporated in Delaware, and the Delaware certificate of incorporation and the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, contain provisions that may have the effect of making more difficult or delaying attempts by others to obtain control of our company, even when these attempts may be in the best interests of our stockholders. The Delaware certificate of incorporation also authorizes our Board of Directors, without stockholder approval, to issue one or more series of preferred stock, which could have voting and conversion rights that adversely affect or dilute the voting power of the holders of common stock. Delaware law also imposes conditions on certain business combination transactions with “interested stockholders.” The Delaware certificate of incorporation divides our Board of Directors into three classes, with one class to stand for election each year for a three-year term after the initial election. The classification of directors tends to discourage a third party from initiating a proxy solicitation or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company and may maintain the incumbency of our Board of Directors, as this structure generally increases the difficulty of, or may delay, replacing a majority of directors. The Delaware bylaws authorize our Board of Directors to fill vacancies or newly created directorships. A majority of the directors then in office may elect a successor to fill any vacancies or newly created directorships.

 

**ITEM 1B.      Unresolved Staff Comments**

 

Not applicable.

 

**Item 2.**       **Properties.**

 

We lease a 50,000 square foot facility in Culver City, California, which serves as our corporate headquarters and houses our sales, marketing, research and development, customer service, fulfillment, and warehouse operations. In March 2009, we extended the lease on our 50,000 square-foot facility by 32 months which will  expire in June 2012. In August 2007, we leased a separate 12,000 square-foot warehouse in Culver City, California  which will expire in August 2012. In November 2009, we leased a 26,000 square-foot office and warehouse space in Marina Del Rey, California which will expire in October 2012.

 

**Item 3.       Legal Proceedings**

 

Cases dismissed:

 

In July 2009, the Company and certain of its officers and its Board of Directors were named as defendants in a shareholder derivative lawsuits filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California (Farris Hassan v. Bidz.com, Inc., et al., cv09-04984 (CBM) (C.D. Cal. (filed July 10, 2009) (the “Federal Derivative Action”)) and in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles (Bahram Akhavan v. Bidz.com, Inc., et al. BC 414198 (filed May 20, 2009) (the “State Derivative Action”). The Federal Derivative Action alleges violations of law, including breaches of fiduciary duties, waste of corporate assets, unjust enrichment and violations of California Corporations Code. An amended complaint also includes allegations relating to the Company’s co-op marketing contributions and minimum gross profit guarantees. On April 27, 2010, the United States District Court granted the Company’s Motion to Dismiss the Federal Derivative Action with leave to amend. The plaintiff filed an amended complaint, and the Company filed another Motion to Dismiss on July 12, 2010. The Court took the Motion under submission in November 2010, and on February 24, 2011, the United States District Court granted the Company’s Motion to Dismiss the Federal Derivative Action without leave to amend.

 

In June 2010, the State Derivative Action of Bahram Akhavan vs Bidz.com, Inc., et al was dismissed. On February 26, 2010, the Superior Court of California granted the Company’s Motion to Dismiss the State Derivative Action with leave to amend. In response, on April 9, 2010, Mr. Akhavan, the plaintiff in the State Derivative Action, made a demand to inspect certain books and records of the Company, which the Company rejected on the grounds, among other reasons, that the request lacked a proper purpose under Delaware law. On May 5, 2010, Mr. Akhavan filed an action in the Delaware Court of Chancery to compel the Company to permit inspection of the requested documents. In June 2010, after the Company filed a Motion to Dismiss the Delaware action, Mr. Akhavan withdrew both the State Court Derivative Action, as well as the Delaware action, resulting in the dismissal of both cases.

 

In April 2010, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) decided not to recommend enforcement action against us. In May 2009, the Company received a Civil Investigative Demand for information from the FTC relating to email marketing practices. We have been cooperating fully with the FTC regarding this matter, and on April 2, 2010, we received notice that the FTC has decided not to recommend enforcement action against us.

 

In February 2010, Marla Tidenberg vs Bidz.com, Inc., et al was dismissed. On or about September 29, 2008, the Company, David Zinberg and Marina Zinberg were named as defendants in a complaint filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California (Marla Tidenberg v. Bidz.com, Inc., et al., cv08 05553 (PSG)).  On March 19, 2009, Tidenberg filed a Third Amended Complaint, which names only the Company as a defendant.  The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that we engaged in unfair business practices by misrepresenting the value of our merchandise and by “false” bidding. The complaint purports to represent a class of persons who purchased any merchandise from us. On January 7, 2010 the Court denied Marla Tidenberg’s Motion for

 

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Class Certification. On February 26, 2010, Marla Tidenberg accepted our offer to pay her Twenty Thousand Dollars in exchange for a dismissal of her case with prejudice.

 

Other Cases and matters pending:

 

In May and June, 2009, the Company and certain of its officers were named as defendants in three parallel class action complaints filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California (Ramon Gomez v. Bidz.com, Inc., et al., cv09-3216 (CBM) (C.D. Cal.; filed on May 7, 2009); James Mitchell v. Bidz.com, Inc., et al., cv09-03671 (CBM) (C.D. Cal.; filed on May 22, 2009); Mark Walczyk v. Bidz.com, Inc., et al., cv09-0397 (CBM) (C.D. Cal.; filed on June 3, 2009)). On July 30, 2009, the Court consolidated the cases. The consolidated complaint charges violations of Section 10(b) and Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and alleges that the Company failed to disclose unethical and fraudulent business practices, that it did not have controls in place to prevent “shill bidding,” that it uses unreliable or false appraisal prices on its merchandise, and that it failed to correctly account for and disclose in detail its co-op marketing contributions and minimum gross profit guarantees.

 

On May 25, 2010, in a 30-page opinion, the Honorable Consuelo B. Marshall of the United States District Court granted the Company’s Motion to Dismiss the securities fraud complaint with leave to amend. On June 22, 2010, the plaintiff filed its amended complaint. On July 30, 2010, the Company filed a Motion to Dismiss the amended complaint and on September 8, 2010, the Plaintiff filed another amended complaint. On September 27, 2010, the Company filed another Motion to Dismiss the amended complaint, which was heard by the Court on November 1, 2010.  The Court took our Motion under submission in November 2010, and in February 2011 the Court denied the Motion to Dismiss. We believe that the lawsuit is meritless and we intend to defend the cases vigorously.

 

On or about June 25, 2009, the Company was named as a defendant in a patent infringement lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division (Soverain Software LLC v. J.C. Penney Corporation, Inc., Amway Corp., Avon Products, Inc., Bidz.com, Inc., Etronics, Inc. HSN, Inc., HSN Improvements, LLC, Cornerstone Brands, Inc., Ballard Designs, Inc., Garnet Hill, Inc., Smith & Noble, LLC, The Territory Ahead, Inc., QVC, Inc., Shutterfly, Inc., Victoria’s Secret Stores Brand Management, Inc., Victoria’s Secret Direct Brand Management, LLC, VistaPrint, Ltd., and VistaPrint USA, Inc. cv6:09-CV-274). The Complaint alleges that defendants’ ecommerce sites infringe one or more patents held by the plaintiff.   The Plaintiff seeks a judgment that its patents are not invalid and enforceable, a preliminary and permanent injunction against infringement of the patents, damages (including treble damages) and attorney fees. We believe that the lawsuit is meritless and intend to defend the case vigorously.

 

On February 10, 2009, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued a subpoena to produce documents relating to the Company’s inventory reserve policies, as well as other matters. We have been cooperating fully with the SEC regarding this matter, our management and certain employees have complied with subpoenas for testimony, and we do not believe that the investigation will adversely affect management, our results of operations, cash flows or our financial position.  On October 27, 2009, the SEC issued a subpoena to produce documents relating to the Company’s co-op marketing contributions and minimum gross profit guarantees.

 

We are, from time to time, a party to disputes arising from normal business activities, including various employee-related matters. In the opinion of our management, resolution of these matters, individually or collectively, will not have a material adverse effect upon our financial condition or future cash flows and operating results.

 

**Item 4.       (Removed and Reserved)**

 

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**Part II**

 

**Item 5.       Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities**

 

Our common stock is quoted on The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC under the symbol “BIDZ.” The following table sets forth the high, low and closing market prices of our common stock during each of the four calendar quarters for 2010:

 
| **For the quarter ended:** | ** ** | **High** | ** ** | **Low** | ** ** | **Close** | ** ** |
|-------------------------------------------|------------|----------|------------|---------|------------|-----------|------------|
|                                      |       |     |       |    |       |      |       |
| March 31, 2010                       |       | $        | 2.38       |    | $          | 1.88      |       | $ | 2.03 |   |
| June 30, 2010                        |       | $        | 2.37       |    | $          | 1.55      |       | $ | 1.55 |   |
| September 30, 2010                   |       | $        | 1.77       |    | $          | 1.24      |       | $ | 1.66 |   |
| December 31, 2010                    |       | $        | 1.65       |    | $          | 1.10      |       | $ | 1.21 |   |

 

As of December 31, 2010, there were 19,379,177 shares of common stock outstanding.

 

We have established a public market for our common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market since June 2007. We have registered for offer and sale the shares of common stock that are reserved for issuance pursuant to stock options covered by our stock option plans. Shares covered by such registration statements upon the exercise of stock options or warrants generally will be eligible for sale in the public market, except that affiliates will continue to be subject to volume limitations and other requirements of Rule 144. As of December 31, 2010, the number of shares of our common stock that is subject to outstanding options to purchase common stock is 6,434,500.

 

Shares held by management and affiliates of our company are subject to the resale limitations of Rule 144. In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, any person, or persons whose shares are aggregated for purposes of Rule 144, who beneficially owns restricted securities with respect to which at least six months has elapsed since the later of the date the shares were acquired from us, or from an affiliate of ours, is entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of 1% of the then outstanding shares of our common stock and the average weekly trading volume in common stock during the four calendar weeks preceding such sale. Sales under Rule 144 also are subject to certain manner-of-sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.

 

**Dividends**

 

We have never declared or paid any dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate that we will pay any dividends to holders of our common stock in the foreseeable future. Instead, we currently plan to retain any earnings to finance the growth of our business. Payments of any cash dividends in the future will be within the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, and capital requirements as well as other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.

 

**Equity Compensation Plan Information**

 
| ** **                                                       | ** ** | ** **                                 | ** ** | ** **                        | ** ** | **Number of securities**    | ** ** |
|------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|--------------------------------------------|------------|-----------------------------------|------------|---------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                                       | ** ** | ** **                                 | ** ** | ** **                        | ** ** | **remaining available for** | ** ** |
| ** **                                                       | ** ** | **Number of securities**         | ** ** | ** **                        | ** ** | **future issuance under**   | ** ** |
| ** **                                                       | ** ** | **to be issued upon**       | ** ** | **Weighted-average**              | ** ** | **equity compensation**          | ** ** |
| ** **                                                       | ** ** | **exercise of**                       | ** ** | **exercise price of**   | ** ** | **plans (excluding**             | ** ** |
| ** **                                                       | ** ** | **outstanding options,**              | ** ** | **outstanding options,**     | ** ** | **securities reflected in** | ** ** |
| **Plan category**                                           | ** ** | **warrants and rights (1)** | ** ** | **warrants and rights** | ** ** | **column (a))**                  | ** ** |
| **Equity compensation plans   approved by security holders**     | ** ** | ** **                                 | ** ** | ** **                        | ** ** | ** **                            | ** ** |
| 2006 Stock award plan                                            |       | 434,500                                    |       | $                                 | 7.35       |                                  | 1,132,540  |   |
| 2002 Special stock option plan                                   |       | —                                     |       | $                                 | —     |                                  | —     |   |
|                                                             |       |                                       |       |                              |       |                                  |       |
| **Equity compensation plans not   approved by security holders** | ** ** | ** **                                 | ** ** | ** **                        | ** ** | ** **                            | ** ** |
| 2001 Stock option plan                                           |       | —                                     |       | $                                 | —     |                                  | —     |   |
| Non-statutory stock option (2)                                   |       | 6,000,000                                  |       | $                                 | 6.00       |                                  | —     |   |
|                                                             |       |                                       |       |                              |       |                                  |       |
| **Total**                                                        |       | 6,434,500                                  |       | $                                 | 6.09       |                                  | —     |   |

 

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(1)                                The total number of shares of common stock to be issued upon exercise of all outstanding stock options is 6,434,500 as of December 31, 2010.

 

(2)                                Includes a non-statutory stock option to purchase 6,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $6.00 per share granted to David Zinberg, our Chief Executive Officer.

 

**Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities**

 

During the past three years we have sold the following securities that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933.  The share issuances were undertaken in reliance on the exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) set forth in Section 4(2) of the Act or Rule 701 under the Act.

 

In 2010, no restricted stock awards were issued and 154,000 stock options were deemed granted when it was determined in the first quarter of 2010 that the purchase of stock by employees in 2007 with a nonrecourse loan from us is effectively the same as granting new stock options (and more fully described in Note 16 to our audited financial statements).

 

In 2009, we issued 666,000 restricted stock awards of our common stock, with 25% vesting at the end of each year over a four year period, under the 2006 Award Plan to management and key employees for services rendered to our Company. No stock options were granted in 2009.

 

In 2008, we issued 24,800 restricted share awards of our common stock, with 25% vesting at the end of each year over a four year period, under the 2006 Award Plan to 13 employees for services rendered to our company. 154,000 stock options were deemed granted when it was determined in the first quarter of 2010 that the purchase of stock by employees with a nonrecourse loan from us is effectively the same as granting new stock options (and more fully described in Note 16 to our audited financial statements).

 

**Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities**

 

The following table contains information about repurchases of our common stock during the fourth quarter of 2010:

 
| ** **                              | ** ** | ** **    | ** ** | ** **  | ** ** | **Total number of** | ** ** | **Maximum**                    | ** ** |
|-----------------------------------------|------------|---------------|------------|-------------|------------|-------------------------------|------------|--------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                              | ** ** | ** **    | ** ** | ** **  | ** ** | **shares**                    | ** ** | **dollar value**          | ** ** |
| ** **                              | ** ** | **Total**     | ** ** | **Average** | ** ** | **purchased as**         | ** ** | **of shares that**   | ** ** |
| ** **                              | ** ** | **number**    | ** ** | **price**   | ** ** | **part of a**       | ** ** | **may**                        | ** ** |
| ** **                              | ** ** | **of**        | ** ** | **paid**    | ** ** | **publicly**                  | ** ** | **yet be purchased** | ** ** |
| ** **                              | ** ** | **shares**    | ** ** | **per**     | ** ** | **announced**                 | ** ** | **under the**             | ** ** |
| **2010**                                | ** ** | **purchased** | ** ** | **share**   | ** ** | **program**                   | ** ** | **program (1)**           | ** ** |
| October 1 — October 31   |       | —        |       | —      |       | 5,638,250                     |       | $                              | 12,547,274 |   |
| November 1 — November 30 |       | 13,800        |       | $           | 1.29       |                          | 5,652,050  |                           | $          | 12,529,419 |   |
| December 1 — December 31 |       | 162,014       |       | $           | 1.20       |                          | 5,814,064  |                           | $          | 12,334,830 |   |
| Total                                   |       | 175.814       |       | $           | 1.21       |                          | 5,814,064  |                           | $          | 12,334,830 |   |

 

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(1)           In June 2007, we authorized the stock buyback program for up to $5 million of our outstanding common stock to be repurchased through the open market at prices deemed appropriate by management.  In February 2008, we authorized an increase in the stock buyback program to $20 million from $5 million. In February 2009, we authorized an increase in the stock buyback program to $33.5 million from $20.0 million. As of December 31, 2010 we have repurchased a total of approximately 5.8 million shares for a total of approximately $21.2 million. About $12.3 million remain available under the buyback program to repurchase shares in the open market. The stock buyback will be at prices deemed appropriate by management over a 24 month period.

(2)          In July 2010, in a privately negotiated transaction, but part of our share repurchase program, we repurchased 2,180,952 shares for $2.3 million from Marina Zinberg with the approval of the Special Committee composed of independent members of our Board of Directors. The shares have subsequently been retired.

 

**Item 6.       Selected Financial Data**

 

The selected financial data presented below has been derived from our financial statements. The statement of income (operations) data for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008, 2009, and 2010 and the balance sheet data at December 31, 2009 and 2010 are derived from our audited financial statements that are included in this report. The statement of income (operations) data for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007 and the balance sheet data at December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 are derived from audited financial statements that are not included in this report. The data for 2007, 2008 and 2009 were revised when it was determined in the first quarter of 2010 that the purchase of stock by employees in 2007 with a nonrecourse loan from us is effectively the same as granting new stock options (and more fully described in Note 16 to our audited financial statements). The historical results presented below are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in any future period. You should read this information together with

 

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“Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations” and our financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this report.

 
| ** **                                                         | ** ** | **Years ended December 31,** | ** ** |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|---------------------------------------------|------------|
| **(in thousands, except per share data)** | ** ** | **2006**                                    | ** ** | **2007** | ** ** | **2008** | ** ** | **2009** | ** ** | **2010** | ** ** |
| ** **                                                         |       | ** **                                  |       | **(revised)** | ** ** | **(revised)** | ** ** | **(revised)** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
| **Statement of income (operations)   data:**                       | ** ** | ** **                                  | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
|                                                               |       |                                        |       |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Net revenue                                                        |       | $                                           | 131,823    |   | $ | 187,131 |   | $ | 207,410 |   | $ | 110,394 |   | $ | 104,772 |   |
| Cost of revenue                                                    |       | 100,633                                     |       | 132,683 |   | 148,688 |   | 76,667 |   | 78,659 |   |
| Gross profit                                                       |       | 31,190                                      |       | 54,448 |   | 58,722 |   | 33,727 |   | 26,113 |   |
| Operating expenses:                                                |       |                                        |       |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| General & administrative                                  |       | 13,853                                      |       | 20,524 |   | 21,684 |   | 19,165 |   | 20,824 |   |
| Sales & marketing                                         |       | 10,300                                      |       | 12,578 |   | 12,681 |   | 9,140 |   | 6,241 |   |
| Public offering costs                                              |       | 1,287                                       |       | — |   | — |   | — |   | — |   |
| Depreciation & amortization                               |       | 273                                         |       | 498 |   | 690 |   | 795 |   | 685 |   |
| Total operating expenses                                           |       | 25,713                                      |       | 33,600 |   | 35,055 |   | 29,100 |   | 27,750 |   |
| Income (loss) from operations                                      |       | 5,477                                       |       | 20,848 |   | 23,667 |   | 4,627 |   | (1,637 | ) |
| Interest income (expense), net                                     |       | 32                                          |       | (250 | ) | (142 | ) | (73 | ) | (10 | ) |
| Income tax benefit (expense)                                       |       | (120                                        | )          | (2,538 | ) | (9,809 | ) | (2,026 | ) | 284 |   |
| Net income (loss)                                                  |       | $                                           | 5,389      |   | $ | 18,060 |   | $ | 13,716 |   | $ | 2,528 |   | $ | (1,363 | ) |
| Net income (loss) common share:                                    |       |                                        |       |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Basic                                                              |       | $                                           | 0.23       |   | $ | 0.77 |   | $ | 0.58 |   | $ | 0.11 |   | $ | (0.07 | ) |
| Diluted                                                            |       | $                                           | 0.23       |   | $ | 0.69 |   | $ | 0.55 |   | $ | 0.11 |   | $ | (0.07 | ) |
|                                                               |       |                                        |       |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Balance sheet data:**                                            | ** ** | ** **                                  | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
| ** **                                                         | ** ** | ** **                                  | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
| Cash                                                               |       | $                                           | 359        |   | $ | 4,808 |   | $ | 4,456 |   | $ | 1,121 |   | $ | 8,074 |   |
| Working capital                                                    |       | 5,974                                       |       | 29,475 |   | 32,183 |   | 30,363 |   | 27,702 |   |
| Total assets                                                       |       | 38,542                                      |       | 70,965 |   | 48,122 |   | 50,605 |   | 47,596 |   |
| Revolving credit line                                              |       | 3,941                                       |       | 5,924 |   | — |   | 2,898 |   | — |   |
| Total liabilities                                                  |       | 31,815                                      |       | 39,773 |   | 13,918 |   | 17,980 |   | 18,203 |   |
| Total stockholders’ equity                                    |       | $                                           | 6,727      |   | $ | 31,192 |   | $ | 34,204 |   | $ | 32,625 |   | $ | 29,393 |   |

 

**Item 7.       Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations**

 

*The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes which appear elsewhere in this form. This discussion contains forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including various risks and uncertainties discussed in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and throughout this report.*

 

**Overview**

 

We are a leading online retailer of jewelry, featuring a live auction format on Bidz.com. We have established our retail brand in the online marketplace by offering high-quality merchandise, a unique user-friendly shopping experience, and the opportunity for buyers to achieve significant cost savings versus traditional retail channels. A key to our success has been our ability to efficiently and cost effectively source closeout jewelry, watches, accessories and brand name merchandise, and rapidly respond to changing consumer demands for our merchandise. We offer our products through a continuous live format, featuring a $1 minimum opening bid, and a unique 15-second auction extension period that allows our auctions to continue until all bids are received. On select auctions we maintain a reserve price that must be met before a sale will be consummated. In 2009, we began offering auctions with a minimum opening bid that is higher than $1. The majority of our auctions are short-term, often lasting less than one day, providing immediate gratification to our customers and encouraging frequent visits and active viewing of our website.

 

Our product inventory includes gold, platinum, and silver jewelry set with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and other precious and semi-precious stones; watches, accessories and brand name merchandise. We believe we are one of the larger online retailer of jewelry based on revenue and web traffic.

 

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In addition to our auction site we have retail sites that offer similar items of merchandise as those listed for auction, as well as other designer products and consumer goods.  Buyz.com, our fixed price site for jewelry, provides us access to different types of consumers.  We plan to offer customers the ability to design their own jewelry including diamond earrings and rings in the near future.  Modnique.com, our online retail site for designer products and consumer goods, provides an event sale concept. We plan to negotiate favorable deals with designers and manufacturers, including purchasing inventory from recognizable brand names at deep discounts to attract customers that are fashion minded as well as cost conscious. Inventory is often sold that is held by our suppliers using a just in time ordering and/or drop ship model.

 

We sell to consumers looking for reliable bargains on jewelry, watches, accessories and brand name merchandise. Because we purchase and retain all of our inventory onsite, we can provide our customers with timely service and delivery of their purchases. In addition, each item is inspected by one of our trained product specialists prior to its placement on our website, which assures our customers of the quality of their purchases of our products. We operate in a highly competitive market with low barriers to entry. By selling our own merchandise, we provide a buying environment in which we minimize fraudulent activity and questionable product quality frequently associated with purchase transactions from third-party sellers. We also provide a 15-day return policy on all merchandise. We believe that many of our customers resell merchandise that they purchase from our auctions on eBay and through other retail channels. Our auctions and fixed price sales are conducted 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We also offer 24-hour telephone customer support and online live-help as well e-mail customer support.

 

**Critical Accounting Policies**

 

The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make certain estimates and judgments that affect amounts reported and disclosed in our financial statements and related notes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The following are the critical accounting policies that we believe require significant estimation and judgment.

 

*Revenue Recognition*

 

We derive our revenue from four sources: merchandise sales, which include wholesale merchandise sales, shipping revenue, transaction fee revenue and other revenue. We recognize revenue from all four sources when the following revenue recognition criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) the product has been shipped or the service has been rendered and the customer takes ownership and assumes the risk of loss; (3) the selling price is fixed or determinable; and (4) collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured.

 

For online sales through our website, we recognize merchandise sales upon shipments made to consumers that are fulfilled from our warehouse. We require payment before we ship and the payment is generally made online by credit card or other electronic payment methods. We record amounts received or billed prior to shipment of goods to customers as deferred revenue. We reduce gross sales by returns, charge-backs from customers and other discounts redeemed to obtain such sales. For wholesale merchandise sales, we recognize sales when the merchandise is delivered to the customer and credit terms may be offered to such customers.

 

We provide layaway sales to our retail customers which are payable in monthly installments. The amounts paid and yet to be shipped are recorded as deferred revenue.

 

In the Statement of Income (Operations) all amounts billed to customers by us related to shipping and handling are included in “Net revenue” and our shipping costs are included in “Cost of revenue.”

 

We include transaction fees revenue in net revenue. The 3% auction transaction fees are applied to merchandise sales on the bidz.com site, including shipping and handling but not to wholesale merchandise sales. The fees do not apply to sales on buyz.com and modnique.com.

 

Other revenue consists primarily of commissions we derive from hosting sales of Certified Merchant merchandise that is owned by third parties and we recognize only the commission portion of the price our customers pay for the purchased products because we are acting as an agent in such transactions. Other revenue also includes advertising revenue we derive from allowing advertisers on our websites.

 

We present sales tax liability on a net basis. Sales taxes are excluded from revenue and included as a liability.

 

*Return and Allowance Reserve*

 

We estimate potential future product returns and charge-backs related to current period revenue. We analyze historical returns, and changes in customer demand and acceptance of our products when evaluating the adequacy of the sales returns reserve and other

 

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allowances in any accounting period. If actual returns are greater than our estimates, we will record additional returns and allowances in addition to our estimates, which will result in lower net revenue recorded during that period.  Reserves for returns and charge-backs are included in accrued expenses.

 

*Cost of Revenue*

 

Cost of revenue includes product costs, gain or loss on foreign currency exchange when purchasing products from international vendors, inbound and outbound shipping charges, packaging and shipping supplies, insurance on shipments, product repair and service costs, and credit card and other electronic payment fees, and is recorded in the same period in which related revenue has been recorded. The cost of revenue is reduced by amortized co-op marketing contributions from our vendors and referral credits given to referees through our “refer a friend” program.

 

*Inventories*

 

Inventories consist mainly of merchandise purchased for resale and are stated at the lower of first-in, first-out (FIFO) cost or market.

 

*Inventory Reserve*

 

The unique nature of our business model where customers set the prices they are willing to pay may result in items selling below our cost.  We provide reserves against our inventory based on the estimated difference between the average selling price and the cost of inventory.  In addition, reserves are provided on potential loss of value on damaged goods and other not readily sellable items.

 

*Inventory Co-op Marketing Contributions*

 

We bill and collect from our inventory vendors co-op marketing contributions as an incentive for us to market and sell their merchandise on the Bidz website. We account for the co-op marketing contributions that cannot be identified specifically to benefit the vendors as a reduction in the cost of inventory purchased and cost of sales. We cannot specifically identify the benefits to each vendor, and consequently, co-op marketing contributions are charged against inventory as a reduction of costs and amortized as a reduction of cost of sales, (and more fully described in Note 1 to our audited financial statements).

 

*Stock-Based Compensation*

 

We recognize in our financial statements the cost resulting from all share-based compensation transactions based on the fair value of the equity issued. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the value of our options.  Our assessment of the estimated compensation charges will be affected by our stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of subjective variables and the related tax impact. These variables include, but are not limited to, our stock price volatility, forfeiture rates and employee stock option exercise behaviors (or expected term).

 

**Description of Our Revenue, Costs, and Expenses**

 

The following table presents our historical results of operations for the periods indicated as a percentage of net revenue.

 
| ** **                           | ** ** | **Years ended December 31,** | ** ** |
|--------------------------------------|------------|---------------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                           | ** ** | **2008**                                    | ** ** | **2009** | ** ** | **2010** | ** ** |
| ** **                           | ** ** | **(Revised - Note 16)**                     | ** ** | **(Revised - Note 16)** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
| Net revenue                          |       | 100.0                                       | %          | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
| Gross profit                         |       | 28.3                                        |       | 30.6 |   | 24.9 |   |
| Operating expenses:                  |       |                                        |       |   |   |   |   |
| General & administrative    |       | 10.5                                        |       | 17.4 |   | 19.9 |   |
| Sales & marketing           |       | 6.1                                         |       | 8.3 |   | 6.0 |   |
| Depreciation & amortization |       | 0.3                                         |       | 0.7 |   | 0.6 |   |
| Total operating expenses             |       | 16.9                                        |       | 26.4 |   | 26.5 |   |
| Income (loss) from operations        |       | 11.4                                        |       | 4.2 |   | (1.6 | ) |
| Interest expense, net                |       | (0.1                                        | )          | (0.1 | ) | (0.0 | ) |
| Income tax benefit (expense)         |       | (4.7                                        | )          | (1.8 | ) | 0.3 |   |
| Net income (loss)                    |       | 6.6                                         | %          | 2.3 | % | (1.3 | )% |

 

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*Net Revenue*

 

Substantially all of our net revenue consists of jewelry sold via the Internet, net of returns. We also generate net revenue from wholesale merchandise sales that is basically not online, shipping and handling, transaction fee revenue, and other revenue.

 

The following table presents our sources of revenue for the periods indicated as a percentage of net revenue.

 
| ** **                   | ** ** | **Year Ended December 31,** | ** ** |
|------------------------------|------------|--------------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                   | ** ** | **2008**                                   | ** ** | **2009** | ** ** | **2010** | ** ** |
|                         |       |                                       |       |   |   |   |   |
| Net revenue                  |       |                                       |       |   |   |   |   |
| Merchandise sales            |       | 71.9                                       | %          | 84.7 | % | 82.8 | % |
| Wholesale merchandise sales  |       | 14.4                                       |       | 3.6 |   | 6.0 |   |
| Shipping & handling |       | 10.8                                       |       | 8.4 |   | 8.0 |   |
| Transaction fee              |       | 2.7                                        |       | 3.0 |   | 2.8 |   |
| Other revenue                |       | 0.2                                        |       | 0.3 |   | 0.4 |   |
| Total net revenue            |       | 100.0                                      | %          | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |

 

As described in Note 12 to our audited financial statements, net revenue by geographic area is presented based upon the country of destination. Canada is the only foreign country that accounted for 10% or more of net revenue for any of the fiscal years presented. Net revenue by geographic area for the periods indicated was as follows:

 
| ** **                                            | ** ** | **Years ended December 31,** | ** ** |
|-------------------------------------------------------|------------|---------------------------------------------|------------|
| **(in thousands, except percentages)** | ** ** | **2008**                                    | ** ** | **2009** | ** ** | **2010** | ** ** |
| **Geographic area**                              | ** ** | **Amount**                                  | ** ** | **Percent** | ** ** | **Amount** | ** ** | **Percent** | ** ** | **Amount** | ** ** | **Percent** | ** ** |
| United States                                         |       | $                                           | 157,747    |   | 76.1 | % | $ | 75,360 |   | 68.3 | % | $ | 61,921 |   | 59.1 | % |
| Canada                                                |       | 23,423                                      |       | 11.3 |   | 14,555 |   | 13.2 |   | 17,035 |   | 16.3 |   |
| Other International                                   |       | 26,240                                      |       | 12.6 |   | 20,479 |   | 18.5 |   | 25,816 |   | 24.6 |   |
| Total                                                 |       | $                                           | 207,410    |   | 100.0 | % | $ | 110,394 |   | 100.0 | % | $ | 104,772 |   | 100.0 | % |

 

*Gross Profit*

 

Our gross profit consists of net revenue less the cost of revenue. Our cost of revenue consists of the cost of merchandise sold to customers net of amortized co-op marketing contributions from vendors, inbound and outbound shipping costs, packaging and shipping supplies, insurance on shipments, product repair and service costs, and credit card and other transaction fees associated with payments.

 

*General and Administrative Expenses*

 

Our general and administrative expenses consist primarily of payroll and related benefit costs for our employees. These expenses also include fulfillment, customer service, technology, professional fees, other general corporate expenses, and stock-based compensation, consisting substantially of stock option grants and restricted stock awards to employees and directors.

 

*Sales and Marketing Expenses*

 

Our sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of costs associated with paid website search marketing, online banner marketing, e-mail campaigns, affiliate programs and optimization services. These marketing programs, which are designed to drive buyers to our website, are the most important factor in maintaining demand for our products and increasing net revenue.

 

**Results of Operations**

 

**Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 2010 with Year Ended December 31, 2009**

 

*Net Revenue*

 

Net revenue decreased 5.1% to $104.8 million in 2010 from $110.4 million in 2009. The decrease in net revenue was due primarily to weak consumer demand for our jewelry and discretionary products offset by the contributions from our new website, modnique.com, launched in February 2010, and wholesale revenue which increased 56.3% to $6.3 million in 2010 from $4.0 million in 2009. We expect that demand for our discretionary merchandise will continue to remain weak in 2011 and affect our growth in revenue, as consumers remain cautious with their discretionary spending amid weak economic growth.

 

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We sell consignment inventory on a selective and limited basis and recorded revenue of $703,000 and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2009, and 2010, respectively, from sales of inventory that were on consignment from vendors. Based on the terms of the consignment agreements, we record as revenue sales of the consignment inventory on a net basis.

 

*Gross Profit*

 

Gross profit decreased 22.6% to $26.1 million in 2010 from $33.7 million in 2009. The decrease in gross profit is due primarily to the decrease in net revenue and increase in cost of goods sold. Gross profit as a percentage of net revenue decreased to 24.9% in 2010 from 30.6% in 2009. Online demand for our jewelry and merchandise remain weak as consumers remain cautious with their discretionary spending. Gross profit margin was also affected by our free shipping promotion in the first half of 2010.

 

In May 2007, we entered into an understanding with LA Jewelers (a related party and more fully described in Note 15 to our audited financial statements), whereby they will guarantee that we will earn a certain minimum gross profit margin on their merchandise. This agreement provides that in the event of a gross profit margin shortfall we will be compensated for the difference between our actual gross profit margin and the guaranteed minimum gross profit margin. This agreement has been terminated in August 2010 due to weak market conditions.  For 2009 and 2010, we recognized $192,000 and $98,000, respectively, under this agreement as a reduction in cost of revenue. The purchase price, terms and conditions of our business with LA Jewelers that have been negotiated are competitive with the market and other suppliers.

 

*General and Administrative Expenses*

 

General and administrative expenses increased 8.5% to $20.8 million in 2010 from $19.2 million in 2009. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to additional expenses to operate modnique.com. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenue increased to 19.9% in 2010 compared to 17.4% in 2009 as a result of higher general and administrative expense and deleveraging from lower revenue.

 

*Sales and Marketing Expenses*

 

Sales and marketing expenses decreased 31.7% to $6.2 million in 2010 from $9.1 million in 2009. We reduced significantly the sales and marketing expenses in line with our weak revenue. Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of net revenue decreased to 6.0% in 2010 from 8.3% in 2009.

 

**Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 2009 with Year Ended December 31, 2008**

 

*Net Revenue*

 

Net revenue decreased 46.8% to $110.4 million in 2009 from $207.4 million in 2008. We believe the decrease in net revenue was due primarily to declines in consumer confidence caused by the financial and economic crisis that began in 2008. We experienced an overall decrease in online demand for our jewelry as consumers reduced their discretionary spending. The fourth quarter of 2009 was further adversely affected by the migration of our proprietary enterprise operating system to a customized Microsoft Dynamics AX ERP system as unexpected deficiencies in implementing the new system had a material adverse effect on our results operations.

 

In 2008, we started selling consignment inventory on a selective and limited basis and recorded revenue of $635,000 and $703,000 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively, from sales of inventory that were on consignment from vendors. Based on the terms of the consignment agreements, we record as revenue sales of the consignment inventory on a net basis.

 

*Gross Profit*

 

Gross profit decreased 42.6% to $33.7 million in 2009 from $58.7 million in 2008. The decrease in gross profit is due primarily to the 46.8% decrease in net revenue. Gross profit as a percentage of net revenue increased to 30.6% in 2009 from 28.3% in 2008. The increase in gross profit percentage resulted primarily from significantly less wholesale revenue that have lower gross profit margin. Wholesale revenue decreased 86.6% to $4.0 million in 2009 from $29.9 million in 2008.

 

In May 2007 we entered into an understanding with LA Jewelers (a related party and more fully described in Note 15 to our audited financial statements), whereby they will guarantee that we will earn a certain minimum gross profit margin on their merchandise. This agreement provides that in the event of a gross profit margin shortfall we will be compensated for the difference between our actual gross profit margin and the guaranteed minimum gross profit margin. For 2008 and 2009, we recognized $588,000 and $192,000, 

 

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respectively, under this agreement as a reduction in cost of revenue. The purchase price, terms and conditions of our business with LA Jewelers that have been negotiated are competitive with the market and other suppliers.

 

*General and Administrative Expenses*

 

General and administrative expenses decreased 11.6% to $19.2 million in 2009 from $21.7 million in 2008. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to a decrease in payroll expenses offset by an increase in legal expenses. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenue increased to 17.4% in 2009 compared to 10.5% in 2008.

 

*Sales and Marketing Expenses*

 

Sales and marketing expenses decreased 27.9% to $9.1 million in 2009 from $12.7 million in 2008. We significantly reduced the sales and marketing expenses in line with the significantly lower revenue. Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of net revenue increased to 8.3% in 2009 from 6.1% in 2008.

 

**Quarterly Operations Data**

 

The following tables set forth quarterly statements of operations data for the eight quarters ended December 31, 2010, including amounts expressed as a percentage of net revenue. This quarterly information is unaudited, but has been prepared on the same basis as the annual financial statements and, in our opinion, reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair representation of the information for the periods presented. This quarterly statement of operations data should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. Results of operations for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period.

 

Historically, sales in the jewelry industry are seasonal and have been higher in the fourth quarter as a result of higher consumer spending during the December holiday season. Approximately 16.9%, 24.9 % and 27.7% of our net revenue in 2008, 2009, and 2010, respectively, was generated during the fourth quarter. The fourth quarters of 2008 and 2009 were exceptions as we encountered a significant slowdown in sales resulting from the 2008 financial and economic crisis. The fourth quarter of 2009 was further affected by the migration of our proprietary enterprise operating system to an ERP system running on a customized Microsoft Dynamics AX as unexpected deficiencies in implementing the new system had a material adverse effect on our results operations. As we continue to recover and grow, we expect to experience more pronounced seasonal fluctuations in our net revenue and anticipate a disproportionate amount of our revenue in the fourth quarter in the future.

 
| ** **                                                                         | ** ** | **Quarters ended** | ** ** |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-------------------------|------------|
| **(in thousands,**                                                            | ** ** | **March 31,**      | ** ** | **June 30,** | ** ** | **Sept. 30,** | ** ** | **Dec. 31,** | ** ** | **March 31,** | ** ** | **June 30,** | ** ** | **Sept. 30,** | ** ** | **Dec. 31,** | ** ** |
| **except per share data)**                                          | ** ** | **2009**                | ** ** | **2009** | ** ** | **2009** | ** ** | **2009** | ** ** | **2010** | ** ** | **2010** | ** ** | **2010** | ** ** | **2010** | ** ** |
| ** **                                                                         | ** ** | **(unaudited)**         | ** ** |
| ** **                                                                         | ** ** | ** **              | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
| Net revenue                                                                        |       | $                       | 31,177     |   | $ | 26,945 |   | $ | 24,786 |   | $ | 27,486 |   | $ | 28,189 |   | $ | 25,722 |   | $ | 21,816 |   | $ | 29,045 |   |
| Gross profit                                                                       |       | 10,186                  |       | 8,235 |   | 7,164 |   | 8,142 |   | 7,189 |   | 6,162 |   | 5,605 |   | 7,157 |   |
| General and administrative                                                         |       | 4,802                   |       | 4,593 |   | 4,776 |   | 4,994 |   | 5,411 |   | 5,425 |   | 5,010 |   | 4,978 |   |
| Sales and marketing                                                                |       | 2,605                   |       | 2,127 |   | 2,235 |   | 2,173 |   | 1,587 |   | 1,446 |   | 1,479 |   | 1,729 |   |
| Depreciation and amortization                                                      |       | 180                     |       | 193 |   | 200 |   | 222 |   | 216 |   | 174 |   | 151 |   | 144 |   |
| Income (loss) from operations                                                      |       | 2,599                   |       | 1,322 |   | (47 | ) | 753 |   | (25 | ) | (883 | ) | (1,035 | ) | 306 |   |
| Net income (loss)                                                                  |       | $                       | 1,508      |   | $ | 693 |   | $ | (58 | ) | $ | 385 |   | $ | (111 | ) | $ | (653 | ) | $ | (614 | ) | $ | 15 |   |
| Net income (loss) per share available to common   stockholders — basic   |       | $                       | 0.07       |   | $ | 0.03 |   | $ | (0.00 | ) | $ | 0.01 |   | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | 0.00 |   |
| Net income (loss) per share available to common   stockholders — diluted |       | $                       | 0.07       |   | $ | 0.03 |   | $ | (0.00 | ) | $ | 0.01 |   | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | 0.00 |   |
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding —   basic                  |       | 22,899                  |       | 22,937 |   | 22,207 |   | 22,114 |   | 21,949 |   | 21,839 |   | 20,042 |   | 19,522 |   |
| Weighted average number of shares   outstanding — diluted                |       | 22,899                  |       | 22,937 |   | 22,207 |   | 22,144 |   | 21,949 |   | 21,839 |   | 20,042 |   | 19,522 |   |

 

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| ** **                    | ** ** | **March 31,** | ** ** | **June 30,** | ** ** | **Sept. 30,** | ** ** | **Dec. 31,** | ** ** | **March 31,** | ** ** | **June 30,** | ** ** | **Sept. 30,** | ** ** | **Dec. 31,** | ** ** |
|-------------------------------|------------|--------------------|------------|-------------------|------------|--------------------|------------|-------------------|------------|--------------------|------------|-------------------|------------|--------------------|------------|-------------------|------------|
| ** **                    | ** ** | **2009**           | ** ** | **2009**          | ** ** | **2009**           | ** ** | **2009**          | ** ** | **2010**           | ** ** | **2010**          | ** ** | **2010**           | ** ** | **2010**          | ** ** |
| ** **                    | ** ** | **(unaudited)**    | ** ** |
| Net revenue                   |       | 100.0              | %          | 100.0             | %          | 100.0              | %          | 100.0             | %          | 100.0              | %          | 100.0             | %          | 100.0              | %          | 100.0             |       |
| Gross profit                  |       | 32.7               |       | 30.6              |       | 28.9               |       | 29.6              |       | 25.5               |       | 24.0              |       | 25.7               |       | 24.6              |       |
| General and administrative    |       | 15.4               |       | 17.1              |       | 19.3               |       | 18.2              |       | 19.2               |       | 21.1              |       | 23.0               |       | 17.1              |       |
| Sales and marketing           |       | 8.4                |       | 7.9               |       | 9.0                |       | 7.9               |       | 5.6                |       | 5.6               |       | 6.8                |       | 6.0               |       |
| Depreciation and amortization |       | 0.6                |       | 0.7               |       | 0.8                |       | 0.8               |       | 0.8                |       | 0.7               |       | 0.7                |       | 0.5               |       |
| Operating income (loss)       |       | 8.3                |       | 4.9               |       | (0.2               | )          | 2.7               |       | (0.1               | )          | (3.4              | )          | (4.8               | )          | 1.0               |       |
| Net income (loss)             |       | 4.8                | %          | 2.6               | %          | (0.2               | )%         | 1.4               | %          | (0.4               | )%         | (2.5              | )%         | (2.8               | )%         | 0.1               | %          |

 

Additional operating data:

 
| ** **                 | ** ** | **March 31,** | ** ** | **June 30,** | ** ** | **Sept. 30,** | ** ** | **Dec. 31,** | ** ** | **March 31,** | ** ** | **June 30,** | ** ** | **Sept. 30,** | ** ** | **Dec. 31,** | ** ** |
|----------------------------|------------|--------------------|------------|-------------------|------------|--------------------|------------|-------------------|------------|--------------------|------------|-------------------|------------|--------------------|------------|-------------------|------------|
| ** **                 | ** ** | **2009**           | ** ** | **2009**          | ** ** | **2009**           | ** ** | **2009**          | ** ** | **2010**           | ** ** | **2010**          | ** ** | **2010**           | ** ** | **2010**          | ** ** |
| ** **                 | ** ** | **(unaudited)**    | ** ** |
| Average gross order value  |       | $                  | 182        |              | $          | 182                |       | $                 | 194        |               | $          | 206               |       | $                  | 202        |              | $          | 211 |   | $ | 194 |   | $ | 180 |   |
| Average orders per day     |       | 2,047              |       | 1,718             |       | 1,471              |       | 1,566             |       | 1,728              |       | 1,513             |       | 1,432              |       | 1,883             |       |
| Average items sold per day |       | 6,131              |       | 6,012             |       | 6,953              |       | 7,245             |       | 7,298              |       | 6,143             |       | 5,411              |       | 6,899             |       |
| Cost per new buyer         |       | $                  | 51         |              | $          | 55                 |       | $                 | 65         |               | $          | 48                |       | $                  | 38         |              | $          | 39 |   | $ | 43 |   | $ | 32 |   |
| Number of new buyers       |       | 51,021             |       | 38,577            |       | 34,252             |       | 45,405            |       | 41,264             |       | 36,787            |       | 34,584             |       | 54,271            |       |

 

Wholesale merchandise sales and modnique.com are included in computing additional quarterly data.

 

**Liquidity and Capital Resources**

 

The significant components of our working capital are inventory and liquid assets such as cash and accounts receivable, reduced by a revolving credit line (2009), accounts payable, accrued expenses and deferred revenue. Our business model contains beneficial working capital characteristics: while we collect cash from sales to customers within several business days of the related online payment, we typically have extended payment terms with our suppliers.

 

As of December 31, 2010, we had a working capital surplus of $27.7 million and have no debt obligations. Net cash is affected primarily by changes in net income (loss), inventories, accounts receivable, other receivable, other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and deferred revenue. Inventories, and accounts payable generally increase or decrease in line with changes in our inventory strategy. Our inventory strategy is influenced by our ability to secure inventory that we believe will improve sales and/or our gross margins.

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $12.9 million in 2010 compared with net cash used in operating activities of $757,000 in 2009 and net cash provided by operating activities of $18.7 million in 2008. We incurred a net loss of $1.4 million in 2010 compared to a net income of $2.5 million in 2009 and $13.7 million in 2008. Inventories (net of reserves) decreased by $8.8 million in 2010 compared to an increase of $3.3 million in 2009 and a decrease of $19.0 million in 2008. Accounts receivable increased by $235,000 in 2010 compared to a decrease of $251,000 in 2009 and a decrease of $1.4 million in 2008. Other receivable increased by $370,000 in 2010 compared to an increase of $520,000 in 2009 and a decrease of $2.1 million in 2008. Other current assets decreased by $2.3 million in 2010 compared to an increase of $2.6 million in 2009 and a decrease of $79,000 in 2008. Accounts payable increased by $2.0 in 2010 compared to an increase of $2.5 million in 2009 and a decrease of $16.4 million in 2008. The decrease in inventories in 2010 is attributable to our weak business demand. The increase in inventories and increase in accounts payable in 2009 despite the declining business and economic outlook is attributable to our strategy to stock up on attractively priced close-out merchandise. The decrease in inventories and corresponding decrease in accounts payable in 2008 is attributable to the declining business and economic outlook. Accrued expenses increased by $203,000 in 2010 compared with a decrease of $1.1 million in 2009 and a decrease of $1.5 million in 2008. Deferred revenue increased by $889,000 in 2010 compared to a decrease of $240,000 in 2009 and a decrease of $2.0 million in 2008.

 

Net cash used for investing activities were $152,000, $404,000 and $1.0 million in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and was primarily related to capital expenditures for our technology system infrastructure, including hardware and software, and office equipment.

 

Net cash used for financing activities was $5.8 million in 2010: $2.9 million was used to pay down our revolving credit facility and $2.8 million was used to purchase treasury shares. Net cash used for financing activities was $2.2 million in 2009: $2.9 million was provided by our revolving credit line and $5.0 million was used to purchase treasury shares. Net cash used for financing activities was $18.0 million in 2008: $5.9 million was used to pay down our revolving credit facility, $2.5 million was used to retire shares from the net exercise of stock options, and $12.5 million was used to purchase treasury shares, $2.1 million was provided by proceeds from the exercise of stock options and $716,000 from the tax benefit from exercise of stock options.

 

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We believe that cash currently on hand and cash flows from operations will be sufficient to continue our operations and to pursue our growth strategy for the foreseeable future. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including the rate of our revenue growth; the extent of our advertising and marketing programs; the levels of the inventory we carry; and other factors relating to our business. Enhancement of our website, network infrastructure, and transaction processing systems may require us to spend significantly more than we have in the past. Moreover, to date our spending in these areas has been lower than industry averages. We may require additional financing in the future in order to execute our operating plan and we may not be able to obtain such financing. We cannot predict whether this additional financing will be in the form of equity, debt, or a combination of debt and equity.

 

**Contractual****Obligations**

 

The following table presents our contractual obligations at December 31, 2010, over the next five years and thereafter (in thousands):

 
| **Payments by period** | ** ** | **Total   amount** | ** ** | **Less than   1 year** | ** ** | **1 to 3    years** | ** ** | **3 to 5   years** | ** ** | **After 5   years** | ** ** |
|----------------------------------|------------|--------------------|------------|----------------------------------|------------|------------------------------------|------------|------------------------------|------------|--------------------------|------------|
|                             |       |               |       |                             |       |                               |       |                         |       |                     |       |
| Property leases                  |       | $                  | 2,483      |                             | $          | 1,546                              |       | $                            | 937        |                     | $          | — |   | $ | — |   |
| Equipment leases                 |       | 99                 |       | 52                               |       | 47                                 |       | —                       |       | —                   |       |
| Software financing               |       | 102                |       | 102                              |       | —                             |       | —                       |       | —                   |       |
| Patent license                   |       | 525                |       | 105                              |       | 210                                |       | 210                          |       | —                   |       |
|                             |       | $                  | 3,209      |                             | $          | 1,805                              |       | $                            | 1,194      |                     | $          | 210 |   | $ | — |   |

 

As more fully described in Note 8 to our audited financial statements, we are obligated for the lease of our office and warehouse space, operating leases for copy machines, financed software enhance plan, and licensing agreement on patents. Executives with employment agreements have annual salary commitments of $1.2 million at December 31, 2010 and can result in total severance of $1.7 million if they were all terminated without cause.

 

**Impact of Inflation**

 

The effect of inflation and changing prices on our operations was not significant during the periods presented.

 

**Item 7A.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk**

 

Market risk represents the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and foreign exchange rates. We do not believe that a change in market interest rates would have a material effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Although we derive a portion of our sales outside of the United States, all of our sales are denominated in U.S. dollars. We have limited exposure to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.

 

**Item 8.       Financial Statements and Supplementary Data**

 

See Item 15(a)

 

**Item 9.       Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure**

 

None.

 

**Item 9A.    Controls and Procedures**

 

***Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures***

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Disclosure controls and procedures are the controls and other procedures that we designed to ensure that we record, process, summarize and report in a timely manner the information we must disclose in reports that we file with or submit to the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the date of their evaluation, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective. There were no significant changes made in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation.

 

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***Report of Management on Internal Control over Financial Reporting***

 

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the 1934 Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Internal control over financial reporting include those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and dispositions of our assets; (2) provide reasonable assurance that our transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with appropriate authorizations; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.

 

We assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control — Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2010.

 

***Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting***

 

Other than as described below, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during year ended December 31, 2010, that our certifying officers concluded could materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

We completed the following changes in internal control activities during the year ended December 31, 2010 to remediate previously identified internal control weaknesses in the fourth quarter of 2009, as a result, primarily, of the conversion from our internally developed proprietary legacy operating system to a Microsoft Dynamics AX ERP system:

 

Management has completed remediation to ensure that we maintain an effective control environment over Information Technology (IT) specifically in user security configurations, and security evaluations for the Microsoft AX ERP system.

 

Management has developed a risk analysis and assessment to address the lack of a Company-wide risk assessment program related to the conversion process of our operating system to the Microsoft AX ERP system.

 

Management has completed remediation of its design and monitoring of change controls over our Microsoft AX ERP and accounting systems.

 

Management has completed implementation of a timely termination process for user access to Microsoft AX ERP system for former employees.

 

Management has strengthened its control over proper review of new vendor set-up and changes to existing vendors.

 

Management has strengthened its control at the entity level, updated policies and procedures, and trained staff on the required procedural controls over financial reporting, with particular focus on the Microsoft Dynamics AX ERP and Accounting systems.

 

To address the lack of effective information technology policies and procedures, management updated all key information technology policies and procedures, and addressed any concerns about financial reporting risks associated with the IT function.

 

Management has instituted rigorous verification testing and reviews of regression testing to improve on the preventative and detective quality controls testing environment.

 

Management implemented a structure of organization and oversight of the IT compliance functions, including regular and frequent strategic planning sessions addressing critical issues and plans, as well as increasing the scope of the internal audit function.

 

To address the significant difficulties in generating reports related to sales orders (invoicing/fulfillment, refunds) and inventory processing (receiving, verification and adjustments, location ID) from the Microsoft AX ERP system, Management directed the development of the needed reports and training for staff in their use.

 

To address deficiencies in the Anti-Fraud Program, management and the Governance and Nominations Committee of the board of directors reviewed and approved the Code of Conduct as meeting current needs, and management has verified current contacts for reporting current Code of Conduct issues are posted and available for the employees of Bidz.com. Management also instituted a 

 

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formal code violations report procedure, as well as assigning a new Compliance Officer to manage any reported possible violations. Management has mandated and obtained signed acknowledgements for understanding the Code from all employees.

 

Management has strengthened its control over invoice and payment processing. Before payment is processed, invoices are reviewed and approved.

 

Screening procedures, including background checks, are also employed for job applicants; particularly for employees with access to assets susceptible to misappropriation have been strengthened, and background checks are performed for all new-hires. When new-hires are considered to be key employees or will have access to confidential information, Management has put additional effort into reviewing and approving background check results before the prospective employees’ first day of employment.

 

Management has mandated and implemented a procedure requiring review of all employees’ timecards, both by employees as well as authorized approver, to ensure that time records are correct and not over or under stated before payroll is processed.

 

***Limitations on Controls***

 

Management does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all error and fraud. Any control system, no matter how well designed and operated, is based upon certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that its objectives will be met. Further, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

**Item 9B.    Other Information**

 

None.

 

**Part III**

 

We have omitted the information required in Part III of this annual report because we intend to include that information in our definitive proxy statement for our 2011 annual meeting of shareholders, which we expect to file before 120 days after December 31, 2010. We incorporate that information in this annual report by reference to our 2011 proxy statement.

 

**Item 10.     Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance**

 

Information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the definitive proxy statement required to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A for the 2011 Annual Meeting of our stockholders.

 

We have adopted a code of conduct that applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and to all of our other officers, directors, employees and agents. The code of conduct is available at the Corporate Governance section of the Investor Relations link on our website at *www.bidz.com*. We intend to disclose future amendments to, or waivers from, certain provisions of our code of ethics on the above website.

 

**Item 11.     Executive Compensation**

 

Information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the definitive proxy statement required to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A for the 2011 Annual Meeting of our stockholders.

 

**Item 12.     Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters**

 

Information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the definitive proxy statement required to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A for the 2011 Annual Meeting of our stockholders.

 

**Item 13.     Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence**

 

Information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the definitive proxy statement required to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A for the 2011 Annual Meeting of our stockholders.

 

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**Item 14.     Principal Accounting Fees and Services**

 

Information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the definitive proxy statement required to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A for the 2011 Annual Meeting of our stockholders.

 

**Part IV**

 

**Item 15.     Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules**

 
| The following documents are filed as part of this   report: |                                                                                                  |
|-------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                        |                                                                                                  |
| **(a)**                                                     | **Financial   Statements**                                                                            | ** ** |
|                                                        |                                                                                                  |   |
|                                                        | Reports of Independent   Registered Public Accounting Firms                                           |   |
|                                                        | Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2009 and   2010                                                |   |
|                                                        | Statements of Income (Operations)   for the Years ended December 31, 2008, 2009, and 2010        |   |
|                                                        | Statement of   Stockholders’ Equity for the Years ended December 31, 2008, 2009, and   2010 |   |
|                                                        | Statements of Cash Flows   for the Years ended December 31, 2008, 2009, and 2010                 |   |
|                                                        | Notes to Financial   Statements                                                                       |   |
|                                                        |                                                                                                  |   |
| **(b)**                                                     | **Financial   Statement Schedule**                                                                    | ** ** |
| ** **                                                  | ** **                                                                                            | ** ** |
|                                                        | Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts                                                  |   |

 

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**REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM**

 

To The Board of Directors and Stockholders of Bidz.com, Inc.:

 

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Bidz.com, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2009, and the related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2009. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the index at Item 15. These financial statements and the schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Bidz.com, Inc. as of December 31, 2009, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

 

 

/s/ Stonefield Josephson, Inc.

 

Los Angeles, California

March 5, 2010

 

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** **

**REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM**

 

To the Audit Committee of the

Board of Directors and Shareholders of Bidz.com

 

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Bidz.com (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2010 and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended.  Our audit also included the financial statement schedule listed in the index at Item 15.These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.  An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Bidz.com as of December 31, 2010, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

 

 

/s/ Marcum LLP

Los Angeles, California  March 10, 2011

 

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**Bidz.com, Inc.**

 

**Balance Sheets**

 

*(in thousands, except share and per share data)*

 
| ** **                                                                                                                                                                                     | ** ** | **December 31,**   | ** ** |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                                                                                                                                                                     | ** ** | **2009**                | ** ** | **2010** | ** ** |
| ** **                                                                                                                                                                                     |       | **(Revised - Note 16)** |       |   |   |
| ** **                                                                                                                                                                                     |       |                    |       |   |   |
| **Assets**                                                                                                                                                                                     |       |                    |       |   |   |
| Current assets:                                                                                                                                                                                |       |                    |       |   |   |
| Cash                                                                                                                                                                                           |       | $1,121                  |       | $8,074 |   |
| Accounts receivable                                                                                                                                                                            |       | 447                     |       | 682 |   |
| Inventories, net of reserves of $1,767 and $1,694   at December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively                                                                                           |       | 40,961                  |       | 32,136 |   |
| Other receivable (includes related party amounts   of $179 and $363 at December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively)                                                                          |       | 1,454                   |       | 1,824 |   |
| Current deferred tax assets                                                                                                                                                                    |       | 1,400                   |       | 2,516 |   |
| Other current assets                                                                                                                                                                           |       | 2,960                   |       | 673 |   |
| Total current assets                                                                                                                                                                           |       | 48,343                  |       | 45,905 |   |
| Long term deferred tax asset                                                                                                                                                                   |       | 663                     |       | 662 |   |
| Property and equipment, net                                                                                                                                                                    |       | 1,202                   |       | 637 |   |
| Intangible asset                                                                                                                                                                               |       | 240                     |       | 235 |   |
| Deposits                                                                                                                                                                                       |       | 157                     |       | 157 |   |
| Total assets                                                                                                                                                                                   |       | $50,605                 |       | $47,596 |   |
|                                                                                                                                                                                           |       |                    |       |   |   |
| **Liabilities and Stockholders’   Equity**                                                                                                                                                |       |                    |       |   |   |
| Current liabilities:                                                                                                                                                                           |       |                    |       |   |   |
| Revolving credit line                                                                                                                                                                          |       | $2,898                  |       | $— |   |
| Accounts payable (includes related party amounts   of $1,513 and $3,119 at December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively)                                                                      |       | 12,159                  |       | 14,188 |   |
| Accrued expenses                                                                                                                                                                               |       | 2,291                   |       | 2,494 |   |
| Deferred revenue                                                                                                                                                                               |       | 632                     |       | 1,521 |   |
| Total current liabilities                                                                                                                                                                      |       | 17,980                  |       | 18,203 |   |
|                                                                                                                                                                                           |       |                    |       |   |   |
| Commitments and contingencies (Notes 8 and 14)                                                                                                                                                 |       |                    |       |   |   |
|                                                                                                                                                                                           |       |                    |       |   |   |
| Stockholders’ equity:                                                                                                                                                                     |       |                    |       |   |   |
| Preferred stock: par value $0.001; authorized   4,000,000 shares; none issued and outstanding at December 31, 2009 and   2010, respectively                                               |       | —                  |       | — |   |
| Common stock: par value $0.001; authorized   100,000,000 shares; issued 22,114,257 and 19,708,991 and outstanding   21,960,257 and 19,379,177 at December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively |       | 22                      |       | 20 |   |
| Additional paid in capital                                                                                                                                                                     |       | 19,857                  |       | 18,202 |   |
| Shares held in treasury, at cost; 0 and 175,814   shares at December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively                                                                                      |       | —                  |       | (212 | ) |
| Retained earnings                                                                                                                                                                              |       | 12,746                  |       | 11,383 |   |
| Total stockholders’ equity                                                                                                                                                                |       | 32,625                  |       | 29,393 |   |
|                                                                                                                                                                                           |       |                    |       |   |   |
|                                                                                                                                                                                           |       | $50,605                 |       | $47,596 |   |

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements

 

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**Bidz.com, Inc.**

 

**Statements of Income (Operations)**

 

*(in thousands, except share and per share data)*

 

 
| ** **                                                                                                                                                       | ** ** | **Years Ended December 31,** | ** ** |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|---------------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                                                                                                                                       | ** ** | **2008**                                    | ** ** | **2009** | ** ** | **2010** | ** ** |
| ** **                                                                                                                                                       | ** ** | **(Revised - Note 16)**                     | ** ** | **(Revised - Note 16)** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
| Net revenue:                                                                                                                                                     |       |                                        |       |   |   |   |   |
| Merchandise sales                                                                                                                                                | ** ** | **$**                                       | 177,089    | ** ** | **$** | 106,043 | ** ** | **$** | 98,112 | ** ** |
| Wholesale merchandise sales (includes related   party amounts of $0, $2,403 and $4,827 for the years ended December 31,   2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively |       | 29,886                                      |       | 4,009 |   | 6,267 |   |
| Other revenue                                                                                                                                                    |       | 435                                         |       | 342 |   | 393 |   |
|                                                                                                                                                             |       | 207,410                                     |       | 110,394 |   | 104,772 |   |
| Cost of revenue                                                                                                                                                  |       | 148,688                                     |       | 76,667 |   | 78,659 |   |
| Gross profit                                                                                                                                                     |       | 58,722                                      |       | 33,727 |   | 26,113 |   |
| Operating expenses:                                                                                                                                              |       |                                        |       |   |   |   |   |
| General and administrative                                                                                                                                       |       | 21,684                                      |       | 19,165 |   | 20,824 |   |
| Sales and marketing                                                                                                                                              |       | 12,681                                      |       | 9,140 |   | 6,241 |   |
| Depreciation and amortization                                                                                                                                    |       | 690                                         |       | 795 |   | 685 |   |
| Total operating expenses                                                                                                                                         |       | 35,055                                      |       | 29,100 |   | 27,750 |   |
| Income (loss) from operations                                                                                                                                    |       | 23,667                                      |       | 4,627 |   | (1,637 | ) |
| Other income - interest income                                                                                                                                   |       | 40                                          |       | 1 |   | 1 |   |
| Other expense - interest (expense)                                                                                                                               |       | (182                                        | )          | (74 | ) | (11 | ) |
| Income (loss) before income tax expense                                                                                                                          |       | 23,525                                      |       | 4,554 |   | (1,647 | ) |
| Income tax benefit (expense)                                                                                                                                     |       | (9,809                                      | )          | (2,026 | ) | 284 |   |
| Net income (loss)                                                                                                                                                | ** ** | **$**                                       | 13,716     | ** ** | **$** | 2,528 | ** ** | **$** | (1,363 | **)** |
|                                                                                                                                                             |       |                                        |       |   |   |   |   |
| Net income (loss) per share available to common   shareholders — basic                                                                                      | ** ** | **$**                                       | 0.58       | ** ** | **$** | 0.11 | ** ** | **$** | (0.07 | **)** |
| Net income (loss) per share available to common   shareholders — diluted                                                                                    | ** ** | **$**                                       | 0.55       | ** ** | **$** | 0.11 | ** ** | **$** | (0.07 | **)** |
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding -   basic                                                                                                          |       | 23,644,338                                  |       | 22,363,367 |   | 20,829,419 |   |
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding -   diluted                                                                                                        |       | 24,915,509                                  |       | 22,363,367 |   | 20,829,419 |   |

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements

 

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**Bidz.com, Inc.**

 

**Statement of Stockholders’ Equity**

 

*(in thousands)*

 
| ** **                                                                      | ** ** | ** **            | ** ** | ** **       | ** ** | ** **   | ** ** | ** **            | ** ** | **Advance to** | ** ** | ** **             | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-----------------------|------------|------------------|------------|--------------|------------|-----------------------|------------|---------------------|------------|------------------------|------------|------------|------------|
| ** **                                                                      | ** ** | **Common stock** | ** ** | **Additional**   | ** ** | ** **   | ** ** | **employees to** | ** ** | **Accumulated**     | ** ** | **Total**              | ** ** |
| ** **                                                                      | ** ** | **issued**            | ** ** | **paid in** | ** ** | **Treasury** | ** ** | **purchase**          | ** ** | **earnings**        | ** ** | **stockholders’** | ** ** |
| ** **                                                                      | ** ** | **Shares**            | ** ** | **Amount**       | ** ** | **capital**  | ** ** | **shares**            | ** ** | **shares**          | ** ** | **(deficit)**          | ** ** | **equity** | ** ** |
|                                                                            |       |                  |       |             |       |         |       |                  |       |                |       |                   |       |       |       |
| Balance   at December 31, 2007 (revised - Note 16)                         |       | 24,556                |       | $                | 25         |         | $          | 35,673                |       | $                   | (886       | )                      | $          | (122       | )          | $ | (3,498 | ) | $ | 31,192 |   |
| Issuance   of common stock for service                                          |       | 1                     |       | —           |       | 5            |       | —                |       | —              |       | —                 |       | 5          |       |
| Employees   share purchase receivable                                           |       | —                |       | —           |       | —       |       | —                |       | 122                 |       | —                 |       | 122        |       |
| Retirements   of common stock from net vesting of restricted stocks             |       | —                |       | —           |       | (10          | )          | —                |       | —              |       | —                 |       | (10        | )          |
| Issuance   of common stock from exercise of stock options                       |       | 442                   |       | —           |       | 2,095        |       | —                |       | —              |       | —                 |       | 2,095      |       |
| Retirement   of common stock from net exercise of stock options                 |       | (250                  | )          | —           |       | (2,480       | )          | —                |       | —              |       | —                 |       | (2,480     | )          |
| Tax   benefit from exercise of options                                          |       | —                |       | —           |       | 716          |       | —                |       | —              |       | —                 |       | 716        |       |
| Fair   value of stock options granted to employees (Note 16)                    |       | —                |       | —           |       | 1,014        |       | —                |       | —              |       | —                 |       | 1,014      |       |
| Grant   of restricted stock awards to employees and directors                   |       | 25                    |       | —           |       | 358          |       | —                |       | —              |       | —                 |       | 358        |       |
| Cancellation   of restricted stock awards to employee                           |       | (2                    | )          | —           |       | —       |       | —                |       | —              |       | —                 |       | —     |       |
| Retirements   of common stock                                                   |       | (1,854                | )          | (2               | )          | (13,408      | )          | 13,410                |       | —              |       | —                 |       | —     |       |
| Purchase   of treasury stock                                                    |       | —                |       | —           |       | —       |       | (12,524               | )          | —              |       | —                 |       | (12,524    | )          |
| Net   income (Note 16)                                                          |       | —                |       | —           |       | —       |       | —                |       | —              |       | 13,716                 |       | 13,716     |       |
| Balance   at December 31, 2008 (revised - Note 16)                         |       | 22,918                |       | $                | 23         |         | $          | 23,963                |       | $                   | —     |                   | $          | —     |       | $ | 10,218 |   | $ | 34,204 |   |
|                                                                            |       |                  |       |             |       |         |       |                  |       |                |       |                   |       |       |       |
| Fair   value of stock options granted to employees (Note 16)                    |       | —                |       | —           |       | $            | 121        |                  | —     |                | —     |                   | —     |       | $          | 121 |   |
| Repurchase   of common stock from net vesting of restricted stocks              |       | (3                    | )          | —           |       | (8           | )          | —                |       | —              |       | —                 |       | (8         | )          |
| Tax   benefit from stock based compensation                                     |       | —                |       | —           |       | (70          | )          | —                |       | —              |       | —                 |       | (70        | )          |
| Grants   and amortization of restricted stock awards to employees and directors |       | 666                   |       | —           |       | 844          |       | —                |       | —              |       | —                 |       | 844        |       |
| Cancellation   of restricted stock awards to employees                          |       | (12                   | )          | —           |       | —       |       | —                |       | —              |       | —                 |       | —     |       |
| Retirement   of common stock                                                    |       | (1,455                | )          | (1               | )          | (4,993       | )          | 4,994                 |       | —              |       | —                 |       | —     |       |
| Purchase   of treasury stock                                                    |       | —                |       | —           |       | —       |       | (4,994                | )          | —              |       | —                 |       | (4,994     | )          |
| Net   income (Note 16)                                                          |       | —                |       | —           |       | —       |       | —                |       | —              |       | 2,528                  |       | 2,528      |       |
| Balance   at December 31, 2009 (revised - Note 16)                         |       | 22,114                |       | $                | 22         |         | $          | 19,857                |       | $                   | —     |                   | $          | —     |       | $ | 12,746 |   | $ | 32,625 |   |
|                                                                            |       |                  |       |             |       |         |       |                  |       |                |       |                   |       |       |       |
| Amortization   of restricted stock awards to employees and directors            |       | —                |       | —           |       | $            | 1,027      |                  | —     |                | —     |                   | —     |       | $          | 1,027 |   |
| Cancellation   of restricted stock awards to employee                           |       | (10                   | )          | —           |       | —       |       | —                |       | —              |       | —                 |       | —     |       |
| Repurchase   of common stock from net vesting of restricted stocks              |       | (66                   | )          | —           |       | (135         | )          | —                |       | —              |       | —                 |       | (135       | )          |
| Retirement   of common stock                                                    |       | (2,329                | )          | (2               | )          | (2,547       | )          | 2,549                 |       | —              |       | —                 |       | —     |       |
| Purchase   of treasury stock                                                    |       |                  |       | —           |       | —       |       | (2,761                | )          | —              |       | —                 |       | (2,761     | )          |
| Net loss                                                                        |       | —                |       | —           |       | —       |       | —                |       | —              |       | (1,363                 | )          | (1,363     | )          |
| Balance   at December 31, 2010                                             |       | 19,709                |       | $                | 20         |         | $          | 18,202                |       | $                   | (212       | )                      | $          | —     |       | $ | 11,383 |   | $ | 29,393 |   |
|                                                                                 |            |                       |            |                  |            |              |            |                       |            |                     |            |                        |            |            |            |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements

 

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**Bidz.com, Inc.**

 

**Statements of Cash Flows**

 

*(in thousands)*

 
| ** **                                                                                         | ** ** | **Years Ended December 31,** | ** ** |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|---------------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **                                                                                         | ** ** | **2008**                                    | ** ** | **2009** | ** ** | **2010** | ** ** |
| ** **                                                                                         | ** ** | **(Revised - Note 16)**                     | ** ** | **(Revised - Note 16)** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
| **Cash flows provided by (used for)   operating activities:**                                      |       |                                        |       |   |   |   |   |
| Net income (loss)                                                                                  |       | $                                           | 13,716     |   | $ | 2,528 |   | $ | (1,363 | ) |
|                                                                                               |       |                                        |       |   |   |   |   |
| **Adjustments to reconcile net   income to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:** |       |                                        |       |   |   |   |   |
| Depreciation and amortization                                                                      |       | 690                                         |       | 795 |   | 685 |   |
| Loss on disposal of property and equipment                                                         |       | —                                      |       | — |   | 38 |   |
| Deferred taxes                                                                                     |       | 45                                          |       | (579 | ) | 1 |   |
| Stock-based compensation                                                                           |       | 1,372                                       |       | 965 |   | 1,027 |   |
| **Changes in assets and   liabilities:**                                                           |       |                                        |       |   |   |   |   |
| **(Increase) decrease in assets:**                                                                 |       |                                        |       |   |   |   |   |
| Accounts receivable                                                                                |       | 1,448                                       |       | 251 |   | (235 | ) |
| Inventories                                                                                        |       | 19,029                                      |       | (3,304 | ) | 8,825 |   |
| Other receivable                                                                                   |       | 2,068                                       |       | (520 | ) | (370 | ) |
| Deferred tax assets                                                                                |       | 171                                         |       | 550 |   | (1,116 | ) |
| Other current assets                                                                               |       | 79                                          |       | (2,554 | ) | 2,287 |   |
| Deposits                                                                                           |       | —                                      |       | (53 | ) | — |   |
| **Increase (decrease) in   liabilities:**                                                          |       |                                        |       |   |   |   |   |
| Accounts payable                                                                                   |       | (16,414                                     | )          | 2,523 |   | 2,028 |   |
| Accrued expenses                                                                                   |       | (1,489                                      | )          | (1,119 | ) | 203 |   |
| Deferred revenue                                                                                   |       | (2,028                                      | )          | (240 | ) | 889 |   |
| Net cash provided by (used for) operating   activities                                             |       | 18,687                                      |       | (757 | ) | 12,899 |   |
|                                                                                               |       |                                        |       |   |   |   |   |
| **Cash flows provided by (used for)   investing activities:**                                      |       |                                        |       |   |   |   |   |
| Capital expenditures                                                                               |       | (1,058                                      | )          | (404 | ) | (152 | ) |
| Proceeds from sale of fixed asset                                                                  |       | 19                                          |       | — |   | — |   |
| Net cash used for investing activities                                                             |       | (1,039                                      | )          | (404 | ) | (152 | ) |
| **Cash flows provided by (used for)   financing activities:**                                      |       |                                        |       |   |   |   |   |
| Revolving credit line                                                                              |       | (5,924                                      | )          | 2,898 |   | (2,898 | ) |
| Issuance of common stock                                                                           |       | 5                                           |       | — |   | — |   |
| Employees share purchase receivable                                                                |       | 122                                         |       | — |   | — |   |
| Repurchase of common stock from net vesting of   restricted stocks                                 |       | (10                                         | )          | (8 | ) | (135 | ) |
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options                                                            |       | 2,095                                       |       | — |   | — |   |
| Retirement of common stock from net exercise of   stock options                                    |       | (2,480                                      | )          | — |   | — |   |
| Tax benefit from stock based compensation                                                          |       | 716                                         |       | (70 | ) | — |   |
| Purchase of treasury stock                                                                         |       | (12,524                                     | )          | (4,994 | ) | (2,761 | ) |
| Net cash used for financing activities                                                             |       | (18,000                                     | )          | (2,174 | ) | (5,794 | ) |
|                                                                                               |       |                                        |       |   |   |   |   |
| **Net increase (decrease) in cash**                                                                |       | (352                                        | )          | (3,335 | ) | 6,953 |   |
| **Cash, beginning of year**                                                                        |       | 4,808                                       |       | 4,456 |   | 1,121 |   |
| **Cash, end of year**                                                                              |       | $                                           | 4,456      |   | $ | 1,121 |   | $ | 8,074 |   |
|                                                                                               |       |                                        |       |   |   |   |   |
| **Supplemental disclosure of cash   flow information:**                                            |       |                                        |       |   |   |   |   |
| Interest paid                                                                                      |       | $                                           | 182        |   | $ | 74 |   | $ | 11 |   |
| Income taxes paid                                                                                  |       | $                                           | 9,874      |   | $ | 2,550 |   | $ | — |   |
| **Supplemental disclosure of   non-cash investing and****financing   activities:**                 |       |                                        |       |   |   |   |   |
| Retirement of property and equipment                                                               |       | $                                           | 9          |   | $ | — |   | $ | — |   |
| Retirement of treasury shares                                                                      |       | $                                           | 13,410     |   | $ | 4,994 |   | $ | 2,549 |   |

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements

 

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**Bidz.com, Inc.**

 

**Notes to financial statements**

 

**(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)**

 

**(1)   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:**

 

*Business and Organization:*

 

Bidz.com, Inc. was founded in November of 1998 as a California corporation with its principal location of business in Los Angeles, California. In June 2006, we reincorporated in Delaware with our principal location of business in Los Angeles. We operate a website located at *www.bidz.com*for the purpose of selling merchandise, utilizing our unique online sales auction platform and a fixed price online store at *www.buyz.com*. We also operate www.modnique.com for online retailing of designer products and consumer goods through a sale event concept.

 

We sell our products throughout the United States and in international markets including Europe, Middle East, and Asia but more concentrated in English speaking countries such as Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. Revenue generated from the United States accounted for approximately 76.1%, 68.3% and 59.1% of net revenue for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009, and 2010, respectively.

 

*Reclassification*

 

Certain amounts from prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

 

*Recent Developments:*

 

In February 2011, we were granted the Motion to Dismiss the Federal Derivative Action without leave to amend. In July, 2009, the Company and certain of its officers and its Board of Directors were named as defendants in a shareholder derivative lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California (Farris Hassan v. Bidz.com, Inc., et al., cv09-04984 (CBM) (C.D. Cal. (filed July 10, 2009) (the “Federal Derivative Action”)). The Federal Derivative Action alleges violations of law, including breaches of fiduciary duties, waste of corporate assets, unjust enrichment and violations of California Corporations Code. An amended complaint also includes allegations relating to the Company’s co-op marketing contributions and minimum gross profit guarantees. On April 27, 2010, the United States District Court granted the Company’s Motion to Dismiss the Federal Derivative Action with leave to amend. The plaintiff filed an amended complaint, and the Company filed another Motion to Dismiss on July 12, 2010. The Court took the Motion under submission in November 2010, and on February 24, 2011 the United States District Court granted the Company’s Motion to Dismiss the Federal Derivative Action without leave to amend.

 

*Use of Estimates:*

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We have made estimates for return and allowance reserves, inventory reserve, vendor co-op marketing contributions, deferred tax assets and accrued expenses.

 

*Fair Value of Financial Instruments:*

 

The carrying amount of our cash, accounts receivable, other current assets, accounts payable, deferred revenue, and accrued expenses approximates their estimated fair values as a result of the short-term maturities of those financial instruments.

 

*Cash and Cash Equivalents:*

 

For purposes of the statements of cash flows, cash equivalents include all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less that do not secure any corporate obligation. We had no cash equivalents at December 31, 2009 or 2010.

 

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*Accounts Receivable:*

 

Accounts receivable consist mainly of amounts due from customer credit card and other electronic payments billed but not yet received at period end. We had no allowance for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2009 or 2010.

 

*Concentration of Business and Credit Risk:*

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to significant concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and receivables.  Our cash deposits with our banks could be at risk when the FDIC deposit insurance is not be sufficient to cover any potential loss arising from a bank failure. We derive our accounts receivable primarily from credit card and other electronic payment processors located primarily in the United States. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts, which was $0 in 2009 and 2010, based upon the expected collectability of accounts receivable. We record an allowance if one is necessary. No customer accounted for more than 10% of revenue or receivables during 2008, 2009, or 2010.

 

We had a concentration on two merchandise suppliers during 2008, 2009, and 2010, as more fully described in Note 13.

 

*Inventories:*

 

Inventories consist mainly of merchandise purchased for resale and are stated at the lower of first-in, first-out cost (FIFO) or market. We record in inventories loose diamonds and semi-precious stones that we purchased and delivered to manufacturers to produce into finished jewelry inventory to resell.

 

We record payments made to our suppliers for purchases we have yet to receive as prepaid inventory until they are in our possession and satisfactorily examined. Prepaid inventory included in inventories is $1.8 million and $1.7 at December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively.

 

*Inventory Reserve*

 

The unique nature of our business model where customers set the prices they are willing to pay may result in items selling below our cost.  We provide reserves against our inventory based on the estimated difference between the average selling price and the cost of inventory. In addition, reserves are provided on potential loss of value on damaged goods and other not readily sellable items.

 

*Inventory Co-op Marketing Contributions*

 

We bill and collect from our inventory vendors co-op marketing contributions as an incentive for us to market and sell their merchandise on the Bidz website.  We account for the co-op marketing contributions that cannot be identified specifically to benefit the vendors as a reduction in the cost of inventory purchased and cost of sales. We cannot specifically identify the benefits to each vendor; and consequently, co-op marketing contributions are charged against inventory as a reduction of costs and amortized as a reduction of cost of sales. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, we have recognized $11.1 million, $7.6 million and $7.0 million of co-op marketing contributions, respectively, with $4.3 million and $3.0 million, respectively, remaining unamortized as an offset to inventory at December 31, 2009 and 2010. Receivable from vendors for co-op marketing contributions, less allowance for doubtful accounts, is included in other receivable and amounted to $1.3 million and $1.5 million at December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively.

 

*Property and Equipment:*

 

Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets as follows:

 
| ** **              | ** ** | **Years** | ** ** |
|-------------------------|------------|-----------|------------|
| Computer software       |       | 3         |       |
| Computer hardware       |       | 3         |       |
| Automobiles             |       | 5         |       |
| Furniture and equipment |       | 5         |       |

 

*Intangible Asset:*

 

Our intangible asset consists of the cost to acquire our domain names, which was $240,000 and $235,000, net as of December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively. Our domain names, costing $161,000 have indefinite lives and therefore are not subject to amortization. We perform an annual evaluation for impairment on the intangible asset. No impairment existed at December 31, 2009 or 2010 and no loss or impairment was recognized during 2008, 2009 and 2010. Intellectual properties acquired for $80,000 in 2009 is amortized over

 

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15 years and the accumulated amortization was $1,000 and $6,000 as of December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively. The amount of amortization is $0, $1,000 and $5,000 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively and is $5,000 per year over each of the next five years.

 

*Long-Lived Assets:*

 

Our long-lived assets to be held and used are analyzed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. We review property, equipment, and other long-lived assets subject to amortization for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. We measure recoverability by comparing the assets’ carrying amount with future undiscounted net cash flows the assets are expected to generate.

 

If such assets are considered to be impaired, we measure the impairment to be recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the projected discounted future cash flows arising from the assets or their fair values, whichever is more determinable.

 

*Revenue Recognition:*

 

We derive our revenue from four sources: merchandise sales, which include wholesale merchandise sales, shipping revenue, transaction fee revenue, and other revenue. We recognize revenue from all four sources when the following revenue recognition criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) the product has been shipped or the service has been rendered and the customer takes ownership and assumes the risk of loss; (3) the selling price is fixed or determinable; and (4) collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured.

 

For online sales through our website, we recognize merchandise sales upon shipments made to customers that are fulfilled from our warehouse. We require payment before we ship and the payment is generally made online by credit card or other electronic payment methods. We record amounts received or billed prior to shipment of goods to customers as deferred revenue. We reduce gross sales by returns, charge-backs from customers and other discounts redeemed to obtain such sales. For wholesale merchandise sales, we recognize sales when the merchandise is delivered to the customer. Credit terms may be offered to such customers.

 

We provide layaway sales to our retail customers which are payable in monthly installments. The amounts received when the products are yet to be shipped are recorded as deferred revenue.

 

In the Statements of Income (Operations) all amounts billed to customers by us related to shipping and handling are included in “Net revenue” and our shipping costs are included in “Cost of revenue.” Outbound shipping revenue from customers are included in merchandise sales and amounted to $22.3 million, $9.3 million and $8.3 million in 2008, 2009, and 2010, respectively.

 

We include transaction fee revenue in net revenue. The 3% auction transaction fees are applied to merchandise sales on the bidz.com site, including shipping and handling but not to wholesale merchandise sales. The fees do not apply to sales on buyz.com and modnique.com.

 

Other revenue consists primarily of commissions we derive from hosting sales of Certified Merchant merchandise that is owned by third parties and we recognize only the commission portion of the price our customers pay for the purchased products because we are acting as an agent in such transactions. Other revenue also includes advertising revenue we derive from allowing advertisers on our websites.

 

We present sales tax liability on a net basis. Sales taxes are excluded from revenue and included as a liability.

 

*Return and Allowance Reserve:*

 

We estimate potential future product returns and charge-backs related to current period revenue. We analyze historical returns and changes in customer demand and acceptance of our products when evaluating the adequacy of the sales returns reserve and other allowances in any accounting period. If actual returns are greater than our estimates, we will record additional returns and allowances in addition to our estimates, which will result in lower net revenue recorded during that period. Reserves for returns and charge backs are included in accrued expenses.

 

*Cost of Revenue:*

 

Cost of revenue includes product costs, gain or loss on foreign currency exchange when purchasing products from international

 

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vendors, inbound and outbound shipping charges, packaging and shipping supplies, insurance on shipments, product repair and service costs, and credit card and other electronic payment fees, and is recorded in the same period in which related revenue has been recorded. The cost of revenue is reduced by co-op marketing contributions recognized from our vendors and referral credits given to customers through our “refer a friend” program.

 

Outbound shipping costs on merchandise sales totaled $10.0 million, $6.1 million and $5.7 million in 2008, 2009, and 2010, respectively.

 

*Gain (loss) on foreign currency exchange*

 

A significant portion of our purchases are international purchases which exposes us to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar. Our financial results are reported in U.S. dollars. As a result, transactions conducted in foreign currencies must be translated into U.S. dollars for reporting purposes based upon the applicable foreign currency exchange rates, which may result in realized and unrealized gains or losses from exchange rate fluctuations.  We record a gain or loss on foreign currency exchange between the time we receive the inventory and when we make foreign currency payments to our international suppliers.  Transactions occurring during the period are translated at rates in effect at the time of the transaction, and adjustments are made at each period end to re-measure unsettled assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the period-end exchange rates.

 

*Deferred Revenue:*

 

Deferred revenue is recorded for sales transactions where the merchandise had not yet been shipped but payment has been received.  Customer deposits of $30,000 and $771,000 at December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively, related to layaway sales are included in deferred revenue.

 

*Income Tax Expense:*

 

We account for income taxes using the asset and liability approach, which requires the recognition of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. The measurement of current and deferred tax assets and liabilities is based on provisions of enacted tax laws; the effects of future changes in tax laws or rates are not anticipated. If necessary, the measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced by the amount of any tax benefits that are less likely than not to be realized based on available evidence.

 

*Stock-Based Compensation:*

 

We recognize in our financial statements the cost resulting from all share-based payment transactions and all share-based payments to employees, including grants of stock options and restricted stock awards based on their fair values on the measurement date, and recognized over the vesting period.

 

Compensation expense for stock-based payment awards is based on the grant date fair value. We have used the Black-Scholes model to estimate the fair value of options. Our assessment of the estimated compensation charges will be affected by our stock price as well as assumption regarding a number of subjective variables and the related tax impact. These variables include, but are not limited to, our stock price volatility, forfeiture rates and employee stock option exercise behaviors (or expected term).

 

We are also required to calculate the additional paid in capital pool (“APIC Pool”) available to absorb tax deficiency. We calculate our APIC pool using the long form method, which requires that we track each award grant on an employee-by-employee basis and grant-by-grant basis to determine if there is an excess tax benefit or tax deficiency for such award. We then compare the fair value expense to the tax deduction received for each grant and aggregate the benefits and deficiencies to establish and maintain the APIC Pool.  We group the excess tax benefits from both employee and nonemployee awards into a single APIC pool.

 

*Internal Use Software:*

 

We expense all costs incurred for the development of internal use software that relate to the planning and post-implementation phases of the development and certain maintenance and enhancement costs. We capitalize and amortize direct costs incurred in the application development phase over the software’s estimated useful life of three years. We expense research and development costs and other computer software maintenance costs related to software development as incurred.

 

*Basic and Diluted Income per Share:*

 

We compute the basic income per common share by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average

 

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number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. We compute diluted income per common share similarly to basic income per common share, except that we increase the denominator to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the potential common shares had been issued and if the additional common shares were dilutive. At December 31, 2008, 2009, and 2010, we had 7,018,500 shares, 6,933,000 shares and 6,434,500 shares, respectively, of common stock equivalents upon the exercise of the employee and non-employee stock options. These common stock equivalents consisted of 6,993,500 employee stock options and 25,000 non-employee stock options as of December 31, 2008; 6,993,000 employee stock options as of December 31, 2009; and 6,434,500 employee stock options as of December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2008, dilutive common stock equivalents totaled 1,271,171 consisting of 1,265,568 employee stock options and 5,602 consisting of non-employee stock options. As of December 31, 2009 and 2010, there were no dilutive common stock equivalents.

 

The dilutive effect of outstanding stock options is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share (in thousands, except share and per share data):

 
| ** **                                            | ** ** | **2008**                | ** ** | **2009**                | ** ** | **2010**   | ** ** |
|-------------------------------------------------------|------------|-------------------------|------------|-------------------------|------------|------------|------------|
| ** **                                            | ** ** | **(Revised - Note 16)** | ** ** | **(Revised - Note 16)** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
| Basic and diluted net income per share:               |       |                    |       |                    |       |       |       |
| Numerator:                                            |       |                    |       |                    |       |       |       |
| Net income (loss)                                     |       | $                       | 13,716     |                    | $          | 2,528      |       | $ | (1,363 | ) |
| Denominator:                                          |       |                    |       |                    |       |       |       |
| Weighted average shares of common stock   outstanding |       | 23,644,338              |       | 22,363,367              |       | 20,829,419 |       |
| Effect of dilutive securities                         |       | 1,271,171               |       | —                  |       | —     |       |
| Denominator for diluted calculation                   |       | 24,915,509              |       | 22,363,367              |       | 20,829,419 |       |
| Net income (loss) per share, basic                    |       | $                       | 0.58       |                    | $          | 0.11       |       | $ | (0.07 | ) |
| Net income (loss) per share, diluted                  |       | $                       | 0.55       |                    | $          | 0.11       |       | $ | (0.07 | ) |

 

There is no dilutive effect from outstanding stock options for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010 as all the stock options outstanding at year end were “out of the money” and are anti-dilutive.

 

*Advertising Expense:*

 

We expense the costs of producing advertisements at the time production occurs and we expense the cost of communicating advertisements in the period during which the advertising space is used or distribution is made. We recognize Internet advertising expenses based on the terms of the individual agreements, which are generally (1) during the period customers are acquired; (2) based on the number of clicks generated during a given period over the term of the contract; (3) based on the number of e-mails sent during an e-mail distribution campaign; (4) based on the number of customers acquired from other websites; or (5) based on the placement of advertisements on other websites. Advertising expenses totaled $12.7 million, $9.1 million and $6.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009, and 2010, respectively.

 

**(2)   Inventories:**

 

Inventories consist of the following at December 31, 2009 and 2010 (in thousands):

 
| ** **                              | ** ** | **2009** | ** ** | **2010** | ** ** |
|-----------------------------------------|------------|----------|------------|----------|------------|
|                                    |       |     |       |     |       |
| Fine jewelry, watches and other         |       | $        | 40,228     |     | $          | 31,449 |   |
| Loose diamonds and semi-precious stones |       | 279      |       | 293      |       |
| Prepaid inventory                       |       | 1,784    |       | 1,666    |       |
| Inventory with manufacturing vendors    |       | 437      |       | 422      |       |
| Product inventories                     |       | 42,728   |       | 33,830   |       |
| Less: inventory reserve                 |       | (1,767   | )          | (1,694   | )          |
|                                    |       | $        | 40,961     |     | $          | 32,136 |   |

 

**(3)   Other Current Assets:**

 

Other current assets consist of the following at December 31, 2009 and 2010 (in thousands):

 
| ** **         | ** ** | **2009**                  | ** ** | **2010**   | ** ** |
|--------------------|------------|---------------------------|------------|------------|------------|
| ** **         | ** ** | **(Revised   - Note 16)** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
| Prepaid expense    |       | $                         | 343        |       | $          | 437 |   |
| Prepaid income tax |       | 106                       |       | 115        |       |
| Deposits           |       | 2,511                     |       | 121        |       |
|               |       | $                         | 2,960      |       | $          | 673 |   |

 

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**(4)   Property and Equipment:**

 

Property and equipment consists of the following at December 31, 2009 and 2010 (in thousands):

 
| ** **                                      | ** ** | **2009** | ** ** | **2010** | ** ** |
|-------------------------------------------------|------------|----------|------------|----------|------------|
|                                            |       |     |       |     |       |
| Computer hardware and software                  |       | $        | 2,946      |     | $          | 2,955 |   |
| Furniture and equipment                         |       | 521      |       | 551      |       |
| Automobile                                      |       | 30       |       | 30       |       |
|                                            |       | 3,497    |       | 3,536    |       |
| Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization |       | 2,295    |       | 2,899    |       |
|                                            |       | $        | 1,202      |     | $          | 637 |   |

 

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization expense of property and equipment totaled $690,000, $794,000 and $680,000 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009, and 2010, respectively.

 

**(5)   Revolving Credit Line:**

 

In July 2006, we entered into a revolving credit line agreement with LaSalle Bank, wholly owned by Bank of America, to provide working capital financing secured by inventories and tangible assets. The agreement allowed for us to initially draw on a line of credit up to $10 million. During the first quarter of 2007, we increased the limit to $15.0 million and during the first quarter of 2008, we further increased the limit to $25.0 million. Although the revolving credit line agreement was set to expire in July of 2010, we terminated the revolving credit line on April 2, 2010.

 

**(6)   Accounts Payable:**

 

During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010 we employ “positive pay” procedures with our bank by transmitting check disbursement information to the financial institution to allow for our review and approval of exception transaction prior to them being posted to our account.

 

Positive pay is a bank service that is one of the most effective anti-fraud tools available today for check disbursements. The bank matches all checks being presented for payment against our issuance information. Issuance information is updated daily as we issue new checks and as checks are paid. If a check serial number and dollar amount match with an issuance record, the check is paid automatically. If there is a discrepancy in either of these two data elements, the bank reports the check as an exception. Based on our review of the reported exceptions, we instruct the bank to either honor the check and pay it, or dishonor the check and return it.

 

**(7)   Accrued Expenses:**

 

Accrued expenses consist of the following at December 31, 2009 and 2010 (in thousands):

 
| ** **                              | ** ** | **2009** | ** ** | **2010** | ** ** |
|-----------------------------------------|------------|----------|------------|----------|------------|
| Taxes payable                           |       | $        | 94         |     | $          | 133 |   |
| Accrued payroll and other related costs |       | 827      |       | 765      |       |
| Accrued net sales returns               |       | 114      |       | 356      |       |
| Accrued shipping charges                |       | 618      |       | 825      |       |
| Other accrued expenses                  |       | 430      |       | 315      |       |
| Accrued marketing expenses              |       | 208      |       | 100      |       |
|                                    |       | $        | 2,291      |     | $          | 2,494 |   |
|                                         |            |          |            |          |            |  |  |  |  |

 

**(8)   Commitments:**

 

The following table presents our contractual obligations at December 31, 2010, over the next five years and thereafter (in thousands):

 

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| **Payments by period** | ** ** | **Total   amount** | ** ** | **Less than   1 year** | ** ** | **1 to 3    years** | ** ** | **3 to 5   years** | ** ** | **After 5   years** | ** ** |
|----------------------------------|------------|--------------------|------------|----------------------------------|------------|------------------------------------|------------|------------------------------|------------|--------------------------|------------|
|                             |       |               |       |                             |       |                               |       |                         |       |                     |       |
| Property leases                  |       | $                  | 2,483      |                             | $          | 1,546                              |       | $                            | 937        |                     | $          | — |   | $ | — |   |
| Equipment leases                 |       | 99                 |       | 52                               |       | 47                                 |       | —                       |       | —                   |       |
| Software financing               |       | 102                |       | 102                              |       | —                             |       | —                       |       | —                   |       |
| Patent license                   |       | 525                |       | 105                              |       | 210                                |       | 210                          |       | —                   |       |
|                             |       | $                  | 3,209      |                             | $          | 1,805                              |       | $                            | 1,194      |                     | $          | 210 |   | $ | — |   |

 

We lease a 50,000 square-foot office and warehouse and a separate 12,000 square-foot warehouse space in Culver City, California. The leases expire in June 2012 and August 2012, respectively. In November 2009, we signed a lease for a 26,000 square-foot office and warehouse space in Marina Del Rey, California.  The lease expires in October 2012. We are obligated to pay real estate taxes, insurance, and maintenance expenses. We expect that, in the normal course of business, the lease will be renewed or replaced by leases on other properties upon termination. Thus, we anticipate that future minimum lease commitments will likely be more than the amounts shown for 2010. Rental expenses for operating leases totaled $1.2 million, $1.2 million and $1.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009, and 2010, respectively.

 

We have commitment for software enhancement plans and operating leases of copy machines used in our office.  We also have a definitive ecommerce patent license agreement with NCR Corporation that commits us to six annual payments of $105,000 ending in September 2015.

 

Executives with employment agreements have annual salary commitments of $1.2 million at December 31, 2010 and can result in total severance of $1.7 million if they were all terminated without cause.

 

**(9)   Stockholders’ Equity:**

 

*Delaware Reincorporation*

 

On June 22, 2006 the Company reincorporated in the state of Delaware. In connection with our reincorporation in Delaware, we are authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value, and 4,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock, $0.001 par value.

 

*Preferred Stock*

 

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes our Board of Directors, without any vote or action by the holders of our common stock, to issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more series. Our Board of Directors will be authorized to determine the number of shares and to fix the designations, powers, preferences, and the relative, participating, optional, or other rights of any series of preferred stock. Depending upon the terms of preferred stock established by our Board of Directors, any or all series of preferred stock could have preference over the common stock with respect to dividends and other distributions and upon our liquidation. If any shares of preferred stock are issued with voting powers, the voting power of the outstanding common stock would be diluted. No shares of preferred stock are presently outstanding, and we have no present intention to issue any shares of preferred stock.

 

*Common Stock*

 

The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by stockholders. There will be no cumulative voting. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding preferred stock, holders of common stock will be entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available for that purpose. In the event of the liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of our company, the holders of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities and the liquidation preferences of any outstanding preferred stock. The common stock has no preemptive or conversion rights, other subscription rights, or redemption or sinking fund provisions.

 

No dividends have been declared or paid on our common stock through December 31, 2010.

 

In June 2007, we authorized the stock buyback program for up to $5 million of our outstanding common stock to be repurchased through the open market at prices deemed appropriate by management.  In February 2008, we authorized an increase in the stock buyback program to $20 million from $5 million. In February 2009, we authorized an increase in the stock buyback program to $33.5 million from $20.0 million. As of December 31, 2010 we have repurchased a total of approximately 5.8 million shares for a total of approximately $21.2 million. In 2007, we purchased 100,000 shares for $886,000; in 2008, we purchased 1,753,873 shares for $12.5 million; in 2009, we purchased 1,454,968 shares for $5.0 million; and in 2010, we purchased 2,505,223 shares for $2.8 million. Approximately $12.3 million remain available under the buyback program to repurchase shares in the open market. The stock buyback will be at prices deemed appropriate by management over a 24 month period.

 

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In 2010, no common stock shares were issued from the exercise of stock options. 2,329,409 shares held in treasury from our stock repurchase program were retired. No restricted common stock awards were issued to employees. 10,000 shares of restricted common stock were retired on termination of employment of an employee and 65,957 shares were retired from net vesting of restricted common stock to pay for payroll taxes. Restricted common stock awards outstanding and yet to be vested totaled 530,650 shares as of December 31, 2010.

 

In 2009, no common stock shares were issued from the exercise of stock options. 1,454,968 shares held in treasury from our stock repurchase program were retired. Restricted common stock awards totaling 666,000 shares were issued to employees. 12,000 shares of restricted common stock were retired on termination of employment of an employee and 2,593 shares were retired from net vesting of restricted common stock to pay for payroll taxes. Restricted common stock awards outstanding and yet to be vested totaled 738,225 shares as of December 31, 2009.

 

In 2008, common stock shares totaling 442,500 shares were issued from the exercise of stock options and 249,623 shares were retired in the net exercise of options to pay for the exercise price and payroll taxes. 1,853,873 shares held in treasury from our stock repurchase program were retired. 1,250 shares were issued as obligations for service. Restricted common stock awards totaling 24,800 shares were issued to employees. 2,000 shares of restricted common stock were retired on termination of employment of an employee and 1,490 shares were retired from net vesting of restricted common stock to pay for payroll taxes. Restricted common stock awards outstanding and yet to be vested totaled 117,800 shares as of December 31, 2008.

 

Advances were made to employees in 2007 to purchase shares of our common stock and as of December 31, 2010, $964,000 remains outstanding for the advances and 154,000 shares were held as collateral. It was determined during the preparation of the first quarter 2010 interim financial statements that the purchase of stock by employees with a nonrecourse loan from us is effectively the same as granting new stock options, as more fully described in Note 16. Stock option expenses related to the loan extensions and 154,000 stock options deemed granted are calculated to be $66,000, $687,000 and $(67,000) for years 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively after considering the tax effect and related penalties and interest.

 

**(10)    Stock Compensation Plans:**

 

We adopted our 2001 Stock Option Plan, our 2002 Special Stock Option Plan and our 2006 Award Plan (collectively, the “Plans”), in January 2001, January 2002, and March 2006, respectively. The Plans provide for the granting of awards in the form of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, shares of restricted common stock, bonus stock in lieu of obligations, or other stock-based awards to employees, directors, and independent contractors who provide valuable services to our company.  The vesting requirements, performance thresholds and other terms and conditions of options granted under the Plans will be determined by our Compensation Committee and Board of Directors.

 

154,000 options were deemed granted in 2008 through 2010 when it was determined in the first quarter of 2010 that the purchase of stock by employees with a nonrecourse loan from us is effectively the same as granting new stock options, as more fully described in Note 16. No other options were granted in the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010. At December 31, 2010, 1,132,540 shares were available for future grants under the Plans.

 

The following is a summary of stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009, and 2010:

 
| ** **                       | ** ** | **2008**                | ** ** | **2009**                                  | ** ** | **2010**   | ** ** |
|----------------------------------|------------|-------------------------|------------|-------------------------------------------|------------|------------|------------|
| ** **                       | ** ** | **(Revised - Note 16)** | ** ** | **(Revised - Note 16)**                   | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
| ** **                       | ** ** | **Shares**              | ** ** | **Weighted   average   exercise   price** | ** ** | **Shares** | ** ** | **Weighted   average   exercise   price** | ** ** | **Shares** | ** ** | **Weighted   average   exercise   price** | ** ** |
| Outstanding at beginning of year |       | 8,285,300               |       | $                                         | 6.20       |       | 7,018,500  |   | $ | 6.08 |   | 6,933,000 |   | $ | 6.08 |   |
| Granted                          |       | 154,000                 |       | 6.26                                      |       | —     |       | — |   | 154,000 |   | 6.26 |   |
| Exercised                        |       | (442,500                | )          | 4.74                                      |       | —     |       | — |   | — |   | — |   |
| Canceled / forfeited             |       | (978,300                | )          | 8.00                                      |       | (85,500    | )          | 6.00 |   | (652,500 | ) | 6.01 |   |
| Outstanding at year-end          |       | 7,018,500               |       | $                                         | 6.08       |       | 6,933,000  |   | $ | 6.08 |   | 6,434,500 |   | $ | 6.09 |   |
| Options exercisable at year-end  |       | 7,018,500               |       | $                                         | 6.08       |       | 6,939,000  |   | $ | 6.08 |   | 6,434,500 |   | $ | 6.09 |   |

 

The weighted average remaining life of the contract as of December 31, 2010 was 0.41 year. In 2010, 652,500 options expired “out of the money.” As of December 31, 2010, all 6,434,500 stock options to purchase shares were fully vested and “out of the money.”

 

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It was determined in the first quarter of 2010 that the purchase of stock by employees with a nonrecourse loan from us is effectively the same as granting new stock options, as more fully described in Note 16 and the weighted-average grant date fair value of options deemed granted during 2008 and 2010 were $0.98 and $0.04 per share, respectively.

 

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2010:

 
| ** **               | ** ** | ** **                            | ** ** | **Options outstanding and exercisable   as of December 31, 2010** | ** ** |
|--------------------------|------------|---------------------------------------|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|
| ** **               | ** ** | ** **                            | ** ** | **Options outstanding**                                                                         | ** ** | **Options exercisable** | ** ** |
| **Exercise prices** | ** ** | **Number   outstanding   12/31/2010** | ** ** | **Weighted   average   remaining   contractual**                                                     | ** ** | **Weighted   average   exercise   price** | ** ** | **Number   exercisable   12/31/2010** | ** ** | **Weighted   average   exercise   price** | ** ** |
| ** **               | ** ** | ** **                            | ** ** | ** **                                                                                           | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
| $                        | 6.00       |                                  | 6,057,500  |                                                                                                 | 0.38       |   | $ | 6.00 |   | 6,057,500 |   | $ | 6.00 |   |
| $                        | 6.26       |                                  | 154,000    |                                                                                                 | 0.16       |   | $ | 6.26 |   | 154,000 |   | $ | 6.26 |   |
| $                        | 6.50       |                                  | 95,500     |                                                                                                 | 1.18       |   | $ | 6.50 |   | 95,500 |   | $ | 6.50 |   |
| $                        | 9.90       |                                  | 127,500    |                                                                                                 | 1.45       |   | $ | 9.90 |   | 127,500 |   | $ | 9.90 |   |
|                     |       | 6,434,500                             |       | 0.41                                                                                                 |       | $ | 6.09 |   | 6,434,500 |   | $ | 6.09 |   |

 

*Stock Option Compensation*

 

During the years ended December 31, 2008, and 2009 and 2010, respectively, we recognized approximately $1.0 million, $121,000 and $25,000, respectively, of employee stock-option compensation. We recognize compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each stock option grant. The unamortized stock-option compensation expense as of December 31, 2009 and 2010 is $26,000 and $1,000, respectively.

 

The fair values of options deemed granted in 2008 and 2010 were calculated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions: (1) risk-free interest rates of 0.3%, (2) an expected life of 12 months to 15 months, (3) expected volatility of 68%, (4) expected forfeitures of 0%, and (5) a dividend yield of 0%.

 

*Restricted Stock Awards*

 

We began issuing restricted stock awards in 2007, pursuant to the 2006 Award Plan. The restricted stock awards were issued as time-based awards, which vest typically with 25% vesting at the end of each year over four years or earlier if there is an acceleration event. The restricted stock awards are expensed pro rata over the vesting period based upon the fair value of the awards at the time of grant. Stock-based compensation from the issuance of common stock and restricted stock awards totaled $358,000, $844,000 and $1.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively. The unamortized stock-based expense for restricted stock awards was $2.6 million and $1.6 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively.

 

The fair value of 33,575 restricted shares that vested in 2009 was $115,000 and the fair value of 197,575 restricted shares that vested in 2010 was $402,000. Restricted common stock awards outstanding and yet to be vested totaled 738,225 and 530,650 shares as of December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively.

 

A summary of all restricted stock activity during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010 follows:

 
| Restricted shares outstanding, January 1, 2009 |   | 117,800  |   |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|----------|--------|
| Shares granted                                                          |   | 666,000  |   |
| Shares vested                                                           |   | (33,575  | )      |
| Shares forfeited                                                        |   | (12,000  | )      |
|                                                                    |   |     |   |
| Restricted shares outstanding, December 31,   2009                 |   | 738,225  |   |
| Shares granted                                                          |   | —   |   |
| Shares vested                                                           |   | (197,575 | )      |
| Shares forfeited                                                        |   | (10,000  | )      |
|                                                                    |   |     |   |
| Restricted shares outstanding, December 31,   2010                 |   | 530,650  |   |

 

The weighted-average grant date fair values of restricted stock awards issued during 2009 were $4.00 per share and none were issued in 2010.

 

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**(11)****                         ****Income Tax Expense:**

 

Income tax expense amounted to $9.8 million, $2.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively (for an effective rate of 41.7% for 2008 and 44.5% for 2009).  We recorded an income tax benefit of $284,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010. A reconciliation of the provision (benefit) for income tax with amounts determined by applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to income before income tax expense is as follows (in thousands):

 
| ** **                                                | ** ** | **2008**      | ** ** | **2009**      | ** ** | **2010**   | ** ** |
|-----------------------------------------------------------|------------|---------------|------------|---------------|------------|------------|------------|
| ** **                                                | ** ** | **(revised)** | ** ** | **(revised)** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
| Computed tax (benefit) at federal statutory rate   of 35% |       | $             | 8,234      |          | $          | 1,594      |       | $ | (577 | ) |
| State taxes (benefit), net federal tax benefits           |       | 1,353         |       | 262           |       | (89        | )          |
| Meals and entertainment                                   |       | 5             |       | 4             |       | 2          |       |
| Stock reacquisition expense                               |       | —        |       | —        |       | 189        |       |
| Option and RSA shortfall                                  |       | 51            |       | 88            |       | 238        |       |
| Other                                                     |       | 166           |       | 78            |       | (47        | )          |
| Total income tax provision (benefit)                      |       | $             | 9,809      |          | $          | 2,026      |       | $ | (284 | ) |

 

The income tax benefit for 2008, 2009 and 2010 consists of the following (in thousands):

 
| ** ** | ** ** | **2008**      | ** ** | **2009**      | ** ** | **2010**   | ** ** |
|------------|------------|---------------|------------|---------------|------------|------------|------------|
| ** ** | ** ** | **(revised)** | ** ** | **(revised)** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
| Current:   |       |          |       |          |       |       |       |
| Federal    |       | $             | 7,939      |          | $          | 1,767      |       | $ | (163 | ) |
| State      |       | 2,048         |       | 583           |       | 37         |       |
|       |       | 9,987         |       | 2,350         |       | (126       | )          |
| Deferred:  |       |          |       |          |       |       |       |
| Federal    |       | (259          | )          | (167          | )          | (73        | )          |
| State      |       | 81            |       | (157          | )          | (85        | )          |
|       |       | (178          | )          | (324          | )          | (158       | )          |
| Total      |       | $             | 9,809      |          | $          | 2,026      |       | $ | (284 | ) |

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Significant deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):

 
| ** **                              | ** ** | **2009**   | ** ** | **2010**   | ** ** |
|-----------------------------------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|
| **Deferred tax assets:**                | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** | ** ** |
|                                    |       |       |       |       |       |
| **Current deferred tax assets:**        |       |       |       |       |       |
| Inventory costs                         |       | $          | 1,037      |       | $          | 2,190 |   |
| Accrued expenses                        |       | 187        |       | 200        |       |
| Other reserves and allowances           |       | 50         |       | 156        |       |
| Deferred revenue                        |       | 83         |       | 161        |       |
| State taxes                             |       | 43         |       | —     |       |
| Total current deferred tax assets       |       | 1,400      |       | 2,707      |       |
| **Current deferred tax liability:**     |       | —     |       | (191       | )          |
| **Net current deferred tax asset**      |       | $          | 1,400      |       | $          | 2,516 |   |
|                                    |       |       |       |       |       |
| **Long term deferred tax assets:**      |       |       |       |       |       |
| Employee stock compensation             |       | $          | 659        |       | $          | 677 |   |
| Other (fixed assets)                    |       | 4          |       | 23         |       |
| Net operating loss                      |       | —     |       | 4          |       |
| State taxes                             |       | —     |       | 16         |       |
| Total long term deferred tax assets     |       | 663        |       | 720        |       |
| **Long term deferred tax   liability:** |       |       |       |       |       |
| State taxes                             |       | —     |       | (58        | )          |
| **Net long term deferred tax   asset**  |       | $          | 663        |       | $          | 662 |   |
| ** **                              |       |       |       |       |       |
| **Net deferred tax assets**             |       | $          | 2,063      |       | $          | 3,178 |   |

 

The tax benefits from the expense in 2008, 2009 and 2010 for share based compensation awards that will result in future tax deduction are included in deferred tax assets. In 2008, the actual tax deduction exceeded the compensation cost recognized by the company for financial reporting purposes. The excess tax benefits increased the company’s additional paid in capital by $716,000 for the year 

 

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ended December 31, 2008. In 2009 and 2010, the actual tax deduction was less than the compensation cost recognized by the company for financial reporting purposes. As a result, a shortfall of $215,000 and $584,000 is created in 2009 and 2010, respectively and is recognized as additional tax expense.

 

In accordance with FASB statement issued regarding Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes we recognize the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not**threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. We applied all tax positions for which the statute of limitations remained open. As of December 31, 2010, we have tax liabilities from uncertain tax positions of $175,000. The amounts of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate is $159,000. We do not anticipate any significant change in our positions in the next twelve months. We recognize accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. For the year ended December 31, 2010, we recognized tax expense of $159,000 including accrued interest and penalties for uncertain tax positions.

 

As a result of our 2010 operating loss, we have a federal taxable loss carryback of $253,000 and a state carryforward of $3,000.  The federal taxable loss will be carried back to offset taxable income in 2008. The state taxable loss carryforward will expire in year 2020 if not used prior to then.

 

We have not provided a valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets, as it is more likely than not that the tax benefits will be realized in the future.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2010, we recorded prior period adjustments of $424,000 to beginning retained earnings and $390,000 to additional paid-in capital for changes to tax positions related to prior periods. Prior period income tax liabilities were adjusted for $814,000, and include applicable interest and penalties of $48,000 and $109,000, respectively. The prior period adjustments are not material to previously issued financial statements (as more fully described in Note 16).

 

We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and California. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal examinations by tax authorities for the years before 2008 after the conclusion of an examination by the Internal Revenue Service for the 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 tax years. We may still be selected for examination by the Internal Revenue Service for 2008, 2009 and 2010 tax years.

 

**(12)****                     ****Segment Information:**

 

Net revenue by geographic area is presented based upon the country of destination. Canada is the only foreign country that accounted for 10% or more of net revenue for any of the fiscal years presented. Net revenue by geographic area was as follows for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010 (in thousands):

 
| ** **          | ** ** | **2008** | ** ** | **2009** | ** ** | **2010** | ** ** |
|---------------------|------------|----------|------------|----------|------------|----------|------------|
| United States       |       | $        | 157,747    |     | $          | 75,360   |       | $ | 61,921 |   |
| Canada              |       | 23,423   |       | 14,555   |       | 17,035   |       |
| Other International |       | 26,240   |       | 20,479   |       | 25,816   |       |
| Total               |       | $        | 207,410    |     | $          | 110,394  |       | $ | 104,772 |   |

 

Long-lived assets include property and equipment and intangible assets, all of which resided in the United States during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009, and 2010.

 

**(13)****                         ****Concentrations:**

 

Purchase of merchandise from our top two vendors, one of which is a related party (as more fully described in Note 15),  amounted to $18.3 million, $21.4 and $14.5 million representing 14.6%, 27.7% and 21.4% of the total purchases during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009, and 2010, respectively.

 

Outstanding accounts payable to our top two vendors totaled $2.9 million and $3.9 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2010,  respectively.

 

**(14)****                         ****Contingencies:**

 

We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business.  Although the Company believes it has defenses to the allegations and intends to pursue them vigorously, currently, management does not have sufficient information to 

 

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assess the validity of the claims or the amount of potential damages.  Company management currently believes, however, that resolution of such legal matters will not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Other Cases and matters pending:

 

In May and June, 2009, the Company and certain of its officers were named as defendants in three parallel class action complaints filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California (Ramon Gomez v. Bidz.com, Inc., et al., cv09-3216 (CBM) (C.D. Cal.; filed on May 7, 2009); James Mitchell v. Bidz.com, Inc., et al., cv09-03671 (CBM) (C.D. Cal.; filed on May 22, 2009); Mark Walczyk v. Bidz.com, Inc., et al., cv09-0397 (CBM) (C.D. Cal.; filed on June 3, 2009)). On July 30, 2009, the Court consolidated the cases. The consolidated complaint charges violations of Section 10(b) and Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and alleges that the Company failed to disclose unethical and fraudulent business practices, that it did not have controls in place to prevent “shill bidding,” that it uses unreliable or false appraisal prices on its merchandise, and that it failed to correctly account for and disclose in detail its co-op marketing contributions and minimum gross profit guarantees.

 

On May 25, 2010, in a 30-page opinion, the Honorable Consuelo B. Marshall of the United States District Court granted the Company’s Motion to Dismiss the securities fraud complaint with leave to amend. On June 22, 2010, the plaintiff filed its amended complaint. On July 30, 2010, the Company filed a Motion to Dismiss the amended complaint and on September 8, 2010, the Plaintiff filed another amended complaint. On September 27, 2010 the Company filed another Motion to Dismiss the amended complaint, which was heard by the Court on November 1, 2010.  The Court took our Motion under submission in November 2010, and in February 2011 the Court denied the Motion to Dismiss. We believe that the lawsuit is meritless and we intend to defend the cases vigorously.

 

On or about June 25, 2009, the Company was named as a defendant in a patent infringement lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division (Soverain Software LLC v. J.C. Penney Corporation, Inc., Amway Corp., Avon Products, Inc., Bidz.com, Inc., Etronics, Inc. HSN, Inc., HSN Improvements, LLC, Cornerstone Brands, Inc., Ballard Designs, Inc., Garnet Hill, Inc., Smith & Noble, LLC, The Territory Ahead, Inc., QVC, Inc., Shutterfly, Inc., Victoria’s Secret Stores Brand Management, Inc., Victoria’s Secret Direct Brand Management, LLC, VistaPrint, Ltd., and VistaPrint USA, Inc. cv6:09-CV-274). The Complaint alleges that defendants’ ecommerce sites infringe one or more patents held by the plaintiff.  The Plaintiff seeks a judgment that its patents are not invalid and enforceable, a preliminary and permanent injunction against infringement of the patents, damages (including treble damages) and attorney fees. We believe that the lawsuit is meritless and intend to defend the case vigorously.

 

On February 10, 2009, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued a subpoena to produce documents relating to the Company’s inventory reserve policies, as well as other matters. We have been cooperating fully with the SEC regarding this matter, our management and certain employees have complied with subpoenas for testimony, and we do not believe that the investigation will adversely affect management, our results of operations, cash flows or our financial position.  On October 27, 2009, the SEC issued a subpoena to produce documents relating to the Company’s co-op marketing contributions and minimum gross profit guarantees.

 

We are, from time to time, a party to disputes arising from normal business activities, including various employee-related matters. In the opinion of our management, resolution of these matters, individually or collectively, will not have a material adverse effect upon our financial condition or future cash flows and operating results.

 

**(15)****                     ****Related Party Transactions:**

 

We purchased approximately 9.9%, 6.2% and 11.7% of our merchandise in 2008, 2009, and 2010, respectively, from LA Jewelers, where one of its managers is a stockholder who beneficially owns approximately 7.2% of our outstanding common stock as of December 31, 2010. The accounts payable balances due to LA Jewelers were $1.5 million and $3.1 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively.

 

LA Jewelers participates in our inventory co-op marketing program. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, we earned $1.2 million, $469,000 and $1.3 million, respectively, from LA Jewelers relating to co-op marketing contributions and $247,000 and $338,000 was unamortized as of December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively. The amounts of co-op marketing contributions due from LA Jewelers were $178,000 and $363,000 as of December 31, 2009 and 2010, respectively.

 

In May 2007, we entered into an understanding with LA Jewelers whereby they will guarantee that we will earn a certain minimum gross profit margin on their merchandise. This agreement provides that in the event of a gross profit margin shortfall we will be compensated for the difference between our actual gross profit margin and the guaranteed minimum gross profit margin. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010, we recognized $588,000, $192,000 and $98,000, respectively, under this agreement. This agreement was terminated in August 2010 due to weak market conditions.  As of December 31, 2009 and 2010, we have no balance outstanding under this gross profit margin guarantee.

 

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During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010, we recorded $2.4 million and $4.8 million, respectively, in wholesale merchandise sales to a customer that is owned by Daniella Zinberg, the daughter of our Chief Executive Officer, David Zinberg. There were no accounts receivable due from this customer as of December 31, 2009 and 2010.

 

Marina Zinberg, who was a Vice President and owns 20.8% of our outstanding shares, is the sister of and reported to David Zinberg, our Chief Executive Officer, left our company in May 2010. In July 2010, in a privately negotiated transaction, but part of our share repurchase program, we repurchased 2,180,952 shares for $2.3 million from Marina Zinberg with the approval of the Special Committee comprised of independent members of our Board of Directors. The shares have subsequently been retired.

 

**(16)****                         ****Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements**

 

It was determined during the preparation of the first quarter 2010 interim financial statements that the purchase of stock by employees with a nonrecourse loan from us is effectively the same as granting new stock options. We had granted one year loans to employees in November 2007 to purchase 154,000 shares when they exercised their stock options. These loans were extended for 15 months in November 2008, and then another year in February 2010. The advances made to employees are due February 28, 2011 and there is no further extension of time. Stock option expenses related to the loan extensions are calculated to be $66,000, $687,000 and $(67,000) for years 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively after considering the tax effect and related penalties and interest.

 

Management has evaluated the effect of the prior period expenses and determined that they were immaterial to each of the reporting periods affected and, therefore, amendment of previously filed reports was not required.  However, if the adjustments to correct the cumulative errors had been recorded in the first quarter of 2010, we believe the impact would have been significant to the first quarter and would impact comparisons to prior periods.  In accordance with guidelines issued in SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin, we have recorded adjustments in the current year’s beginning retained earnings account to correct these immaterial prior period errors.  We have also revised our annual financial statements for 2008 and 2009 in our current Form 10-K filing for these immaterial amounts, and certain amounts from prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

 

The following table sets forth the cumulative effect on stockholders’ equity of the error in stock option expenses as of December 31, 2007:

 
| **(in thousands)**                                | ** ** | **Additional   paid in   capital** | ** ** | **Advance   to employees    to purchase   shares** | ** ** | **Accumulated   Deficit** | ** ** | **Total   stockholders’   equity** | ** ** |
|--------------------------------------------------------|------------|------------------------------------|------------|----------------------------------------------------|------------|---------------------------|------------|-----------------------------------------|------------|
|                                                   |       |                               |       |                                               |       |                      |       |                                    |       |
| Balance at December 31, 2007, as previously   reported |       | $                                  | 36,961     |                                               | $          | (1,086                    | )          | $                                       | (3,432     | ) | $ | 31,582 |   |
| Prior period revisions                                 |       | (1,288                             | )          | 964                                                |       | (66                       | )          | (390                                    | )          |
| Balance at December 31, 2007, as revised               |       | $                                  | 35,673     |                                               | $          | (122                      | )          | $                                       | (3,498     | ) | $ | 31,192 |   |

 

The following table sets forth the revised prior period balances reported in our comparative financial statements:

 

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| **(in thousands except per share amounts)**              | ** ** | **Previously   reported** | ** ** | **Adjustment** | ** ** | **Revised** | ** ** |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|---------------------------|------------|----------------|------------|-------------|------------|
| **Balance sheet items at   December 31, 2009:**                              | ** ** | ** **                | ** ** | ** **     | ** ** | ** **  | ** ** |
| Other current assets                                                              |       | $                         | 3,774      |           | $          | (814        | )          | $ | 2,960 |   |
| Total current assets                                                              |       | 49,157                    |       | (814           | )          | 48,343      |       |
| Total assets                                                                      |       | 51,419                    |       | (814           | )          | 50,605      |       |
| Additional paid in capital                                                        |       | 20,293                    |       | (436           | )          | 19,857      |       |
| Employee share purchase receivable                                                |       | (308                      | )          | 308            |       | —      |       |
| Retained earnings                                                                 |       | 13,432                    |       | (686           | )          | 12,746      |       |
| Total stockholders’ equity                                                   |       | 33,439                    |       | (814           | )          | 32,625      |       |
| Liabilities and stockholders’ equity                                         |       | 51,419                    |       | (814           | )          | 50,605      |       |
|                                                                              |       |                      |       |           |       |        |       |
| **Balance sheet items at   December 31, 2008:**                              |       |                      |       |           |       |        |       |
| Other receivable                                                                  |       | 1,041                     |       | (107           | )          | 934         |       |
| Other current assets                                                              |       | 582                       |       | (176           | )          | 406         |       |
| Total current assets                                                              |       | 46,384                    |       | (283           | )          | 46,101      |       |
| Total assets                                                                      |       | 48,405                    |       | (283           | )          | 48,122      |       |
| Accrued expenses                                                                  |       | 3,091                     |       | 319            |       | 3,410       |       |
| Total current liabilities                                                         |       | 13,599                    |       | 319            |       | 13,918      |       |
| Additional paid in capital                                                        |       | 24,520                    |       | (557           | )          | 23,963      |       |
| Employee share purchase receivable                                                |       | (708                      | )          | 708            |       | —      |       |
| Retained earnings                                                                 |       | 10,971                    |       | (753           | )          | 10,218      |       |
| Total stockholders’ equity                                                   |       | 34,806                    |       | (602           | )          | 34,204      |       |
| Liabilities and stockholders’ equity                                         |       | 48,405                    |       | (283           | )          | 48,122      |       |
|                                                                              |       |                      |       |           |       |        |       |
| **Statement of income items for   the year ended December 31, 2009:**        |       |                      |       |           |       |        |       |
| General and administrative                                                        |       | 19,444                    |       | (279           | )          | 19,165      |       |
| Total operating expenses                                                          |       | 29,379                    |       | (279           | )          | 29,100      |       |
| Income from operations                                                            |       | 4,348                     |       | 279            |       | 4,627       |       |
| Income before income tax expense                                                  |       | 4,275                     |       | 279            |       | 4,554       |       |
| Income tax (expense)                                                              |       | (1,814                    | )          | (212           | )          | (2,026      | )          |
| Net income                                                                        |       | 2,461                     |       | 67             |       | 2,528       |       |
|                                                                              |       |                      |       |           |       |        |       |
| **Statement of income items for   the year ended December 31, 2008:**        |       |                      |       |           |       |        |       |
| General and administrative                                                        |       | 21,209                    |       | 475            |       | 21,684      |       |
| Total operating expenses                                                          |       | 34,580                    |       | 475            |       | 35,055      |       |
| Income from operations                                                            |       | 24,142                    |       | (475           | )          | 23,667      |       |
| Income before income tax expense                                                  |       | 24,000                    |       | (475           | )          | 23,525      |       |
| Income tax (expense)                                                              |       | (9,597                    | )          | (212           | )          | (9,809      | )          |
| Net income                                                                        |       | 14,403                    |       | (687           | )          | 13,716      |       |
| Net income per share available to common   shareholders - basic                   |       | 0.61                      |       | (0.03          | )          | 0.58        |       |
| Net income per share available to common   shareholders - diluted                 |       | 0.57                      |       | (0.02          | )          | 0.55        |       |
| ** **                                                                        |       |                      |       |           |       |        |       |
| **Statement of stockholders’   equity for the year ended December 31, 2009** |       |                      |       |           |       |        |       |
| Additional paid in capital                                                        |       | 20,293                    |       | (436           | )          | 19,857      |       |
| Advance to employees to purchase shares                                           |       | (308                      | )          | 308            |       | —      |       |
| Retained earnings                                                                 |       | 13,432                    |       | (686           | )          | 12,746      |       |
| Total stockholders’ equity                                                   |       | 33,439                    |       | (814           | )          | 32,625      |       |
|                                                                              |       |                      |       |           |       |        |       |
| **Statement of stockholders’   equity for the year ended December 31, 2008** |       |                      |       |           |       |        |       |
| Additional paid in capital                                                        |       | 24,520                    |       | (557           | )          | 23,963      |       |
| Advance to employees to purchase shares                                           |       | (708                      | )          | 708            |       | —      |       |
| Retained earnings                                                                 |       | 10,971                    |       | (753           | )          | 10,218      |       |
| Total stockholders’ equity                                                   |       | 34,806                    |       | (602           | )          | 34,204      |       |
|                                                                              |       |                      |       |           |       |        |       |
| **Statement of cash flow****items****for the year ended December 31, 2009:** |       |                      |       |           |       |        |       |
| Net income                                                                        |       | 2,461                     |       | 67             |       | 2,528       |       |
| Impairment in employees share purchase receivable                                 |       | 400                       |       | (400           | )          | —      |       |
| Stock based compensation                                                          |       | 844                       |       | 121            |       | 965         |       |
| Other receivable                                                                  |       | (413                      | )          | (107           | )          | (520        | )          |
| Other current assets                                                              |       | (3,192                    | )          | 638            |       | (2,554      | )          |
| Accrued expenses                                                                  |       | (800                      | )          | (319           | )          | (1,119      | )          |
|                                                                              |       |                      |       |           |       |        |       |
| **Statement of cash flow****items****for the year ended December 31, 2008:** |       |                      |       |           |       |        |       |
| Net income                                                                        |       | 14,403                    |       | (687           | )          | 13,716      |       |
| Impairment in employees share purchase receivable                                 |       | 256                       |       | (256           | )          | —      |       |
| Stock based compensation                                                          |       | 641                       |       | 731            |       | 1,372       |       |
| Accounts receivable                                                               |       | 1,555                     |       | (107           | )          | 1,448       |       |
| Other receivable                                                                  |       | 1,961                     |       | 107            |       | 2,068       |       |
| Other current assets                                                              |       | (204                      | )          | 283            |       | 79          |       |
| Accrued expenses                                                                  |       | (1,418                    | )          | (71            | )          | (1,489      | )          |
|                                                                                   |            |                           |            |                |            |             |            |  |  |  |

 

**(17)****                         ****Subsequent Events:**

 

See Recent Developments in Note 1.

 

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**Item 15(b)****                                        ****Financial Statement Schedule:**

 

**Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts**

 

**(in thousands)**

 
| **Description**                                                                         | ** ** | **Balance at the   beginning of   the year** | ** ** | **Charged to   revenue,   cost, or   expenses** | ** ** | **Deductions** | ** ** | **Balance at the   end of the   year** | ** ** |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|------------|----------------|------------|------------------------------------------------------------|------------|
| **Reserve deducted from asset to which it applies:** |       |                                                             |       |                                                      |       |           |       |                                                       |       |
| Year ended December 31, 2009                                        |       |                                                             |       |                                                      |       |           |       |                                                       |       |
| Reserve for sales returns                                                               |       | $                                                                | 171        |                                                      | $          | 478            |       | $                                                          | (535       | ) | $ | 114 |   |
| Reserve for charge-backs                                                                |       | 54                                                               |       | —                                                    |       | (32            | )          | 22                                                         |       |
|                                                                                    |       |                                                             |       |                                                      |       |           |       |                                                       |       |
| Year ended December 31, 2010                                                       |       |                                                             |       |                                                      |       |           |       |                                                       |       |
| Reserve for sales returns                                                               |       | $                                                                | 114        |                                                      | $          | 242            |       | $                                                          | —     |   | $ | 356 |   |
| Reserve for charge-backs                                                                |       | 22                                                               |       | 18                                                        |       | —         |       | 40                                                         |       |

 

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**(c)****                                 ****Exhibits**

 

The following exhibits are incorporated by reference or filed herewith

 
| **Exhibit   Number** | ** ** | **Exhibits**                                                                                                                                                                           |
|----------------------|------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|                 |       |                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| 2.1                  |       | Agreement   and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 15, 2006, by and between   Bidz.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Bidz.com, Inc., a   California corporation (1) |
| 3.1                  |       | Certificate   of Incorporation of the Registrant (2)                                                                                                                                   |
| 3.2                  |       | Bylaws   of the Registrant (3)                                                                                                                                                         |
| 10.1                 |       | 2001   Stock Option Plan(4)                                                                                                                                                            |
| 10.2                 |       | 2002   Stock Option Plan(5)                                                                                                                                                            |
| 10.3                 |       | 2006   Stock Award Plan (6)                                                                                                                                                            |
| 10.4                 |       | Employment   Agreement, dated as of June 6, 2006, between Bidz.com, Inc. and   David Zinberg (7)                                                                             |
| 10.4.1               |       | Employment   Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2002, between Bidz.com, Inc. and   David Zinberg (8)                                                                    |
| 10.5                 |       | Employment   Agreement, dated as of June 6, 2006, between Bidz.com, Inc. and   Lawrence Y. Kong (9)                                                                     |
| 10.6                 |       | Stock   Vesting Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2001, between   Bidz.com, Inc. and Lawrence Y. Kong (10)                                                                     |
| 10.7                 |       | Form of   Indemnification Agreement between Bidz.com, Inc. and each officer and   director (11)                                                                              |
| 10.7.1               |       | Indemnification   Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2002, between Bidz.com, Inc. and   David Zinberg (12)                                                              |
| 10.8                 |       | Lease,   between Bidz.com, Inc. and PAS Trust, dated as of April 15, 2003,   and Addendum No. 2, dated as of March 3, 2004(13)                                     |
| 10.9                 |       | Client   Service Agreement dated January 2, 2006 between Bidz.com, Inc. and   Administaff Companies II, L.P. (14)                                                            |
| 10.10                |       | Loan   and Security Agreement by Bidz.com, Inc. and LaSalle Retail Finance,   dated July 12, 2006 (15)                                                                       |
| 10.11                |       | Employment   Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2007 between Bidz.com, Inc. and   Leon Kuperman (16)                                                                            |
| 10.12                |       | Employment   Agreement, dated as of February 21, 2007 between Bidz.com, Inc. and   Claudia Liu (17)                                                                          |
| 31.1                 |       | Certification   of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the   Sarbanes-Oxley Act.                                                                               |
| 31.2                 |       | Certification   of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley   Act.                                                                               |
| 32                   |       | Certification   of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to   Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act                                                    |

 

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| (1)  |   | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of   Registrant’s Form S-1 (File No. 333-132545).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|------|--------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| (2)  |   | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of   Registrant’s Form S-1 (File No. 333-132545).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| (3)  |   | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of   Registrant’s Form S-1 (File No. 333-132545).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| (4)  |   | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of   Registrant’s Form 10 (File No. 000-51257).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| (5)  |   | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of   Registrant’s Form 10 (File No. 000-51257).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| (6)  |   | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of   Registrant’s Form S-1 (File No. 333-132545).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| (7)  |   | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of   Registrant’s Form S-1 (File No. 333-132545).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| (8)  |   | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of   Registrant’s Form 10 (File No. 000-51257).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| (9)  |   | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of   Registrant’s Form S-1 (File No. 333-132545).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| (10) |   | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of   Registrant’s Form S-1 (File No. 333-132545).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| (11) |   | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of   Registrant’s Form S-1 (File No. 333-132545).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| (12) |   | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of   Registrant’s Form 10 (File No. 000-51257).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| (13) |   | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of   Registrant’s Form 10 (File No. 000-51257).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| (14) |   | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of   Registrant’s Form S-1 (File No. 333-132545).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| (15) |   | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of   Registrant’s Form 10 (File No. 000-51257)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| (16) |   | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of   Registrant’s Form 10 (File No. 000-51257)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| (17) |   | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of   Registrant’s Form 10 (File No. 000-51257)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| (18) |   | The certification attached as Exhibit 32 that   accompanies this Annual Report on Form 10-K is not deemed filed with the   Securities and Exchange Commission and is not to be incorporated by reference   into any filing of Bidz.com, Inc. under the Securities Act of 1933 or   the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, whether made before or after the date of   this Annual Report on Form 10-K, irrespective of any general   incorporation language contained in such filing. |

 

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**SIGNATURES**

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 
|                         |       | BIDZ.COM, INC. |
|------------------------------|------------|---------------------|
|                         |       |                |   |
|                         |       |                |   |
|                         |       | By:                 | /s/ DAVID ZINBERG |
| ** **                   | ** ** | ** **          | **David Zinberg** |
| ** **                   | ** ** | ** **          | **Chief Executive Officer** |
|                         |       |                |   |
|                         |       |                |   |
| Dated:   March 11, 2011 |       |                |   |

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 
| **Signature**          | ** ** | **Title**                            | ** ** | **Date**            |
|------------------------|------------|--------------------------------------|------------|---------------------|
|                   |       |                                 |       |                |
| /s/   PETER G. HANELT  |       | Chairman   of the Board              |       | March 11, 2011 |
| Peter   G. Hanelt      |       |                                 |       |                |
|                   |       |                                 |       |                |
| /s/   DAVID ZINBERG    |       | Chief   Executive Officer (Principal |       | March 11, 2011 |
| David   Zinberg        |       | Executive   Officer)                 |       |                |
|                   |       |                                 |       |                |
| /s/   LAWRENCE Y. KONG |       | Chief   Financial Officer and        |       | March 11, 2011 |
| Lawrence   Y. Kong     |       | Director   (Principal Financial and  |       |                |
|                   |       | Accounting   Officer)                |       |                |
|                   |       |                                 |       |                |
| /s/   MAN JIT SINGH    |       | Director                             |       | March 11, 2011 |
| Man   Jit Singh        |       |                                 |       |                |
|                   |       |                                 |       |                |
| /s/   GARRY ITKIN      |       | Director                             |       | March 11, 2011 |
| Garry   Itkin          |       |                                 |       |                |

 

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