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Joining the Stock Gumshoe Irregulars for $4.50 a month or $49 a year is, first and foremost, a way to support StockGumshoe.com -- but becoming an Irregular also gives you access to the members only section of this site (which is currently in beta release -- more info about that here).
If you cannot or don't wish to make payments online through PayPal, Contributions by check or other paper correspondence can be sent to:
Stock Gumshoe
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Donations of any amount are also always welcome -- thanks!
Thanks to all of you who have contributed so far -- you're keeping the Stock Gumshoe going!
THIS SITE DOES NOT OFFER FINANCIAL ADVICE. PLEASE READ THESE IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS AND POLICIES:
Reviews and commentary posted on this site by readers represent the opinions of those readers, and such content is not edited or approved by Stock Gumshoe. Review submissions are moderated to prevent the posting of offensive, unrelated, or spam commentary or reviews, but there is no guarantee that our moderating process will catch all such submissions. Reviews and commentary do not represent the opinion of Travis Johnson or Stock Gumshoe. Reviewers of newsletters and services represent themselves as current or past subscribers or users of those services, but no effort is made to verify their status or the substance of their experience. If you are concerned about the accuracy of the information about any newsletter or other content on this site you are encouraged to contact Stock Gumshoe. Please see below for full disclaimers and privacy policies.
39 Subscriber Reviews of Stock Gumshoe
Review by M Martiz, March 21, 2009
STOCK GUMSHOE is so good that I’m considering cancelling my other subscriptions. It gives in depth information on the picks in most of my newsletters, even those I haven’t subscribed to, I can find the name of the company here. I tried doing my own research for a long time and only succeeded once and did very well, but it wasn’t easy. Made money for a change and still making it, but STOCK GUMSHOE IS A GREAT, INEXPENSIVE RESOURSE, that provides all of the information others make us pay a great deal for. Thanks!!
Review by sheeple123jump, March 22, 2009
I just discovered this web site yesterday. Stock Gumshoe…..What a Great find !!. I havent completely read through the whole web site yet , so I dont know if he offers services, etc or a subscription…but I can say that his writing is terrific,thought processes very clear ,love the Thinkalator…just a really great style of expressing all the info that we’re all trying to understand….in a time that is getting crazier and crazier….Any kind of help is a blessing…and cleverness aside, as most financially ‘undereducated’,naive people are getting desperate to learn about handling their personal financial crisis….we quickly discover the flood of ’spam-like’ advertisements in our emailbox,announcing the latest greatest get rich quick,save your financial ass..ets asap, thing….and this web site stock gumshoe is absolutely brilliant and perfectly timed.
Newsletter reviews,yes,great idea, and I do subscribe to one ,which I will review in the future.
Stock Gumshoe…book marked….and put at the top.
Review by Douglas Bowers, March 24, 2009
Travis, thanks for all of the great snooping. Your info has saved me countless shekels, especially with the con artists over at Agora. I am still licking my wounds over Patrick Cox’s big November scam (buy now or get left behind), featuring BioTime, ARWR and RXII. Those three dogs dropped right from the first second I owned them. It was soon after that lame purchase that I found your site and again, thanks. You do a wonderful job of analyzing without schilling. Thanks, Doug
Review by Peter, March 24, 2009
I discovered this website recently when I was googling a newsletter to find out more. Great resource, especially the review section. Give it another year for the database to fill up and it will be fantastic. Something I like is that you get a lot of qualitative information. Any newsletter can have a good run because they’re lucky. What I’m looking for is newsletter writers who have that little extra, be it skill in timing, being a step ahead in seeing the big picture, or stock selection.
Just a few comments:
There’s of course nothing to stop newsletter writers from posting positive reviews of themselves on this board. If people had to register first before posting their reviews, it would make it a little bit harder at least. Even better if they have to use a non-user generated email address (from a telco, school or work, as opposed to yahoo, gmail, etc.).
Second, let’s be fair to the newsletter companies: if you get value out of their advice, pay for it. They have a business to run too. If there’s too much leakage to the internet, in the long run it will be a lose-lose.
Review by EYoung, March 25, 2009
I’ve been reading The Gumshoe for quite some time,,, and as with M Martiz, I too am considering cancelling my subs to FOOL and Agora, and all the others,,, The only one I have found in addition to Seeking Alpha is The Gumshoe, and he explains it all so well, that he leaves the others “in the dust”, so to speak.
RAVE ON, Gumshoe~!
EYoung
Review by Ray Miller, March 25, 2009
I enjoy the daily reviews and plan to sign up as an “Irregular”. Not sure yet how your picks perform but I’m about to find out. You are as close to an unbiased newsletter entrepreneur as it gets. I’m not convinced that any of the “teasers” are worth pursuing on a regular basis. That’s why I like Gumshoe.
Review by StockGumshoe, March 25, 2009
[Just as an aside to Ray, and anyone else who cares -- the picks that I've written about for the Irregulars have, on average, stunk so far ... membership in the Stock Gumshoe Irregulars helps support the site and I certainly appreciate it, but the stock picks, particularly the early ones from last year, were very poorly timed, few have beaten the market]
Review by Phil, March 25, 2009
The folks that have already found you know how much time you have saved them from chasing down the “this stock will make you rich by Tuesday” scams that fill the email and postal mailboxes. Thank you for that.
This approach to evaluating the ‘investing services’ that companies provide is another great idea. I think there will be enough honest and obvious opinions for the services reviewed so that newsletters stacking the deck wont be a problem. If you see the word SECRET in any review you know it came from one of the services.
Thanks for starting another great service.
Review by james jankowski, March 26, 2009
Travis I appreciate your snooping I read your site always and I am never board . You have the most helpful information when it comes to all those misleading adds THANK YOU
Review by Emmanuel, March 26, 2009
I enjoy your style and trust your advice. No bull and continue to make fun of others hyperbole
Keep up the good work.
Review by M Martiz, March 30, 2009
I’m about ready to cancel all my other expensive subscriptions and quit chasing “teasers” and just wait for timely Stock Gumshoe comments which always are clear and objective and incredibly inexpensive in comparison.
Review by Rob L., March 30, 2009
Odd giving this five stars for “Performance of picks/advice,” since the site is purely informational and doesn’t offer actual advice OR picks. Still, it’s such a valuable site in so many ways.
Review by Andrea, April 8, 2009
Like all the others here, I love the Gumshoe. Kudos to you Travis, for putting this site together. I have subscribed to a (small) number of newsletters, and have found them entertaining, informative, educational and in general good fun. I doubt I have recouped any money on any of the investment suggestions, and it’s interesting that many of the “teasers” I get now are moving to derivative trading, since the “buy and hold” strategy has been hammered.
But that’s about the others - I like the gumshoe because it’s free, unless you want to donate, it doesn’t purport to know if the NEXT BEST THING has arrived, so I really enjoy the lack of hyperbole, and the take the **** (australian euphemism for a send up (pardon the asterisks)) (am I allowed Travis?). Keep up the good work!!
Review by Barbara, April 9, 2009
I greatly appreciate the stock gumshoe’s analysis and critique of the investment hype newsletters. His advice is well thought out and pertinent.
Review by gmcg, April 12, 2009
After having taken a large loss in 2007 when using an investment advisor, I started my own belated financial self-education. In this process I discovered GUMSHOE. Within a few months my conscience bothered me — so much quality information for free. I became an Irregular feeling Travis deserved the small fee he requests to support his work. In addition to his sleuthing, other readers’ and members’ comments are invaluable. This latest feature on GUMSHOE, rating other financial websites, can save every investor who looks at it a lot of wasted money for useless hype. I can’t thank you enough Travis for what you do.
Review by advantedges, April 17, 2009
Travis has been offering Gumshoe now for several years as a public service to the investment community. His strategy? To take “teaser ads” that we all get from the expensive financial newsletters and determine which stock(s) the writer is “teasing.” The involvement of the reader community in confirming and reviewing Gumshoe’s sluthing is as important as the work that Travis completes.
What I appreciate the most is the honesty of this writer. Travis will let you know if he is uncertain about the stock selection by his analysis. Further, his write-up on the actual selection can be very informative — and usually “spot on!”
I would recommend the Gumshoe website to any investor - new or used!
Review by Mover, April 17, 2009
Appreciate the exposure of the teasers and the input from other traders who are in the trenches with me. So many of the newletter promoters make their money on subscriptions. Example is Wiese, who has 500,000 subscribers. Recently he extensivly promoted “looking over Claus’ shoulder” for only $1500, while Wiese put up one million of his own money. Course he didn’t mention that at 1500 a pop, if he gets a 10%signup he took in $75,000,000. And with no risk of loss. Maybe we should learn how to promote an investment newsletter.
Review by jackl, April 22, 2009
Man-O-Man Travis,am i ever glad i found your site while “fishing around” a few weeks ago. Cannot begin to understand how you manage to get so much info on such short notice. You must have a staff of hundreds (or with that beard are you a WIZARD yourself?}. I’ve spent big bucks on so many newsletters over the past years (some good,but mostly bad)and certainly could have used your swift “take” on both the newsletters themselves as well as the stocks,options,etc, rather than my lame attempts to reach a good or bad conclusion myself. Frankly didn’t know till just last week that i had the option to pay for your advise. Guess i just sold myself HUH…
Review by Simon, May 8, 2009
Your the best Stockgumshoe!!!
The ‘teasers’ exposed and comments from the other readers are priceless. Really Travis… keep up the great work!
Review by Axell, June 8, 2009
Since i’ve discovered the Gumshoe, i’ve not opened or read a single teaser! I like his {And some of the contributor’s} sincere, skeptical, analytical approach. Fun, dry wit, {i like his priceless line about options!} Can’t argue about the price! If I have one complaint, more of a minor annoyance really, is that i find navigating & finding bottom lines & past performances a bit laborious & difficult. Also, are the numerous ads favored or merely sponsors?? {The Rich Jerk?? Really!} Overall, a very good & much needed “Consumer Caveat Beware” evaluation service! Washington D.C has always held a somewhat critical & jaded perspective on the Wall Street juggernaut & media hype. {One of the finest & fave Pomp Epic Rock band, “ANGEL” emanated from Georgetown!} Thank You & all the very best!
Review by PeterM, June 9, 2009
I stumbled upon SG only a few days ago whilst trying to track down one of those secret, elusive, must-have stocks from another site. Finally here is someone with the knowledge and brains to figure out these stocks and to give the whole story in a clear and insightful manner, with the good, bad and the ugly.
Saves me hours of wasted time trying to hunt down information, so that I can determine for myself - in my own time - whether it is worth investing or not.
Furthermore, I put in a request for information on a company which did not appear to be written about on SG. Within half a day, Travis wrote back that he would follow up, and within one day, a whole article had been written up and posted out. Now that’s service! It puts into context the lack of service from other paid-for newsletters, whose editors rarely, if ever, reply to important questions, which ends up costing a lot in lost investments.
5 stars all round, (with the exception of performance picks… I haven’t checked that yet).
Review by Ed, June 18, 2009
I want to Thank Travis for his emails. I could be mistaken but Travis is the only person on the Web who helps novice investors like myself avoid investment scams or bogus investment newsletters. We owe a lot to Travis for his hard work because he is responsible for safeguarding investors like myself from making stupid investment decisions. I really appreciate what Travis has done and I commend him for his efforts. He is one of just a handful of people who assist the small investor and is a credit to his profession. It is nice to have someone in the investment industry who is honest and has integrity and does it, without asking for a fee. A True Honest Professional. A very rare breed in this industry. Thank You Travis.
Regards - Ed
Review by sheeple123jump, July 25, 2009
Since this web site has received no negative reviews at all….I decided to post a review Here,in the negative section,knowing that a million sheeple will rush to see who in the wurl could hate this site….it’s a trick,and you fell for it…. there have been no bad reviews Because this web site is Great, there’s nothing bad about it. Travis’s service to us folks is invaluable,timely,honest, and I wouldnt be without it.
….but if I must find something negative to say….. I’ve been getting a little annoyed,just a little, that Travis never commits himself to a concluding opinion to anything…he usually leaves us all hanging at the end…with his …” I dunno, what do you think,let me know…” conclusions….and it bugs me a little because I know he knows more than me and I want advise.
Dont make me take responsibility for my own decisions ….
Travis, you can delete this post if you need to…I dont want to screw up your ratings….cheers
Review by Sunny, July 25, 2009
Without a doubt, the best must read daily analysis of the scams out there that are going to make us all millionaires overnight.Exceptionally well written, wish I could write as well as the SG.
Review by Farmer John, July 26, 2009
Travis, your site is the only one I use.
I started with $50k last Nov, and using your advice only, the little “mutual fund” I created closed last Friday at $496k. THE PROOF IS IN THE POCKET.
Farmer John
Review by Portfolio Man, July 29, 2009
John,
What stock picking does gumshoe offer? Please let us know.
Review by jbb, August 9, 2009
Stock Gumshoe has saved me THOUSANDS of dollars in tempting subscriptions. Worth its weight in GOLD. Thanks Travis!
Review by mark, August 17, 2009
Best free site for specific market commentaries I have found is ‘Larry TV’ at Larry Williams Ireallytrade.com website. He has nailed all the big moves this year. It is irregular; but free.
Mark Durban
Review by Grandpa Joe, September 14, 2009
Stock Gumshoe unveils the hype usually contained in newsletter “teasers.” I have subscribed to over 20 newsletters over the past 30 years and find it a valuable source to ascertain the stocks behind the hype. It is written in an entertaining way and provides a lot of valuable information to inverstors.
Grandpa Joe
Review by adagio, September 30, 2009
I have little to add to all the other glowing reviews but I nevertheless want to register my own personal thank-you to Travis for this wonderful resource. The good vibes and humility he transmits and the laughs I get are alone worth the price of admission. Beyond that, he has saved me a fortune in subscription costs and has often stopped me from making disastrous stock purchases. Especially in this merciless field, for someone to share so much heart as well as excellent advice–and even doing it for free–is truly amazing. I encourage everyone reading this to subscribe and support this one-of-a-kind gem!
Review by Scott, October 4, 2009
Probably my favorite investing website! Thanks Travis!
Review by cautious investor, October 4, 2009
I promised I would join as soon as I made some money acting on the info, so I did. Actually it was the money I saved by profiting and avoiding from the reviews. This is truly a PRICELESS service. A real bonus is the fun to be had in reading the (sometimes a bit lengthy) reviews. Like many before me I just wish a service like this had been available years ago.
I did not assign a rating in performance since Travis generally eschews picks.
Review by Mesa1546, October 14, 2009
You are the MAN, Travis! I am so glad when a friend told me about your site. I find your service to be so invaluable that I have stopped subscribing to other investments newletters except yours & an option one (for fun). I can’t thank you enough for saving me money, time & frustrations from all those “millionaire makers” gurus. You are so funny, insightful & smart! You even have time to answer me directly sometimes to let me know that you solved the teaser ad that I just sent you. How cool is that? That’s why I gave you all stars since you are #1 in my book. I will be an Irregular as long as I am around.
Btw, Farmer John–what was his “mutual fund” advice?
Review by Maryanne, October 16, 2009
Travis is the true hero and protector of the retail investor (Abolish the SEC!) This site is a must check before subscribing to investment services. Thanks again and keep up the great work!
Review by William, November 13, 2009
I just love this site for its informative format plus as a member of the Weiss Million Dollar Contrarian Portfolio I can blog the facts of their miserable performance, unlike the MDCP’s own blog that is highly censored. Martin Weiss can’t deal with the truth of his own professional failure. He may have inherited and made a bit of money himself, but as far as being a successful investment adviser service he’s a total failure.
Review by Skeptic, November 14, 2009
Concur with the vast majority of comments by others but am compelled to redundantly add that Travis, aka Stock Gumshoe, not only excels in deciphering the over-bloviated hype & exaggerations rife throughout the insidious, incestuous financial publishing community populated by self proclaimed
“former” Wall Street “experts,” sparing anyone fortunate enough to know about this website the costly “trials &losses” the vast majority of “investment” newsletters dupe too many subscribers to succumbing - without ANY accountability for accuracy or effectiveness, per usual, Buyer BEWARE, he also imparts invaluable investment evaluation information that every potential investor OUGHT to possess and use before putting ANY of their hard earned, over taxed earnings & savings at risk. The obscene amount of money virtually all publishers fleece off well intended, eager “subscribers” seeking nothing more than preserving what they have managed to amass, first of all, then put that sum to work, make it “grow” while protecting against inherent risks - particularly the market makers/timers/manipulators suckering retail investors time & again, gouging billions in obscene”fees” eroding & diminishing returns, amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars PER INVESTOR over their lifetime - is individually & collectively an enormous cost investors do NOT have to incur or pay…IF they simply recognize that NO ONE cares more about their money than they do and NO ONE WILL manage their money as well as or with the due diligence they should.
The MYTH perpetrated via intentional neglect & perpetual ignorance throughout the dyfunctional educational system is deliberate. The sanctimonious, holier than thou elite’s incessant preaching THEY are SUPERIOR, KNOW MORE and worse, BETTER how to educate your kids, how you “should” spend, invest your money that THEY gladly skim nickeling & diming all of us to death, whether by the paper pushing nit wits in Congress interested ONLY in their own self serving POWER OVER all of us, extorting our tax dollars & squandering it, or the over paid minions of Banksters, WStreet controlling DC & over 40% of GDP (from 2% once upon a time when Thomas Jefferson aptly warned about the DANGERS of Central Bankers & the corrupt, pernicious threat we have all EXPERIENCED as played out,)do not care one iotta about anyone or anything other than their OWN self interests - they perpetually prey upon and exploit the masses of sheeple who, out of ignorance, are clueless.
ASK yourself this whenever bombarded with exaggerated claims about outlandish, practically risk free “returns” playing the roulette that has become the highly manipulated markets controlled by the PPT & the private Federal reserves cabal of banksters: if ANY of these self described “guru’s” were so great at what they profess, why don’t they publish ACTUAL results & take any responsibility when they are so far off the mark? They do not have to because the people they gouge for “subscriptions” don;t DEMAND it…in what is essentially “Price fixing” rife throughout the “investing” publishing BIG business, they can gouge anywhere from $49. “discounted” rate to well over $2,000.00 for their “proprietary” screening methods they refuse to disclose - but expect investors to follow their overly broad, often undefined “portfolio” objectives & recommendations - whether they are suitable or not for any given subscriber & their circumstances - without ANY ACCOUNTABILITY.
This is a long winded way of saying it is astonishing so many continue to fall prey to the endless morass of utterly useless, self serving garbage proliferating in this billion dollar industry exploiting the real need & thirst for “knowledge” but failing miserably to provide same.
Buyer, investor Beware & DO YOUR OWN DUE DILIGENCE - if only to save yourself your own money…few have the time OR genuine understanding of the complexities of the markets, exchanges and most importantly, WHO CONTROLS ALL OF IT.
Sure, a precious few have managed to educate & equip themselves adequately to compete with the big boys & institutional investors, but the vast majority have not, as stats over the long haul show. A significant majority of the “losses” come from the FEES being fleeced from all accounts.
The Parasites feeding off YOUR hard earned money are everywhere. They want your money - they do NOT care about you or your money except how much they can extract FROM you.
Stock Gumshoe is the exception to the scam game…he is the real deal, genuine article. He ferrets out the FACTS and enables anyone who takes the time and due diligence to research where and how to deploy their money to make a better informed decision.
The Big Boys pay millions to armies of “analysts” annually - who have a vested interest in keeping the game going…they are NOT “Lookning out for YOU.”
No one can or will. The best thing anyone with half a brain can do for themselves is INVESTIGATE any investment or newsletter for themselves BEFORE they fork over a penny.
Stock Gumshoe provides an invaluable service that spares people willing to take the time and interest to QUESTION anything and everything that is published their hard earned money and alot of disappointment.
Thanks to Stock Gumshoe, I avoided succumbing to the temptation of subscribing to a majority of the newsletters reviewed on this site - and preserved precious resources.
THAT is worth far more than any “potential” return that the ODDS clearly show have not and do not materialize by newsletters alone.
The disclaimers & caveats they all protect THEMSELVES with, placing the entire burden and responsibility on YOU is there precisely to insulate themselves - not you.
Ironically, despite those disclaimers, while continuing to suspect, monitor & grow increasingly skeptical about Martin Weiss’s outfit, curious & questioning the reason for the sudden, separate but related UncommonWisdomDaily offshoot & departure of Larry Edelson to Thailand, some disturbing news was unearthed. Evidently, Martin Weiss paid officials an undisclosed sum to settle charges against his separately held Investment Management firm, and, IF memory serves correctly, apparently also involves Larry Edelson to an UNKNOWN extent.
IF accurate, it MAY explain why Mr. Edelson suddenly relocated to Thailand…this is not to suggest anything other than it remains an unclear mystery as to WHY the three former Weiss guys (edleson, Sagami & Broderick) unexpectedly departed & started what appears to be an “affiliated” but separate entity, named Uncommonwisdondaily, without ANY explanation or disclosure by Weiss firm or the three amigo’s.
Perhaps Travis would like to shed more light on this development and relationship. That said, their “free” daily emails provide some useful market info one doesn’t have to pay the subscription price to receive.
Thank you Travis for what you do and how you do it. Wish MORE people were aware of your website…might suggest a relatively new tool many newsletter publishers are using from Wikinvest tool? Will dramatically increase your traffic while simultaneously linking content the hordes need to see!
Check it out, if you haven’t already.
Review by hfj, November 16, 2009
A must as free and intelligent financial website! (nothing else to say: it isn’t propaganda! :o)))
Review by Thomas, November 17, 2009
Terriic newsletter…after lst few weeks all I could say was EURIKA. finally a writer that gets what the invester needs above all else …honesty and factual info without the hype.
Review by Kim, November 18, 2009
Thomas,
If it’s so good, why did you give it only one star??
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