Table of Contents

FORM 10-Q

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

(Mark One)
[ x ] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the quarterly period ended: June 30, 2004

OR

[   ] 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: 0-25790

PC Mall, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     
Delaware 95-4518700
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

2555 West 190th Street, Suite 201
Torrance, CA 90504
(address of principal executive offices)
(310) 354-5600
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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.  Yes [X]    No [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes [  ]    No [X]

There were 11,173,632 outstanding shares of common stock at August 5, 2004.

 


PC MALL, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 2. Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Item 5. Other Matters
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
Signature

 

 


Table of Contents

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PC MALL, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)

 

 

June 30, 2004

(unaudited)

    December 31, 2003
Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

6,344

$

7,819 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts

85,395

71,401 

Inventories

62,640

80,542 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

2,984

3,909 

Deferred income taxes

3,578    

3,578 

Total current assets

  160,941 167,249 
         
Property and equipment, net 10,156 10,438 
Goodwill 1,355 861 
Deferred income taxes 10,102 9,269 
Other assets 2,227     1,353 

Total assets

$

184,781

$

189,170 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

65,694

$

83,856 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

16,667 16,621 

Deferred revenue

11,136 11,348 

Line of credit

34,554 26,202 

Notes payable - current

500     1,000 

Total current liabilities

128,551 139,027 

Notes payable

3,000 250 

Total liabilities

131,551   139,277 
     
Stockholders' equity:

Preferred stock, $.001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding

- -

Common stock, $.001 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 11,465,162 and 11,165,399 shares issued; and 11,170,962 and 10,871,199 shares outstanding, respectively

11 11 

Additional paid-in capital

82,433 78,032 
    Deferred stock-based compensation (1,906) -

Treasury stock at cost: 294,200 shares

(1,015) (1,015)

Translation adjustment

-    

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

(26,293)     (27,136)

Total stockholders' equity

53,230     49,893 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

184,781

$

189,170 

See condensed notes to consolidated financial statements.

 


Table of Contents

PC MALL, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)

                        

Three months ended

      Six months ended

June 30,

June 30,

2004

2003

2004 2003
Net sales $ 270,496 $ 218,862   $ 548,620 $ 453,659  
Cost of goods sold   235,773   188,160     478,639   394,092  
Gross profit 34,723 30,702   69,981 59,567  
Selling, general and administrative expenses 27,535 23,095  54,577 47,116  

Advertising expense (see Note 2)

  5,528   5,773     13,122   9,965 
Income from operations 1,660 1,834   2,282 2,486  
Interest expense, net   510   331     911   519  
Income  before income taxes 1,150 1,503   1,371 1,967  
Income tax provision   443   556     528   728  
Net income $ 707   $ 947  

$ 843   $ 1,239  
 
Earnings per share:
     Basic $ 0.06 $ 0.09  

$ 0.08 $ 0.12  
     Diluted $ 0.06 $ 0.09  

$ 0.07 $ 0.11  
Weighted average shares outstanding:                      

Basic

11,026 10,535 10,959 10,566

Diluted

  12,174     11,115     12,128     11,119

See condensed notes to consolidated financial statements.

 


Table of Contents

PC MALL, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(unaudited, in thousands)

 

Common Stock

Additional

Paid-in

Capital

Deferred Stock-Based Compensation

Treasury Stock

Translation Adjustment

Retained

Earnings

 (Accumulated

 Deficit)

Total
 

 Common Shares

 Issued Outstanding
Balance at December 31, 2003 11,165 10,871 $           11   $         78,032  $                - $          1,015) $              1 $        (27,136) $          49,893 

Stock option exercises, including related income tax benefit

300 300   - 2,401 - - - - 2,401
Deferred stock-based compensation - -   - - (1,906) - - - (1,906)
Additional paid-in-capital related to deferred stock-based compensation - -   - 2,000 - - - - 2,000

Translation adjustment

- - - - - - (1) - (1)

Net Income

- -   - - - - - 843 843
Balance at June 30, 2004 11,465 11,171 $         11  $         82,433  $         (1,906) $         (1,015)  $              -   $        (26,293)  $         53,230 

See condensed notes to consolidated financial statements.

 


 

PC MALL, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited, in thousands)

       

 For the six months ended

June 30,

 
2004 2003
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income

$

 843

$

  1,239

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

 1,997  2,090

Provision for deferred income taxes

 528  728
 

 Non-cash stock-based compensation

   184      -  
   Gain on sale of fixed assets  (3) (64)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable  (13,994)  (7,107)
Inventories  17,902  (1,632)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 925  824 
Other assets 13  (106)
Accounts payable (9,376)  (1,816)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities    (1,250)    (2,492)
Deferred revenue  (212) (2,467)
   Total adjustments  (3,286) (12,042)
Net cash used in operating activities (2,443) (10,803)
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment (1,601) (2,255)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 3 64
Net cash used in investing activities  (1,598) (2,191)
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments for deferred financing costs  -  (440)
Payments for deferred offering costs (288) -
Borrowings under notes payable  2,750 2,000
Payments under notes payable (500)  (417)
Net borrowings under line of credit  8,352  12,867
Decrease in book overdraft   (8,786) (8,040)
Principal payments of obligations under capital leases   -  (124)
  Repurchase of common stock   -    (459)  
Proceeds from stock issued under stock option plans    1,039     12
Net cash provided by financing activities    2,567    5,399
 
Effect on foreign currency on cash flow (1) -
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents  (1,475)  (7,659)
Cash and cash equivalents:  
Beginning of period    7,819     11,422
End of period

$

 6,344  $  3,763

See condensed notes to consolidated financial statements.

 


Table of Contents

PC MALL, INC.
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

1.        Basis of Presentation  

The consolidated interim financial statements include the accounts of PC Mall, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (formerly IdeaMall, Inc. and Creative Computers, Inc.) and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") and have been prepared without audit pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such regulations.  These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and with the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2004. 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments consisting solely of normal recurring items necessary for a fair statement of the financial position of the Company at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003 and the results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003.  The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the full year.

Stock Based Compensation

The Company accounts for its stock option plans using the intrinsic value-based method of accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," ("APB 25") and related interpretations.  Under this method, compensation expense is recorded on the date of grant only if the current market price of the underlying common stock exceeded the exercise price.  Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS 123") established accounting and disclosure requirements using a fair value-based method for stock option plans.  As allowed by SFAS 123, the Company continues to apply the intrinsic value-based method of accounting, and has adopted the disclosure requirements of SFAS 123.  Accordingly, the Company does not record compensation expense on issuance of stock options to employees, as all options issued to employees to date were granted at the then-current market value at the date of grant, except for the grant in March 2004 as discussed in Note 5.

Had compensation cost on all grants been determined consistent with SFAS 123, the Company's net income and earnings per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts shown below (in thousands, except per share amounts). 

Three months ended

Six months ended

June 30,

June 30,

2004

2003

2004

2003

Net income (as reported) $ 707 $ 947 $ 843 $ 1,239
Less: compensation expense as determined under SFAS 123, net of related taxes   (404)     (261)   (790)     (539)
Add: stock-based compensation expense included in reported net income, net of related taxes 58 - 58 -
Pro forma net income $ 361 $ 686 $ 111 $ 700
Earnings per share - Basic

As reported

$ 0.06 $ 0.09 $ 0.08 $ 0.12
Pro forma $ 0.03 $ 0.07 $ 0.01 $ 0.07
Earnings per share - Diluted

As reported

$ 0.06 $ 0.09 $ 0.07 $ 0.11
Pro forma $ 0.03 $ 0.06 $ 0.01 $ 0.06
                     

The fair value of each stock option grant has been estimated pursuant to SFAS 123 on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions presented in the table for the respective periods:

Three months ended

Six months ended

June 30,

June 30,

2004

2003

2004

2003

                     

Risk free interest rates

  3.43%     3.34%   3.47%     3.51%

Expected dividend yield

  None     None   None     None

Expected lives

  7 years     7 years   7 years     7 years

Expected volatility

  116%     126%   116%     127%
Weighted average grant date fair value   $15.51     $3.49   $14.96     $3.33

In June 2003, the Company issued a warrant to purchase 30,000 shares of the Company's common stock to a consulting firm for investor and public relations services.  The warrant was issued at an exercise price of $3.99 with a five-year term, and vested monthly over a one year period until it became fully vested in June 2004.  The Company valued the warrant at fair value (in accordance with FASB Statement No. 123, "Accounting for Stock Based Compensation") based on a Black-Scholes fair value calculation.  The warrant was valued at the date of grant and was re-measured at fair value at each subsequent reporting period.  Through June 30, 2004, the Company recorded a cumulative expense of approximately $0.4 million for the one-year vesting period ended June 30, 2004, which includes $0.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004.

 In June 2004, the Company issued an additional warrant to purchase 30,000 shares of the Company's common stock to the consulting firm.  The terms of the warrant are substantially the same as the June 2003 warrant, except for the exercise price on the date of grant, which was $19.22.  The Company will treat this warrant in the same manner as the June 2003 warrant by re-measuring at fair value at each subsequent reporting period until it becomes fully vested in June 2005.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2003 financial statement amounts to conform to the 2004 presentation.

2.          Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2002, the FASB issued EITF No. 02-16, "Accounting by a Customer (Including a Reseller) for Certain Consideration Received from a Vendor" ("EITF 02-16"). EITF 02-16 requires that consideration received by a customer from a vendor is considered (a) an adjustment of the prices of the vendor's products or services and therefore, characterized as a reduction of cost of sales when recognized in the reseller's statement of operations, (b) an adjustment to a cost incurred by the reseller and, therefore, characterized as a reduction of that cost when recognized in the reseller's statement of operations, or (c) a payment for assets or services delivered to the vendor, and therefore, characterized as revenue when recognized in the reseller's statement of operations.  Adoption of EITF 02-16 was required for the Company for new agreements, including modifications of existing agreements, entered into after December 31, 2002.  For the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2004, nearly all vendor consideration was recorded as an offset to cost of goods sold.  For the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2003, $0.4 million and $3.0 million of total vendor consideration was recorded as an offset to advertising expense, respectively .


  3.         Net Income Per Share

Basic Earnings Per Share ("EPS") excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reported periods.  Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur under the treasury stock method if stock options and other commitments to issue common stock were exercised. The computation of Basic and Diluted EPS is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

 

Three months ended

Six months ended

June 30,

June 30,

2004 2003 2004 2003
Net income $ 707 $ 947 

$ 843 $  1,239

Weighted average shares - Basic 11,026   10,535 10,959  10,566 

Effect of dilutive stock options and warrants (a)

  1,148    580   1,169   553 

Weighted average shares - Diluted

  12,174      11,115   12,128   11,119 
Earnings per share - Basic   $ 0.06 $   0.09

$ 0.08 $   0.12   
                             
 Earnings per share - Diluted   $ 0.06 $    0.09

0.07 $   0.11 

 

(a)  Potential common shares of 14 and 13 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and 771 and 773 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, have been excluded from the earnings per share computations because the effect of their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.


4.           Segment Information

The Company operates in three reportable segments: 1) a rapid response supplier of technology solutions for business, government and educational institutions as well as consumers, comprised of corporate, public sector, inbound catalog and other sales, collectively referred to as the "Core Business," 2) a multi-category online discount retailer of new, refurbished and close-out products under the eCOST.com brand, and 3) an online marketplace/auction business under the OnSale.com brand.  The OnSale.com segment, which was previously reported as part of the Core Business, was established as a new segment beginning in the third quarter of 2003, and prior period amounts have been adjusted to reflect the new presentation.  The Company allocates resources to and evaluates the performance of its segments based on operating income.  Corporate expenses are included in the Company's measure of segment operating income for management reporting purposes.

Summarized segment information for continuing operations for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 is as follows (in thousands):

           

Three months ended June 30, 2004

Core Business

eCOST.com

OnSale Consolidated
Net sales $ 231,604 $ 38,884 $ 8   $ 270,496
Gross profit 30,408 4,307 8   34,723
Income from operations 2,019 (33)

(326)

  1,660
 

Three months ended June 30, 2003

Core Business

eCOST.com OnSale Consolidated
Net sales $ 194,903  $ 23,959 $

-  

  $ 218,862
Gross profit 27,820  2,882

-  

  30,702
Income from operations 1,815  247

(228)

  1,834
 

Six months ended June 30, 2004

Core Business

eCOST.com OnSale Consolidated
Net sales $ 471,397  $ 77,208    $ 15     $ 548,620    
Gross profit 61,610  8,356    15     69,981    
Income from operations 3,226  (306)    (638)    2,282    
 

Six months ended June 30, 2003

Core Business

eCOST.com OnSale Consolidated
Net sales $ 405,783  $ 47,876 $ -      $ 453,659
Gross profit 53,996  5,571 -      59,567
Income from operations 2,530  365 (409)   

2,486

5.         eCOST.com 1999 Stock Incentive Plan

In 1999, eCOST.com adopted its 1999 Stock Incentive Plan. As of June 30, 2004, options to purchase an aggregate of 656,000 shares of eCOST.com common stock were outstanding at a weighted average exercise price of $5.67.  The options have terms that (i) restrict exerciseability based on the earlier of a corporate transaction involving eCOST.com (e.g. a merger or consolidation or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of eCOST.com) as defined, an initial public offering ("IPO") by eCOST.com or the lapse of a five or seven year period from date of grant, and (ii) for certain awards, provide repurchase rights to eCOST.com at the original exercise price in the event of employee termination, which rights terminate in the event of a corporate transaction or IPO. No options were exercisable at June 30, 2004 or for any prior period, and the time-based vesting terms were not deemed substantive as the awards are effectively contingent upon a corporate transaction or IPO of eCOST.com.  Due to such contingency, the Company has deemed the awards to be variable awards under APB 25 as the probability of these contingent events cannot be reasonably determined. As a result, a measurement date has not yet occurred for these awards. The Company will be required to recognize a compensation charge based on the intrinsic value of these awards when and if such contingent events occur in the future. Based on the mid-point of the offering price range as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by eCOST.com in connection with the potential offering, the aggregate charge the Company would recognize upon closing for these awards would be approximately $1.5 million.

In March 2004 eCOST.com granted an option to purchase 400,000 shares of common stock to its Chief Executive Officer at an exercise price of $9.00 per share. This grant resulted in the recognition of deferred stock-based compensation based on the estimated deemed fair value of the common stock on the date of grant of $14.00. An aggregate of 25% of the shares of common stock subject to this option will vest upon the earlier of the completion of an IPO or three years from the date that eCOST.com granted this option. The remainder of the shares of common stock subject to this option will vest in equal quarterly installments over a three year period following whichever of these events occur first. Upon completion of an IPO, the Company would record a non-cash compensation charge of $0.4 million to reflect compensation expense related to the accelerated vesting of shares under this option as a result of an IPO.  In addition, the Company recognized compensation expense of $0.1 million in the three months ended June 30, 2004 in connection with the March 2004 option. The Company will also recognize additional compensation expense of $1.5 million relating to the March 2004 option, which will be amortized over the remaining three-year vesting period.          

6.           Supplemental Disclosure of Non-cash Transactions

   

Six months ended

 June 30,

 

 

2004

2003

Earnout provision pursuant to Pacific Business Systems acquisition

$ 494 $ 57
Deferred initial public offering costs   712   -

7.          eCOST.com, Inc. Initial Public Offering

On May 5, 2004, eCOST.com, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed public offering of its common stock.  Following the initial public offering, the Company will own no less than 80.1% of the common stock of eCOST.com (assuming full exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option).  There can be no assurance as to when or if the initial public offering of eCOST.com will be completed. The Company has announced that it intends to distribute the remaining shares of eCOST.com to the Company's stockholders approximately six months following completion of an initial public offering. Completion of the distribution is contingent upon the satisfaction or waiver of a variety of conditions, including, among other things, the receipt of a favorable opinion of the Company's tax counsel as to the tax-free nature of the distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, the distribution may not occur at the contemplated time or may not occur at all.

8.          Other Contingency

On July 12, 2004, the Company's subsidiary, eCOST.com, received correspondence from MercExchange LLC alleging infringement of MercExchange's U.S. patents relating to e-commerce and offering to license its patent portfolio to the subsidiary. On July 15, 2004, eCOST.com received a follow-up letter from MercExchange specifying which of eCOST.com's technologies MercExchange believes infringe certain of its patents, alone or in combination with technologies provided by third parties. Some of those patents are currently being litigated by third parties, and eCOST.com is not involved in those proceedings. In addition, three of the four patents identified by MercExchange are under reexamination at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which makes the scope of the claims of those patents uncertain.  In the July 15 letter, MercExchange also advised eCOST.com that it has a number of applications pending for additional patents. Each of the patents identified by MercExchange contains numerous claims, and eCOST.com only recently received these letters. As a result, eCOST.com has not yet had the opportunity to fully assess the merits of the identified patents or complete its evaluation of the possible impact on its business. MercExchange has filed lawsuits alleging infringement of some or all of its patents against third parties, resulting in settlements or verdicts in favor of MercExchange. At least one such verdict has been appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.  Based on eCOST.com's investigation of this matter to date, the subsidiary believes that its current operations do not infringe any valid claims of the patents identified by MercExchange in these letters. There can be no assurance, however, that such claims will not be material or adversely affect the Company's or the subsidiary's business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.


Table of Contents

ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview and Recent Developments

PC Mall, Inc. through its subsidiaries (the "Company"), is a leading rapid response direct marketer of computer hardware, software, peripheral, electronics, and other consumer products.  The Company's headquarters is in Torrance, California.  The Company offers products to business, government and educational institutions as well as individual consumers through dedicated outbound and inbound telemarketing sales executives, the Internet, direct marketing techniques, direct response catalogs, a direct sales force, and three retail showrooms.  The Company offers a broad selection of products through its distinctive full-color catalogs under the PC Mall, MacMall, ClubMac, PC Mall Gov and eCOST.com brands; its worldwide web sites on the Internet: pcmall.com, macmall.com, clubmac.com, pcmallgov.com, and ecost.com; and other promotional materials.  The Company also operates OnSale.com, an online marketplace and auction, which was formally launched in October 2003.

The Company operates in three reportable segments: 1) a rapid response supplier of technology solutions for business, government and educational institutions as well as consumers, comprised of corporate, public sector, inbound catalog and other sales, collectively referred to as the "Core Business," 2) a multi-category online discount retailer of new, refurbished, and close-out products under the eCOST.com brand; and 3) an online marketplace/auction business under the OnSale.com brand.  The OnSale.com segment, which was previously reported as part of the Core Business, was established as a new segment beginning in the third quarter of 2003, and prior period amounts have been adjusted to reflect the new presentation.  The Company allocates resources to and evaluates the performance of its segments based on operating income.  Corporate expenses are included in the Company's measure of segment operating income for management reporting purposes.

Company management regularly reviews its performance using a variety of financial and non-financial metrics including, but not limited to, sales, shipments, average order size, gross margin, co-op advertising revenues, advertising expense, personnel costs, sales account executive productivity, accounts receivables aging, inventory turnover, liquidity, and cash resources.  Company management compares the various metrics against goals and budgets, and takes appropriate action to enhance Company performance.

The Company plans to continue to focus efforts on increasing market share by investing in the growth, training, and retention of its outbound sales force.  This strategy is expected to result in increased expenses associated with the infrastructure and training necessary to achieve those goals, which could have an impact on profitability in the near term.

In June 2003, the Company established a Canadian call center serving the U.S. market.  The Canadian call center had a net cost to the Company of $0.3 million and $0.8 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 .  The costs incurred for the comparable period in the prior year are minimal due to its establishment late in the second quarter of the prior year.  The Company believes that the Canadian call center allows it to access an abundant, highly educated labor pool and provides cost advantages from a government labor credit that extends through approximately the end of 2007.  During the period through 2007, the Company expects to annually claim labor credits up to 35% of eligible compensation for qualifying employees under the program.  The Company has submitted a claim for the year ended December 31, 2003 in the amount of $0.3 million and has accrued approximately $0.2 million and $0.8 million of credits at March 31, 2004 and June 30, 2004.

In June 2002, the Company formed Onsale, Inc. as a wholly-owned subsidiary.  The Company acquired the URL and software that operated the original OnSale.com website for approximately $0.4 million through bankruptcy proceedings of Egghead in December 2002.  In October 2003, the Company formally launched OnSale.com, an online marketplace including auctions.  The OnSale.com website has been rebuilt on a technology platform using the latest .NET solutions.  As of June 30, 2004, the Company has invested approximately $0.9 million in capital expenditures and software development costs in connection with its OnSale.com business.  As OnSale.com is a marketplace service, and is not itself a seller of the products sold on its website, the Company expects that for the foreseeable future, revenue through OnSale.com will be immaterial.

 Net sales of the Company are derived primarily from the sale of computer hardware, software, peripherals, electronics, and other consumer products to business, government and educational institutions as well as individual consumers through dedicated outbound and inbound telemarketing sales executives, the Internet, relationship-based telemarketing techniques, direct response catalogs, a direct sales force, and three retail showrooms located in Southern California and Tennessee. Gross profit consists of net sales less product costs, inbound and outbound shipping costs and offset by certain marketing development funds. Such funds are received from manufacturers of products included in the Company's catalogs and web sites, as well as co-operative advertising funds ("co-op") on products purchased from manufacturers and vendors.

A substantial portion of the Company's business is dependent on sales of HP products, Apple and Apple-related products, and products of other vendors including Adobe, IBM, Ingram Micro, Microsoft, Sony, and Tech Data. Products manufactured by HP represented 24% of the Company's net sales in the three months ended June 30, 2004 .  Products manufactured by Apple represented 16% of the Company's net sales in the three months ended June 30, 2004 .

In 1999, eCOST.com adopted its 1999 Stock Incentive Plan.   As of June 30, 2004, options to purchase an aggregate of 656,000 shares of eCOST.com common stock were outstanding at a weighted average exercise price of $5.67.  The options have terms that (i) restrict exerciseability based on the earlier of a corporate transaction involving eCOST.com (e.g. a merger or consolidation or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of eCOST.com) as defined, an initial public offering ("IPO") by eCOST.com or the lapse of a five or seven year period from date of grant, and (ii) for certain awards, provide repurchase rights to eCOST.com at the original exercise price in the event of employee termination, which rights terminate in the event of a corporate transaction or IPO.  No options were exercisable at June 30, 2004 or for any prior period, and the time-based vesting terms were not deemed substantive as the awards are effectively contingent upon a corporate transaction or IPO of eCOST.com.  Due to such contingency, the Company has deemed the awards to be variable awards under APB 25 as the probability of these contingent events cannot be reasonably determined.  As a result, a measurement date has not yet occurred for these awards.  The Company will be required to recognize a compensation charge based on the intrinsic value of these awards when and if such contingent events occur in the future.  Based on the mid-point of the offering price range as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by eCOST.com in connection with the potential offering, the aggregate charge the Company would recognize upon closing for these awards would be approximately $1.5 million.

In March 2004, eCOST.com granted an option to purchase 400,000 shares of common stock to its Chief Executive Officer at an exercise price of $9.00 per share.  This grant resulted in the recognition of deferred stock-based compensation based on the estimated deemed fair value of the common stock on the date of grant of $14.00.  An aggregate of 25% of the shares of common stock subject to this option will vest upon the earlier of the completion of an eCOST.com initial public offering or three years from the date that eCOST.com granted this option.  The remainder of the shares of common stock subject to this option will vest in equal quarterly installments over a three year period following whichever of these events occur first.  Upon completion of an eCOST.com initial public offering, the Company would record a non-cash compensation charge of $0.4 million to reflect compensation expense related to the accelerated vesting of shares under this option as a result of such offering.  In addition, the Company recognized compensation expense of $0.1 million in the three months ended June 30, 2004 in connection with the March 2004 option.  The Company will also recognize additional compensation expense of $1.5 million relating to the March 2004 option, which will be amortized over the remaining three-year vesting period.

On July 12, 2004, the Company's subsidiary, eCOST.com, received correspondence from MercExchange LLC alleging infringement of MercExchange's U.S. patents relating to e-commerce and offering to license its patent portfolio to the subsidiary. On July 15, 2004, eCOST.com received a follow-up letter from MercExchange specifying which of eCOST.com's technologies MercExchange believes infringe certain of its patents, alone or in combination with technologies provided by third parties. Some of those patents are currently being litigated by third parties, and eCOST.com is not involved in those proceedings. In addition, three of the four patents identified by MercExchange are under reexamination at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which makes the scope of the claims of those patents uncertain.  In the July 15 letter, MercExchange also advised eCOST.com that it has a number of applications pending for additional patents. Each of the patents identified by MercExchange contains numerous claims, and eCOST.com only recently received these letters. As a result, eCOST.com has not yet had the opportunity to fully assess the merits of the identified patents or complete its evaluation of the possible impact on its business. MercExchange has filed lawsuits alleging infringement of some or all of its patents against third parties, resulting in settlements or verdicts in favor of MercExchange. At least one such verdict has been appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.  Based on eCOST.com's investigation of this matter to date, the subsidiary believes that its current operations do not infringe any valid claims of the patents identified by MercExchange in these letters. There can be no assurance, however, that such claims will not be material or adversely affect the Company's or the subsidiary's business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The Company's consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  The preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, net sales and expenses, as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.  Actual results could differ from those estimates, and revisions to estimates are included in the Company's results for the period in which the actual amounts become known.

Management considers an accounting estimate to be critical if:

-- it requires assumptions to be made that were uncertain at the time the estimate was made; and

-- changes in the estimate or different estimates that could have been selected could have a material impact on the Company's results of operations or financial condition.

Management has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting policies and estimates with the audit committee of the Company's board of directors.  The Company believes the critical accounting policies described below affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the Company's financial statements:

Revenue Recognition.  The Company adheres to the revised guidelines and principles of sales recognition described in Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, "Revenue Recognition" ("SAB 104"), issued by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") as a revision to Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101, "Revenue Recognition" ("SAB 101").  While the wording of SAB 104 has revised the original SAB 101, "Revenue Recognition", the revenue recognition principles of SAB 101 remain largely unchanged by the issuance of SAB 104.  Under SAB 104, sales are recognized when the title and risk of loss are passed to the customer, there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement for sale, delivery has occurred and/or services have been rendered, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured.  Under these guidelines, the majority of the Company's sales, including revenue from product sales and gross outbound shipping and handling charges, are recognized upon receipt of the product by the customer.  For all product sales shipped directly from suppliers to customers, the Company takes title to the products sold upon shipment, bears credit risk, and bears inventory risk for returned products that are not successfully returned to suppliers; therefore, these revenues are recognized at gross sales amounts.  

 Certain software products and extended warranties that the Company sells (for which the Company is not the primary obligor) are recognized on a net basis in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101, "Revenue Recognition" and EITF 99-19, "Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent." Accordingly, such revenues are recognized in net sales either at the time of sale or over the contract period, based on the nature of the contract, at the net amount retained by the Company, with no cost of goods sold. 

Sales are reported net of estimated returns and allowances, coupon redemptions and credit card chargebacks.  If actual sales returns, allowances, discounts, coupon redemptions and credit card chargebacks are greater than estimated by management, additional expense may be incurred. 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable.  The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based upon estimates of future collection.  The Company extends credit to its customers based upon an evaluation of each customer's financial condition and credit history, and generally does not require collateral.  The Company regularly evaluates its customers' financial condition and credit and payment history in determining the adequacy of its allowance for doubtful accounts.  The Company also maintains an allowance for uncollectible vendor receivables which arise from vendor rebate programs, price protections and other promotions.  The Company determines the sufficiency of the vendor receivable allowance based upon various factors, including payment history.  Amounts received from vendors may vary from amounts recorded because of potential non-compliance with certain elements of vendor programs.  If estimated allowances for uncollectible accounts or vendor receivables subsequently prove insufficient, additional allowance may be required.

Reserve for Inventory Obsolescence.  The Company maintains allowances for the valuation of its inventory by estimating the obsolete or unmarketable inventory based on the difference between inventory cost and market value determined by general market conditions, nature, age and type of each product.  The Company regularly evaluates the adequacy of its inventory reserve.  If the inventory reserve subsequently proves insufficient, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

Coupon Redemption Rate Estimates.  The Company accrues monthly expense related to promotional coupon rebates based upon the quantity of eligible orders transacted during the period and the estimated redemption rate.  The estimated expense is accrued and presented as a reduction of net sales.  The estimated redemption rates used to calculate the accrued coupon expense and related coupon liability are based upon historical redemption experience rates for similar products or coupon amounts.  Estimated redemption rates and the related coupon expense and liability are regularly adjusted as actual coupon redemptions for the program are processed.  If actual redemption rates are greater than anticipated, additional expense may be incurred.

Deferred Advertising Revenue and Costs.   The Company produces and circulates catalogs at various dates throughout the year and receives market development funds and co-op advertising funds from vendors included in each catalog.  These funds are recognized based on sales generated over the life of the catalog, approximately eight weeks, as an offset to cost of sales in accordance with EITF No. 02-16, "Accounting by a Customer (Including a Reseller) for Certain Consideration Received from a Vendor" ("EITF 02-16") .  The costs of developing, producing and circulating each catalog are deferred and charged to advertising expense at the same rate as the co-op revenue based on the life of the catalog.  Deferred advertising revenue is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities, offset by deferred advertising costs, which are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended June 30, 2004 Compared to the Three Months Ended June 30, 2003

Consolidated net sales for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 were $270.5  million, an increase of $51.6 million, or 24%, over last year's second quarter sales of $218.9 million.  Core Business sales for the quarter were $231.6 million, an increase of $36.7 million over the prior year's second quarter, with corporate sales for the quarter growing 42% and public sector sales growing 21% compared to the prior year's second quarter, partially due to a 39% increase in combined account manager headcount in those units. This growth was offset by a decline in the Core Business catalog sales of 15% for the second quarter of 2004 compared to prior year's second quarter.  eCOST.com sales for the quarter were $38.9 million, an increase of $14.9 million, or 62% over the prior year's second quarter.  The sales increase for eCOST.com was primarily the result of a 47% increase in advertising expenditures and increased sales to business customers assigned to a relationship manager. Active customers of eCOST.com at the end of the quarter increased by 80% from same quarter last year due to increased awareness of its website derived from additional advertising spending during the second quarter of 2004 and the immediately preceding quarter.  Sales to business customers assigned to relationship managers increased 118% over the comparable prior year period primarily due to an increase in the number of accounts managed.  For the quarter ended June 30, 2004, sales of HP and Apple products represented 24% and 16% of consolidated net sales, compared to 18% and 21%, respectively, in the prior year's comparable period.  OnSale.com sales for the second quarter of 2004 were insignificant, and therefore have no meaningful comparison to the prior year's quarter.

Consolidated gross profit was $34.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004, an increase of $4.0 million, or 13%, over the prior year's comparable quarter.  For the Core Business, gross profit was $30.4 million, an increase of $2.6 million, or 9% over the prior year's second quarter gross profit.  For eCOST.com, gross profit for the second quarter of 2004 was $4.3 million, an increase of $1.4 million, or 49% from the prior year's second quarter.   As a percentage of sales, consolidated gross profit for the three months ended June 30, 2004 was 12.8% versus 14.0% in the prior year's second quarter.  For the Core Business, gross profit as a percentage of sales was 13.1% for second quarter of the current year and 14.3% in the prior year's second quarter.  The decline is primarily the result of decreased vendor consideration received by the Company as a percentage of sales, as well as aggressive pricing used to accelerate customer acquisition.  eCOST.com gross profit as a percentage of sales for three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 was 11.1% and 12.0%, respectively.  The decline is primarily due to reduced vendor consideration and increased freight promotions.  The Company's gross profit percentage may vary from quarter to quarter, depending on the continuation of key vendor support programs, including price protections, rebates and return policies, and based on product mix, pricing strategies, acquisitions, competition and other factors. 
 

Consolidated selling, general, and administrative ("SG&A") expenses were $27.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 which includes $0.1 million charge for non-cash stock-based compensation, representing an increase of $4.4 million, or 19% from the comparable period in the prior year.  As a percent of sales, SG&A expenses decreased to 10.2% from 10.6% in the prior year.  For the Core Business, SG&A expenses in the second quarter of 2004 were $24.1 million, an increase of $3.1 million, or 15%, compared to the second quarter of the prior year.  As a percent of sales, SG&A expenses for the Core Business decreased to 10.4% compared with 10.8% in the second quarter last year.   SG&A for the Core Business increased primarily due to higher personnel costs of $2.5 million; however, such costs were 11 basis points lower as a percentage of sales, contributing to the decrease in the SG&A percentage of sales.  For eCOST.com, SG&A expenses in the second quarter of 2004 were $3.1 million, an increase of $1.3 million, or 68%, compared with the second quarter of the prior year.  As a percent of sales, SG&A expenses for eCOST.com increased to 8.1% in the second quarter of 2004 compared with 7.8% in the second quarter last year.  SG&A expenses for eCOST.com include $0.3 million in audit fees associated in obtaining audited three-year financial statements and $0.1 million of stock-based compensation expense, offset by operating leverage based on the 62% increase in sales compared to prior year's comparable quarter.  For OnSale.com, SG&A expenses in the second quarter of 2004 were $0.3 million, an increase of $0.1 million, or 38% compared with the second quarter of the prior year.  OnSale.com sales for the second quarters of 2003 and 2004 were insignificant, and therefore comparisons as a percent of net sales are not meaningful.

Consolidated advertising expense for the second quarter of 2004 was $5.5 million, a decrease of $0.2 million over the prior year's second quarter.  For the Core Business, advertising expense was $4.3 million compared to $5.0 million in the prior year's second quarter, primarily due to a $0.8 million decrease in advertising supporting the Company's inbound catalog business.  Further, advertising expense were reduced in the prior year's second quarter by $0.4 million of vendor consideration which was classified as an offset to advertising expenses, but are classified in cost of goods sold in the second quarter of 2004, as required by EITF 02-16.   For eCOST.com, advertising expense for the second quarter of 2004 was $1.2 million compared to $0.8 million in the comparable period in the prior year, as it expanded its online advertising to drive new business.

Net interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2004 increased to $0.5 million, from $0.3 million in the prior year's comparable quarter.  The increase in interest expense resulted from increased daily average borrowings on the Company's Line of Credit.

The Company recorded an income tax provision for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 of $0.4 million, down from $0.6 million in the comparable quarter in 2003.  The Company utilized an effective tax rate of 38.5% for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 and 37.0% for the quarter ended June 30, 2003.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 Compared to the Six Months Ended June 30, 2003

Consolidated net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2004 were $548.6 million, an increase of $95.0 million, or 21% over the six months ended June 30, 2003.  Core business net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2004 were $471.4 million, an increase of $65.6 million, or 16% over the six months ended June 30, 2003.  The increase was primarily due to a 39% increase in corporate sales, and a 19% increase in public sector sales.  The increase was partially offset by a 15% decrease in inbound catalog sales.  For the six months ended June 30, 2004, net sales for eCOST.com were $77.2 million, an increase of $29.3 million or 61% over the first half of the prior year.  The sales increase was primarily the result of a 73% increase in advertising expenditures and increased sales to business customers assigned to a relationship manager.  New customers during the six month period increased by 86% compared to the same period last year due to increased awareness of the eCOST.com website derived from additional advertising spending during the first half of 2004.  Sales to business customers assigned to relationship managers increased 111% over the comparable prior year period primarily due to an increase in the number of accounts managed.   For the six months ended June 30, 2004, sales of HP and Apple products represented 23% and 17% of consolidated net sales, compared to 18% and 21%, respectively, in the prior year's
comparable period.

Consolidated gross profit for the six months ended June 30, 2004 was $70.0 million, an increase of $10.4 million, or 17%, over the prior year's comparable period.   For the Core Business, gross profit was $61.6 million, an increase of $7.6 million, or 14%, from the comparable period in the prior year.  For eCOST.com, gross profit for the first half of 2004 was $8.4 million, an increase of $2.8 million, or 50% from the prior year's comparable period.  As a percentage of sales, consolidated gross profit for the six months ended June 30, 2004 was 12.8% versus 13.1% in the prior year.  For the Core Business, gross profit as a percentage of sales for the six months ended June 30, 2004 was 13.1% versus 13.3% in the prior year.  The gross profit increase in the first half of 2004 included the impact of EITF 02-16 in the prior year which resulted in approximately $2.8 million of vendor consideration being classified in advertising in the first half of 2003.  Such amounts were offset by an overall decrease in vendor consideration received in the period, resulting in a decline in the Core Business gross profit percentage.  For eCOST.com, gross profit as a percentage of sales for the six months ended June 30, 2004 was 10.8% versus 11.6% in the prior year, primarily due to reduced vendor consideration and increased freight promotions.  The Company's gross profit percentage may vary from quarter to quarter, depending on the continuation of key vendor support programs, including price protections, rebates and return policies, and based on product mix, pricing strategies, acquisitions, competition and other factors.   See "Change in Accounting Principle and Recent Accounting Pronouncements" below for a discussion of the Company's adoption of EITF 02-16.

Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") were $54.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004, an increase of $7.5 million, or 16%, from the comparable period in the prior year. As a percent of net sales, SG&A for the six months ended June 30, 2004 decreased to 10.0% from 10.4% from the comparable period in the prior year.  For the Core Business, SG&A for the six months ended June 30, 2004 were $48.2 million, an increase of $5.3 million, or 12.4%, compared to the same period in the prior year.  As a percent of net sales, SG&A for the Core Business decreased to 10.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared with 10.6% for the same period last year.  SG&A for the Core Business increased primarily due to higher personnel costs of $4.1 million; however, such costs were 13 basis points lower as a percentage of net sales, contributing to the decrease in the SG&A percentage of sales.  For eCOST.com, SG&A for the six months ended June 30, 2004 were $5.8 million, an increase of $2.0 million, or 51% compared with the same six-month period in the prior year.  As a percent of net sales, SG&A for eCOST.com decreased by 50 basis points to 7.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2003 from 8.0% for the comparable period last year.  SG&A for eCOST.com increased primarily due to higher variable costs such as credit card processing charges, as well as a 42% increase in account manager headcount, and a $0.5 million expense associated with obtaining three-year audited financial statements.  SG&A as a percentage of sales was driven primarily by a 31 basis point decline in overall personnel costs as a percentage of sales.
 

Consolidated net advertising expense for the first half of 2004 was $13.1 million compared to $10.0 million in the prior year's comparable period.   For the Core Business, net advertising expense was $10.2 million compared to $8.6 million in the first half of the prior year, primarily due to a $0.8 million decrease in advertising supporting the Company's inbound catalog business.  Further, Core Business advertising expense were reduced in the first half of the prior year by $2.8 million of vendor consideration which was classified as an offset to advertising expenses, but are classified in cost of goods sold in the first half of 2004, as required by EITF 02-16.  For eCOST.com, net advertising expense for the first half of 2004 was $2.8 million compared to $1.4 million for the comparable period in the prior year, primarily due to increased internet advertising expenditures to accelerate customer acquisition.


Net interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2004 increased to $0.9 million, from $0.5 million, compared to the same period in 2003.  The increase in interest expense resulted from increased daily average borrowings on the Company's Line of Credit.

The Company recorded an income tax provision for the six months ended June 30, 2004 of $0.5 million, down from $0.7 million in the comparable quarter in 2003.  The Company utilized an effective tax rate of  38.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 37.0% for the same period in the prior year.

Net income was $0.8 million, or $0.07 per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to net income of $1.2 million, or $0.11 per share, for the same period last year. 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Working Capital.   The Company's primary capital need has been funding the working capital requirements created by its growth in sales.  Historically, the Company's primary sources of financing have come from cash flow from operations, public and private issuances of its common stock, and borrowings from financial institutions.  The Company believes that current working capital, together with cash flows from operations and available lines of credit, will be adequate to support the Company's current operating plans for at least the next twelve months.  If the Company needs extra funds, such as for additional acquisitions or expansion or to fund unexpected losses, there are no assurances that adequate financing will be available at acceptable terms, if at all.

As of June 30, 2004, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $6.3 million and working capital of $32.4 million.  Inventory decreased $17.9 million to $62.6 million from December 31, 2003 as the Company sold through product accumulated at year-end resulting from strategic buying opportunities.  Accounts receivable increased $14.0 million to $85.4 million from December 31, 2003 resulting from increased business and governmental sales.  For the six months ended June 30, 2004, capital expenditures were $1.6 million versus $2.3 million for the comparable period last year.  Accounts payable and book overdraft decreased by a total of $18.2 million or 22% during the six month period, reflecting lower purchases made during the June 2004 period as compared with December 2003, as the Company sold through its strategic inventory purchases made in the fourth quarter of 2003.

In April 2004, the Company agreed to extend to its eCOST.com subsidiary a line of credit of up to $10.0 million for necessary working capital requirements arising from expenses and liabilities incurred by eCOST.com in the ordinary course of business. The Company's obligation under this line of credit will terminate upon the earlier to occur of (i) the completion of an initial public offering ("IPO") of eCOST.com's common stock, (ii) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets or capital stock of eCOST.com, or (iii) June 30, 2005.   As of June 30, 2004 no amounts were outstanding under this line of credit.

The Company maintains a $75 million, asset-based revolving credit facility from a lending unit of a large commercial bank (the "Line of Credit") that commenced in March 2001.  In March 2003, the Line of Credit was amended to extend the term by an additional three years to expire in March 2007, and obtain improved terms for the Company.  The Line of Credit functions as a working capital line of credit with a borrowing base of inventory and accounts receivable, and bears interest at prime with a LIBOR option.  At June 30, 2004, the Prime Rate was 4.00%.  The Line of Credit is secured by substantially all of the Company's assets.  The Line of Credit has as its single financial covenant a minimum tangible net worth requirement and also includes a commitment fee of 0.25% annually on the unused portion of the line up to $60 million.  In May 2004, the Line of Credit was amended to provide for a conditional release of eCOST.com as a co-borrower and release of eCOST.com's assets as collateral, effective upon completion of an eCOST.com IPO.  The Company also maintains a $40 million flooring credit facility, which functions in lieu of a vendor trade payable for inventory purchases and does not bear interest if paid within terms specific to each vendor (the "Flooring Facility").  The Flooring Facility is secured by substantially all of the Company's assets and is also supported by a letter of credit issued under the Line of Credit in the amount outstanding under the Flooring Facility from time to time.  The amount outstanding under the Flooring Facility is applied against the credit limit under the Line of Credit.  In April 2004, the Company extended the Flooring Facility through March 2005.  The Company did not draw any substantial amounts on the Flooring Facility during the three months ended June 30, 2004.  At June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, the Company had $34.6 million and $28.2 million of net working capital advances outstanding under the Line of Credit, respectively, and had no borrowings under the Flooring Facility at either period ended.  The Company had $39.6 million available to borrow for working capital advances under the Line of Credit at June 30, 2004.  Loan availability under the Line of Credit fluctuates daily and is affected by many factors including eligible assets on-hand, opportunistic purchases of inventory and early pay discounts.  The Company was in compliance with its financial covenants under the Line of Credit at June 30, 2004. 

In connection with and as a part of the Line of Credit, the Company entered into a term note (the "Term Note").  In June 2004, the Company amended the Term Note to increase the borrowing base from $2.0 million to $3.5 million and extended the maturity date from March 2005 to June 2011.  As of June 30, 2004 the Company had borrowed $3.5 million under Term Note, payable in equal monthly principal payments plus interest at prime.  As of June 30, 2004, the Company has reflected $0.5 million of the principal amount of the Term Note in current liabilities included as Notes payable - current, and $3.0 million of the principal amount is included in non-current liabilities as Notes payable based on the timing of scheduled payments.

As part of its growth strategy, the Company may, in the future, acquire other companies in the same or complementary lines of business, and pursue other business ventures. Any launch of a new business venture or any acquisition and the ensuing integration of the operations of the acquired company with those of the Company would place additional demands on the Company's management, operating and financial resources.  

Cash Flows.   Net cash used in operating activities were $3.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004.  The primary factors that affected the Company's cash flow from operations were inventories, accounts receivable and accounts payable.   Inventory at June 30, 2004 decreased $17.9 million over December 31, 2003, and inventory turns decreased to 16.5 from 18.1 in the same period .  Accounts receivable at June 30, 2004 increased $14.0 million to $85.4 million from December 31, 2003 due to an increase in sales on account to corporate and government customers.  Accounts payable and book overdraft decreased by a total of $18.2 million or 22% during the six month period.  Net borrowings under the Line of Credit increased by $8.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2004 .

Inflation

Inflation has not had a material impact upon operating results, and the Company does not expect it to have such an impact in the near future. There can be no assurances, however, that the Company's business will not be so affected by inflation.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In November 2002, the FASB issued EITF No. 02-16, "Accounting by a Customer (Including a Reseller) for Certain Consideration Received from a Vendor" ("EITF 02-16"). EITF 02-16 requires that consideration received by a customer from a vendor is considered (a) an adjustment of the prices of the vendor's products or services and therefore, characterized as a reduction of cost of sales when recognized in the reseller's statement of operations, (b) an adjustment to a cost incurred by the reseller and, therefore, characterized as a reduction of that cost when recognized in the reseller's statement of operations, or (c) a payment for assets or services delivered to the vendor, and therefore, characterized as revenue when recognized in the reseller's statement of operations.  Adoption of EITF 02-16 was required for the Company for new agreements, including modifications of existing agreements, entered into after December 31, 2002. 


Forward Looking Statements

Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations and assumptions contained in the foregoing are forward-looking statements. The realization of any or all of these expectations is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and it is possible that the assumptions made by management may not materialize, causing actual results to differ materially from the forward looking statements. Such statements include the statements regarding the Company's expectations, hopes or intentions regarding the future, including but not limited to statements regarding cash position; expense reductions; sales growth and market share; corporate and Public sector sales initiatives; the effect of the Company's reinvestment in its sales force; the impact of the Company's Canadian call center on operating results; the prospects for the Company's OnSale.com and eCOST.com subsidiaries; and the timing and completion of the initial public offering of eCOST.com and the distribution of eCOST.com common stock to the Company's stockholders. There can be no assurance that either the initial public offering of eCOST.com or the distribution of eCOST.com common stock by the Company will occur in the expected time frame or at all, as a result of a variety of reasons, including but not limited to market conditions, the satisfaction of conditions to the distribution, and the ability of the Company to obtain an opinion as to the tax free nature of the distribution. 

There can be no assurance that the transition in the Company's business strategy to increasingly corporate or public sector sales or outbound telemarketing sales models will be successful, that enhancements to corporate and public sector account executive support or other actions by the Company will result in improved productivity, that infrastructure investments in the Company's corporate sales or outbound telemarketing will result in expanded market share, or that the Company will be profitable in 2004 or for the ensuing periods.  There also can be no assurance that the growth in corporate sales, public sector, or eCOST.com will continue, that the Company's expansion of its corporate and public sector sales force will increase sales sufficiently to offset costs, that Core Business sales, particularly inbound catalog sales, will rebound to historic levels, or that cost reductions, EBITDA or profitability for the Company's Core Business and eCOST.com will continue or improve.  Increases in the percentage of direct sales by the Company's vendors could adversely affect the Company's business.  In addition, the Company has recently submitted its first annual request for refund for the Canadian labor credit.  The calculation of the credit requires a determination of the eligibility of employees and related compensation based on job functions and type of compensation.  There can be no assurance that the ultimate amount refunded will not materially differ from the Company's expectations.


In addition to the factors set forth above, other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include: competition from companies either currently in the market or entering the market; competition from other catalog and retail store resellers and price pressures related thereto; uncertainties surrounding the supply of and demand for products manufactured by and compatible with Apple Computer or Hewlett-Packard; the Company's reliance on Apple Computer, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, and other vendors; risks due to shifts in market demand and/or price erosion of owned inventory; general economic and computer industry conditions; uncertainties relating to the relationship of increases in account managers and productivity; increased expenses from online initiatives; the continued acceptance of the Company's distribution channel by vendors and customers; the timely availability and acceptance of new products; continuation of key vendor relationships and support programs; the continuing development, maintenance, and operation of the Company's information technology ("IT") and telephone systems; changes and uncertainties in economic conditions that could affect the rate of IT spending by the Company's customers; the ability of the Company to successfully operate its facility in Canada; changes in pricing by the Company's vendors; the timing and extent of repurchases under the Company's share repurchase program; inability to convert back orders to completed sales; the ability of the Company to hire and retain qualified sales account executives; the effects of natural disasters or geopolitical events on the Company or the general economy; dependence on key personnel; the effect of narrow gross operating margins on operating results; quarterly fluctuations in results; the ability of the Company to successfully expand into the public sector market; the Company's dependence on one or more shipping companies for delivery of products; the effect of increased postage, shipping or packaging costs; technological changes and inventory obsolescence; dependence on the continued viability of the Internet; volatility of the Company's stock price; and sales or use tax collection.  In addition, if the Company needs extra funds, such as for acquisitions or expansion or to fund a significant downturn in sales that causes losses, there are no assurances that adequate financing will be available at acceptable terms, if at all. 
Furthermore, third parties have asserted, and may in the future assert that the Company or its subsidiaries' business or the technologies used infringe intellectual property rights. Although the Company has not been subject to such legal proceedings in the past, the Company may be subject to intellectual property legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business. For example, the Company's subsidiary, eCOST.com recently received letters from a third party alleging that eCOST.com is currently infringing certain of its patents. Based on eCOST.com's investigation of this matter to date, the subsidiary believes that its current operations do not infringe any valid claims of the patents identified in these letters.  If third parties claim eCOST.com is infringing their intellectual property rights, it could incur significant litigation costs, be required to pay damages, or change its business or incur licensing expenses.  If the Company or any of its subsidiaries is forced to defend against this or any other third-party infringement claims, it could face expensive and time-consuming litigation and be required to pay monetary damages, which could include treble damages and attorneys' fees for any infringement that is found to be willful, and either be enjoined or required to pay ongoing royalties with respect to any technologies found to infringe. Further, as a result of infringement claims against the Company or any of its subsidiaries or against those who license technology to eCOST.com, we may be required, or deemed advisable, to develop non-infringing technology, which could be costly and time-consuming, or enter into costly royalty or licensing agreements.  

 

The above list of risk factors is not intended to be exhaustive.  Reference should also be made to the risk factors set forth from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including but not limited to those set forth in the section entitled, "Certain Factors Affecting Future Results" in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2003.


ITEM 3.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company's financial instruments consist primarily of cash.  As of June 30, 2004, the carrying values of the Company's financial instruments approximated their fair values based on current market prices and rates.
 

The Company has exposure to the risks of fluctuating interest rates on its Line of Credit.  The variable interest rate on the Line of Credit is tied to the prime rate or the London interbank offered rate at the discretion of the Company.  If the variable rate on the Line of Credit changes, the Company may be required to pay more interest.  However, the Company believes that the near-term effect of any change in interest rates will not be material to the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.


It is the Company's policy not to enter into derivative financial instruments, and the Company does not have any significant foreign currency exposure.  Therefore, the Company does not have significant overall currency exposure as of June 30, 2004.

ITEM 4.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures.  Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information required to be included in this report. 

There has been no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

 


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 2.  CHANGES IN SECURITIES, USE OF PROCEEDS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 In July 1996, the Company announced its plan to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares of its Common Stock. The shares will be repurchased from time to time at prevailing market prices through open market or negotiated transactions, depending upon market conditions. No limit was placed on the duration of the repurchase program. There is no guarantee as to the exact number of shares that the Company will repurchase. Subject to applicable securities laws, repurchases may be made at such times and in such amounts as the Company's management deems appropriate. The program can also be discontinued at any time management feels additional purchases are not warranted. The Company did not purchase any shares of its common stock during the three month period ended June 30, 2004. As of June 30, 2004, the Company has repurchased a total of 294,200 shares of its common stock at an average price of $3.45 per share, of which 254,200 shares were repurchased under the program, and 40,000 shares were purchased in a private transaction.

ITEM 5.  OTHER MATTERS

On May 5, 2004, eCOST.com, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed public offering of its common stock.  Following the initial public offering, the Company will own no less than 80.1% of the common stock of eCOST.com (assuming full exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option). The registration statement is being reviewed by the SEC and there can be no assurance as to when or if the initial public offering will be completed. The Company has announced that it intends to distribute the remaining shares of eCOST.com to the Company's stockholders approximately six months following completion of the initial public offering. Completion of the distribution is contingent upon the satisfaction or waiver of a variety of conditions, including, among other things, the receipt of a favorable opinion of the Company's tax counsel as to the tax-free nature of the distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, the distribution may not occur at the contemplated time and may not occur at all.

I TEM 6.   EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

a.  Exhibits

Exhibit Number

Description

10.54 Employment Agreement between the Company and Rob Newton dated June 8, 2004
10.55 Second Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated October 31, 2002, among Congress Financial Corporation and (Western), the Registrant and certain subsidiaries of the Registrant.
31.1

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)

31.2

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)

32.1 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Registrant furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Registrant furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

b.  Reports on Form 8-K

1. Although we did not file any reports on Form 8-K during the quarter covered by this Report, we furnished to the SEC a report on Form 8-K on May 5, 2004 (pursuant to Item 12 of Form 8-K) disclosing an earnings announcement of our financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2004.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

         
Date: August 10, 2004 PC MALL, INC.
 
By: /s/ Ted Sanders
Ted Sanders
Chief Financial Officer
 
(Duly Authorized Officer of
the Registrant and Principal
Financial Officer)

 

 

PC MALL, INC.

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number

Description

10.54 Employment Agreement between the Company and Rob Newton dated June 8, 2004
10.55 Second Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated October 31, 2002, among Congress Financial Corporation and (Western), the Registrant and certain subsidiaries of the Registrant.
31.1

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)

31.2

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)

32.1 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Registrant furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Registrant furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered into by and between Robert Newton ("Employee") and PC Mall, Inc. ("PC Mall" or the "Company"), effective June 8, 2004 (the "Effective Date").

RECITALS

A.                    PC Mall is a rapid response direct marketer of computer hardware, software, peripheral, and electronics products.  The Company engages in the highly competitive market of offering hardware, software, peripherals, components, and accessories for users of computer products, as well as electronic equipment.

B.                     The Company has spent significant time, effort, and money to acquire and develop certain goodwill and Proprietary Information (as defined below) that it considers vital to its business, and which has become of great value to PC Mall in amassing its clientele and maintaining its operations. 

C.                    The Company also has developed a substantial body of Proprietary Information regarding the methods and systems of operation, which is used by the Company for the acquisition and management of client accounts.  PC Mall has also acquired, at great expense and time, Proprietary Information regarding the particularized needs of its clientele, including information regarding its client's finances, marketing, operations, and product needs.  The Company has, at all times, kept its Proprietary Information secret, and such information has given the Company a competitive advantage over others engaged in the same type of business.

D.                    The Company desires to employ Employee as General Counsel of PC Mall, Inc.  Employee desires to accept such employment with the Company on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the benefits to be derived from the mutual observance of the agreements and covenants hereinafter contained, the parties agree, covenant, and represent as follows:

1.         Position And Responsibilities .

1.1       Employment .  The Company hereby employs Employee as the General Counsel of PC Mall, Inc.  Employee will work at the Company's headquarters in Torrance, California, or at such other location as PC Mall may from time to time direct.  Employee shall perform all services appropriate to his position as General Counsel, as well as such other services as may be assigned from time to time by the Company.  The Company shall retain full discretion and control over the means and methods by which Employee performs the above services, and of the places that Employee renders such services.

1.2       Devotion Of Time To The Business .  Employee shall devote his entire professional time to his employment with PC Mall, and shall expend his best efforts on behalf of the Company.  Employee agrees to abide by all policies, rules, regulations, and decisions adopted by the Company during the Employee's employment with the Company.  Except upon prior written consent by the Company, Employee will not, during any time he is employed by the Company:  (i) accept any other employment; or (ii) engage, directly or indirectly, in any other business activity (whether or not pursued for pecuniary advantage) that might interfere with Employee's duties and responsibilities under this Agreement or create a conflict of interest with the Company.

2.         Warranties And Conditions Of Employment .

2.1       Employee represents and warrants that he will not use for the benefit of, disclose to the Company, or induce the Company to use any confidential or proprietary information belonging to any former employer or any other entity unless he has the advance, written permission from the employer or entity to do so, or unless the Company has been granted such permission.

2.2       Employee represents and warrants that he has not entered into any agreements or understandings with any former employer or entity that would affect his ability to work for, or devote his full and best efforts to his employment with the Company.

3.         Compensation And Benefits .

3.1       Base Salary .  As compensation for Employee's services, the Company will pay to Employee an annual base salary in the gross amount of $250,000 (the "Base Salary"), payable in accordance with the Company's regularly established payroll practices.

3.2       Annual Bonus :  Employee will be eligible to earn an annual bonus in the total amount of $50,000, which will be paid quarterly in accordance with the Company's existing, or to be established, annual bonus plan or program.  The Company's annual bonus plan or program is subject to change from time to time by the Company in its sole discretion.  The Company guarantees that Employee will receive the full amount of $12,500 (gross) for the first full quarter in which he is employed by the Company.  Thereafter, no bonus quarterly bonus installment will be guaranteed to Employee.

   3.3       Payment of State Bar Dues and Education Expenses Related to License .  PC Mall shall pay for Employee's license renewal fees for the State Bar of California.  PC Mall shall also reimburse Employee for all education expenses associated with Employee's efforts to maintain his license to practice law in the State of California.

3.4       Stock Options .  Subject to approval by the Company's Board of Directors, Employee will be granted an option to purchase an aggregate of 50,000 shares of the Company's common stock (the "Option") at an exercise price equal to the closing price (i.e. the last sale price) of the Company's common stock on June 8, 2004.  The Option shall vest in equal quarterly installments over a period of three years.  The option agreement will provide for partial acceleration of vesting in the event of a Change in Control involving the Company (as defined in the Stock Incentive Plan) as follows: the Option will vest as to the next four unvested quarterly installments, if any, together with a prorated portion of the remaining unvested quarterly installment.  Vesting of Employee's option will be subject to Employee's continued employment by the Company.  The Option shall expire 90 days after Employee's termination of employment by the Company.  Employee's entitlement to the Option is conditioned upon the execution by Employee and the Company of a stock option agreement and shall be subject to its terms and the terms of the Stock Incentive Plan.

3.5       Benefits .  Employee shall be eligible to participate in the Company's benefit plans made generally available to similarly situated employees of the Company, including group medical, life and disability insurance, and retirement programs.  Employee's eligibility to participate in the Company's benefit plans shall be in accordance with the terms of the benefit plans established by the Company or the governing plan documents, which may be amended from time to time in the Company's sole discretion.

  3.6       Vacation .  Employee shall be entitled to take paid vacation pursuant to the Company's existing policies regarding paid vacations.  Employee will accrue four weeks of paid vacation per year.  Employee's vacation time will accrue on a monthly basis at a rate of 1.66 days per month.  Vacation time that is not used may be carried over to the next calendar year, but Employee will cease to accrue vacation time beyond his annual entitlement (i.e., 20 days).  Vacation accruals will recommence after Employee has taken vacation and his accrued vacation time has dropped below the maximum annual entitlement.

3.7       Withholdings .  The Company shall have the right to deduct and withhold amounts from all payments as required under applicable law.  Additional amounts may be withheld from payments to the extent such withholding is authorized in writing by Employee.

4.         Employment At Will .

4.1       At any time, the Company or Employee may terminate Employee's employment for any reason, or no reason at all, with or without cause, and without prior notice.  The Company will pay Employee all compensation then due and owing.  Thereafter, all of the Company's obligations under this Agreement shall cease.  The Company may discipline, demote, or dismiss Employee as provided in this Section notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in or arising from any statements, policies, or practices of the Company relating to the employment, discipline, or termination of its employees.

4.2       If, however, the Company terminates Employee's employee without Cause (as defined below in Section 4.4) at any point, upon execution of a severance and release agreement that is acceptable to the Company's Board of Directors and that contains, among other things, a release provision, PC Mall shall pay Employee the equivalent of three months of Base Salary.  This severance payment will be paid in equal installment over a period of three months.  After the Company has satisfied its severance payment obligations under this Section, all obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall immediately cease.

4.3       Notwithstanding Section 4.2, the Company may terminate Employee's employment for Cause at any time, without prior notice, and without any obligation to pay any severance.  If Employee is terminated for Cause, the Company shall pay Employee all compensation to which he is entitled up through the date of termination and thereafter, all obligations of the Company shall immediately cease.

4.4       For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Cause" shall mean: (i) a material breach of any term set forth in this Agreement; (ii) Employee's failure to follow the reasonable instructions of the Company; (iii) misconduct on Employee's part that is materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise, including misappropriation of trade secrets, fraud, or embezzlement; (iv) Employee's conviction for fraud or any other felony; or  (v) if Employee exhibits in regard to his employment unavailability for service, misconduct, dishonesty, or habitual neglect.

5.         Termination Obligations .

  5.1       Resignation From All Offices And Directorships .  In the event Employee's employment is terminated for any reason, Employee shall be deemed to have resigned voluntarily from all offices, directorships, and other positions held with the Company, if he was serving in any such capacities at the time of termination.

5.2       Cooperation With The Company .  In the event that Employee's employment is terminated for any reason, Employee will cooperate with the Company in the winding up or transferring to other employees any pending work or projects.  Employee will also cooperate with the Company in the defense of any action brought by any third party against the Company that relates to Employee's employment with the Company.

5.3       Return Of Documents And Other Information .  Employee agrees that all property, including, without limitation, all equipment, tangible Proprietary Information, documents, books, records, reports, notes, contracts, lists, computer disks (and other computer-generated files and data), and copies thereof, created on any medium and furnished to, obtained by, or prepared by Employee in the course of, or incident to his employment, belongs to the Company and shall be returned promptly to the Company upon termination of Employee's employment for any reason.

5.4       Termination Of Benefits.  All benefits to which Employee is otherwise entitled shall cease upon Employee's termination, unless explicitly continued either under this Agreement or under any specific written policy or benefit plan of the Company.

6.         Proprietary Information; Non-Disclosure; and Non-Solicitation .

  6.1       Proprietary Information :  For purposes of this Agreement, "Proprietary Information" means all information and any idea in whatever form, tangible or intangible, whether disclosed to or learned or developed by Employee, pertaining in any manner to the business of the Company or to the Company's affiliates (including subsidiaries), consultants, customers, and business associates, unless:  (i) the information is or becomes publicly known through lawful means; (ii) the information was rightfully in Employee's possession or part of my general knowledge prior to his employment by the Company; or (iii) the information is disclosed to Employee without confidential or proprietary restriction by a third party who rightfully possesses the information and did not learn of it, directly or indirectly, from the Company.  Employee further understands that the Company considers the following information to be included, without limitation, in the definition of Proprietary Information:  (a) techniques, development tools and processes, computer printouts, computer programs, design manuals; (b) information about costs, profits, revenues, margins and markets; (c) plans for future development and new product concepts; (d) customer names, addresses, telephone numbers, facsimile numbers, credit card numbers, contact persons and customer preferences; (e) vendor names, addresses, telephone numbers, facsimile numbers, contact persons, vendor preferences and pricing; (f) marketing plans, bidding information, costs of product, services and other items, proposal information, proposal methods and policies, price schedules, product profit margins, price setting methods and policies, customer service methods and policies and service plans and policies; (g) product plans, product development plans, product specifications, sources of supply, methods of operation and related materials conceived, created or reduced to practice in the performance of services for the Company; (h) the Company's business plans, accounting records, computer records, computer systems, networking and telecommunication systems, management information systems and programs, audits and other financial data related to products and services provided by the Company; (i) labor rates, commission rates and plans, commission schedules, employee lists, employee performance evaluations and related information, employee titles, outside contracting sources and rates, benefit costs and research reports; and (j) all documents, books, papers, and other data of any kind and description, including electronic data recorded or retrieved by any means, that have been or will be given to Employee by the Company (or any affiliate of it), as well as written or verbal instructions or comments.

  6.2       Non-Disclosure .  Employee agrees that his work with the Company will involve access to and creation of Proprietary Information.  Employee further agrees to hold all Proprietary Information in strict confidence and never to use or disclose any Proprietary Information to anyone at any time, including after the termination of his employment, except to the extent necessary to carry out his responsibilities as an employee of the Company, or as specifically authorized in writing by an authorized officer of the Company, other than Employee.

6.3       Location And Reproduction .  Employee shall maintain at his work station and any other place under his control only such Proprietary Information as he has a current "need to know."  Employee shall return to the appropriate person or location or otherwise properly dispose of Proprietary Information once that need to know no longer exists.

  6.4       Return Of Third Party Information : Employee represents and warrants that he has returned all property, information, and trade secrets belonging to all prior employers, if any.

  6.5       Non-Solicitation : Employee understands and agrees that, because of his responsibilities at the Company, he will help to develop, and will be exposed to the Company's business strategies, information on customers and clients, and other valuable Proprietary Information, and that use or disclosure of such Proprietary Information in breach of this

 Agreement would be extremely difficult to detect or prove.  Employee acknowledges that the Company's relationships with its employees, customers, clients, vendors, and other persons are valuable business assets.  Therefore, Employee agrees as follows:

                                                (a)    Employee shall not, for a period of two years after he is no longer employed by the Company, directly or indirectly solicit, induce, recruit, or encourage any officer, director, or employee of the Company, or any of the Company's affiliates, to leave the Company or terminate his or her employment with the Company;

                                                (b)    Employee shall not, for a period of one year after he is no longer employed by the Company:  (i) divert or attempt to divert any business from the Company or any of the Company's affiliates; (ii) interfere with any business relationship or contract between the Company, including the Company's affiliates, and any of its customers, clients, members, vendors, business partners, or suppliers; or (iii) for the purpose of selling products or services competitive with the Company's or the Company's affiliates, solicit any person, firm, corporation or entity of any kind, that was a customer, client or prospective client of the Company at any time during the one year period preceding the termination date of Employee's employment.

6.6       Injunctions .  Employee acknowledges that the restrictions contained in Section 6 are reasonable and necessary in view of the nature of Company's businesses, in order to protect the legitimate interests of Company, and that any violation thereof would result in irreparable injury to Company.  Therefore, Employee agrees that, in the event of a breach or threatened breach by Employee of the provisions of the paragraphs above, the Company shall be entitled to obtain from any court of competent jurisdiction, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief restraining Employee from any violation of the foregoing. 

7.         Arbitration .

7.1       The Company and Employee hereby agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and all claims or controversies between them (or between Employee and any present or former officer, director, agent, or employee of the Company or any parent, subsidiary, or other entity affiliated with the Company) shall be resolved by final and binding arbitration.

  7.2       Claims subject to arbitration shall include, without limitation, contract claims, tort claims, claims relating to compensation and stock options, as well as claims based on any federal, state, or local law, statute, or regulation, including but not limited to any claims arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act.  However, claims for unemployment benefits, workers' compensation claims, and claims under the National Labor Relations Act shall not be subject to arbitration.

  7.3       Any arbitration proceeding shall be conducted in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association ("the AAA Rules").  The arbitrator shall apply the same substantive law, with the same statutes of limitations and same remedies that would apply if the claims were brought in a court of law.

7.4       Either the Company or Employee may bring an action in court to compel arbitration under this Agreement and to enforce an arbitration award.  Otherwise, neither party shall initiate or prosecute any lawsuit or claim in any way related to any arbitrable claim, including without limitation any claim as to the making, existence, validity, or enforceability of the agreement to arbitrate.  Nothing in this Agreement, however, precludes a party from filing an administrative charge before an agency that has jurisdiction over an arbitrable claim.  Moreover, nothing in this Agreement prohibits either party from seeking provisional relief pursuant to Section 1281.8 of the California Code of Civil Procedure

.7.5       All arbitration hearings under this Agreement shall be conducted in Los Angeles, California, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.  The arbitration provisions of this  Agreement shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act ("FAA"), unless the FAA does not apply, in which case the California Arbitration Act shall apply.  In all other respects, this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without reference to conflicts of law principles.

7.6       Each party shall pay its own costs and attorney's fees, unless a party prevails on a statutory claim, and the statute provides that the prevailing party is entitled to payment of its attorneys' fees.  In that case, the arbitrator may award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs to the prevailing party as provided by law. The Company agrees to pay the costs and fees of the arbitrator to the extent required by law.

7.7       The parties also understand and agree that this agreement  constitutes a waiver of their right to a trial by jury of any claims or controversies covered by this agreement.  the parties agree that none of those claims or controversies shall be resolved by a jury trial.

   8.         Severability .

8.1       Severability Of Unenforceable Provisions .  The provisions of this Agreement are severable.  In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement, or the application thereof in any circumstances is held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the validity and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be in any way impaired or affected, it being intended that all of the rights and privileges contained in this Agreement shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

8.2       Scope .  To the extent that any provision hereof is deemed unenforceable by virtue of its scope, but could be enforceable by reducing the scope, Employee and the Company agree that same shall be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in the jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought, and that the Company shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to modify such invalid or unenforceable provision to the extent required to be valid and enforceable. 

9.         Successors .

            This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successor or successors of the Company by way of reorganization, merger, acquisition or consolidation, and any assignee of all or substantially all of the Company's business and properties. 

10.       Amendments; Waivers .

            This Agreement may not be orally modified or amended.  It may only be modified or amended by an instrument in writing signed by Employee and by a duly authorized representative of the Company, other than Employee.  No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising any right, remedy, or power under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof or as a waiver of any other right, remedy, or power, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, or power hereunder preclude any other or further exercise of any other right, remedy, or other power provided herein or by law or in equity.

11.       Notices .

            All notices, requests, demands, and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, and shall be delivered in person, by facsimile, or by certified or registered mail with return receipt requested.  Each such notice, request, demand, or other communication shall be effective:  (a) if delivered by hand, when delivered at the address specified in this Section; (b) if given by facsimile, when such facsimile is transmitted to the telefacsimile number specified in this Section and confirmation is received; or (c) if given by certified or registered mail, three days after the mailing thereof.  Notices shall be delivered as follows:

If to the Company :

PC Mall, Inc.

Care of: PC Mall, Inc.

2555 W. 190th Street

Torrance, CA  90504

Attention: Frank Khulusi

Fax: (310) 353-7411

 

With a copy to :

Morrison & Foerster LLP

19900 MacArthur Boulevard, 12th Floor

Irvine, California 92612

Attention:  Robert M. Mattson, Esq .

Fax:  (949) 251-0900

If to the Employee :

 

Robert Newton

2803 Corte Esmeralda

San Clemente, California 92673

Any party may change its address by notice giving notice to the other party of a new address in accordance with the foregoing provisions.

12.       Assignment

            No benefit hereunder shall be subject to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge, and any attempt to do so shall be void.  The Company shall be permitted to assign this Agreement to any affiliate or any successor.

13.       Integration

            This Agreement is intended to be the final, complete, and exclusive statement of the terms of Employee's employment by the Company.  This Agreement supersedes all other prior and contemporaneous agreements and statements, whether written or oral, express or implied, pertaining in any manner to the employment of Employee, and it may not be contradicted by evidence of any prior or contemporaneous statements or agreements.  To the extent that the practices, policies, or procedures of the Company, now or in the future, apply to Employee and are inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or the offer letter, the provisions of this Agreement shall control.

14.       Interpretation

           The language in all parts of this Agreement shall be in all cases construed simply according to its fair meaning and not strictly for or against any party.  Whenever the context requires, all words used in the singular will be construed to have been used in the plural, and vice versa.  The descriptive headings of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not control, limit, or affect the interpretation or construction of any of the provisions herein.

15.       Governing Law

            This Agreement has been negotiated and executed in the State of California and shall in all respects be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California without giving effect to principles of conflict of laws. 

 

** SIGNATURES ON NEXT PAGE **

 

EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE HAS READ THIS AGREEMENT AND UNDERSTANDS ITS CONTENTS.  EMPLOYEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE COMPANY HAS ADVISED HIM OF HIS RIGHT TO CONSULT WITH LEGAL COUNSEL OF HIS OWN CHOICE CONCERNING THIS AGREEMENT.  BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, EMPLOYEE AND THE COMPANY AGREE TO BE BOUND BY ALL OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT.

The parties have executed this Agreement on the dates noted below.

 

 

 

Dated: June 8, 2004________   /s/ Frank Khulusi_____________
   

PC MALL, INC.

     
    By: Frank Khulusi____________
     
    Title: President_____________
     
Dated: June 8, 2004________   /s/ Robert Newton___________
   

ROBERT NEWTON

 

 

SECOND AMENDMENT TO LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT AND OTHER FINANCING AGREEMENTS

 

 

THIS SECOND AMENDMENT TO LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT AND OTHER FINANCING AGREEMENTS (this " Amendment "), dated as of October 31, 2002, is entered into among CONGRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION (WESTERN), a California corporation (" Lender "), PC MALL, INC., a Delaware corporation formerly known as IdeaMall, Inc. (" PC Mall "), PC MALL SALES, INC., a California corporation formerly known as Creative Computers, Inc. (" PC Mall Sales ") ECOST.COM, INC., a Delaware corporation (" ecost "), ELINUX.COM, INC., a Delaware corporation (" eLinux "), CCIT, INC., a Delaware corporation formerly known as Creative Computers Integrated Technologies, Inc. ("CCIT"), WF ACQUISITION SUB, INC., a Delaware corporation (" WF Sub "), COMPUTABILITY LIMITED, a Delaware corporation (" Computability " and together with PC Mall, PC Mall Sales, ecost, eLinux, CCIT and WF Sub, collectively referred to herein as " Existing Borrowers "), AF SERVICES, INC., a Delaware corporation (" AF Services "), PC MALL GOV, INC., a Delaware corporation (" PCMG "), CLUBMAC, INC., a Delaware corporation (" ClubMac "), ONSALE, INC., a Delaware corporation (" Onsale "), AV ACQUISITION, INC., a Delaware corporation (" AV Acquisition "), MALL ACQUISITION 1, INC., a Delaware corporation formerly known as PCM.com, Inc. (" Acquisition 1 ") and MALL ACQUISITION 2, INC., a Delaware corporation formerly known as PCMall.com, Inc. (" Acquisition 2") and together with AF Services, PCMG, ClubMac, Onsale, AV Acquisition and Acquisition 1, collectively referred to herein as " New Borrowers ").  Existing Borrowers and New Borrowers will collectively be referred to herein as " Borrowers ".

RECITALS

A.Existing Borrowers and Lender have previously entered into that certain Loan and Security Agreement dated March 7, 2001 as amended (the " Loan Agreement "), pursuant to which Lender has made certain loans and financial accommodations available to Existing Borrowers.  Terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Loan Agreement.

B.                 In connection with the Loan Agreement, PC Mall and Lender have previously entered into that certain Stock Pledge Agreement dated March 7, 2001 (the " Pledge Agreement "), covering the capital stock of the other Existing Borrowers.

C.                 PC Mall owns all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of New Borrowers.

D.                 AF Services was formed to purchase inventory and provide administrative and fulfillment services for the other Borrowers and to conduct sales under the tradename "PC Mall Services".

E.                  PCMG was formed to conduct sales to governmental entities under the name "PC Mall Gov".

F.                  ClubMac will acquire the business purchased by PC Mall from Pacific Business Systems, Inc. (the " PBS Business ").

G.                 Onsale was formed to conduct internet auction sales.

H.                  AV Acquisition, Acquisition 1 and Acquisition 2 were formed for future acquisitions.

I.                   Borrowers have requested Lender to add New Borrowers as co-borrowers under the Loan Agreement and to make loans and provide other financial accommodations to all Borrowers upon the terms and conditions of the Loan Agreement (as amended hereby), and Lender is willing to accede to such request upon the terms and conditions set forth below.

J.                   As affiliated companies under the common ownership of PC Mall, the financial success of each Borrower is largely dependant on the financial success of the other Borrowers.  Although certain of the Borrowers operate separate and distinct core businesses in designated geographical areas, administrative and other service functions will be performed for all of the Borrowers under the auspices of AF Services and all of the Borrowers are providing technology-related goods and services for the ultimate benefit of PC Mall and its shareholders.  It would be extremely impractical and unfeasible for each Borrower to report separately its Eligible Accounts and Eligible Inventory and to receive separately the proceeds of advances based upon such Borrower's Eligible Accounts and Eligible Inventory alone.  Borrowers have therefore requested Lender to make funds available under the Loan Agreement to all Borrowers based upon all of their Eligible Accounts and Eligible Inventory.  All advances and credit accommodations made under the Loan Agreement will thereby benefit all of the Borrowers by providing an available source of credit for all of the Borrowers, as needed, to fund their working capital needs.

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Amendments .

(a) Addition of New Borrowers .  New Borrowers are hereby added as co-borrowers under the Loan Agreement with the same force and effect as if New Borrowers had duly executed and delivered the Loan Agreement as Borrowers thereunder in addition to the Existing Borrowers.  Without limiting the foregoing:

(i)The definitions of "Borrower" and "Borrowers" in the preamble of the Loan Agreement are hereby amended to include New Borrowers in addition to the Existing Borrowers.

(ii)Each of the New Borrowers and each of the Existing Borrowers shall be jointly and severally liable for all Obligations.

(iii)To secure payment and performance of all Obligations, each of the New Borrowers hereby grants to Lender a continuing security interest in, a lien upon, and a right of set off against, and hereby assigns to Lender as security, all Collateral, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or existing, and wherever located.

(iv)The Information Certificates of New Borrowers attached hereto as Exhibit A are hereby included in Exhibit A to the Loan Agreement in addition to the Information Certificates of the Existing Borrowers.

(v)New Borrowers hereby represent and warrant to Lender the truth and accuracy of all representations and warranties applicable to Borrowers in the Loan Agreement (after giving effect to the inclusions of New Borrowers and their Information Certificates as set forth in clauses (i) and (iv) above).

(vi)New Borrowers hereby agree to perform all of the covenants and agreements applicable to Borrowers in the Loan Agreement.

(vii)Lender shall have all of the rights, remedies, interests and powers as against New Borrowers as provided to Lender in relation to Borrowers in the Loan Agreement.

(b) Indebtedness .  The word "and" at the end of Section 9.9(d) of the Loan Agreement is hereby deleted, the period at the end of Section 9.9(e) is hereby replaced with "; and", and a new Section 9.9(f) is hereby added to the Loan Agreement as follows:

"(f) Any obligations or indebtedness of Borrowers on account of the deferred payment of the Total Consideration or any earn-outs or similar contingent payments in connection with the acquisition of a Target, to the extent permitted in Section 9.10(d) hereof."

(c) Acquisitions .  Section 9.10(d) of the Loan Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

"(d) Borrowers may acquire all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of another Person, or all or substantially all of the assets of another Person or of a division of another Person (each, a "Target"), and may form a new wholly-owned subsidiary (a "New Subsidiary") and make investments in such New Subsidiary ("Subsidiary Investments"), subject to the satisfaction in full of all of the following conditions precedent:

(i)The subject Target or New Subsidiary (as applicable) shall be in the same or similar type of business as Borrowers;

(ii)The aggregate sum of (A) the purchase price for the subject Target and any related Targets plus any other consideration payable in connection with the sale of the Target and any related Targets, excluding any earn-outs and similar contingent payments, excluding any obligations or indebtedness of the Target that are assumed (as permitted by Section 9.9 hereof) and excluding any capital stock of PC Mall (the "Total Consideration") or the amount of the subject Subsidiary Investments (as applicable), plus (B) the aggregate sum of the Total Considerations for all Targets previously acquired by Borrowers (excluding Pacific Business Systems, Inc. and Wareforce Incorporated) plus all Subsidiary Investments previously made by Borrowers, shall not exceed Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000);

(iii)As of the date of the acquisition of the subject Target and any related Targets or the making of the subject Subsidiary Investments (as applicable) and after giving effect thereto, the Excess Availability would not be less than Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000);

(iv)The subject Target shall be acquired in accordance with applicable laws free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, charge or other encumbrance except as permitted in Section 9.8 hereof, and free and clear of any obligations or indebtedness except as permitted in Section 9.9 hereof;

(v)Any portion of the Total Consideration (excluding any earn-outs and similar contingent payments) that is not payable on the closing of the acquisition of the subject Target shall, to the extent a Borrower is obligated to make payment thereof, be subordinated in a manner satisfactory to Lender;

(vi)The subject Target and the Person acquiring the subject Target or the subject New Subsidiary (as applicable) shall guaranty the Obligations, and the assets and capital stock of the subject Target and such Person or the subject New Subsidiary (as applicable) shall be pledged to Lender, all pursuant to documents in form and substance satisfactory to Lender;

(vii)No Event of Default, or event that with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the acquisition of the subject Target or the making of the subject Subsidiary Investments (as applicable);

(viii)Borrowers shall give prior written notice to Lender of the acquisition of the subject Target or the making of the subject Subsidiary Investments as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event less than fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the closing thereof if the Total Consideration for the subject Target and any related Targets or the amount of the Subsidiary Investments (as applicable) is greater than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000);

(ix)Lender shall have received true, correct and complete copies of the acquisition agreement(s) for the subject Target and all exhibits, schedules, documents and other agreements relating thereto, together with such financial and other information concerning the subject Target as Lender may reasonably request; and

(x)Lender shall have received such further agreements, documents and instruments, and such further acts shall have been completed, with respect to the subject Target or New Subsidiary (as applicable), as required by Section 9.17 hereof.

At Borrowers' request, the subject Target or the Person acquiring the subject Target or the subject New Subsidiary (as applicable) may be added as a borrower hereunder, but only at the sole election of Lender.  Regardless of whether the subject Target or the Person acquiring the subject Target or the subject New Subsidiary (as applicable) is or becomes a borrower hereunder, and regardless of whether the Accounts and Inventory of the subject Target or New Subsidiary qualify under the definition of "Eligible Accounts" and "Eligible Inventory" in Sections 1.19 and 1.20 of the Loan Agreement, the inclusion of such Accounts and Inventory in Eligible Accounts and Eligible Inventory shall be subject to:

(xi)Lender's receipt and approval of full written appraisals as to the inventory of the subject Target or New Subsidiary in form, scope and methodology reasonable acceptable to Lender and by an appraiser reasonably acceptable to Lender, addressed to Lender, and upon which Lender is expressly permitted to rely;

(xii)The completion of a field examination by Lender of the subject Target or New Subsidiary with results reasonably satisfactory to Lender;

(xiii)Such additional eligibility criteria, Availability Reserves and percentage advance rates as Lender shall establish in its commercially reasonable discretion in light of the foregoing appraisals and field examination; and

(xiv)The chief executive office and jurisdiction of organization of the subject Target or New Subsidiary (as applicable) shall be in the United States, and in any event, only those Accounts generated and invoiced from the Untied States and that Inventory located in the United States may be deemed Eligible Accounts or Eligible Inventory.

(d) Pledge Agreement .  Recital B of the Pledge Agreement is hereby amended by adding immediately after the reference to", WF ACQUISITION SUB, INC., a Delaware corporation" the words "AF SERVICES, INC., a Delaware corporation, PC MALL GOV, INC., a Delaware corporation, CLUBMAC, INC., a Delaware corporation, ONSALE, INC., a Delaware corporation, AV ACQUISITION, INC., a Delaware corporation, MALL ACQUISITION 1, INC., a Delaware corporation formerly known as PCM.com, Inc., and MALL ACQUISITION 2, INC., a Delaware corporation formerly known as PCMall.com, Inc."

2. Lender Consents .  Lender hereby consents to:

(a)The formation of New Borrowers as wholly owned subsidiaries of PC Mall, the transfer by Existing Borrowers of Inventory to AF Services, and the transfer by PC Mall of the assets related to the PBS Business to ClubMac;

(b)The formation of Mall Acquisition 3, Inc., a Delaware corporation formerly known as Shipitforyou, Inc., as a wholly owned subsidiary of PC Mall, which subsidiary was formed for future acquisitions, provided that any acquisition by it shall be subject to the satisfaction in full of all conditions precedent set forth in Section 9.10(d) of the Loan Agreement (as amended above); and

(c)The winding up, liquidation or dissolution of Computability (which is defunct and has no assets) or the merger thereof into another Borrower.

3. Accommodation Fee .  Concurrently with their execution and delivery of this Amendment to Lender, Borrowers shall pay Lender an accommodation fee in the amount of Thirty-Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($37,500).

4. Effectiveness of this Amendment .  Lender must have received the following items, in form and content acceptable to Lender, before this Amendment is effective.

(a)This Amendment fully executed in a sufficient number of counterparts for distribution to all parties.

(b)A Second Amended and Restated Term Promissory Note duly executed and delivered by Borrowers to replace that certain Amended and Term Promissory Note of Existing Borrowers in the original principal sum of $583,333.39.

(c)The certificates evidencing all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of New Borrowers, together with stock powers duly executed and delivered by PC Mall therefor in blank.

(d)Flooring agreement(s) duly executed and delivered by DFS and such Borrowers as appropriate.

(e)Amendments duly executed and delivered by DFS, Apple Computer and Hewlett-Packard Company to their intercreditor/subordination agreements with Lender to cover such New Borrowers as appropriate.

(f)Such documents as Lender may require to establish that it has a valid, perfected and first priority security interest in the Collateral.

(g)Such documents as Lender may require with respect to the organization, existence, good standing, power and authority of New Borrowers.

(h)Evidence of insurance and loss payable endorsements with respect to the insurance policies of New Borrowers.

(i)Favorable opinion letter of counsel to New Borrowers with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby.

(j)Consents and Amendments duly executed and delivered by LaSalle Business Credit, Inc. and Fleet Capital Business Finance Division as Participants.

(k)All other documents and legal matters in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Amendment shall have been delivered or executed or recorded and shall be in form and substance satisfactory to Lender.

5. Representations and Warranties .  Each Borrower represents and warrants as follows:

(a) Authority .  Such Borrower has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Amendment, and to perform its obligations hereunder and under the Financing Agreements (as amended or modified hereby) to which it is a party.  The execution, delivery and performance by such Borrower of this Amendment have been duly approved by all necessary corporate action and no other corporate proceedings are necessary to consummate such transactions.

(b) Enforceability .  This Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by such Borrower.  This Amendment and each Financing Agreement (as amended or modified hereby) is the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Borrower, enforceable against such Borrower in accordance with its terms, and is in full force and effect.

(c) Representations and Warranties .  The representations and warranties contained in each Financing Agreement (other than any such representations or warranties that, by their terms, are specifically made as of a date other than the date hereof) are correct on and as of the date hereof as though made on and as of the date hereof.

(d) Due Execution .  The execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment are within the power of such Borrower, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, have received all necessary governmental approval, if any, and do not contravene any law or any contractual restrictions binding on such Borrower.

(e) No Default .  No event has occurred and is continuing that constitutes an Event of Default.

6. Choice of Law .  The validity of this Amendment, its construction, interpretation and enforcement, the rights of the parties hereunder, shall be determined under, governed by, and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of California governing contracts only to be performed in that State.

7. Counterparts .  This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties and separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Amendment by telefacsimile shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment.

8. Reference to and Effect on the Financing Agreements.

(a)Upon and after the effectiveness of this Amendment, each reference in the Loan Agreement to "this Agreement", "hereunder", "hereof" or words of like import referring to the Loan Agreement, and each reference in the other Financing Agreements to "the Loan Agreement", "thereof" or words of like import referring to the Loan Agreement, shall mean and be a reference to the Loan Agreement as modified and amended hereby.

(b)Except as specifically provided above, the Loan Agreement and all other Financing Agreements, are and shall continue to be in full force and effect and are hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed and shall constitute the legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations of Borrowers to Lender.

(c)The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment shall not operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of Lender under any of the Financing Agreements, nor constitute a waiver of any provision of any of the Financing Agreements.

(d)To the extent that any terms and conditions in any of the Financing Agreements shall contradict or be in conflict with any terms or conditions of the Loan Agreement or the Pledge Agreement, after giving effect to this Amendment, such terms and conditions are hereby deemed modified or amended accordingly to reflect the terms and conditions of the Loan Agreement and the Pledge Agreement as modified or amended hereby.

9. Ratification .  Each Borrower hereby restates, ratifies and reaffirms each and every term and condition set forth in the Loan Agreement and the Pledge Agreement, as amended hereby, and the other Financing Agreements effective as of the date hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have entered into this Amendment as of the date first above written.

LENDER :

BORROWERS :

CONGRESS FINANCIAL
CORPORATION (WESTERN)

PC MALL, INC.

By: /s/ Gary Cassianni                                                            
Name:  Gary Cassianni                                                          
Title: Vice President                                                              

By: /s/ Ted Sanders                                                        
Name: Ted Sanders                                                      
Title: Chief Financial Officer                                          

 

PC MALL SALES, INC.

 

By: /s/ Rory Zaks                                                          
Name: Rory Zaks                                                          
Title: President                                                              

 

ECOST.COM, INC.

 

By: /s/ Gary Guy                                                          
Name: Gary Guy                                                          
Title: President                                                             

 

ELINUX.COM, INC.

 

By: /s/ Ted Sanders                                                       
Name: Ted Sanders                                                      
Title: Secretary                                                             

 

CCIT, INC.

 

By: /s/ Richard Lepow                                                  
Name: Richard Lepow                                                 
Title: President                                                             

 

WF ACQUISITION SUB, INC.

 

By: /s/ William Neary                                                   
Name: William C. Neary                                              
Title: President                                                             

 

COMPUTABILITY LIMITED

 

By: /s/ Peter Zuiker                                                      
Name: Peter Zuiker                                                     
Title: President                                                            

 

AF SERVICES, INC.

 

By: /s/ Simon Abuyounes                                              
Name: Simon Abuyounes                                             
Title: President                                                             

 

PC MALL GOV, INC.

 

By: /s/ Alan Bechara                                                     
Name: Alan Bechara                                                    
Title: President                                                             

 

CLUBMAC, INC.

 

By: /s/ Mike McNeill                                                    
Name: Mike McNeill                                                   
Title: President                                                             

 

ONSALE, INC.

 

By: /s/ Sam Khulusi                                                      
Name: Sam Khulusi                                                     
Title: President                                                             

 

AV ACQUISITION, INC.

 

By: /s/ Ted Sanders                                                      
Name: Ted Sanders                                                     
Title: President                                                             

 

MALL ACQUISITION 1, INC.

 

By: /s/ Ted Sanders                                                       
Name: Ted Sanders                                                      
Title: President                                                              

 

MALL ACQUISITION 2, INC.

 

By: /s/ Ted Sanders                                                       
Name: Ted Sanders                                                      
Title: President                                                              

 

 

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Frank F. Khulusi, certify that:

1.         I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of PC Mall, Inc.;

2.         Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this   report;

3.         Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.         The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

a)         designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)         evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

c)         disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.         The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)         all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)         any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  August 10, 2004   /s/ Frank F. Khulusi
Frank F. Khulusi
Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Ted Sanders, certify that:

1.         I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of PC Mall, Inc.;

2.         Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this   report;

3.         Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.         The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

a)         designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)         evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

c)         disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.         The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)         all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)         any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  August 10, 2004   /s/ Ted Sanders
Ted  Sanders
Chief Financial Officer

 

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002)

             In connection with the quarterly report of PC Mall, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2004 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), I, Frank F. Khulusi, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, hereby certify as of the date hereof, solely for purposes of Title 18, Chapter 63, Section 1350 of the United States Code, that to the best of my knowledge:

                    (1)  the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and

                    (2)  the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company at the dates and for the periods indicated. 

              This Certification has not been, and shall not be deemed, "filed" with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Date:  August 10, 2004   /s/ Frank F. Khulusi
Frank F. Khulusi
Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002)

             In connection with the quarterly report of PC Mall, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2004 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), I, Ted Sanders, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, hereby certify as of the date hereof, solely for purposes of Title 18, Chapter 63, Section 1350 of the United States Code, that to the best of my knowledge:

                   (1)  the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and

                   (2)  the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company at the dates and for the periods indicated. 

              This Certification has not been, and shall not be deemed, "filed" with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Date:  August 10, 2004   /s/ Ted Sanders
Ted  Sanders
Chief Financial Officer