Exhibit 10.5.1
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This Agreement is entered into on August 11, 2000, by and between CARIBBEAN
CONCEPTS CORP., a New York corporation ("Seller"), KAREN BUSHELL as the
controlling principal of Seller ("Principal") and PREFERRED TRAVEL & TOURS,
INC., a Florida corporation ("Buyer") which is a wholly owned subsidiary of
eTravelServe.com, Inc., a Nevada corporation ("eTravel").
In consideration of the mutual promises, covenants and conditions set forth
herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by all parties, the parties have
agreed as follows:
8. Description of Assets. Buyer will purchase all of the Seller's
goodwill, customer lists, telephone numbers, trade names, and other intangible
assets used in Seller's business (the "Assets"). Seller will assign to Buyer all
of Seller's right, title and interest in any sales agreements, advertising
agreements, independent contractor agreements with travel agents and contracts
with hotels for wholesale rates used in the business of Seller being acquired
hereby (the "Assumed Contracts"). Buyer will assume all obligations of Seller
under the Assumed Contracts and indemnify and hold the Seller harmless from any
obligations of Seller thereunder from and after the Closing Date. Amounts due or
prepaid under such Assumed Contracts will be prorated as of the date of closing.
Assets specifically excluded from the population of Seller's assets that Buyer
will purchase in this transaction are: (i) all cash in banks; and (ii) all
accounts receivable arising from sales occurring prior to the Closing Date. The
Assets which Buyer will purchase from Seller and Assumed Contracts which Buyer
will assume as set forth in this Section 1 are referred to collectively in this
Agreement as the "Business."
9. Purchase Price and Payment. The entire purchase price for the
Assets purchased hereunder shall be $125,000.00, payable as follows:
a. A deposit equal to $12,500.00 (the "Deposit") shall be paid
into escrow with Seller's counsel upon execution hereof to be administered in
accordance with that certain escrow agreement attached hereto as Exhibit "A"
(the "Escrow Agreement"). The Deposit shall be non-refundable unless (in which
case it shall be refunded to Buyer forthwith): (i) Seller defaults hereunder; or
(ii), if the Seller's and Principal's representations and warranties as set
forth in Section 9 hereof, and most particularly with respect to the
representations and warranties as set forth in Subsection 9 (j) hereof, shall
not be true and correct prior to and as of the Closing Date.
b. $62,500.00 by bank check or cashier's check at closing.
c. $50,000.00 in eTravel Common Stock, based upon a price per
share equal to the average of the closing bid and asked prices for such stock as
of the
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close of business on the day prior to the Closing Date. Such shares of eTravel
Common Stock shall be "restricted securities" as that term is defined under Rule
144 of the Securities Act of 1933 ("Rule 144"), and shall be subject to the
provisions of Rule 144. Seller acknowledges that such shares of eTravel Common
Stock to be received hereunder shall be restricted securities and is familiar
with the provisions of Rule 144 or has consulted with counsel to become informed
about the provisions of Rule 144.
10. Execution Deliveries. Upon the execution hereof by both
parties (the "Execution Date"), and within not more than ten (10) calendar days
thereafter, Seller shall deliver to Buyer a complete listing of Assumed
Contracts to which it is a party, and shall provide the following information
with respect to each: (i) the date on which each such contract expires; (ii) the
date on which each such contract may be renewed; and (iii) the duration of the
term for which each may be renewed. All such contracts including those
specifically identified as Major Contracts on Exhibit "B" hereof shall be deemed
to be included in the class of contracts identified as Assumed Contracts
hereunder. Additionally, within ten (10) calendar days after the Execution Date,
Seller shall provide Buyer with a copy of each of the contracts comprising the
Major Contracts as detailed on Exhibit "B" hereto. Finally, Seller shall within
ten (10) calendar days after the Execution Date, provide Buyer with copies of
any contracts for co-op funding and shall provide Buyer with a schedule to
accompany any such contract copies outlining which travel destination properties
are most amenable to such co-op arrangements.
11. Transition Period. For a period of 30 days after the Closing
Date, Principal will continue her present duties at the Business, at no
additional charge, in order to acquaint Buyer with all aspects of the Business.
Principal is to be engaged by Buyer beyond the 30 day transition period, in
accordance with the terms of that certain consultant agreement to be entered
into as of the Execution Date by and among Buyer and Principal, to become
effective after the Closing Date by its terms, the form of which is attached
hereto as Exhibit "C" and made a part hereof ("Consultant Agreement").
12. Cut-off Transactions and Accounts Receivable. At the Closing
and as of the Closing Date, Seller shall provide Buyer with a listing of any
pending transactions originated by Seller, and shall provide Buyer with a
complete listing of any transactions in connection with which Seller expects to
receive a commission. Seller shall be entitled to complete any such transactions
and receive any related commission thereupon. In the event that substantive
activity on the part of Buyer shall be required to collect monies or otherwise
perfect Seller's interest in receiving a commission in connection with any such
transaction, Buyer and Seller hereby agree that they shall negotiate in good
faith to arrive at an equitable compensation to Buyer for its efforts, which
amount Seller shall pay to Buyer forthwith. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Buyer, on Seller's behalf, shall after the Closing Date accept payment of
Seller's accounts receivable arising out of the operation of the Business prior
to the Closing Date and as listed in accordance with this Section 4, and Buyer
shall turn over to Seller monthly all amounts so accepted, provided however,
that Seller shall reimburse Buyer for Buyer's reasonable costs, if any, of
administering such receivables. Buyer's responsibility for collection is limited
to the acceptance of amounts received on behalf of Seller and Buyer has no
obligation to attempt to enforce payment. No adjustments shall be made
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in any of Seller's accounts receivable without the written permission of Seller
or her nominee. As of a date one year subsequent to the Closing Date, Buyer's
obligations under this Section 4 shall terminate.
13. Prorations and Adjustments. Advertising fees such as yellow
pages ads, salaries, lease deposits, prepaid mail box rentals and other prepaid
accounts, if any, and customer deposits shall be prorated as of the Closing
Date.
14. Seller's Employees. Employees of Seller shall be and remain
employees of Seller through the Closing Date and Buyer is not assuming any
obligation or liability of any kind which Seller may have to said employees for
compensation, pension or retirement plan contributions, or any other obligation
or responsibility of any kind. Buyer shall not be obligated to hire or employ
any of Seller's employees as of the Closing Date, but may hire or employ any of
Seller's current employees in Buyer's sole discretion and upon such terms as it
determines. Seller and Principal agree that, for a period of one (1) year from
the Closing Date, neither Seller, Principal nor any of their affiliates will
employ or seek to employ any of Seller's current employees which are employed by
Buyer as of the Closing Date, without the prior written consent of Buyer. Seller
and Principal agree to indemnify, defend and hold Buyer harmless with respect to
any claims made by any of Seller's employees arising out of actions which
occurred on or prior to the Closing Date.
15. Sales Taxes. Seller represents and warrants that all sales
taxes, if any, as well as any penalties and interest, have been paid and Seller
shall indemnify Buyer in connection therewith. At Closing, Seller will deliver a
copy of its Sales Tax Return, if any, for the prior month and proof of payment
of the amount shown to be due.
16. Representations and Warranties of Seller. Seller and
Principal hereby make the following representations and warranties to Buyer:
a. Seller is a corporation duly organized and existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of New York, and is duly authorized to
carry on the Business and to own and lease its properties as and in the places
where such properties are now owned, leased or operated.
b. Seller has good and marketable title to the Assets, subject
to no mortgage, conditional sales agreement, charges, liens, or encumbrances, or
any other assignment of rights and/or interests, other than those set forth on
the Schedule of Liens attached hereto, which shall be satisfied from the
proceeds of sale at closing or, if included in the attached Schedule of Assumed
Contracts, shall be assumed by Buyer at closing.
c. Attached hereto are copies of Seller's federal tax returns
for the periods ended December 31, 1999 and 1998. Such tax returns are true and
correct in all material respects, and show all liabilities required to be shown
in accordance with Seller's basis of accounting used for federal income tax
purposes. From the date of such tax returns to the date of this Agreement, there
has been no material change in
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the assets, liabilities, financial condition, business or prospects of Seller
from that reflected in such tax returns, other than changes in the ordinary
course of business, including acquisitions, none of which have been, either in
any case or in the aggregate, materially adverse. Seller hereby agrees to
cooperate in good faith and with its best efforts upon request of Buyer, to
assist Buyer and its agents, accountants and attorneys in the preparation of
financial information or statements which may be required to be compiled in
respect of the Business as conducted prior to the Closing Date, as may be
necessary to satisfy Buyer's compliance with its, or its affiliates, reporting
requirements to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The
provision set forth in the foregoing sentence shall survive the Closing for a
period of not less than two (2) years.
d. Seller has filed all federal, state and local governmental
tax returns required to be filed in accordance with applicable law and has paid
all taxes and assessments (including, without limitation, income, excise,
unemployment, social security, occupation, franchise, property, sales, and
import taxes, duties or charges and all penalties and interest in respect
thereto) required to have been paid to date.
e. Except as set forth on the Schedule of Legal Matters
attached hereto, there are no legal, quasi-judicial or administrative actions,
suits or proceedings of any kind or nature now pending or threatened before any
court or administrative body in any manner involving Seller, the Business or the
Assets, or which may adversely affect the power or authority of Seller to carry
out the transactions to be performed by Seller hereunder. Seller and Principal
agree to defend any matters set forth on the Schedule of Legal Matters attached
hereto at their own expense and indemnify Buyer from any and all liabilities and
expenses which may be incurred by Buyer in connection with such matters.
f. Except as listed on the Schedule of Assumed Contracts,
Seller is not a party to any written or oral (i) contract not made in the
ordinary course of business, (ii) employment contract which is not terminable
without cost or other liability to Seller, or any successor, upon notice of
thirty (30) days or less, (iii) contract with any labor union, (iv) bonus,
pension, profit-sharing, retirement, share purchase, hospitalization insurance
or similar plan providing employee benefits, (v) lease or sublease with respect
to any property, real or personal, whether as lessor or lessee, (vi) advertising
contract or contract for public relations services, (vii) continuing contract
for the purchase of materials, supplies or equipment, or (viii) contract
continuing for a period of more than thirty (30) days or which is not terminable
without cost or other liability to Seller or its successors. Seller has in all
respects performed all obligations required to be performed by it to date and is
not in default in any respect under any such agreements or obligations.
g. Seller will pay all of its trade and other creditors as
such obligations become due, except for obligations which Seller is contesting
in good faith, so as not to adversely affect the Business.
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h. The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and compliance with the provisions hereof will not conflict with or
result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, any order of any
court or other agency of government, the charter or bylaws of Seller, or any
note, debenture, mortgage, loan agreement or other instrument to which Seller is
a party, or by which it is bound, or result in the creation or imposition of any
lien, charge or encumbrance of any kind whatsoever on any of the Assets.
i. No broker, finder or other intermediary has acted on behalf
of Seller in connection with the transactions contemplated herein, or is owed
any fee or other compensation as a result of this transaction.
j. That all Assumed Contracts and all Major Contracts are
assignable to Buyer so as to provide Buyer with all of the benefits of such
Assumed Contracts and Major Contracts that Seller has had prior to the Closing
Date, and that Buyer's and Seller's completion of the closing of the transaction
set forth in this Agreement shall in no way whatsoever effect Buyer's ability to
obtain Seller's rights under the Assumed Contracts and Major Contracts.
17. Representations and Warranties of Buyer.
a. Buyer is a corporation duly organized and existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Florida, and its status is active.
b. The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and compliance with the provisions hereof will not conflict with or
result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, any order of any
court or other agency of government, the charter or bylaws of Buyer, or any
note, debenture, mortgage, loan agreement or other instrument to which Buyer is
a party, or by which it is bound.
c. No broker, finder or other intermediary has acted on behalf
of Buyer in connection with the transactions contemplated herein, or is owed any
fee or other compensation as a result of this transaction.
d. Buyer is in good standing with the Airlines Reporting
Corporation ("ARC") and with the International Airlines Travel Agent Network
("IATAN") and that subsequent to the Closing Date, Buyer shall include Principal
on the list of persons eligible to participate in Buyer's license for the usage
of such services.
18. Covenants of Seller. Seller and Principal represent and
covenant to Buyer that pending completion of the sale of Assets contemplated
hereby and as of the Closing Date:
a. Each representation and warranty set forth in Section 8
hereof shall be true and correct in all material respects.
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b. Seller will maintain itself at all times up to and
including the Closing Date as a duly licensed corporation in good standing under
the laws of its state of incorporation.
c. Seller will keep the Business open during its usual and
customary hours and cause the Business to function in the ordinary course of
business and in a good and efficient manner in keeping with Seller's customary
practices.
d. Seller will afford Buyer and its accountants, attorneys,
consultants, representatives, agents and employees, at all reasonable times,
access and facilities to use, with respect to the Assets and the Business,
Seller's files, records and all supplier contracts for the purpose of audit,
inspection and examination thereof, and will do everything reasonably necessary
to enable Buyer to make a complete examination of the Assets and the condition
thereof. All information so obtained by Buyer and its representatives, agents,
and employees shall be kept confidential.
e. Seller will not mortgage, pledge or allow any lien to be
placed upon any of the Assets.
f. Seller will not acquire additional assets or dispose of any
of the Assets, or in any way obligate itself to do so, except in the ordinary
course of business.
g. Seller will keep all of its insurable Assets insured in
accordance with its present practice, and it will maintain, preserve and keep
all improvements on property constituting a part of the Assets in a good
condition and state of repair, reasonable wear and tear or damage or loss by
fire, storm or other casualty loss excepted.
h. Seller will not enter into any contract or commitment, or
incur or agree to incur any liability, or make any capital expenditures, except
in the normal course of business.
i. Seller will not increase compensation payable or to become
payable to any officer, employee or agent.
19. Seller's and Principal's Non-Compete Agreement. In
consideration of the purchase price to be paid by Buyer hereunder and the mutual
covenants and agreements of the parties herein contained, and in recognition by
Seller and Principal that (i) the parties entering into this Agreement are
induced primarily by the covenants and assurances made by Seller and Principal,
(ii) that the Seller's and Principal's covenants not to compete are necessary to
ensure the continuation of the Business, and (iii) that irrevocable harm and
damage will be done to the Buyer if Seller or the Principal compete with the
Buyer, Seller and Principal, severally and not jointly, covenant and agree with
and for the benefit of the Buyer that for a period of two (2) years after the
Closing Date, Seller and Principal will not, either directly or indirectly, own,
manage, operate, control, participate in the management or assist in building,
plan, or assist in planning, finance or lend money to, or assist in obtaining a
loan or
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loans for (as a loan broker, guarantor, or otherwise), have any financial
interest in, or otherwise participate in, the operation, management, financing
or ownership of, or maintain or continue any interest whatsoever in, any travel
agency business within Nassau County, New York, nor solicit business pursuant to
any mailing list or prospect list generated from Seller's customer or service
records. Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing to the contrary,
Seller, Principal and Buyer agree that Seller's and/or Principal's involvement
in "providing retail travel services" to her family, friends and other retail
clients after the Closing Date, as contrasted with engaging in, or in any way
being involved with, the "wholesale travel business" (as those terms are defined
in the Consultant Agreement) except with respect to Seller's involvement in the
wholesale travel business as a consultant to Buyer on Buyer's sole behalf in
accordance with the provisions of the Consultant Agreement, shall be excepted
from activities of Seller or Principal proscribed by the terms of this Section
11.
20. Conditions Precedent to Closing. Closing of the transaction
described in this Agreement is contingent upon:
a. Neither Buyer nor Seller having discovered any material
error, misstatement or omission in any of the representations or warranties made
by the other herein. If any such material error, misstatement or omission is
discovered, either party may terminate this Agreement by written notice to the
other.
b. There not having been any fire, accident or other casualty
or any labor disturbance, civil commotion, riot, act of God or the public enemy,
or any material change in the Business or the Assets, or applicable laws,
regulations and ordinances pertaining to the Business or the Assets, which would
have a material adverse effect on the conduct of the Business at the present
business location. If any such Act of God shall occur, either party may
terminate this Agreement by written notice to the other.
21. Closing. Subject to satisfaction of all of the foregoing conditions
precedent, closing of the transaction provided for in this Agreement shall take
place within 45 days after the date of this Agreement (the "Closing Date"). The
transfer of the Assets shall be effective as of the close of business on the day
preceding the Closing Date. At closing, Seller, or Buyer as applicable, shall
take the following actions:
a. Seller shall transfer to Buyer all of its sales and service
records.
b. Seller shall transfer to Buyer Seller's right in the
Business' telephone numbers.
c. Seller shall deliver to Buyer a Bill of Sale for the
Assets, other documents of transfer of title, and any other documents necessary
or desirable in the opinion of Buyer's counsel in connection with the transfer,
which documents shall warrant title to Buyer and shall in all respects be in
such form as may be reasonably required by Buyer or its counsel.
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d. Seller shall furnish to Buyer evidence to the reasonable
satisfaction of Buyer or its counsel of proper entity action authorizing or
ratifying the execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transaction contemplated hereby.
e. Buyer shall furnish to Seller evidence to the reasonable
satisfaction of Seller or its counsel of proper entity action authorizing or
ratifying the execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transaction contemplated hereby.
f. Buyer shall furnish to Seller the unpaid cash balance of
the purchase price as set forth in Section 2 (b) of this Agreement and a
certificate representing so many of the restricted shares of common stock of
eTravel as are contemplated in Section 2(c) of this Agreement.
g. Buyer shall deliver the Consultant Agreement.
22. Seller's and Principal's Indemnity. Seller and Principal,
jointly and severally, agree to defend, indemnify and hold Buyer harmless from
and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, obligations,
assessments, lawsuits, actions, proceedings and/or demands, including reasonable
attorneys' fees and the costs and expenses of enforcing this indemnification
provision, that Buyer may suffer, sustain or incur or that may be asserted
against Buyer, the Assets, the Business or any rights to be acquired or
purchased by Buyer, that result from any material inaccuracy of any
representation or warranty made by Seller or Principal in this Agreement or
otherwise as a result of any material breach of any provision of this Agreement
by Seller or Principal, including any claims asserted by local, state or federal
authorities for unpaid taxes or arising from any imposition of taxes or the
assessment of any deficiency for taxes or penalties or interest incidental
thereto.
23. Buyer's Indemnity. Buyer agrees to defend, indemnify and hold
Seller harmless from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses,
damages, obligations, assessments, lawsuits, actions, proceedings and/or
demands, including reasonable attorneys' fees and the costs and expenses of
enforcing this indemnification provision, that Seller may suffer, sustain or
incur or that may be asserted against Seller, the Assets, the Business or any
rights to be acquired or purchased by Seller, that result from any material
inaccuracy of any representation or warranty made by Buyer in this Agreement or
otherwise as a result of any material breach of any provision of this Agreement
by Buyer.
24. Liabilities of Seller. Buyer does not assume any liabilities
of Seller, including liabilities which may arise after closing based upon
occurrences prior to the Closing Date except as may otherwise be expressly
specified herein.
25. Expenses. Each party shall pay its own expenses incident to
this Agreement and the transactions hereby contemplated. In the event of any
litigation between the parties arising out of this Agreement, the prevailing
party shall be entitled
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to recover from the other party its court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees
at the trial and all appellate levels.
26. Schedule and Exhibits. Each Schedule and Exhibit attached
hereto shall be deemed to be a part of this Agreement to the same extent as if
set forth verbatim in the body of this Agreement.
27. Time of Essence. Time is of the essence with respect to this
Agreement.
28. Enforcement. The laws of the State of Florida shall govern the
interpretation, validity, performance and enforcement of this Agreement. If any
provision of this Agreement should be held to be invalid or unenforceable, the
validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall
not be affected thereby.
29. Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out of or
relating to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by binding
arbitration in Broward County, Florida, in accordance with the Commercial
Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, and judgment upon the
award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction
thereof. The arbitration shall be conducted before and by a single arbitrator
selected by the parties. If the parties have not selected an arbitrator within
10 days of written demand for arbitration, the arbitrator shall be selected by
the American Arbitration Association pursuant to the then current rules of that
Association. The expenses of arbitration shall be divided equally between the
parties. The duty to arbitrate shall survive the cancellation or termination of
this Agreement.
30. Parties. This Agreement shall be binding upon and enforceable
against, and shall inure solely to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their
respective successors and assigns.
31. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument and any of the parties hereto may execute this Agreement by signing
any such counterpart.
32. Facsimile Signature. This Agreement may be executed and
accepted by facsimile signature and any such signature shall be of the same
force and effect as an original signature.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date set
forth above.
PREFERRED TRAVEL & TOURS, INC. CARIBBEAN CONCEPTS CORP.
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By: /s/ Paul R. Johnson By: /s/ Karen Bushnell
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Paul R. Johnson, President Karen Bushell, President
/s/ Karen Bushnell
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Karen Bushell
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