Thanks for the info, Schwab711.
In the case of at least some of the shares I am looking at, I believe what my broker explained is that the shares are not held at the DTC. They need to contact the company directly and get a physical stock certificate to get me on the ownership log and thereby receive the shareholder communications directly. That costs more and I believe getting the certificates in my name is different than what IB and Fidelity are purporting to do at those prices, which appears to be just a bookkeping entry at the DTC. So I guess really what I am asking for is what are the cheapest ways to get the certificates? Or absent that, what are other ways to obtain the shareholder info in a timely manner?
Thanks.