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 CollectingChannel.com Expands 'Ask The
Appraiser' to Meet Increased Demand for Online
Appraisals March 01, 2002 09:34:00
AM ET
WORCESTER, Mass., March 1
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sales Online Direct (OTC Bulletin Board:
PAID - news) www.paid.com, -- CollectingChannel.com, a subsidiary of
Sales Online Direct (OTC Bulletin Board: PAID), announced today that
it will expand its "Ask the Appraiser" (ATA) division in response to
increased demand for its online appraisal service. As part of the
expansion, "Ask the Appraiser" will be contracting with additional
appraisers who are noted experts in various subject areas such as
antiques, collectibles, sports memorabilia, toys, dolls, glass, and
ceramics.
Based on appraisal requests already received for first quarter
2002, ATA is projecting an increase of 46 percent over first quarter
2001. Online appraisals are gaining acceptance as consumers are
becoming more comfortable purchasing services and merchandise
online. Nearly one-fourth of collectors, or 17.5 million Americans,
used the Internet in the past year to gather information about their
collections or to chat with other collectors, according to a
research report from Unity Marketing.
"Collectibles has grown to a $7.1 billion market," said David
Maloney, chief appraisal officer for Sales Online Direct and
nationally renowned antiques and collectibles appraiser, author, and
lecturer. "With interest in antiques and collectibles exploding
among the baby boomers, more people want to know the history and
market value of items they own or intend to purchase. However, they
may not know where to find an appraiser or are hesitant to pay
$100-250 per hour for a traditional appraiser. 'Ask the Appraiser'
provides them with a convenient, cost-effective alternative whereby
they can receive a professional appraisal within three working days
for only $19.95.
Traditional appraisers have long made use of client-provided
descriptions and photographs to value items sight-unseen that are,
in fact, unavailable for inspection, such as property stolen or
destroyed in a fire. Online appraisers use the same methodology as
traditional appraisers -- the only difference being that images and
descriptions are now provided via the Internet. Based on photographs
of the item, identifying marks and descriptions provided by the
item's owner, ATA is able to provide an accurate valuation for the
client's personal use.
ATA appraisers are required to be members of a professional
appraisal society such as the Association of Online Appraisers
(AOA). All ATA appraisals will be written in accordance with
standards of the AOA (www.AOAonline.org) as well as with The
Appraisal Foundation's Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal
Practice (USPAP).
Professional appraisers interested in providing services for "Ask
the Appraiser" should contact David Maloney at 301-228-2279 or mail
to: ata@collectingchannel.com.
About CollectingChannel.com
CollectingChannel.com (www.collectingchannel.com), launched in
October 1998, serves as a gateway to the Internet for avid
collectors of all kinds. Consumers can access the latest information
on every collecting category through timely and thorough written
content and high-impact audio and video programming. Professional
online appraisals are available through CollectingChannel.com's
AskTheAppraiser.com web site.
About Sales Online Direct
Sales Online Direct maintains and develops portals and websites
for various companies and industries. The Company has focused its
efforts on the antique and collectible industry, developing websites
that enhances the user's experience. Through web-hosting and managed
services, Sales Online Direct has provided e-business solutions to
many different companies including their own Rotman Auction
division. This division sells over 20,000 items per year through
auction, direct sales, and special events. The Company has developed
the Auction Inc. suite of software to increase revenues and reduce
overhead through sales on the Internet, and offers these essential
e-tools to other companies that they host. Through recent
initiatives, Sales Online Direct is establishing itself as one of
the most important collectibles portals, and online auction services
and technology providers to the collectibles industry. Further
information on the company is available on its web site,
www.paid.com, or by calling (508) 791 6710. The Company's common
stock is traded on the Nasdaq OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol
"PAID." MEDIA CONTACT:
Julie Shepherd, Accentuate Inc. for Sales Online Direct,
847.669.0633, Julie@paid.com
INVESTOR CONTACT: Dennis Evanson, 719-534-0292
This Press Release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are based upon current
expectations or beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions about
future events, including matters related to "Ask the Appraiser,"
David Maloney, "Maloney's Antiques & Collectibles Resource
Directory" and the Company's operations. Although the Company
believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking
statements and the assumptions upon which they are based are
reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations and
assumptions will prove to have been correct. The reader is cautioned
not to put undue reliance on these forward- looking statements, as
these statements are subject to numerous factors and uncertainties,
including without limitation, successful implementation of the
Company's business strategy and competition, any of which may cause
actual results to differ materially from those described in the
statements. In addition, other factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially are discussed in the Company's most
recent filings, including Form 10-KSB and 8K with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT - Click Here
http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X58971899
© 2002 PRNewswire
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