MSN Home  |  My MSN  |  Hotmail  |  Search  |  Shopping  |  Money  |  People & Chat  |  Passport
go to MSN.com
  Home     My Money     Banking     Planning     Taxes     |   Help    
   Investing Home     Portfolio     Markets     Funds     Insight     Brokers     CNBC TV  
 
Quote, Chart, News
  Snapshot
  Quotes
  Charts
 
 
Research
  Company Report
  SEC Filings
  Advisor FYI
  Stock Rating
  Earnings Estimates
  Analyst Ratings
  Financial Results
  Insider Trading
  Ownership
  Community
 
Guided Research
  Research Wizard
 
Find Stocks
  Stock Screener
  Top Rated Stocks
 
 
Related Links
  IPO Center
  Stock Competition
  Message Boards
Back to Recent News
Click Here!
Save on
Auto Insurance

Get free quotes

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

Back to Recent News

  ©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use   Advertise   TRUSTe Approved Privacy Statement