WORCESTER, Mass., May 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/
-- CollectingChannel.com, a subsidiary of Sales Online Direct (OTC
Bulletin Board: PAID); (www.paid.com), provides consumers with
access to the antiques and collectibles industries' top appraisal
specialists at a fraction of the cost of traditional appraisals
through its "Ask the Appraiser" (ATA) online appraisal service. ATA
is available now on eBay.com or through the co-branded site at
http://www.collectingchannel.com/ata. It's a fun, affordable, and
easy-to-use online service for learning the market value of
collectible treasures from the industry's most authoritative experts
in more than 170 categories of memorabilia, antiques and
collectibles.
"We've seen a surge of appraisal requests in the past few days as
more consumers discover how easy and convenient it is to get a
professional appraisal for their antiques and collectibles," said
Greg Rotman, CEO of Sales OnLine Direct. "We anticipate that 'Ask
the Appraiser' will receive upwards of 1,500 appraisal requests per
day and add about $10 million in gross revenue annually as more
online users become aware of the service."
"Online appraisals are being embraced by the industry's top
professionals, as well as consumers," said David Maloney,
CollectingChannel.com's Director of Appraisal Services, renowned
appraiser and collectibles author. "We're extremely pleased to offer
consumers a network of appraisers who have extensive experience and
knowledge, with many of them being the premier dealers or appraisers
in their respective categories.
A sampling of the ATA's network of appraisers includes the
following distinguished specialists:
Alan Bamberger - ART, SCULPTURE - Bamberger's syndicated column,
"Art Talk," has appeared in antique and collectibles newspapers and
magazines nationwide. He has authored "Buy Art Smart," "Art For All"
and "The Art of Buying Art." Bamberger, a respected appraiser and
consultant, speaks to museum and collector groups nationwide and
moderates the "Topics in Art" forum on the "Antique Week" website.
Joe Blitman - BARBIE DOLLS - Blitman is internationally known as
a Barbie doll expert. His articles on Barbie and other fashion dolls
have appeared in numerous collector magazines. Joe has authored two
standard reference books on vintage Barbie and family clothing.
Blitman is the executive producer of "Joe Blitman's Oh, You
Beautiful Doll" video on collecting Barbie dolls, and co-produces
"The Joe and Marl Shows" fashion doll series.
Stephen Flood - MILITARIA - Flood founded AAG International, the
largest mail auction house for fine quality militaria items. AAG's
live auctions have sold over a million fine militaria lots and the
company has been an appraiser for the U.S. Government and the State
of Pennsylvania. Flood is part owner of the annual MAX Show
(Militaria Antiques Extravaganza) held in Pittsburgh.
Ron & Sue Fox - STEINS, PEZ, CHARACTER COLLECTIBLES - A
collector of antique German beer steins for 30 years, Ron Fox has
authored dozens of nationally published research articles on steins
and has conducted numerous stein auctions. He is considered one of
the most knowledgeable on the subject of antique steins, and has
been responsible for invaluable research that continues to benefit
the hobby. He also has specialized in Bohemian/Germanic glass and is
one of its most prominent dealers and lecturers.
Best known as, "The PEZ Lady", Sue Fox has appeared on numerous
shows including the "TODAY Show," "Good Morning America," and "The
Collectors Channel." She has been a guest lecturer for Christie's
East in NYC and has been featured in many national publications
including the cover story in "Forbes Magazine,"
Robert Fratkin - POLITICAL COLLECTIBLES - After working in the
Executive Office of President Johnson, Fratkin authored numerous
articles on political campaign history and wrote the chapter on the
campaign of 1892 for "Running for President." Fratkin was president
of the American Political Items Collectors (APIC) and managing
editor of APIC's "Keynoter," for many years. His campaign
memorabilia collection is considered to be one of the finest in the
nation.
Reyne Haines - GLASS - Reyne started the online Art Glass
discussion group, which offers daily discussions pertaining to glass
from the Victorian era through today's contemporary studio makers.
In 1998, she opened a new glass resource - JustGlass.com, an online
portal, selling venue and monthly magazine for glass enthusiasts
--rated among the Top 10 online auction sites "USA Today." Reyne
also writes for "Antique Week," "The Journal of Antiques &
Collectibles" and her own publication, "Just Glass 'Online'."
Leo Kelly - GOLF COLLECTIBLES - Kelly is considered one of the
world's top golf collectibles specialists. For 18 years, he has
owned and operated The Old Chicago Golf Shop, selling antique golf
collectibles. Kelly has sold several private collections worldwide
and has testified as an expert witness on golf collectibles in
courts of law. He has written and published "Antique Golf Ball
Reference & Price Guide," and "Quick Reference Guide to Antique
Golf Club Names."
Patsy Moyer - DOLLS - Moyer has served on the board of the Modern
Doll Collectors, Inc. and on the advisory board of the United
Federation of Doll Clubs (UFDC) and has judged the UFDC Modern Doll
Convention and other events. Moyer has published "Doll Values" and
"Modern Collectible Dolls." She recently co-authored "Pattern
Benefit Book," and her latest work is "How to Be a Doll Detective."
She has published several newsletters and is "Contemporary Doll
Collector's" Doll Detective columnist.
David Rago - ARTS & CRAFTS, AMERICAN ART POTTERY &
PORCELAIN - Rago oversees three auction companies and two magazines,
"Style: 1900" and "The Modernism Magazine," and he is an appraiser
for "The Antiques RoadShow." Rago has authored hundreds of articles
and several books including "Miller's American Art Pottery: Treasure
or Not?" and "American Art Pottery." Rago's Modern Auctions are the
premier Modern auctions on the East Coast. Recently, Rago
established the country's largest Arts & Crafts specialty
auction house when he joined forces with The Craftsman Auctions.
Larry Selman - PAPERWEIGHTS - Selman is considered the world's
foremost dealer of collectible paperweights. He published the first
"Catalogue of Collectors' Paperweights" and "Paperweights for
Collectors," and his publishing house has published more than 30
books about glass. Selman is the exclusive dealer for some of the
most prestigious glasshouses and individual artists in the world.
Doug & Pat Wengel - DISNEYANA - The Wengels have been
collecting vintage Disneyana and other character collectibles for
over 20 years. They have been featured in "Disney Magazine,"
"Antique Toy World," "Collector's Showcase," "Antique Trader,"
"Collector" and "Ohio Art--The World of Toys." They have given
lectures at the Disneyana Convention and at other events and shows.
Jill & Web Wilson - ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUES, STAINED GLASS -
Web Wilson has been an antiques dealer for 25 years. He has authored
several books including, "Great Glass In American Architecture" and
"Antique Hardware Price Guide" and has written for "The Old House
Journal" and many other publications. His published materials serve
as a resource for the industry and can be found, along with a whole
new section of virtual galleries, on his website, www.webwilson.com.
Jill Wilson has spent 30 years as a very successful shop owner,
show promoter and exhibitor, antiques show dealer, estate liquidator
and appraiser, as well as holding leadership positions in several
antiques organizations. A highly respected resource for old
porcelain, period frames, lighting, fabrics, and architecturals',
Jill has been building LooLoo Design specializing in fixtures and
accessories for vintage baths and kitchens.
Biographies for additional appraisers in the ATA network are
available at
http://www.collectingchannel.com/ata/cesEvlLstBio.asp?ata=
All ATA appraisers are members of the Association of Online
Appraisers (AOA) and subscribe to the AOA's Code of Ethics. All
appraisals are written in conformance with AOA's Appraisal Report
Writing Standard and with the Uniform Standards of Professional
Appraisal Practice (USPAP).
Online appraisals offer more than just opinions of value -- they
also provide vital historical and resource information that enhances
the collecting experience. For just $19.95, the ATA helps buyers
learn more about items offered for sale and provides sellers with
the information they need to accurately describe and price their
items.
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. Ask the
Appraiser is the most comprehensive source for fast, accurate, and
objective identification and valuation of art, antiques, and
collectibles. The company's network of experts are specialists in
more than 170 different categories - ranging from movie memorabilia
to vintage toys, art glass to Steiff bears, Asian art to baseball
cards. Ask the Appraiser provides novice and experienced collectors
with a valuation and history of items they own or are considering
buying or selling. Online auction sellers can integrate an ATA
appraisal into their online auction listings.
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, (847) 669.0633, Julie@paid.com
INVESTOR CONTACT: Dennis Evanson, 719-534-0292, Dennis@paid.com
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,"
eBay 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. 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.
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