WORCESTER, Mass., Jan. 13, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Web site owners can now earn money for referring people to the "Ask the Appraiser" (ATA) online appraisal service. Sales OnLine Direct (OTCBB:PAID) has established an Affiliate Program for its popular "Ask the Appraiser" (ATA) eBay Inc. (Nasdaq:EBAY) co-branded service where web site owners can earn a referral fee by directing appraisal traffic to "Ask the Appraiser" through links on their web site.
The ATA is 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.
"Our new Affiliate Program offers an effortless way for participants to generate revenue from 'Ask the Appraiser' while offering their web site visitors the value-added service of low-cost appraisals performed by some of industry's leading experts in accordance with recognized industry standards," said David Maloney, Sales OnLine Direct's director of Appraisal Services and author of "Maloney's Antiques & Collectibles Resource Directory."
"Many consumers want to find out the value of collectibles and family heirlooms, but simply don't know where to go to obtain an affordable professional appraisal. Through the links on affiliates' sites, consumers will have broader access to the most professional online appraisal service available with just a few mouse clicks," said Maloney.
"We know there is a demand for cost effective appraisals and we're seeing dramatic growth in our ATA service as more people learn about it," noted Maloney. "During fourth quarter 2002, gross revenues for the ATA increased 100 percent and now make up 6 percent of gross revenues for Sales OnLine Direct. As we establish a broader web presence through the ATA Affiliate program and other marketing efforts, we anticipate strong revenue growth for the ATA."
The ATA is offering a special incentive of a double commission to web site owners joining its affiliate program before April 1, 2003. Participants joining the program before then will earn $2 for each completed ATA appraisal resulting from traffic originating from their web sites. After April 1, 2003, the commission will be $1 for each completed appraisal.
The China and Crystal Clinic, one of the foremost companies specializing in china and crystal collecting and restoration, is a participant in the ATA Affiliate program through its www.ChinaAndCrystalClinic.com web site.
"Nearly everyone who comes here wants to know the value of a family heirloom before they have it restored or cleaned," said Billie Coleman, owner of the China and Crystal Clinic in Tempe, Arizona. "Now we can save a lot of our staff time by simply directing them to the 'Ask the Appraiser' service for a fast, efficient, professional appraisal. So many of the items that people bring in here have more sentimental value than monetary value, so we're very excited about the low cost of ATA appraisals and the fact that we can earn commissions on the appraisals that we refer to them."
Web site owners simply fill out the ATA Affiliate Program application found at CollectingChannel.com. Once accepted, ATA will provide participants with professionally designed "Ask the Appraiser" icons and banner images to attract viewers' attention. Each participant also will receive a unique URL link to include in their web site that will allow the ATA to track the appraisals orders originating from each affiliate site.
Learn more about Ask the Appraiser's Affiliate Program by going to CollectingChannel.com or by emailing ata@collectingchannel.com
About China and Crystal Clinic
The China and Crystal Clinic, based in Tempe, Arizona, is a family-owned business with over 60 years combined experience in repairing and restoring antiques, family heirlooms and works of art. The company specializes in invisible restoration of figurines, vases, dolls, pottery, antique picture frames, lamps, family heirlooms, jade, ivory, glass, crystal, and items made of many other materials. The 20-year-old company is recommended for restoration by M.I.Hummel, Lladro, Royal Doulton and The Collectors Information Bureau as well as many highly prestigious collectors and dealers worldwide and is a long-standing member of the Association of Restorers (A.O.R.). For further information, contact Billie Coleman, China & Crystal Clinic, 800-658-9197 or www.chinaandcrystalclinic.com.
About Sales OnLine Direct
Sales OnLine Direct, www.paid.com, maintains and develops portals and web sites for various companies and industries. The Company has focused its efforts on the antique and collectible industry, developing web sites 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 tens of thousands of items per year through auction, direct sales, and special events and is a certified eBay Gold Power Seller. The Company has developed the "AI Suite," www.auctioninc.com, of software to increase revenues and reduce overhead for 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. The Company's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol "PAID."
Sales OnLine Direct's 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 the www.CollectingChannel.com web site.
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 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.
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