Sales OnLine Direct`s aiSeller(TM) Enhancements Expedite Online Auction Checkout Via PayPal for Buyers & Sellers
Additional Enhancements Planned for eCommerce Applications
WORCESTER, MA, ˆOctober 1, 2003 -- Sales OnLine Direct (OTCBB: PAID) today introduced Rapid Checkout, an advanced alert system and several other enhancements for its AuctionIncÔ online auction management software (aiSellerÔ). In addition, the Company announced plans to expand the AuctionInc (ai) auction management software suite to encompass the entire auction lifecycle, as well as further expansion on its ecommerce storefront software for non-auction applications.
"Our AuctionInc software is designed to help an auction seller or online retailer grow his business by increasing efficiency through the elimination of administrative and data entry work," stated Rich Rotman, Sales OnLine Direct Chief Financial Officer. "To that end, our AuctionInc objectives are two-fold. First, we are continuing to enhance and upgrade the software to create a completely streamlined, fully integrated auction management suite for the entire auction lifecycle from ad creation and image hosting to back-office reconciliation. Secondly, we are applying our patent pending process technologies that are behind our shipping calculator, checkout processes and back-office functionality to the broader ecommerce marketplace and its far greater revenue potential."
Rapid PayPal Checkout
The new Rapid PayPal Checkout enhancements, which will be available starting October 3rd, integrate with PayPal`s Instant Payment Notification (IPN) system to greatly reduce the data entry by the auction buyer and automatically alert the seller of the payment transaction. In most cases, buyers paying through PayPal now will need only to make a few mouse clicks to complete the checkout process for auctions on eBay that utilize the aiSeller software.
"We`ve eliminated all the data entry for auction buyers who have PayPal accounts," said John Martin, Sales OnLine Direct chief technology officer. "When buyers checkout of aiSeller-powered auctions, they simply indicate they want to pay with PayPal and the seller automatically receives all the buyer`s payment and shipping information from PayPal so the buyer doesn`t have to enter anything. The automation reduces the possibility of keyboard error and makes it much faster and simpler for both novice and experienced users to complete the checkout process."
At the end of checkout, the buyer is directed to PayPal to send the payment for the purchased items. An added benefit of aiSeller is that it allows buyers to pay for one or more auctions in the same transaction and bundle the items for shipping for reduced shipping costs that are automatically calculated. Upon the buyer`s completion of the payment authorization, PayPal`s IPN system notifies the seller of the payment, including the buyer`s shipping address, transaction ID, the amount of the payment and fees. The aiSeller software provides validation of the payment and saves all of the information with the order.
aiSeller Advanced Alerts
The enhanced alert system in aiSeller automatically alerts the seller when there are any discrepancies in the checkout or payment process that need to be reviewed, such as differing postal codes that may cause shipping rates to change, or incorrect payment amounts. It assists the seller in managing the discrepancies by automatically offering various options to handle each situation. For example, if a buyer still owes money to the seller, the system can send an email that contains a clickable button that the buyer can use to instantly send the balance due via PayPal. In the case of an overpayment the seller can refund the entire payment or send the difference with just a few mouse clicks.
Other Enhancements Implemented
Sales OnLine Direct has implemented a number of additional enhancements to its aiSeller software recently, including:
· Complete integration with eBay`s Non-Payment Bidder Alert (NPBA) and Final Value Fee Credit system. The enhancement automates the use of eBay`s NPBA system and eliminates the hassle of tracking nonpaying bidder statuses. When aiSeller issues an alert, eBay in turn notifies the buyer that they must pay, and that the consequence for non-payment is being banned from their web site. AiSeller tracks the alerts and files for a refund of the final value fee from eBay after the 10 day waiting period required by the system. As an added benefit, aiSeller will optionally add the deadbeat bidder to the bidder block list automatically. The enhancement has greatly reduced non-payment and recoups the eBay commission fees of unpaid auctions.
· Upgraded all email correspondence to HTML from plain text for a more professional appearance and to enable AOL customers to click on links in winning bid notices.
· Full integration with UPS Worldship Manifest application to automate the shipping process. Sellers can now download batches of orders from aiSeller and import them into Worldship to eliminate data entry. The end-of-day process uploads all shipment information to AuctionInc to update order statuses and automatically send email notifications to the buyers.
· Batch printing of invoices and packing lists for easy order processing.
· A snap shot on control page will provide sellers with an overview of activity taking place, such as numbers of open auctions, auctions with bids, paid auctions, auction items being shipped.
Future Enhancements
"Our development team is working on additional enhancements to aiSeller that it plans to implement by yearend," remarked Martin. "We`re listening to our customers about the ecommerce and auction functionalities they need to profitably grow their businesses."
Customers can look forward to new features and benefits in the following areas:
· Image hosting capabilities will allow sellers to upload and manage their images, automatically generate thumbnail images, and integrate with auction listing tools;
· Further integration with PayPal`s IPN process to handle non-auction type payments;
· Invoice creation and management for non-auction related off-line transactions;
· Improvements in the checkout process allowing product up-sell and cross-sell capabilities to increase sales of related products;
· Addition of FedEx shipping rate calculations and shipping processing;
· Addition of shipping calculators for Canadian and select international shipping destinations;
· Integration with Stamps.com and/or Endicia.com to eliminate need for seller to re-enter address info and would send email confirmation to customer with package tracking information.
About Sales OnLine Direct and Rotman Auction
Sales OnLine Direct, http://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, offering the ``Ask the Appraiser`` online appraisal service, marketing and publishing the ``Maloney`s Antiques and Collectibles Resource Directory`` and developing web sites that enhance 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`` (http://www.auctioninc.com/) of software to increase revenues and reduce overhead for sellers on eBay, and offers these essential e-tools to other companies. 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.``
Contacts:
Media Contact:
Julie Shepherd
Accentuate PR
(815) 479-1833
Julie@paid.com
Investor Contact
Dennis Evanson
(719) 534-0292
dennis@paid.com
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