Internet

In a move that will impact hundreds of auctioneers worldwide, eBay are to discontinue their Live Auctions business by the end of this year.

Auction houses and antiques malls in the United States are reporting a surge in overseas buying on the internet thanks to the weak dollar.

THE Good Web Guide has just published its review of the Antiques Trade Gazette websites, including the-saleroom.com, and given them a five-star rating.

Thought that internet bidding was for low value items only? The five-figure sums tendered online at two country sales last week suggest the received wisdom may need a rethink.

Antique hunters and collectors now have a way to locate fairs, centres, dealers’ shops and private sellers around the UK using a new online Collectables Map that pinpoints different locations.

THE UK’s top dealer associations have struck a deal with retailer John Lewis leading to the launch of an extensive online art and antiques directory aimed at shoppers.

Phillips de Pury & Company are to launch a new website – separate from its core brand – in the hope of capitalising on the growing interest in Contemporary art and modern design.

NEW contracts being rolled out by online art and antiques database Artfact, who took over Invaluable last year, have alarmed a number of auctioneers who have been approached to sign up for their catalogue and online auction services.

SOTHEBY’s are attempting to gain a lead over their competitors in the crucial area of client services by announcing major enhancements to their website. It follows the decision by rivals Christie’s to bring in new online features such as live bidding last year.

A NEW government-backed website is promising to be a one-stop shop to help people buy and sell antiques legally.

Christie’s are to increase the number of European salerooms offering the Christie’s Live online bidding feature.

Domestic Interiors Database, a free online database charting the history of the domestic interior since 1400 in Western Europe and North America, is now available for study.

American auction houses relying on eBay Live Auctions to bolster bidding via the internet, were left frustrated on Saturday, October 21 when a server supporting the live auction portion of the site failed.

SUBSCRIBERS to auction alerts from the-saleroom.com can now get twice the number of searches for their money.

ATG's pioneering live bidding service went East on August 31 - participating in the sale of Oriental and Asian Coins, Medals, and Banknotes conducted in Hong Kong by Baldwin's in association with MA Tak Wo Numismatic Co. Ltd of Hong Kong and Monetarium Pte Ltd of Singapore.

Christie’s took a major step into the world of virtual auctioneering last week with the launch of Christie’sLIVE, a real-time online bidding facility which they are to roll out over the next six months.

THE Office of Fair Trading are to conduct a survey of internet shopping habits and will report their findings next spring.

...but Web provider still won’t budge on credit card charges

As part of an on-going makeover, LAPADA havelaunched their newly-designed website. For the first time the UK’s largest association of art and antiques dealers will offer members the opportunity to create their own online gallery within the site.

Dreweatt Neate compared two different online bidding platforms side by side at two sales last week.