Royal Auction Services Launches Exclusive Internet Auction Module

Internet Bidders to vie with Floor Bidders using the company's exclusive Live Auction Website

Chase City, VA (PRWEB) June 4, 2005 -- The live auction industry grew to a whopping $217.2 billion in sales in the year 2004, according to The National Auctioneer's Association.

"Combine the rising popularity of live auctions with the growth potential of the Internet, and you can see why traditional Auction Houses need to take their auctions online" says Jim Francis, President of Royal Auction Services, a traditional full-service auction house based in Virginia.

The Internet Live Auction market is currently dominated by the likes of eBay Live.com and ProxyBid.com. However, there is plenty of scope for traditional brick-and-mortar auction houses, which can provide a wider range of services and facilities to its customers.

"A full-service auction house can provide much more than a platform for buying and selling online" asserts Francis. Currently in its fifth year of operation, Royal Auction Services is in the final stages of implementing its Internet-based live auction module. But the company is no newcomer to the area of live auctions, with two generations of live auction experience and an auction facility that is "one of the largest in the area."

Citing 'Service' as their competitive edge, the company boasts of facilities that no Internet-based auction company can match, including:

- Spacious live auction facility.
- Capability to conduct auctions at the consignor's site.
- Several acres of secure, fenced-in storage area at the Chase City Fairgrounds.
- 10,000-sq. ft. retail store for year-round display and direct sales.
- Several large tractor-trailers to move heavy machinery, excess inventory or an entire estate in one trip. Smaller trucks and trailers for smaller consignments.
- Dedicated online auction module and phone bidding service.
- eBay trading assistance for small or unique consignments, with daily UPS pick-up and freight services.
- Option to purchase direct from sellers
- Experienced staff to serve the needs of businesses, financial organizations, local government, professionals and individual consignors.

"While our primary aim is to enable remote bidders and consignors to participate in our live auctions," said Francis, "We were surprised that a remarkable number of local buyers wanted to bid online," he added.

"Despite being a registered trading assistant on eBay, we opted to develop our own online auction website for the exclusive use of our customers," said Francis "We wanted to make online auctions more cost-competitive for everyone. With most of our large auction events, the added eBay fees would have made it impractical to bid online. Also, we need to keep our floor bidders informed about sale results."

With traditional auction houses taking their auctions online, customers can enjoy 'the best of both worlds' by taking part in a live auction online. "Imagine the convenience of bidding from your home PC, coupled with a wide range of services and facilities that only a full-service, traditional auction house can provide. That's our Internet auction module for you," concluded Francis, setting an exciting precedent for the future of live auction events.

Royal Auctions will conduct its trial run of it new auction module on June 24, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. Internet customers will be able to bid from the comfort of their homes, against the live crowd at the auction house. Registration is required prior to the auction for all attendees that wish to participate in the bidding. Photos and descriptions of the items will be posted on the website well in advance of the auction.

Contact: To secure additional information or photos please contact Jim Francis at (434) 372-8188 or email: Jim@Royalauctions.com
Web site: http://www.royalauctions.com

About Royal Auction Services, Inc.
Virginia-based Royal Auction Services is a full-service auction company, dedicated to using the latest Internet technologies to further the success of its traditional live auction events.

Royal Auction Services was founded by Jim Francis, who brings the company over 40 years of live auction experience, having sold everything from Fine Art, Business Liquidations, Trailer-Loads of Tools and Electronics, Jewelry, Antiques, Farm Equipment, Heavy Machinery and more.

About The National Auctioneer's Association
With over 7,000 members across the world, The National Auctioneers Association is dedicated to promoting the auction method of marketing and enhancing the professionalism of its members. The organization is headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas. For more information on the NAA log on to http://www.auctioneers.org.

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