WorthPoint Poll Measures Pulse of Antique/Collectibles Industry

Atlanta, GA/ Columbus, OH – WorthPoint™, the leading provider of valuation and associated services for art, antiques and collectibles, today announced the results of its inaugural collector community poll. Taken from mid-January through early February, the survey reflects the perceptions and opinions of WorthPoint members and site visitors.

Among the most salient findings is the fact that collectors are generally optimistic about the health of their businesses for 2011. When asked whether their activity would increase, decrease or remain the same, more than half of all respondents stated their activity would increase versus 34% stating “remain the same” and only 15% stating “decrease.” Consistent with this finding is the collectors’ perception of the economy’s impact in 2011: 43% said the economy would have a positive influence on their activity, while 39% stated “negatively” and 18% indicated “no effect.”

Not surprisingly, survey findings demonstrated that collectors do not rely solely on any one particular channel for information or trading activity. Although 81% said the Internet was a main source for trading information, 87% listed traditional sources as well, including primary media (18%), estate sales (39%) and word of mouth (30%). In addition, collectors were equally distributed in their trading channels with about 40% listing eBay as their most effective venue, while a combined 38% noted traditional or “brick and mortar” customer sources—storefronts (23%), trade shows (5%) and facilities-based auction houses (10%). Regarding promotion of their collections, Internet channels were dominant at 60%, but word of mouth was significant at 21%, while classified ads and trade shows each recorded single digit mentions.

In responding to the survey question on their key priority for 2011, answers ranged far and wide, but the most common themes were pruning collections/focusing on fewer higher-quality items; learning more about their items; gaining greater awareness/recognition for their collections and attracting a younger demographic into the collecting passion.

Suggestions for WorthPoint improvements were consistent with the company’s development efforts in improving search sophistication and data breadth/depth. There were also requests for more information on antique trends, which is consistent with a desire to expand collectibles knowledge. “We believe the data from this first poll reflects what we are seeing every day in community communications; therefore, the information can help our members benchmark, assess and plan their activities. We plan to take several surveys throughout the year so we stay current with community perceptions, and we will continue to share results so members and others can take advantage of the latest industry barometers,” stated Michael Sapienza, Vice President of Marketing and Sales at WorthPoint.

Survey results can be viewed in their entirety at http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/2011-antiques-collectibles-survey.

About WorthPoint:

WorthPoint Corporation (www.worthpoint.com) is an Internet-centric information and media company that offers a vast database of sales records on art, antiques and collectibles in a repository branded Worthopedia™. Founded in 2007, WorthPoint has quickly become the world's largest resource center for researching the value of art, antiques and collectibles. With offices in Atlanta, Georgia, Dublin, Ohio, and Dublin, Ireland, the company helps collectors accurately assess the worth of their items and provides expert advice from its international team of Worthologists on how to preserve or sell antiques and collectibles. WorthPoint also owns GoAntiques™, the oldest antiques and collectibles site on the Web.

In 2010, WorthPoint was ranked #16 on Lead411’s Technology 500 list, recognizing it as one of the fastest growing tech start-ups nationwide (http://bit.ly/fiCuwM).

News Contact:

Michael Sapienza, WorthPoint Corporation

michael.sapienza@worthpoint.com

Office: 614.923.4257

Mobile: 614.893.9681

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