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buySAFE Delivers Result for eBay PowerSellers

"buySAFE Service" Increases Sales and Reduces Risk for Online Auction Participants

Alexandria, VA (October 22, 2004) - buySAFE, Inc. (www.buysafe.com), which offers one of the highest levels of protection from online auction risks through the buySAFE service, today announced initial results of three recently signed eBay PowerSellers: Customerone, ABCMomandMe, and Compacparts. buySAFE is the first and only service to financially protect buyers in online transactions by offering a seal of approval and by using surety bonds issued by The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. to reduce risks, such as fraud, misrepresentation, refund failure and seller default.

Joe Craparotta, owner of Commerce Canyon, LLC (eBay seller ID: Customerone), a Platinum level eBay PowerSeller, has received more than 97,000 positive feedback reviews and a 99.6% positive feedback rating. In addition to being one of the most successful sellers of new and hard to find video games and video game systems on eBay, Commerce Canyon has also developed their own proprietary system that allows them to operate as a third-party fulfillment center for other businesses looking to get onto the eBay platform.

"We've been very successful since we started on eBay in 1999. We've earned a very high positive feedback score and built a very profitable business," said Craparotta. "buySAFE has helped cement the confidence and trust of our customers. Since we started using buySAFE, our sell-through rate is up and our average sales price on closed auctions has increased almost 20%."

Kara Gordon, host of Entrepreneur Magazine's "Making Money on eBay Radio Show" and online eBay course instructor, feels that buySAFE gives buyers the confidence they need when making on online purchase from eBay. Gordon says, "The number one reason my students don't want to venture onto eBay themselves is because they are afraid they are going to get scammed. The buySAFE service prevents this."

Kara also uses buySAFE for her sales on eBay (eBay user ID: ABCMomandMe) where she sells breast pumps to new and expecting mothers. "Even though ABCMomandMe has built a good reputation, being bonded gives my customers the added confidence they need at a time when they don't need to be worried about whether they're going to lose money in cyberspace," says Gordon.

Mark Chronowitz and Jeffrey Carlins, owners of Computer Parts Plus, Inc. (eBay user ID: compaqparts), an eBay PowerSeller with more than 23,000 positive transactions, offer desktop and laptop computers as well as parts for Compaq, Toshiba, IBM and Sony computer systems. Founded in June of 2000, they started out of their basement; today they have 13 full-time employees.

"We've always been committed to providing the highest level of customer service, which includes standing behind every transaction," said Chronowitz. "Using buySAFE, however, has clearly moved us to another level. We've seen a 15 percent jump in sales since we signed on about six months ago."

buySAFE is the only service that enables approved sellers to present a credibility seal on their online auction listings and issue a surety bond to financially protect the buyer in a transaction. buySAFE performs a rigorous qualification check on sellers and issues the buySAFE Seal only to the most reputable, trustworthy online merchants. Once an item is purchased, The Hartford issues a surety bond, which provides that The Hartford will refund the item's sale price or replace it in the event that a bonded seller does not fulfill the terms of the sale. This protects consumers from certain online transaction risks such as fraud, misrepresentation, refund failure and seller default.

By using buySAFE, online merchants such as ABCMomandMe, Computer Parts Plus and Commerce Canyon have elevated confidence in their ecommerce transactions. Their promising results are an encouraging sign not just for buySAFE, but for the positive evolution of ecommerce," said Steve Woda, founder and senior vice president, buySAFE. "We're pleased to assist the growing legion of buySAFE merchants who are leading the way in creating a safer, more secure online environment."

about buySAFE

buySAFE makes online marketplaces safer, resulting in reduced risks for buyers and increased profit opportunities for sellers. buySAFE offers the first and only program to use surety bonds to provide protection for buyers from online transaction risks, such as fraud, misrepresentation, refund failure and seller default. Using the latest advances in business assessment techniques and technologies, buySAFE comprehensively qualifies online sellers and provides the buySAFE Seal to approved sellers for display on their auction listings, which informs buyers that they are dealing with a reputable and trustworthy seller. Approved sellers can financially protect their online transactions with surety bonds issued by a leading financial services company. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., buySAFE is on the Web at http://www.buysafe.com

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