eBay selling just became a “snap” for Chattanooga area consumers with the opening of the first local Snappy Auctions, a franchised eBay drop-off center with over 60 franchises across the country. Just bring what you want to sell to the Snappy Auctions store, and the staff will prepare and manage the entire auction process for you. All you have to do is cash the check.

The new store is located in the Signal Mountain Village Shopping Canter (next to the new Wal-Mart) at 541 Signal Mountain Road in Suite 205. Mike Mahaffey owns and operates the Snappy Auctions store, which may be reached at (423) 756-8777.

The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce is arranging a grand opening and ribbon cutting celebration for the new enterprise. The grand opening will be held on Jan. 29 from 3-6 p.m. The ribbon cutting will take place at 4 p.m. The public is invited to attend the festivities.

“Millions of people use eBay to turn possessions they no longer want or need into cash, but millions more don’t have the time or technical know-how to do it themselves,” Mr. Mahaffey said. “It can take a couple of hours or more to prepare even the simplest items for auction, from taking and uploading digital photographs to researching and writing the ‘ad.' We do all the work so our customers don’t have to.”

A-to-Z service: Snappy Auctions accepts any item with an expected value of $50 or more, ranging from designer handbags and shoes, crystal vases, computer equipment, antiques, baby equipment, sporting goods, jewelry, electronics, laptops, camera equipment, musical instruments, collectibles, mannequins, shelving, power tools, heart rate monitors and radiation detectors and more.

The staff performs an expert valuation to determine the estimated selling price of the item on eBay and devises the most appropriate pricing strategy. Then they photograph the item, categorize it, create a keyword-based description strategically designed to maximize the likelihood that buyers will find and bid on it, and then it’s posted on eBay.

Once the listing is active, Snappy Auctions personnel answer all queries from eBay shoppers, then collect payment and ship the item when the sale is complete. The store holds each item until it sells and keeps the owner informed of the process every step of the way. In return for these services, Snappy Auctions receives a 15% to 35% commission, depending on the selling value of the item.

Hidden treasures: While many items handled by Snappy Auctions are everyday products like DVD players and food processors, the company also turns up the occasional surprise “find” a la Antiques Roadshow.

One woman came to a Snappy Auctions store with several antique porcelain dolls she thought were worthless. After the staff researched the dolls, it turned out that one was a sought-after collectors’ item. The eBay selling price was $1,700.

Another customer brought in an antique mirror that no longer fit her decor. Snappy Auctions personnel discovered that the item dated back to the 1700s and set the opening bid accordingly. The eBay selling price was $4,000.

There have also been a pair of antique silver carriage lamps ($2,000), a late 18th century barometer ($800), a picture autographed by Elvis ($686) and other collectors’ dreams.

Those kinds of windfalls may not come along every day, but everyone has stuff gathering dust in their closets, jewelry boxes, attics and storage lockers that has the potential to be turned into cash. With Snappy Auctions, you can eBay those items without lifting a finger.

Snappy Auctions was also recognized in late 2006 with awards from Franchise Market Magazine and Franchise Business Review. Franchise Market Magazine recognized the Top 100 new franchises by looking at growth and stability. Franchise Business Review honored franchise systems based on outstanding franchisee satisfaction through owner surveys and comments; the Franchise 50 constituted the best in North America.

Snappy Auctions, the leading franchisor of eBay drop off stores, is headquartered in Nashville. Founded in March 2003, Snappy Auctions has 63 locations in 25 states. Customers simply drop-off items at a local store, and Snappy Auctions will handle all the details of selling the items on eBay.

Visit www.snappyauctions.com and www.snappysalessolutions.com for more information.