The CollectingChannel.com announced its fall schedule of collectibles chats hosted by some of the nation’s top experts, including specialists from the prestigious auction house, Butterfield’s. Collectors can log into the live chats through their computer and ask questions, gain insight from industry experts and learn new information about their favorite topics. The CollectingChannel is a collectibles portal from Sales OnLine Direct.

"CollectingChannel.com has developed a tremendous community of friendly collecting enthusiasts who come together regularly to share information and socialize with fellow collectors who share their passion,” said Ron McCoy, Sales OnLine Direct’s CollectingChannel.com Community Director.

The new chat format will have three segments. The host will lead off with a brief presentation on the collecting topic and display and discuss photos of items that chat participants have submitted in advance. The second 20 minutes will be an interactive forum for participants to ask the expert questions. The final segment will be an open mike for the host’s choice of activity. Between segments, participants will vie for prizes in collectibles-related contests and trivia games.

As well as having guests who are experts in a certain area of antiques and collectibles, the CollectingChannel.com will host some innovative chat sessions. On September 24, Independent appraiser Judith Katz-Schwartz will talk about her books, including "Protecting Your Collectible Treasures, Secrets Of A Collecting Diva," her offbeat newsletter about collecting, and will give online appraisals.

On September 9, the chat session will consist of an "Antiques Roadshow Contest" where participants will try to guess the value of the items on the “Antiques Roadshow” before they announce it.

On October 31, there will be a Halloween party, and on November 3, AuctionBytes founders David and Ina Steiner will discuss the impact that the Internet has had on the prices of antiques and collectibles.

A schedule of September events is available at: http://www.collectingchannel.com/cdsDetArt.asp?PID=111314&MC=8