Pronto Inc., an operating business of IAC/InterActiveCorp, recently launched its Pronto shopping service in Beta mode. Pronto provides consumers with a desktop shopping service. With Pronto, consumers can compare items and prices from tens of thousands of online merchants instantly while shopping on retail Web sites. Pronto also provides users with unique features that help them find additional savings on desired products. For example, users can set "Price Alerts" that specify a target price for products they want to purchase and Pronto will alert them when the product has hit their desired price.

Pronto's search includes electronics, apparel, books/music/videos, baby products, sports equipment, home and garden, flowers, gifts, health and beauty, office supplies, jewelry, pet products, tools and hardware/software categories. Pronto lists products in the order of lowest price first, but gives consumers the option to re-sort product searches in a variety of ways, including by "popular merchants" or "free shipping."

ChannelAdvisor CEO Scot Wingo, whose clients include eBay sellers and online merchants, disclosed on his blog that he has been working with Pronto for over a year "to make sure the system meets the needs of merchants (large and small)" (http://digbig.com/4fxjf).

ChannelAdvisor competitor Vendio launched a shopping comparison toolbar in August called Dealio (http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y05/m08/i03/s02), and eBay acquired comparison-shopping service Shopping.com last year.

Online shoppers can download Pronto at no charge on the Pronto website.

http://www.pronto.com