Complaint Review: BID FUN - LONDON Internet
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- Author Not Confirmed
- BID FUN MAYFAIR HOUSE 14-18 HEDDON STREET, LONDON, W1B 4DA Internet United States of America
- Phone:
- Web: http://en.bidfun.ca/
- Category: E-trade
BID FUN very sneaky , bidder bound to lose LONDON, Internet
*Consumer Comment: Comment..
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I should have researched this website before purchasing bidding credits but I bought $50.00 worth, that is 50 bidding points. It is only when a person is actually bidding and the clock is running down that you see how virtually impossible it is for a win to occur before you run out of bids, especially with the robots in place which makes bidding automatic thus running up the clock.
I contacted Paypal the same day, knowing that they would be unable to refund my $50.00 but I wanted them to know who was using their system for payments. Below are the conversations I had with BidFun via Paypal dispute resolution:
From Buyer - Rachel Robinson
1/3/2011 06:30 PST
wanted to inform paypal of a fraudulent website that charges customers the right to bid on an auction, artificially changes the time left on bids . I bought 50.00 worth of bids (1.00/bid) It is next to impossible to actually win an auction. Please investigate this company in the uk. You may find other comments from disgruntled clients helpful http://www.ripoffreport.com/directory/Bid-Fun.aspx.
I'll ask for a refund but doubt I will get it.............
Naxopresence UK Ltd denied Rachel Robinson's request for a $50.00 CAD refund.
1/3/2011 13:01 PSTFrom Seller - Naxopresence UK Ltd
1/3/2011 13:01 PST
The fact that "each bid costs 1 point and adds 20 seconds to the countdown timer" is explicitly and repeatedly stated on the site. How is the fact that things work as described "fraudulent" in any way? All auctions have a winner, dozens every day...From Buyer - Rachel Robinson
1/3/2011 13:22 PST
It's hard to believe that you have any winners, as it seems that there is never a clear end to any auction. The counter adjusts constantly (probably artificially by your site) , with new bids. The idea of charging to simply bid on something with no possible way to actually win, appears to me fraudulent. I should have researched before joining up. My error. I wanted Paypal to be aware of the setup of this website as they are a respected company dealing with a most unscrupulous one. The 50.00 I lost will serve as a lesson to me.From Buyer - Rachel Robinson
1/3/2011 13:25 PST
type into any search engine the name Bid Fun, and you 'll read scores of unhappy people who have been duped by this website.From Seller - Naxopresence UK Ltd
1/3/2011 13:45 PST
All auctions end at some point and have a winner, dozens every day, over 20 000 since the start of the site, as can be seen here:http://en.bidfun.ca/bin/finished
The whole goal is to devise a strategy to be the last bidder while using the least possible points.
The fact that each bid adds 20 seconds to the countdown timer is explicitly and repeatedly stated on the site, including on each auction details page, right next to the "Bid" button, and on the page where you bought the points, right above the "Buy" button. Likewise for the fact that "each bid costs 1 point".
Paypal is fully aware of the set up, as they have verified the site in depth over a year ago, and continue to monitor it. The competent authorities have also investigated the site and found no issues at all.
From Buyer - Rachel Robinson
1/3/2011 15:46 PST
The fact that your site has only dozens of winners daily and yet you stay in business is an indication that you are exploiting those who are bidding.............your scheme clearly is intended to make money off the bidding process, not the actual amount paid for the item. And with the assistance of the robots , a person will clearly run out of bids long before the item is finally closed. It 's true you state the rules explicitly, but its only after a person invests some money and buys a certain amount of bids, that one actually sees how absolutely hopeless it is ..........you are doomed to lose or in a panic, buy buy buy more bidding points. In the end, you make an inflated amount off of the bidding process. How long does it take (and how much money down the toilet) for a bidder to devise this strategy to be the last bidder??????? It may be legal, but doesn't feel ethical............I lost the 50 but have learned a lesson
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 01/03/2011 05:03 PM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/bid-fun/internet/bid-fun-very-sneaky-bidder-bound-to-lose-london-internet-678216. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content
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#1 Consumer Comment
Comment..
AUTHOR: Ronny g - (USA)
SUBMITTED: Monday, January 03, 2011
All of these penny auctions sites work essentially the same way. To the defense of the site I am pretty sure there is disclosure on "how they work" before you purchase any bids.
Now, to the defense of the consumers...I strongly believe these "penny auctions" should more clearly state if they do at all, that this is GAMBLING..and should be used for gambling and entertainment purposes only.
If you read the website..you will find this kind of info...
"BidFun is an auction site that allows you to buy items at a fraction of the regular price.."
But..what about the risks? On any site where you have to bid or "bet" on something to "win"..and it still costs you if you lose..it is gambling..what else could you call it? In a real auction only the winner pays for bids. It is obvious that like with any other gambling..it is in the best interests of the house that as many "players" lose as possible, and as much as possible..so what would you expect?? Problem for them if if they admitted this was gambling they may have abide by regulations..and many potential players would never join up. By using deception to imply this is like "shopping" for a great deal, they lure in the suckers.
If they actually ran this like a real auction, the business model falls flat on it's face and they wouldn't last an hour.
"Don't wait until the last second: as the countdown timer will be pushed back 20 seconds each time a bid is placed, you won't get an advantage by bidding at the very last second, and you incur the risk that your bid is not counted due to slow-downs of your PC or Internet connection."
hmmm...but this is how they rake it in hand over fist..
"You can also set up a robot to bid for you within the limits you chose, by clicking on the product you want, and using the "Create a robot" form. "
This one is great. This way they can continue sucking your account dry while you are sleeping, or logged off the computer...brilliant.
"HOW DO I WIN? Simple: the winner is the last bidder when the countdown timer reaches 0.."
well with robots auto bidding and the counter being reset each and every time there is a bid placed...how does anyone know when an auction will end? SIMPLE..no one does..hence this is a game of chance...aka GAMBLING plain and simple. And in gambling there are no refunds. The only chance of a refund is to prove you were deceived into the charges...which may very well be if the site did not clearly disclose it is a gambling website.
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