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 PST From 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
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