posted on May 9, 2001 07:54:50 PM new
First of all, let me start off by saying that I am not a Bidbay employee, I don't live within 3000 miles of Bidbay, and this isn't about Bidbay as a company. If you can't stick to the topic here, please don't bother to post here. This is all about positive buying experiences on this particular auction site and that's it.
I have been making online auction purchases for about a year now. I have made purchases at most of the "major" sites but I personally have found most of my repeat purchases have originated from Bidbay sellers. Some have listings on other bays as well and I have made purchases from them on other bays. I am simply stating that the majority of the sellers I have encountered at Bidbay have gone out of their way to accomidate my interests and/or needs. From cards to lamps to books and so on, they "bend over backwards" to locate things I'm looking for. Nowhere else have I seen so many sellers list their own items with 100% of the proceeds donated to a charity or a person in need when something unexpected arises. One seller even gave away thousands of "Sky Miles" so another seller could visit a sick family member when they didn't have the money for a plane ticket. When my son was born on the 26th of last month, I received dozens of congrats e-cards and surprise baby gifts from sellers I didn't even remember dealing with! They reminded ME that we had a transaction 6 months ago for a 5 dollar item. When it all boils down to it....it's the sellers that make the site.
posted on May 9, 2001 08:22:29 PM new
Basicly I agree, sellers make the site, and bidders come to buy their wares, and possibly even chat a little, unfortunately, BidBay missed this boat a long time ago, 5 Million members, my left foot, and a CEO as board moderator, give us all a break, he even visited here, while his was crashing and burning, he's not worried, his site will be #1, yeah, what a joke. I've said It before, there are some good members their and nice people, only reason, the site hasn't folded already, dispite the PTB.
Truth be told here, 4 months ago, 12,000 active members, two months ago around 1,200, last month around 1,300(not counting multiple I.D.'s) and adding new membership.
Current active stats: as of today, (not counting, or knowing If they count, the buy-it-now bids), giving you an 40% benefit of a doubt here; 9 days into this month show, 719 active members, per their own stats, + this generous 200 maybe active membership(again, not counting multiple I.d.'s) guesstimate, = 919 Total active members, wonder why, anybody else, pretty dead, and not much happening ???
As far as this goes though, maybe the CEO could explain his time wasted posting here, Instead of building a great auction site, another ponderment ???
posted on May 9, 2001 08:34:35 PM new
I agree, I've made some good buys there, but the bad outweighs the good overall.
Too many deadbeat sellers/bidders. Oh sure, there are deadbeats on every site, but none as publicized as much as on BidBay. (Maybe because people don't hesitate to post their bad experiences on chat-even if they could be solved by email or a simple phone call.)
I remember one in particular who had people waiting months while he rewired his house. Ring a bell Talon? I believe you were one of the people who was burned badly by this deadbeat. I warned BidBay on the phone about this character, but was dismissed and told I was wrong. This was by a "green" tech who knows nothing about online auctions. The result? You know the rest of the story.
I gave my merchandise to charities as well. I never asked for a penny of the proceeds and I paid shipping.
Too much is too much, though and I think the PTB need to spend more time warding off problems on the site than posting on other sites.
Getting back to buying on the site, I've noticed prices have gone up drastically by sellers who can't even sell for a buck! Why?
To try to recoup fees imposed? Or is it because people are getting desperate for money? I don't know.
I wouldn't list a hangnail on there and have requested all my personal info be removed. It has not yet been removed which to my dismay is very unprofessional.
posted on May 9, 2001 08:44:58 PM new
Hiya Mtnmama,
I remember that person very well indeed. His biggest mistake was living less than 5 hours from me and in the same State. I got my money back from that one with a simple phone call. That person gave BB the runaround for sure so I took care of the problem myself. If I recall, he did refund most of the funds to the buyers...and then accused them of sending virus after virus to his computer. I think he has since faded into the sunset. As far as the prices go, I haven't seen a great increase in many items. One seller was offering up to 60% off his auctions. I have no clue why though. As far as deadbeats go though, that was the only one I have met with to date. I'm off to find some wood to knock on now !
posted on May 9, 2001 08:56:34 PM new
There were several others. I think it's a shame these newbie techs and newbie auction junkies don't listen to seasoned people. Rather they name call which is really professional, don't you think? Yech!
There are many ways to check out sellers before you send money. Unfortunately BidBay won't release personal info to users involved in transactions. That's one of their mistakes. They can't attempt to handle it all because in the long run if they grow (which is doubtful at this point)they won't be able to handle it at all. Why even start this habit now? Makes no sense to me.
posted on May 9, 2001 09:16:18 PM new
OOPPS!! Another thing: I was the one who sold the Copper cheerio for $440.00 with all proceeds going to the sights charity, but then was suspended the next day. Thats all now, I think.
>^,,^^,,^<
MEOW pft pft
posted on May 10, 2001 01:30:07 AM new
I got a great deal on some FRAGILE stickers from a nice seller on bidbay. I rarely think to go there though because I rarely find what I'm looking for. When I do find something I like, it's usually for bidbaybucks and I don't have any (or want any).
I've also been suspended twice and I've only posted in chat 3? times! LOL Kinda hard to buy or sell when you're banned from a site. Last I looked (months ago) I wasn't banned .. should probably go see if I am now. You just never know!
posted on May 10, 2001 06:51:34 AM new
BidBay has what they call contract "employees- well not employees, but contract persons. I've been told they don't like to be called employees because they're sub-contractors who pay their own taxes. Last time I was a sub for a local company, I was also considered an employee because I answered to the company and worked for them, even though taxes were my responsibility. A little semantics here, I think.
The only things I bought were items with which to use my bidbay bucks, so I didn't get stuck with a ton of them and lose money on the site. Everytime I turned around they were feeding me more and I got tired of having so many. So, I spent over $800 on a $5 watch! LOL! No one can even wear it because the band is too small for the face and the face is so large, it's uncomfortable on the wrist. So it's in the trash now.
The other items I bought were sold on ebay at a profit. I think total cash spent not including shipping was $4.97. (I never include shipping because my bidders pay that)
The only other item for personal use was a set of address labels.
Since then, all I've found were high priced items, items with huge reserves (don't these people want to sell their stuff?) and what else? recipes and sports cards!
Not the ideal buyer's paradise is it? I asked for some scrubs to be listed one time and someone posted a top that was so wrinkled, I couldn't even think of ironing it. Plus the photo was so bad, I couldn't even tell what color it was in reality and the price was no less than a discount store would sell it for. Needless to say, I didn't bid, but went to ebay, found a great seller of scrubs and spent $50 on several sets. All looked brand new when I received them, all were ironed and all were as the photo represented colorwise.
I realize that a lot of sellers on the site are very new, but some of these new ones also manage to tell us how many years of brick and mortar experience they have. It matters not how many years they have sold off-line. It's a different ball game entirely.
BidBay will never succeed as long as they have certain sellers on there. You all know who they are. They dominate the site with recipes and bidbay buck auctions. They want something for nothing all the time. They complain when they have to pay. Wonder if the number of recipe listings will drop. I feel like bidding on each one's recipes just to make them pay FVF. See how they squirm then.
Even though suspended from chat, many are still "allowed" to buy and sell on the site. Aren't they gracious?
edited for spelling
[ edited by mtnmama on May 10, 2001 06:52 AM ]
posted on May 10, 2001 07:06:30 AM new
Morning Mtnmama!
Each time I was suspended (kittiesplace, thegambler, mykidzmom,) my entire account was deleted. I had auctions up and couldn't even get in to end them. Once I threatened them with a lawsuit if they didn't go in and remove my ABOUT ME photo and information. If anyone would like to know why I was suspended, email me at [email protected]
I don't want to get into trouble here for saying the wrong thing.
Regarding sub contractors. We run a construction business and have for 19 years. We hire some sub contractors and they DO represent our company! Each and every thing they do reflects back on us and our reputation. We are very careful as to whom we hire because of this. A sub contractor IS AN EMPLOYEE, except in Bidbay land, where there is only fantasy anyway.
>^,,^^,,^<
MEOW pft pft
[ edited by allykat on May 10, 2001 07:41 AM ]
posted on May 10, 2001 07:07:45 AM new
Good Morning Mtnmama
I agree that BB needs to have better policies on handling deadbeats. I have forwarded my suggestions to them as well so we'll just have to wait and watch. As far as items go, so far I've either been able to find something listed or get something listed after a few inquiries. I have encountered a few high priced items that I passed on for obvious reasons. I guess those particular sellers just place a higher value on their items that other do. I've also had a lot of sellers change their auctions to accomidate me (i.e. from BBB's to cash and vice-versa).
allykat: Yet again, I am not BBNavigator. I have posted that here and on Bidbay as well. I don't know who is, nor do I care. I'm sorry to hear that you have not had a positive buying experience on Bidbay. Since that is the case, why are you posting on a thread whose sole purpose is discussing positive buying experiences? Seems to me like a waste of you time.
tuition44years: Thank you for mentioning a positive buying experience I don't know why you were suspended, but usually that is just from the chat areas and not the entire site. It really depends on what you posted I guess.
deichen: You would never buy anything from Bidbay eh? So what? This thread is about positive buying experiences. If you do not choose to make purchases from Bidbay sellers that's fine and dandy...unless you're commenting about the TOPIC, please don't waste anyone's time. Knock Bidbay on your own thread...not mine.
posted on May 10, 2001 07:24:02 AM new
Talon, you WERE navigator and if you aren't any longer, you need to have them change the ABOUT ME page.
>^,,^^,,^<
MEOW pft pft
edited to say I too am sorry I didn't have positive experiences there. I was a good buyer, something bidbay needed but they didn't want me because I had opinions that differed with theirs.
[ edited by allykat on May 10, 2001 07:25 AM ]
edited again: you said "Seems to me like a waste of you time. "
Don't worry, I have plenty.
Lynn are you feeling better?
[ edited by allykat on May 10, 2001 07:27 AM ]
posted on May 10, 2001 07:28:02 AM new
There are elderly people here in my town who think they have better than most and price everything like they were appraised at the Antiques Roadshow! It doesn't mean a thing. When I see what they have, I walk away, just like at BidBay.
I bought a piece of Fenton several months ago. Did you know not one thing was mentioned about chips in the glass and when I received it, it was chipped! The person couldn't describe an item if her life depended on it. She uses one or two words and then tells people they have to have it. Her photos are terrible! They hide a multitude of sins. This person has great feedback. Why? She's likeable, but hey, so is the cat next door.
I didn't leave bad feedback. If this was an ebay deal, however, I would have said it was misrepresented. Why didn't I tell the truth on BidBay? Why doesn't anyone tell the truth on there? Retaliation from the owners and other BidBayers. Who wants to be run over the coals by users for leaving a negative for misrepresentation especially when the seller is a favorite?
That's how I view buying at BidBay. Nothing real positive, nothing really negative unless you count the overpriced chipped items they're trying to pawn off. Let's face it, Talon, most of these folks list at other sites. Most sell their better items on other sites where they can actually earn money. People just don't earn money on BidBay and money is the name of the auction game. Or else, why do it? Some depend on that income. Those that say they do it for "fun" are lying to you! Ask them if they'll give you their profits as a gift if they're just doing it for fun!
Don't get yourself suspended over him. He's not worth it. They sent a group here to destroy me 2 weeks ago and they managed to get me suspended for defending my position. This is what they want. They can't stand anyone talking about the site unless it's positive. I was asked by their leader why AW never suspends me for talking about his site. Well, it seems he got his wish two weeks ago. Don't take their bait. They're deceptive.
Don't mention names they use, don't mention anything personal about the people, don't mention anything that could be construed as against policy. Just stick to the topic without getting personal.
BidBay buying is not a positive experience. It's a ripoff if anything.
posted on May 10, 2001 07:37:14 AM new
mtnmama thanks!! I got it!!!! I agree.
>^,,^^,,^<
MEOW pft pft
Love this edit button. If a neg is left, it is very often removed by the administration.And yes they sell at other sights that they bash on the chat boards.
[ edited by allykat on May 10, 2001 07:40 AM ]
posted on May 10, 2001 07:41:38 AM new
Gee, somebody named "Mikey" signed BBNavigators remarks, (still shows up, when I searched),seems strange, its not you, (maybe, it was the modaration calls, who knows, who cares), didn't you coordinate their PT Cruiser debacle, and waste of time and money, except for a few selected staffers that got paid travelling vacations, for all that great advertisement. More misdirection, truths not told, wonder why some feel its necssary......
As far as positive buying and selling, almost any two people can make a deal at a local garage sale easier, with all the negative's at BidBay and an unstable site and administration, its really not worth anyones time is it.
crychek, only here, nowhere else
[ edited by crychek on May 10, 2001 07:45 AM ]
posted on May 10, 2001 07:48:11 AM new
A new deadbeat story.
Hospitalized, yet bidding from the hospital bed! ACHHHHH! That's a great one. Another one: Bid on auctions a month ago yet is too sick to sit up and pay for them - yet this person can write a lengthy email to BidBay telling them of her woes. But she can't call them because she can't sit up. She can't answer anyone else's emails and she can't honor her bids.
I read on another site where this guy said he wasn't a thief as his feedback dictated. He had surgery a few days prior. Well, LOL! I looked at his feedback, looked at his auctions and they all had ended a month before his surgery! Now, why couldn't he have paid his debts then? A thief is pretty strong language, but hey, that's what this is.
And it's also thievery when you bid and don't pay because your dog got sick. BidBay accepts these kinds of excuses. I don't.
I had open heart surgery and when I got home, I was able to write to my sellers and pay my bills! I even did my taxes two days after I was home.
posted on May 10, 2001 07:51:30 AM new
Geeze Mtnmama,
I'm not baiting anyone, trying to get anyone suspended, or anything else like that. All I did was start a thread about positive buying experiences. I have asked in each and every one of my posts that everyone please stick to the topic or don't bother to post. You yourself said that you had made a few good purchases there. I defend Bidbay or knock it as I deem necessary. I have not made any attempt to promote the company or bash it either. I'm trying to talk about sellers, and everyone else wants to discuss the company. If that gets them suspended, that's not my fault nor my problem. All one has to do is stick to the topic of the thread. Or start a thread of their own.
posted on May 10, 2001 07:57:10 AM new
JMHO Talon and I wasn't addressing you.
Take what you like and leave the rest, just like in real life.
I had two positive buying experiences. two and honestly? No positive selling experiences. Everything I had either went for funny money or little money. Very very cheap bidders on there and very very dishonest sellers for the most part.
posted on May 10, 2001 08:17:04 AM new
crychek, et all:
Can you PLEASE STICK TO THE TOPIC????? Which I might add, is buying at Bidbay. If anyone feels that it is necessary to knock the company please do so on your own thread. I also fail to see the need to attack me as I have not attacked anyone here.
posted on May 10, 2001 08:21:18 AM new
Do forgive Talon! I just thought you would want to know that someone is posting over there with your navigator id. I would not like that. I DID make ONE good buy at Bidbay but since I cannot give any names, oh well.
P.S. Are you a moderator here too?
>^,,^^,,^<
MEOW pft pft
posted on May 10, 2001 08:37:47 AM new
allykat: For the last time...I am not BBNavigator, it is not my user name, and unless you can provide some undeniable proof that I am currently a Bidbay Moderator I suggest that you drop the subject.
posted on May 10, 2001 10:14:58 AM new
Hello, AllyKat & Mtnmama,
Keep cool and don't get in trouble!
Talon, guess what if you don't like my postings, I suggest the ignore button!
Just so this can stay on topic: I think that the prices are absurd!
posted on May 10, 2001 11:24:20 AM new
Seems there is a lot more LISTING done at Bidbay than there is BUYING. That is my comment on the subject at hand.
NOW!!!
Talon sweety I cannot post here evidence from another board but I found the posting (the proof you asked for). I emailed it to ya at your bidbay addy!!
Bye Bye Now!!
Hi deichen!!
>^,,^^,,^<
MEOW pft pft
posted on May 10, 2001 11:36:24 AM new
Okay, you are correct.
Now, this is TOTALLY on topic:
Whenever I see, hear or read about Bidbay, I get bad vibes. This would make me nervous to buy there. Seems like a lot of junk listed there, (eg. recipes) that I have no interest in. The catagories that I am interested in, seem void.
Hello, Ladies!
Yes, I am at Bidville and have done okay, (not great), I have also listed a few items at Ebay (testing the waters, again).
