Tucson Citizen.com
Better Business Bureau Consumer Alert -

BBB Warns of Penny Auction- Bidrack

by on Jun. 08, 2011, under alert, Life, phishing, Tips

BBB of Delaware has received 222 complaints on a company called “BidRack”. This is a “Penny Auction” website that offers an “Online Bidding” atmosphere on many high tech and popular items, including iPods, Kindles, computers, designer items and more.

Online ads for online penny auctions are popping up everywhere, but BBB warns consumers that they should do their research before making any bids.

With penny auctions, typically users set up an account and purchase bids with a debit or credit card. Each bid may cost less than a dollar and are often sold in bundles of 100 or more. Every item in the auction has a countdown clock and as people place bids, the cost of the item goes up and more time is added to the clock. Each bid costs money, and even if you don’t win the product, you still have to pay for those bids placed.

Consumers have reported that when they sign up for the BidRack service, they are under the understanding that it is “Free.” However, upon registration, their credit card is then charged a fee, often around $99. BBB strongly encourages you to read carefully the terms and conditions of any offer.

To date, BBB of Delaware has not received a response from the company on any of the complaints.

To read more about BidRack, or to check out another company, contact us at www.tucson.bbb.org.

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  • Alexis

    I have been reading a lot of these reviews also. Maybe I am the only one who reads before entering in their cc info. I haven’t had a problem with bidrack at all. And I have been using them for months.

    • Amp

      Is “using them for months” nearly as fun as working for them and putting up that comment?? Lol

      • Jennifer

        I have also won serveral things off bidrack, and although I didn’t always get the best so to speak,  I have (so far) always gotten my items or an equal value item. My very first auction was when they first launched. They had a “supplier” issue for my $2 shipping and .01 pair of pants. After about a month, I got a $40 pair of pants from amazon. Worked just fine. So I was happy. Then I won a flat iron. Got that without any problems. Although shipping went up to 4.99 at that point. Then they had some gift cards for awhile. I won two of the $10 ones for less than a dollar (1.99 shipping) and got those a few weeks later as a gift code to giftcertificates.com. Not what I was expecting, but still, got more than I paid for. I’ve won a few other small things, but nothing worth the shipping to me. Also note … i have never paid for bids. Never purchased a bid pack. No issues with my debit card. However, I have yet to win any “featured” auctions and couldn’t tell you how those go. Good luck, and just be careful. If anything goes wrong, make sure to STAY on them :)

      • http://BIDRACK Rhonda

        Those were my thoughts exactly AMP!!!
         

    • http://bidrack ray

      same problem as everyone above-have been waiting for 2months to receive about 35 low price items-have sent countless emails until they finally quit answering them at all-i finally received a package with the address of Singapore which included 5 items-still waiting on the majority though-have stopped using this site

      • Bret Powner

        i have been waiting over 3 months for 15 items total ripoff

  • http://www.PennyBurners.com K. Tuccelli

    We always advise our members to “Do Their Homework”. We’ve seen many of these types of complaints about penny auctions charging consumers a rate they say they didn’t agree to. However, it appears that a lot of times, it is due to poor due diligence by the consumer. Today, I registered with BidRack.com. They do state that registration is free. I entered my name, password, and bidding name, and clicked “Register Free Now”.
    It took me to another screen that said “You’re Almost Ready To Start Bidding! Purchase Bids Below!”
    There is a spot for the consumer to enter their shipping information and their credit card information. Above this, clearly written, is a statement that says:
    “You are purchasing 100 bids + 1 Spin for $60.00″
    After entering their information, the consumer hits “I’m Ready To Start Bidding”, which then gives BidRack permission to charge their card for $60, or for another amount, if they choose a different sized Bid Pack.
    The point is, just as was pointed out in the article, consumers need to do their homework before choosing to register and give their information to a site. We’ve all become a little too “free” with our financial information, and too quick to blame others when something like this happens.
    Before choosing to bid on a site, check for reviews on sites like PennyBurners.com, PennyAuctionHelp.com, PennyAuctionList.com, and PennyAuctionScore.com.

    Then, before giving a site your credit card information, understand that this is a step you take when you actually buy something. If you are not ready to buy, don’t give them your information, especially if you don’t know what you’re buying.
    Penny auctions can be exciting and many of them are honest and legitimate.  Just be aware, be safe, and have fun!
    If you want to learn more about penny auctions, and want to communicate with thousands of others, join the PennyBurners Penny Auction Forum: http://pennyburners.com.
    Katie

  • Angela

    There a difference in BidRack.com and bidrack.com 

    It seems that  http://landing.bidrack.com/landing3.html?subid=451916 allows you to only register for  a $99 bid package. This site was given to me  when I e-mailed  someone on caig’s list about an item I wanted to purchase but she told me she had already sold  the item and offered this as an alternative, my conclusion is this link is a scam, it looks just like bidrack.com
     

  • KarenL.

    Really? they are different? I have been using bidrack.com Luv theeeem. :P

  • james

    bidrack.com and the URL they use for advertising such as https://landing.bidrack.com/securejoin.html?n=14&subid=001-en-001-75 show two completely different sign up paths, the advertising URL shows no pricing or terms on the page.  This is a smoke and mirror ploy by the owner.  he ran various acai berry scams for the past 3 years

  • MixOne

    I’m having a problem getting my bids back from them on 2 items I was bidding on when their system when down.  It came back up at 1:30 am with winners that were not the same as it was with the system shut down at 1:00 am est.  When I questioned this they gave me a “one time” courtesy credit far less than the amount I used to bid on the items.  In addition to that, I’m showing 6 unauthorized charges on my credit card for bid packs that I didn’t bid on after I sent them the message to complain about the system problems.  The acknowledges the system maintenance and said the sales would be voided but nothing about giving me back the credits I used bidding on them.  When I questioned there policy and procedures on w hat they do for items that are closed out due to system updates.  They stopped responding and have given me the runaround and addititonal chargese ever sence.   Do Not USE BID RACK!  It’s a nice in concept but in the end it’s a scam…

  • Josefa

    NOBODY HAS HAD A GOOD EXPERIENCE WITH BIDRACK.COM. CLEARLY THOSE FIRST COMMENTS ARE FROM THE OWNERS WHO ARE RATS AND WILL NEVER ENJOY THEIR MONEY. WE ARE NOT IDIOTS. BIDRACK.COM IS, HAS ALWAYS BEEN AND WILL BE A FRAUD AND A SCAM AND YOU WILL BE PROSECUTED AND ADEQUATELY CHARGED SOON.

  • http://www.scambook.com Justin

    Bidrack was a scam from day one.  I learned about all the problems people were having just a little too late.  I joined a form on a page called scambook.com.  I honestly think this will make people more aware.

  • beulah

    I always learn the hard way and too late!!! I was excited about this site at the start. The site said it was free, but right away they took away $99.00 What was that for? I didnt buy anything. I would just like to have my money back.

    • DAVID

      WE TOO HAD OUR $99 TOOK FROM US AND WE TOO LEARN IT THE HARD WAY……THOSE WHO PLANTED BAD SEEDS WILL GET BAD CROPS. WHY WOULD WE CHOOSE PACKAGE$99 WHEN WE CAN GET A $27 INSTEAD

      • http://BIDRACK Rhonda

        Please follow and express your experience with BIDRAC(KET) on Facebook at Online Buy Beware.  I also complained to Scambook.com, Posted on Twitter as well as FB, contacted the online FBI at IC3.com, Pissedconsumer.  Also, call your bank if you have been dupped like many of us for a registration fee of $99.  I read the information, but it made me believe that the information was needed in the event that I won a bid.  I’m not a dumb or stupid person.  The advertisement was misleading!!!

  • http://www.bidrack.com MixOne

    I received a response a few days ago to my BBB complaint.  They agreed to refund all of my charges.  However, going through the inquiries via e-mail and telephone I received no satisfaction and a lack of customer service.  Trying using the BBB to get a resolution because BidRack Customer Service is no help!

  • http://wahgeek.com Luis

    Hm, I always thought penny auction is borderline deceptive. It can be addictive.

    One of my friend signed up for the so called “free trial” of Bidrack, and was charged $99! I helped her to recoup the money, thought it takes a while.

    If anyone have the same experience feel free to refer to the step-by-step guide I wrote:
    http://www.wahgeek.com/bidrack-scam-how-to-get-your-money-back/

  • Mitchell

    I also have won several items. Right now I’m waiting on about 17 items to be delivered. One is an Apple Ipod Touch that was won on 6-23-11. It is still in processing. I have 2 items that I have had a tracking number for for about 3 weeks. When I run a tracking check, it says it hasn’t been received at the shipping facility yet. That means the tracking numbers a computer generated, and they just are not delivering them to be delivered, OR, they are giving bogus numbers. Example, I have 2 other tracking numbers that show that they both have already been delivered to 2 different address in California. I live in SC. Many of the items I have tracking numbers for, I had the numbers for weeks, yet they still have not been received by the shipping facilities (postal). I have complained several times, and I get the same Identical response. They could be copying and pasting the entire emails according to the reading. Here is their response. “We sincerely apologize for the delay in our shipment; however, due to escalated demand of our product we have experienced a slight backlog.  Rest assured, we have amended the shipment problem and are working for an expedited delivery to your residence”. I’ve been getting this exact response a couple of times a week for the last 3 weeks. I really think they are CROOKS!

    • http://Bidrack.com Pat

      Mitchell-I sure wish I had thought to read these notes before I too became the victim of a scam. I was treated just about like you, I have sent about 6 emails and I too get the generic canned answer each time. When I was bidding and winning an IPAD, the screen wert from horizontal to vertical displaying of auction items, by the time that the bid buttons appeared it had been sold

      Then another time the bid for IPAD was ongoing and the screen got stuck on 8 seconds and no keys would work and I was running neck to neck against one bidder for a while, then when this happened as soon as keys started working again somebody totally diff had one it!

      And now since I have complained to them, they are no longer auctioning off IPADS, KINDLES and other HIGHER END ELECTRONICS. It’s like they disappeared and now all they have are tons of watches and other thins wort maybe $5 at the most and it’s all the same misc dollar store items.

      I will be going to the bank or calling their FRAUD DEPT on Monday, thanks for sharing. Pat

  • Colleen

    I to have been waiting for well over two months for items that I have won; I have e-mailed them and I receive the response that items are on back order and they will be able to ship out soon. I agree with Mitchell and David, I to had 99 dollars taken from my account. Bidrack is a scam, and I will probably never see the items won.

  • Teresa

    I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS,  BID RACK IS A  SCAM.   I’m  WAITING FOR  12 ITEMS TO BE DELIVERED A FEW OF THESE I WAS REALLY EXCITED ABOUT WINNING.
    WHAT A JOKE

  • che hien v.

    bidrack.com is scam. I did not know that after register to bidrack; would cost me 99.00 and Bidrack would not refund my money. Please help.

    • http://BIDRACK Rhonda

      Please follow and express your experience with BIDRAC(KET) on Facebook at Online Buy Beware.  I also complained to Scambook.com, Posted on Twitter as well as FB, contacted the online FBI at IC3.com, Pissedconsumer.  Also, call your bank if you have been dupped like many of us for a registration fee of $99.  I read the information, but it made me believe that the information was needed in the event that I won a bid.  I’m not a dumb or stupid person.  The advertisement was misleading!!!  Let’s get em!!!

  • http://bidrack ray

    the best sites in my opinion are Myskoreit and quibids-they are very prompt with there prizes-i have gotten them within the week-it took awhile but i also won and eventually received 3 higer priced items from bidhere

  • Melissa

    Bidrack is an absolute waste. When they first started I actually won a 32″ sony bravia tv for 12 cents, also shipping was a flat $2. I waited a good 2 months until they actually shipped it but I did receive it so I thought Bidrack was legit. Then once they started getting more popular it was impossible to win the featured auctions, plus I noticed everyone winning those only used 1-2 bids and the prices were very high for ending bids. They started to auction junk, I won something, but then shipping prices were up to $7 for it. I started getting random little charges on my CC for a few cents here and there. I complained and they said they were for promotional bids… HUH? After all that I stopped using them. Absolutely horrible.

  • GUS

    THIS PLACE IS A TOTAL RIP OFF I BOUGHT A BID PACK AND STARTED BIDDING I WON A FEW THINGS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I WON WAS A MP5 PLAYER AND A MP4 PLAYER THIS IS BACK IN JUNE AND GUESS WHAT I AM STILL WAITING FOR THE THINGS. DONT WASTE YOURE TIME BECAUSE YOU WILL WASTE YOURE MONEY.

    • Bret Powner

      I won like 4 mp players and finally after 3 months received one of them and it doesnt work. Cant get a reply from them so even if they do ship the other 15 things they owe me, they probably wont work either. Man how do people get away with this crap.

  • http://yahoo charlied

    I have had no major problem with bidrack. Every time I run into a  problem  I call customer service and they settle my problem over the phone.  If my problem is about bids they reinburse me with the bids they took or I lost bidding on a item. A few times I even got back more bids then I actually used. Most of the things u win are shipped from China. That is why it takes so long.  U can E-Mail customer service if you have a problem but they aren’t real swift and take forever to correct you problem.

  • http://bidrack james king

    bidrack is a scam . bill you for something you don,t get. look at bbb, of delware

  • Lake148

    TOTAL RIPOFF , Do not waste your time OR money,,,,,, complete fraud

  • Noel

    I actually received the iPad 2 that I won on the site…. It took a lot of emails, but it came and works perfectly.  I’ve also gotten gift cards, watches, and some other smaller items from the site.  It seems like after more people found it, things got more messed up.  

  • Chris

    Poor customer service. Asked same questions frequently with no real answers. Won cheap stuff worth less than shipping costs. They topped listing Premium Items some time ago, at least for me. My card expired, and no more free spins. Aware of the $99. but expected free spins for the last 3 months. Bidrack was featured on major news channel, about 7 months ago, and said the company was legit. Wonder what will happen? Probably had legal, fine print words in place that if they shut down, free membership, spins would stop. Quick money, I’m sure they knew. There are no free lunches I know of, except in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Parents pick up their kids in high priced vehicles, and beat the system.  Not here. I don’t even think the BBB can work this one out. Maybe the News can offer a piece to correct the reality of getting an ibook for a penny. I would never call anyone else this, but I am an Idiot, Period. 

  • http://www.mywot.com g7w

    All penny auctions are scams, their business model requires purchasing “bid packs” to place bids. These “bid packs” turn “bids” into raffles “lottery” which is a form of gambling, r4ead the sites see how they encourage people to “play”
    Full article about penny auctions with many domains referenced. Anyone interested please visit: http://www.mywot.com/forum/14024-penny-auction
    Apologies if this post is considered spam post, that’s not the intention.
    peace,
     

  • Colleen

    I am still trying to get my items from bidrack. I sent them another email and they replied that they were going to check into this issue. I told them I did not want to hear that items were on back order again. I too spent the 99.00; they are bad.
    Colleen

  • Cathy

    I have not received 5 items that I paid for from Bidrack, and they were responding to me that they were looking into it, now I am not getting any responses from them and their phone number is no longer working.  I gave them plenty of time, as some my items have been missing since July and didn’t want to write anything negative, but I will never go to any sites like this again.

  • http://www.online-cash-rewards-paid-daily.com curt8888

    They are not all bad… and penny auction sites are not considered to be gambling in any way.

  • Eddie

    This site is a scam!!! They ripped me off for my $99 credit card fee, as the fee, from my understanding was to be used to be on file just in case you bid and won a  item like EBAY does.  Upon attempting to get a refund, they refused because of the small writing in the aggreement. Keep in mind, these people had professionals who wrote this aggreement in which many people would be mislead. My bank “AAA” Visa refused to dispute the issue because that document clause!

  • Ann

    Is that Bidrack similar to http://www.bidhere.com ?

  • JJ

    Well, since Bidrack is a scam site, why don’t you all scam them by using a fraud credit card 8). That way they can’t dispute the fraud, because they are fraud themselves.
    Eye for an eye…. 

  • Karl Engel

    This is a scam, scam, scam Won a bunch of cheap items back in june 2011. Today is January  14th 2012 and I never received anything. No reply from them on my emails i sent them. Stay away from bid rack

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