penny auction sites on the internet. Great deal or Scam?

[suddenly]

I have been looking at a lot of these sites. Has anyone here ever tried one?

If you have which one did you use and what you got and how much you actually paid for the item.

I see all these people getting $2000. laptops for around $25-$30.

Do you think it is a rip off and a scam?

Maybe it is just gambling your money away?

 

[angelique510]

I am an ebay junkie. I have bought all sorts of things there. If you want an older computer, you can find someone who recently upgraded and is selling their old one. There is usually nothing wrong with it. It is just not a big or fast as the new technology. If you want a new computer, you are either going to pay close to retail, or you will get an off brand that is barely worth what you paid for it.

Always check the sellers feedback. I prefer to deal with private sellers and not those people whose business is selling stuff on eBay. When you get one, have someone who knows computers take a look at it. If there is something wrong, you don't want to wait too long. You might be able to return it.

Have you found a site other than eBay? Let me know what it is. A girl can never have to many options when it comes to shopping

Be well,
~A

 

[SilverBear]

Have you found a site other than eBay? Let me know what it is. A girl can never have to many options when it comes to shopping

I believe Suddenly was referring to auction site such as "Beezid" (and a host of others). There are enough bad/scathing reviews on those places to make me want to stay away, along with claims of bots and plants (people working for the site) inflating the bids.

One very common accusation is that the business model itself is a "scam". Quite the contrary... it's how they make their money and I wish I had thought of it! Very legal, very prosperous. But if bidders are being manipulated BY the site(s), THAT is scam.

 

[CarrieM]

You have to sign up and put a min of $75.00 down to be able to bid. Each bid costs you. Yes there have been some good deals won. but if you get into a bidding war your money is soon gone with nothing to show for it.

 

[FantWriter]

The amount of money they make even without scamming is tremendous.

I wouldn't use them for the simple fact that it costs something to bid even if you don't win the item. I'd rather pay a fair price and get an item than to pay, and pay, and pay and never get anything at all.

 

[5vz]

I don't know about the penny auction sites, but I must beg you to never buy a used computer or one that claims to be refurbished from anyone. Especially any unknown sites. You will either get a computer that cannot power on, has too many viruses or malware to use, or worse, child porn has been visited. You can get some of the newer laptops for just over $200 new on sale. In fact, President's Day is coming up, so weekend sales may be on. Not as good as Thanksgiving or Christmas, but sales nonetheless.

 

[Elendil]

Have you found a site other than eBay? Let me know what it is. A girl can never have to many options when it comes to shopping

Be well,
~A

While not a true auction site, I have found a few bargains here: iOffer: A Place to Buy, Sell & Trade

 

[Nightseer]

My uncle tried one. He got charged over $300 before he even realized the site was charging him (he kept clicking the little x in the corner instead of "no" when it asked if he wanted to buy more bids)........I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole, personally.

 

[drew_devereaux]

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