Swipebids are SCAM artists.
Swipebids is an auction company that you are supposed to be able to buy things at a reduced price for very little money. You are supposed to be able to buy bids for 10 cents each and when the bidding ends,( after a preset time) if you were the last bidder you win the product.
I thought I would purchase maybe a hundred bids and see if I could win something that I wanted.When I hit the "Purchase Bids" button, I found out they had preset what they call a "Large Bid Pack" of 300 bids for $150.00, which they almost immediately charged my Debit card. When I called them about it, they said the second order for bids would be 10 cents a bid, not the first. I asked them where that was stated on their website and he admitted it was not on there. These bids cost 50 cents instead of the 10 cents that was advertised on their website.
I asked for a refund and they refused.I checked their auction and it starts out at a preset time, but when it get down to where the bidding time is almost over, (usually about 12 seconds) about 10 seconds is added after each bid so the time will not run out.I also noticed some bidders will have the high bid but will bid again anyway to keep the time from expiring.The only reason I can see they would want to do this is because they are company employees whose job is to run the price up and not allow the time to expire until they get the money they want for the item. I noticed that some of the winners are these same people. Also if the bidding is slow, they will add as much as 2 minutes to the time for it to end.
I also noticed they are selling the same items over and over again. I don't know if they have a large inventory of these items or if they are the same ones.When you bid, the price increases by 1 cent. If the last bid is $35.00 which is what most of the higher priced items stop at, it means they have had 3500 bids on that item at 50 cents a bid or $1750.00 for a $600 item. You also have to pay the bid price plus shipping to get the item you won.This is the biggest rip-off scam I have encountered so far on the internet. I have filed a complaint with the FCC and BBB of Utah, but have heard nothing from them as yet. If you receive an Email from them asking you to join the auction, DELETE it immediately. You will lose your money and have nothing to show for it.
I thought I would purchase maybe a hundred bids and see if I could win something that I wanted.When I hit the "Purchase Bids" button, I found out they had preset what they call a "Large Bid Pack" of 300 bids for $150.00, which they almost immediately charged my Debit card. When I called them about it, they said the second order for bids would be 10 cents a bid, not the first. I asked them where that was stated on their website and he admitted it was not on there. These bids cost 50 cents instead of the 10 cents that was advertised on their website.
I asked for a refund and they refused.I checked their auction and it starts out at a preset time, but when it get down to where the bidding time is almost over, (usually about 12 seconds) about 10 seconds is added after each bid so the time will not run out.I also noticed some bidders will have the high bid but will bid again anyway to keep the time from expiring.The only reason I can see they would want to do this is because they are company employees whose job is to run the price up and not allow the time to expire until they get the money they want for the item. I noticed that some of the winners are these same people. Also if the bidding is slow, they will add as much as 2 minutes to the time for it to end.
I also noticed they are selling the same items over and over again. I don't know if they have a large inventory of these items or if they are the same ones.When you bid, the price increases by 1 cent. If the last bid is $35.00 which is what most of the higher priced items stop at, it means they have had 3500 bids on that item at 50 cents a bid or $1750.00 for a $600 item. You also have to pay the bid price plus shipping to get the item you won.This is the biggest rip-off scam I have encountered so far on the internet. I have filed a complaint with the FCC and BBB of Utah, but have heard nothing from them as yet. If you receive an Email from them asking you to join the auction, DELETE it immediately. You will lose your money and have nothing to show for it.
Tags: Auctions
Views: 2548
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by dea mcgee on -
i was just scammed by swipebid...i won a canon camera and contacted the "LIVE HELP" to make sure what i was seeing was true. the person typed that due to a technical problem i had not won the camera even though the web site said i had. when i asked what was she going to do about this she said for me to continue to bid on other items to try and win. when i asked her what about the bids i lost in the AUTO BIDDING, she said well you still got alot of bids, so just keep trying. this is absolutely outragous. then when i went back online to go and try to bid again, the site had frozen me out and would not let me sign back on. i am furious. first they tell you to buy bids, then bid and try to win. then they not only say no you didnt win, but we are not going to let you come back and try again. i calling them in the morning and im contacting the BBB if i dont get some satifaction. i truly wish i had read your blog before i got involved with such a despicable company. i will return and let you know what happens.
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Permalink Reply by James Jacobs on
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Dea,
I'm sorry you were scammed by this bunch of crooks. I contacted the FBI, FCC, Federal Trade Commission and BBB of Utah. I never heard from any of them. If you check Swipebids web site now, you will see they have removed the 10 cent bid ad and replaced it with an ad that says the bids are 60 cents. Also they have a lot of new items, small value items, that are selling for as little as a penny a piece. The bids are closing after a reasonable amount of time, sometimes after only 1 bid. Someone has changed their method of operation, although they may not give you the item you won. I suggest you check out each of the web sites for the Federal offices and file a complaint. I don't think Swipebids will be in business for long, but maybe if they have enough complaints about them, someone will make them refund the money they stole. Thanks for writing. J.B.
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Permalink Reply by Sandy Smaill on
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If you all check out Quibids.com (sorry U.S. only), you will see that swipebids stole their site from these guys who are legitimate. You will also see page after page of actual products up for bidding that go for 'normal" bidding. Don't waste a penny at Swipebids, they only swipe your money!! You hardly see many "bid" packs up for bidding at quibids and tons of nice items to bid on. This is probably an original penny bid site and it reads legitimate and SHOCK they list a email and contact information for their company and warn you that you owe taxes on your winnings. It's a shame it probably hurts them to have swipebids take business away from them. If you're not totally soured, have a look at that site. Spend time reading first and see what you think.
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Permalink Reply by Sarah J Appleby on -
Quibids are not legitimate, see:
http://notmytribe.com/2010/penny-auctions-quibids-swipebids-et-al-a...
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Permalink Reply by PG on -
You need to file a report with the FTC, not FCC, and the BBB has no enforcement power, they are useless.
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Permalink Reply by Sarah J Appleby on
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Summary and important points:
As this is page 1 of this thread and the one which comes up on searches and links, here is a link to the petition for anyone who has been scammed by Swipebids:
>>>> http://www.petitiononline.com/cca4jwsb/petition.html
Here is the address of Swipebids:
Swipebids.com
Just Think Media / Terra Marketing Group
Suite 204, 85 Cranford Way
Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA T8H 0H9
Company owner: Jesse David Willms
Background info on company: http://www.webcops.net/just_think_media_spam_scams_8001.html
http://watch.ctv.ca/news/w5/w5-just-think-twice/#clip312665
http://tech.ca.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=24449570
Where to complain:
The Internet Crime Department of the FBI.
Website: http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx
Complaints can be filed online
The FTC - you can file a complaint online at:
https://ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en
or by phone: http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/contact.shtm
If you are in the United States you should also file a complaint with the Attorney General of your state:
http://www.naag.org/current-attorneys-general.php
View others Swipebids complaints and reviews online:
Swipebids reviews
http://www.pennyauctionwatch.com/2010/02/swipebids-penny-auction-re...
http://www.pennyauctionwatch.com/2010/05/swipebids-jesse-willms/
Facebook Group: (Please join!)
http://www.facebook.com/pages/SwipeBidscom-is-a-Bloody-SCAM/1290802...
Many thanks to Michael Larson (above) for creating the Facebook group and the petition and to all others on this thread who have contributed to the above info and elsewhere.
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Permalink Reply by Sarah J Appleby on
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Have posted this link on a few message boards etc where I found other victims of Swipe Bids fraud have posted complaints and negative reviews:
Facebook Group:
Swipebids is a bloody scam!
While I am not a big fan of facebook at least it is an easy way to gather people together for action... :)
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Permalink Reply by Sarah J Appleby on
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Update on Swipebids scam:
There has been a change of name but the scam is still the same:
Swipe Auctions = Swipebids = SCAM = Jesse Willms = Just Think Media = 1524948 Alberta Ltd = Terra Marketing Group = all the same scam.
http://www.prlog.org/10885297-auction-website-chooses-swipeauctions...
http://www.sherwoodparknews.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2735606
http://strangelyperfect.tv/7108/jobs-at-just-think-media/
Swipebids aka SwipeAuctions scam is being promoted by this marketing company:
John Lemp (CEO)
IntegraClick/Clickbooth LLC
IntegraClick Professional Park East Building
Suite 210
5901 N. Honore Ave
Sarasota, Florida 34243-2632
AIM: CLICKBOOTH
Phone 941.483.4188
Email: Info@IntegraClick.com
Proof: Tracking link of http://publishers.clickbooth.com/ez/alkoowkprkkaak/%26subid1%3DG0sb leads to Swipebids/ now SwipeAuction scam website.
Therefore the scam can also be reported to the Florida Attorney General, as Clickbooth is based in Florida:
http://myfloridalegal.com/contact.nsf/contact?Open&Section=Atto...
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Permalink Reply by Justin Asking on -
Information found to help you resolve your issues with obtaining refund from SwipeAuctions for membership:
SwipeAuctions Reviews: Man behind it. Refund advice
http://hubpages.com/hub/SwipeAuctions-reviews-refunds-safely
Quote from pennyauctionviewe
From Canada
“From my understanding with Service Alberta, if the server is based in Alberta, the laws of Alberta apply. If this is still true, type in Fair Trading Act and Internet and Service Alberta. Look for “Internet Sales Contract Regulation.” Look under 6(1) of the Fair Trading Act. You have 7 days to cancel with exceptions. You also have up to 30 days under certain conditions (See Section 2 of the Fair Trading Act) Look under 8 (3) and you will see you can cancel by email. Under 10 (1) of the Fair Trading Act, the merchant has 15 days to refund money as long as no goods or services were received on your end.
One good thing to know is under Section 4(1) of the Fair Trading Act, a contract or agreement is void if your contract does not have an address on it. Check your email copy sent by swipeauctions.com to see if their address is on there. It needs to be an Alberta Address that is true and accurate. If it is not there, any agreements are VOID. Please see the Fair Trading Act for details and confirmation."
End Quote
http://www.swipeauctions.com/content.php?content_id=NA==
18. DISPUTES GOVERNING LAW
This Terms of Use Agreement shall be treated as though it were executed and performed in Alberta, Canada and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Alberta, Canada (without regard to conflict of law principles).
Quote
"If the merchant (under the Fair Trading Act) does not return your money within 15 days, you have a right under the Law to reverse charges through VISA. If this happens to you, simply quote the “Fair Trading Act” (Section 12(1)) and send a copy of SwipeAuctions Terms of Service as proof that they follow the laws of Alberta, Canada.
I would also contact Service Alberta at
service.alberta@gov.ab.ca
so they know you filed a complaint. Be fair though and tell Service Alberta if you DO receive your refund.”
End Quote
http://www.bbb.org/edmonton/business-reviews/internet-auction-servi...
1524948 Alberta Ltd
Business Contact and Profile
Name: 1524948 Alberta Ltd Phone: (866) 336-6735 Fax: (866) 389-3870 Address: 204 85 Cranford Way Sherwood Park, AB T8H 0H9
Website:'www.swipeauctions.com 'www.swipeauctions.com 'www.swipebidscs.com
Original Business Start Date: March 2010 Principal: Mr. Jesse Willms, Owner Customer Contact: Mr. Jesse Willms,
Owner Entity: Limited Incorporated: March 2010, AB Employees: 20 Type of Business: Internet Auction Service BBB Accreditation:
This company is not a BBB Accredited business. Additional DBA Names:
Swipebids
SwipeAuctions.com
Swipebids.com
Sphere Media LLC
Terra Marketing Group
Business Management Additional company management personnel include: Ms. Christal Campbell - Customer Support This company is owned by Jesse Willms. He also owns another company 1021018 Alberta Ltd. A separate BBB report is available here:
http://www.bbb.org/edmonton/business-reviews/health-and-medical-pro...
Server Location as found - Rackspace Hosting - Website IP: 173.203.17.101 on Hostlogr.com 2010 09 20
http://www.hostlogr.com/site/Swipeauctions.com
Swipeauctions.com is hosted by: Rackspace Hosting
Hosting report about Swipeauctions.com. Swipeauctions.com is currently hosted at Rackspace Hosting visit site. The IP 173.203.17.101 links to a server in Sherwood Park, Canada. The company behind this all is Just Think Media.
Domain: Swipeauctions.com
Website ISP: Rackspace Hosting
Website Organization: Just Think Media
Hosting Location: Sherwood Park in Canada
Website IP: 173.203.17.101
Sites Hosted On IP: 173.203.17.101
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Permalink Reply by kevin a on
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i went to the attorney general's website in my state. But I do not know what to file the swipebids complaint at... Anyone still wondering if swipebids is legit.... I pray that you don't find out $150 out of pocket! I'm not hurting financially but still, $150 is not something I'm going to just let someone have. I tried to call their customer service. Says they're out of range. So hope you take my advice. Just go on ebay or craigslist!
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Permalink Reply by julie martin on
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maureen - Did they accept the letter you mailed to them with the return receipt? did you get the receipt back?
I have filled out all the forms requesting a refund and am ready to send it priority mail with delivery confirmation..... I don't want to give them the opportunity to say they never got it.
After they received your refund request did you have to take any other action?
.... or did your credit card company have to get involved and fight for you?
Sorry to ask so many questions, but I am unclear on exactly what you are saying.
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Permalink Reply by Justin Asking on
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Julie, I hope you are aware that mail to address for SwipeAuctios Refund Center is a UPS mail drop and will not likely provide that delivery method you are considering. Have you tried a charge back at your Visa?
Maureen has said before that she tried to send registered mail to that address and it was returned as undeliverable.
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