Rip off - Romania Computer Auction Fraud on U-bid *Consumer Suggestion information
Well I really hate to admit that I have been ripped off and by reading other reports it looks like this person has ripped off many poor people.
I won an auction on U-bid for a Dell Inpsiron 8100. The individual stated that he/she would perfer money transfer through western-union and would cover shipping cost as I was to cover the money transfer cost. I honestly though that was an even exchange, and went ahead with the transfer. I then e-mailed him the confirmation number of the transfer expecting to recieve a confirmation number for the package. Two hours AFTER he picked up the money transfer, U-bid e-mails me to warn me of fradulant information on this persons account. I appreciate U-bids e-mail only it was to late. I am now out of $1,053. For some on like me this is ALOT of money!! I would like this person found and punished! I will also be posting this website on all auction site fourms that I can find to prevent this from ever happening again.
Kelly
honolulu, HI
1 Updates & Rebuttals
U bid really has some interesting policies. Other than their own..
#20
Wed, January 09, 2002
They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:
Their email: adolphchrist@godisdead.com
Their name: Adolph
Their relationship to the company: Consumer Suggestion
Rebuttal:
U bid really has some interesting policies. Other than their own
merchandise, they now have two other catagories of sellers; "Preferred Partners", and "Consumer Exchange".
PREFERRED PARTNERS AUCTIONS:
"Auctions that are offered by uBid Preferred Partners are marked by this symbol. These Preferred Partners list their items directly and assume responsibility for all aspects of their auction listings including product descriptions, identification of quantities, establishment] of starting and maximum bid prices, and shipping. uBid handles all payment processing for
orders from these partners. In an ongoing effort to improve security and protect against fraud on Consumer Exchange, we are pleased to add the Buyer Protection Program to our list of services. Many items on Consumer Exchange are covered by this Buyer Protection Program."
NOW GET THIS:
"If either party to an auction transaction is not in good standing, the auction will not qualify for this Buyer Protection Program."
To quote their 'protection Program',"many items are covered". Huh? How do you know which? Then they go on to say if the seller is not in 'good standing' (with U bid) the protection program won't apply anyway. Such a deal. U bid collects the money, charges the seller his fee, and then basically absolves themselves of any responsibility.
CONSUMER EXCHANGE AUCTIONS:
"Consumer Exchange auctions are marked by this symbol. Consumer
Exchange sellers are consumers who wish to sell their products using uBid's services. uBid does not handle these transactions, and does not own, warehouse, ship or otherwise manage any inventory or goods offered by Consumer Exchange sellers. Instead, Consumer Exchange sellers list their items directly, and assume responsibility for all aspects of their auction
listings, including product descriptions, identification of quantities, establishment of starting and maximum bid prices, and shipping. Once the auction closes, it is up to the buyer and seller to make arrangements for payment and shipping. Consumer Exchange sellers' products are not eligible for uBid's return policy."
This one's a little different; U bid collects a fee from the seller, and then leaves both the seller and buyer hanging out to dry.
These two formats promoted by U bid have less security and buyer
protection than buying something out of a guy's trunk at an impromptu flea market. Ahhhhh yes! E commerce at its finest, yes?