Saw an ad on Facebook for great prices on electronics .
Like others i thought i was registering to bid for auctions ( I use ebay all the time and even love it more now !)
I did not realize until too late that I was charge a registration fee.
On their site they show a sample of the registration process, well what is a flag there was not flagged on my registering. They need a 2nd screen for confirmation just like all other trusted sites. I alway check for the trusted site lock symbol before inputing credit details , Swipeauctions is backed by Truste's privacy seal.
As this was recommended by facebook and having the truste's seal I thought i was safe, noooo
I took my chances and thought for my stupidity maybe just maybe I might luck out and win an auction and get my money back in savings. no such luck
But what really got me.........
As I was bidding at the same time i was bidding a popup screen comes up which I thought was my bidding process and clicked..... oops OMG I just purchased $500 worth of bids (once again no confirmation of your purchase) Ok my stupidity for falling for this once, but twice no way.
Immediately I got onto live chat support and told them this was a tragic error and so wrong how it is processed. They need a confirmation screen on all charges being processed.
They're respond sorry u made purchase we cannot refund.............
I told my chat girl i would be reporting this to Visa, the bbb and anywhere else I could. Their tone then changed and they did agree to credit me back my purchase.
The bids are gone from my account but it would be 7 days before my card is credited back
(later told 2 days) mmmmm suspicious now
I will keep an hourly watch on my charges to visa to ensure no more charges and that the refund is processed
After this I wanted my account cancelled and to be deleted off their records. You cannot easily cancel your subscription you have to contact them (another warning flag)
here is my chat on that.
Nichole: Please wait while I check your order details in our system.
Nichole: Ok, How may I assist you?
you: i am not happy with the glitch I had this morning on a purchase That was resolved and I am to be getting a credit back to my credit card but because of that happening I am reluctant to continue using this site and wish my account to be cancelled and credit card info especially removed from your records.
you: i can not find on your site how to delete my account information
Nichole: In order to further assist you, could I please have you CLICK HERE, to confirm that this is the checkout page you completed your registration from. This link will take you to the Original SignUp Page where you will see that the price of SwipeAuction Access is mentioned in several locations. Upon reviewing, are you able to locate where the $159.00 price is disclosed above the shipping form?
Nichole: I can certainly help you with your cancellation request, but first I would like to point out the benefits you received with the Swipe Auctions Lifetime Access.
1. 300 Bids deposited to your account immediately upon registration.
2. Our Guarantee to replenish those bids if you do not win an Auction.
3. Our 100% Money Back Guarantee
4. Promotional offer of 5,000 bids for only $249.00 (5 cents a bid).
All of this, for only a one time charge of $159.00 which was processed upon your registration.
Would you like to re-consider the cancellation and check out the great items up for auction instead?
you: I have seen all that and am not disputing the original $159 sign up fee although I would like too When I signed up the warning WAS NOT THERE on screen I thought I was filing in that information should I win an auction it was ready to process I do not agree with your practice that a confirmation screen before your purchase is not shown as most all other sites.
Nichole: Certainly, I can help you with that. Typically we do not allow for refunds under these circumstances, as the price is very clearly disclosed. It is the consumers responsibility to read the page carefully before entering credit card information. Regardless, I will gladly provide you with this simple refund form for you to complete as it is required by our bank in order for us to issue your refund. Please CLICK HERE to get a refund.
Is there anything further I can assist you with today?
you: i tried the auction from my original sign up and no i do not wish to continue I am already getting the refund on the bid pack i will fill out this form and send it in to get the refund on the sign up thank you for that. please confirm the refund on the bid pack has been processed as earlier discussed with pamela
Nichole: Yes, we have already processed the refund of $495.00 at our end. Normally all refunds take place within 1-2 days. But in few cases it may take some more time.
you: thank you will my account be deleted and my credit card not kept on file with no further charges
Nichole: The time you will receive the refund of the membership charge, your information will be automatically deleted from our database.
you: thank you
Nichole: Is there anything further I can assist you with today?
you: no thank you. you have assisted me with my concerns
nichole: Thank you very much for chatting with us today. We hope the rest of your day is an excellent one.
nichole: Please feel free to come back for any further assistance.
So now I am proceeding with filing the form to get my membership fee returned to me, but why now do they need my signiture when they didn't on my 1st complaint
Iwill give them the thumbs up on my chat support and issues being resolved (just hope I do actually see the credit processed
Only time will tell if they do come thru and are true to their satisfaction guarntee. I will keep you posted on my refund and if any further complaints against this company
I have proceeded on complaints with
#1 Facebook - for allowing such a company to ads thru their site
#2. Truste's website for standing behind such a business
#3. Visa (who called me with a fraud alert within 1 hour of the $500 charge to acct)
I am processing complaints with
#1 BBB
#2 CRA
#3 Service Alta
I have found that Visa can fine a company for practice such as this, and after 2% of total sales being chargebacked they can pull the merchants account.
Anyone who falls victim to Swipe or any of their affiliates MUST report to Visa we need this website shutdown
shooter Girl
coquitlam,#2Author of original report
Thu, October 07, 2010
Update: I have been contacted by Jennifer @ Swipe Auctions and she now
has also issued the refund of the 1st original purchase of $159 to my
account.
The $495 has been credited to my credit card giving me a peace of mind, I did however lose out $25+ due to exchange rate but that is the price I pay i guess for being under cautious. I expect in the next few days to see the other credit of $159 being posted too. I appreciate that Swipeauctions has responded and stood up to the plate in this process however I would like to see the changes made to the site for more confirmation before being charged. I can only imagine how many refunds they are processing. A new way of processing with confirmation would cut down on a lot of customer complaints and work at their end also.
Jennifer did note in the email she sent to me that my suggestion of
having a 2nd confirmation page will be passed onto the management team.
Here's hoping they do step up and correct their unfortunate ways !
Thank you Jennifer
SwipeBids
USA#3UPDATE Employee
Wed, October 06, 2010
Jennifer
Head of Customer Service
Our Winners: http://www.swipeauctions.com/all_past_winning_auction.php
Our World Vision Charity: http://www.swipeauctions.com/world_vision_charity.phpOur Customer Service Page: http://www.swipeauctions.com/contact.php
Good Afternoon Shooter Girl,
My name is Jennifer, I am the Head of Customer Service for SwipeAuctions. I have ready through your post and I am very sorry to hear you have had a negative experience with our company. I would be more than happy to assist in any other concerns you may have.
Please contact me at [email protected], please include your first/last name, user name, email linked to your account and the link to this post.
Warmest Regards,
Jennifer
Head of Customer Service
Our Winners: http://www.swipeauctions.com/all_past_winning_auction.php
Our World Vision Charity: http://www.swipeauctions.com/world_vision_charity.phpOur Customer Service Page: http://www.swipeauctions.com/contact.php
Ronny g
North hollywood,#4Consumer Comment
Sat, October 02, 2010
I am sure you are aware now..but just to make sure others understand..
1) Just because an ad is on facebook, does not mean facebook reccomends it. It just means they are paying to advertise. Hopefully if facebook concludes the site is a ripoff/fraud, they will pull the account..but no guarantees.
2) On the sign up page where you entered your credit card info..it should have stated you were going to be charged. Granted the site is distracting and you missed it. But it is there. I agree as well there should be another page that shows the details and asks if you are sure you authorize this charge..but apparently they do not have to do this by law, or the site would have been pulled a while ago. Bottom line...if you are requested to fill out credit card/bank info..there is going to be a charge.
3) The trusted site lock symbol. It means nothing. Or, it can mean the site is a scam..but a scam perpetrated on a secure site. What help is that really?
4) I commend you for admitting to your stupidity. It was stupid..or gullible of you is a nicer way to put it. I hope you and other realize this is certainly not a legitimate "auction" such as eBay. With a legitimate auction it does not cost you a dime to bid if you do not win the item. And when the time ends..the auction is over.
With these types of penny auctions...everyone who bids pays, there is only one winner. All others who bid lost the money and get no item. Down the drain. Every bid sets the clock back. This can go on for..well who knows?? Hence...it would seem to me more like online gambling for prizes and poker chips then a real auction..does it not?