THIS IS FRAUD COMPANY AND DON'T REGISTER! YOU WILL SIMPLY LOSE YOUR MONEY!
So... I have been a customer since early 10/2010. I never seems to win anything, and thought that was odd.
Since then the buisness is closing. Called the customer service number and they referred me to the Chat Agent.
Talked with the Chat Agent and he referred me to an email address of: *******@swipeauctions.com
Live agent indicated that if I emailed them, they could start the refunding process. After emailing support, I received the following:
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// Add your reply above here==================================================From: danSubject: (no subject) Good Morning/Afternoon, Our sincere apologies for the inconvenience as every possible effort to process the requested refund through our Merchant Account has failed. We had recently lost our Merchant Processing Provider, and furthermore are unable to electronically process any refunds. Due to strict credit card regulations we have been prevented from issuing refunds by check. At this point, our only recommendation available is to have each consumer contact their bank directly and have their associated bank process the refund to their credit/and or debit card. Attached is a "Release of Authorization" Form that you may submit to your associated bank in requesting a refund on their end. It has always been our intention to refund our valuable customers as per our Money Back Guarantee, but with the merchant account shutting down and not allowing us to refund, we are unable to assist consumers any further with a refund. Our sincere apologies, SwipeAuctions View this PRIVATE Discussion online: http://swipebids.tenderapp.com/discussions/problems/*******-no-subject?anon_token=c1b9581ee2c0aec1ac3dd967ef67b6c6d239db89Attachments:- firstname_lastname. Pdf https://swipebids.tenderapp.com/discussions/problems/*******/assets/b24dd33bf3d*******ef*******acfe28f351acfedb/glenn_merrell.pdf?anon_token=c1b9581ee2c0aec1ac3dd967ef67b6c6d239db89-- Reply with #ignore to stop receiving notifications for this discussion.
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I am have since opened this dispute for a refund with my CC company. Let's see how that goes...
TOTAL RIP OFF!
Wow, I should know better at my age. I didn't see the $159 fee just to register and before I knew what was going on I bought 300 bids that I never could use. Everytime I tried to bid on the one item I'd be interested in the button rolled over to "LOGIN" Since I was already logged on I was caught in a never ending loop. There are 6 pages of auctions and of those 6 pages only 3 has any items on them besides auctions to purchase more bids. I tired their "Live Chat" to get help and clarify things and it was a joke. He sited "technical difficulties" as the reason I could not place a bid and told me to try later. These people need to be shut down. If you want to know who is really behind this scam go to www.whois.com and search their web address. If you want a good laugh I'm attaching the "Live Chat" transcript.
Please wait for a site operator to respond.
You are now chatting with 'Ralph'
Ralph: Thank you for visiting SwipeAuctions.com Livechat Line. Our goal is to provide you with excellent customer service while assisting you with any questions or concerns you may have. We are here to help you win auctions, save money and have a great time. May we start with your name please?
You: Kate Montivero
Ralph: Hi, I would be happy to assist you with your concern, so in order to pull up the details of your account, can you please provide me with your e-mail address and zip code?
You: *******@montivero.com/*******
Ralph: Please wait while I check your order details in our system.
Ralph: Ok, How may I assist you?
You: I just registered. I see I have been given 300 bids. Are they complimentary or have I been charged?
Ralph: 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 the membership is mentioned in several locations. Upon reviewing, are you able to locate where the $159.00 price is disclosed above the shipping form?
You: ok. I see the price is listed in the left siade ad. I read thru the pages pretty well. If I am not able to make a purchase I will be refunded the 159 if I fill out the form?
Ralph: 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 consumer's 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: Also, I only have 6 pages of open auctions, most of which are buying more bids... when I refresh the page with a certain item on it it has not changed. Do I not have acces to the opening amount until I place a bid?
Ralph: One moment please.
You: specifically, the iPad on page 6.
Ralph: May I have a auction id please.
Ralph: You can place your bids when the timer, that are showing in red are in hotbid.
You: One moment please
Ralph: Ok.
You: There are no item numbers. It just says
You: iPad 16 GB WiFi + 1000 BIDS Retails for $1099. 00 --: --: -- $1.15 AtaMikhael
You: I'm just trying to understand this site. Where are the 1,000s of items? I see 6 pages dotted with a few good items... xBox, iPad, GPS... I do not mean to sound difficult, I feel like I am missing something by only seeing 6 pages of mostly bid purchases.
You: Also, the banner at the top says... ENDING AUCTIONS. And now the iPad is gone. Does that mean the bidding came and went? And I am not allowed to watch an auction?
Ralph: Please let me know how may I accesst you with your concern?
Ralph: There are currently 6 pages of auction items available to bid on at any given time. The auction clocks are set at a much lower timeframe in order to give customers the option to bid on numerous items that are under an hour to count down on the clock. To keep the site fresh, we are continuously changing up the items available.
Ralph: You can see all auctions running here: http://www.swipebids.com/all_future_auction.php
Ralph: http://www.swipebids.com/all_future_auction.php
You: OK. Please answer my questions: Is 6 pages correct? I see no timers in red, only red buttons, is that what you mean by "in hotbid?"
Ralph: http://www.swipebids.com/all_future_auction.php
You: Thank you. So, I can not watch a bid without participating, correct?
Ralph: Yes, you can watch biding without participating.
You: How can I watch bidding. When I refresh it has the same info. The timer is not running. The price stay at a dollar something.
Ralph: All bids are governed by our swipebid servers. When a bid is placed, it has to be passed from your computer to our servers to register. If there is any lag (delay) in your internet connection there is a possibility that the timer can run out before your bid is registered.
You: How can I watch bidding. When I refresh it has the same info. The timer is not running. The price stay at a dollar something.
Ralph: All bids are governed by our swipebid servers. When a bid is placed, it has to be passed from your computer to our servers to register. If there is any lag (delay) in your internet connection there is a possibility that the timer can run out before your bid is registered.
Ralph: Is there anything further I can assist you with today?
You: OMG. I have already pasted the question in again. For the 3rd time... you: How can I watch bidding. When I refresh it has the same info. The timer is not running. The price stay at a dollar something. Answer this and I will not bother you anymore. Thank you.
You: Can I bid on GOLD AUCTIONS. I am trying to bid on the iPad - (page 5, $1.36, glodarling.) When I mouse over the BUY button it changes into LOGIN. But I am already logged in. What is wrong? Thank you>
Ralph: There is some technical problem we are facing right now. Our technical team has now be notified, and we are looking to resolve this issue right away. I apologize for the inconvenience. Can you please try after 24 hours.
You: Thank you and good nite
Ralph: Is there anything further I can assist you with today?
You: No thank you. I must wait for the technical issues to be resolved
Ralph: Thank you very much for chatting with us today. We hope the rest of your day is an excellent one.
Ralph: Please feel free to come back for any further assistance.
Lately, Jennifer and Hernan from swipebids/swipeauctions have been trying to offer refunds and claiming their site is legit.
So, I am sure they can clear up the questions outlined below. As you know, the action(s) of the past can wor for you or against you. I will say, if swipeauctions/swipebids can clearly answer my open letter, I will be the first to respond positively.
Maybe you folks can spread this letter around. I want swipeauctions to see it and answer clearly. Thanks._________________ OPen Letter________________________________
Jennifer,
Maybe you can clear up your real identity then. Is swipeauctions address in Surrey, CO, UT, somewhere in the US, Sherwood Park, AB and anywhere else that I couldn't find.
Then, clear up the swipebids/swipeauctions connection to justthinkmedia. Cross referencing swipebids and justthink media with the BBB produces the same name as the owner. If you look at the past history, you will see a mountain of complaints.
If you can clear up these facts and even put your MAIN address prominantly on your website, you will honestly look better.
Please, no hype. We know you think your site is legit. Just tell us why the multiple addresses and link between justthink media and swipeauctions/swipebids.
This same owner apparently has law suits. One I see is with Oprah who claims she didn't endorse one of the past marketing concepts. Is this true? How about the Microsoft lawsuit with the present owners (but past businesses)? I know this one was settled.
And lastly, tell us specifically about the past owners legal battles in UTAH dealing with "toothpaste".
If you can clear all this up, I will be the first one to openly admit to not being concerned here.
Thank you.