Power Sellers Unite

Patches

The methodology that BV uses when there is a NPB (Non-Paying Bidder) and a seller requires a credit-back is a cumbersome process and the process is not clearly defined at Bidville. The guidelines are ambiguous but apparently there are 3 options available.

When there is a BV sale, the seller pays cash to Bidville (called an FSF, Final Success Fee) for the transaction. But if the sale becomes a no-sale with an NPB, they receive internal credit from BV. Bidville does not issue a refund in the form of a credit-back to the seller's credit card. Getting internal credit does not help most people when they`ve paid cash out of pocket for a sales transaction that went belly-up. Not to mention, it`s fraudulent of BV to do this.

The following is dialogue with BV Moderator and some facts about BV and NPBs.

The Moderator posted:
Posted 3/19/2005 2:07:23 PM
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We would also like to let you know that Final Success Fee Refunds are not credited back as enhancement credit. Final Success Fee Refunds are credited back as Final Success Fee Credit. This credit can be used toward both Final Success Fees and Store Fees.

When a Final Success Fee Refund is submitted and awarded what happens is the seller`s account is credited with Final Success Fee Credit and this credit then cancels out the original Final Success Fee. Therefore, the seller is never charged for the original Final Success Fee.

I responded:
Posted 3/19/2005 2:50:00 PM
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On the `credit` issue, if I give a business cash for a product and I return the product, I do not want `store credit`. If I pay cash, I want cash back. Maybe I went to the store just for that one item, or maybe I do not shop at that store frequently. The same logic may hold true with many who are here to list just a few items, or perhaps are giving BV a trial-run. Offering credits to some people forces people to spend money here at BV when, in truth, they may not wish to continue doing business here. But you know that.

The Moderator response was:
Posted 3/19/2005 10:46:59 PM
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If there is ever a time when a seller`s credit card or checking
account on file is charged for a Final Success Fee before the Refund
request has been processed, please let Bidville Customer Service know
of this situation. Providing that the circumanstances are correct a
refund will be issued to your credit card, or checking account.

I wrote:
Posted 3/20/2005 10:28:37 AM
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When people post about problems regarding the NPB refunds/credits, it becomes apparent that the "rules" for a Bidville refund are not clear or well-defined. Another concern is that oftentimes Bidville has not performed the credit process effectively. Here are a few examples of what BV sellers have recently experienced:

"Never heard anything on this refund but I get an email telling me that my account will be supended if I dont respond in five days if I dont pay the final fee?"
http://www.bidville.com/community/messages/thread.asp?thread=746330&forum=930

"Just wondering whats going on with those 4 or 5 FSF refunds that are due?"
http://www.bidville.com/community/messages/thread.asp?thread=731935&forum=930

"I have filed for refunds of my fees twice now for the same auctions with no response. Why is it taking so long or is anybody even working on fsf refunds for sellers???? Do not give the refunds to my credit balance. That is wrong to do so, I want the fees credited against what I owe bidville, not to some credit balance that I don`t use anyway."
http://www.bidville.com/community/messages/thread.asp?thread=722453&forum=930

Documentation that is provided by Bidville shows alot of ambiguity with the FSF refunds and credits. There is no definitive statement regarding refunds in the form of a credit card credit-back. The words "may", "could" and "might" are NOT definitive, thus suggesting that there is probability that credit card credit-back may not occur with FSF refunds for the NPBs. Refer to the BV statements below.

The FEE SCHEDULE states this:
FSF will be billed on a monthly basis to the seller. If a credit card or checking account is on file with Bidville, the credit card or checking account will be charged the FSF total for that month. If a Bidville Seller does not wish to use a credit card or checking account to pay for FSF, other arrangements can be made with Customer Service. Credits may not be used for FSF. FSF refund may be requested here if there is a NPB or other circumstances. No FSF Refunds for Vehicles or Real Estate. Refer to http://www.bidville.com/help/newfsf.html

Request FSF Refund: To make a credit and refund request *
(Refer to http://www.bidville.com/trkpal/account/?index=7)
a.. Be sure that you understand the conditions under which a credit may or may not be granted.
b.. Notify us within 30 days of the close of your listing. (After 30 days, Bidville cannot process credit and refund requests.)
c.. Submit your Nick Name and password using the form below.
d.. Complete the Closing Fee Credit and Refund Request form.

* Note : Credits and refunds only apply to FSF. They are not applicable to enhancement fees, which are non-refundable, even for items that do not attract winning bids or purchases.

In order to investigate credit card and refund requests, Bidville may contact both parties in question.
a.. The information provided in your Credit and Refund Request will be used to identify Non-Paying Bidders/Buyers.
b.. Sellers who are found guilty of making false credit claims will be suspended.
c.. Refunds will be issued after the
investigation, which may take up to 14 business days.
d.. Individuals who do not comply with
Bidville`s User Agreement may be disciplined, including indefinite suspension.

And now let`s examine these Bidville answers on the Forums about FSF refund requests:

support Posted 2/18/2005 3:34:22 PM
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All FSF Refund Requests only need to be submitted ONCE. No FSF Refunds can be granted between the invoice date (10th, 25th of each month) through five days after.

All FSF Refund Requests that meet the required terms are refunded as FSF Refunds in your Bidville Account. If you have already been charged for this FSF before your refund is granted, we will gladly refund you the money back either by your cc on file (dependant on total amount charged
vs. refund), check, or paypal.
Thank you.
Bidville Support

Moderator Posted 3/19/2005 10:46:59 PM
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If there is ever a time when a seller`s credit card or checking account on file is charged for a Final Success Fee before the Refund request has been processed, please let Bidville Customer Service know of this situation. Providing that the circumanstances are correct a refund will be issued to your credit card, or checking account.
BV Mod
What is worth noting is that the Moderator and BVCS statements are more definitive than the Bidville documentation provided. What ARE the guidelines and what ARE the expectations and criteria to receive a credit-card refund with proven NPB? NPBs and scammers are rampant at Bidville because of their registration process. This time, it is more prudent to say "Let the SELLER beware" !!

nancybusinraleigh · Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 219 Location: North Carolina

Did you get any answer? Or are they ignoring it?

Patches

I did not get a response to the questions. But I did get suspended.....

The truth hurts Bidville and they will not acknowledge it, or reality!

nancybusinraleigh · Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 219 Location: North Carolina

Ya, I got this email this afternoon, after they pulled my thread where all I had posted was:

Today at 11am, the actual count of bidville stores on the site was 519

Today, at 11am, the actual count given on the home page was 639

That`s a difference of 120

Why?

And here is the email that followed the POOFING of that thread:

Nancy,

We would like to remind you that the intention of the Bidville message center is to provide a platform for sellers and buyers to share ideas and ask questions. There is not a place for negativity, or the harassing, or making of fun of other Bidville members on the message center. Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated on the message center. If you ever have any further questions, or comments please feel free to let us know.

Thank you,

Bidville Customer Service
www.Bidville.com

So.............I surmise from that letter and the thread disappearing that they want to hide what can only be seen as creating an 'illusion' of success on that site.

My bad, I thought management should answer why the numbers are so off. Guess members don't have any rights to the truth?

WESTX · Joined: 18 Mar 2005 Posts: 15 Location: NC

Hi Ladies!

Finally made it over here. :wink:

Well if nothing else bidville management is consistent, they prefer to suspend or ban professional sellers that question their business ethics rather than suspend or ban scammers & NPB's.

Sad place.

8)

nancybusinraleigh · Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 219 Location: North Carolina

Hi West!

Ya, same old routine, others can flame other members who don't belong to the rah-rah icon addicted groupies who don't post anything of import.........but post facts and ask questions and POOF you are gone!

It only took me 3 weeks to see that happening - I began to question, I got suspended from the boards...twice now and looks like I'm headed for a third because by golly I want to know WHY there is a difference in the store stats on the home page and the
REAL number of stores.....silly me!

WESTX · Joined: 18 Mar 2005 Posts: 15 Location: NC

Hi Nancy!

Silly you is right!lol!
Their numbers have never matched up as long as I've been a member there, even before they came out with the stores. Poor programming or lack of budget for competent techs, either way it will not change until ownership does.
I still firmly believe its just a tax write off.
8)

nancybusinraleigh · Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 219 Location: North Carolina

West,

I believe, honestly deep down, that they are only doing the bare minimum to keep it going and hoping they will appeal to a buyer. They have done NO advertising to the buying public anywhere (ads in a trade magazine once since January to appeal to sellers, not buyers), false numbers, poor management and their financial statement is really, really weak.

So they're just treading water and having the members do all the 'advertising' for them to bring whatever slim business there is.

They have been around 4 years, and this is all they have to show for it? Especially given the opportunity they were handed on a silver platter in January when ebay announced the fee increase?

No, they're not interested in long term growth.....they want to sell.

Patches

Hi gang!! I think all of the "pointed questions" to BV are now gone. Fortunately, people who are lurking or studying their own auction listings are realizing the truths. From the personal emails that we receive on some of the non-functioning operations at BV, we have see that there continues to be a general dissatisfaction there.

Dimview posted the March sell-through-rate at Mootalk yesterday...There was a very pointed increase in BV activity during February....Yes...that 0.1% made a tremendous surge in activity at Bidville.

:lol:

WESTX · Joined: 18 Mar 2005 Posts: 15 Location: NC

Nancy I have to agree, and there is a lot of info at the Moo to back up what you are saying as far as them looking to sell it.
The holding company that acquired them has a track record for doing just that.
:D
Hey Patches!
8)

nancybusinraleigh · Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 219 Location: North Carolina

I've heard that West, but I've never taken the time to go into the information avaiable at Mad Cows...I sort of found a lot on my own - it's not real hard to find when one takes off the rose colored glasses LOL!!!

Patches

BV is a skeleton that's positioned for resale. Maybe it's time they auction the site off while they still have about 50-cents/share OTC.

nancybusinraleigh · Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 219 Location: North Carolina

Patches, LOL, they'll first pump that value up and just as they're headed out the door they'll cash in and hand the signed papers over to the buyer :-0

'Tis I · Joined: 06 Mar 2005 Posts: 4 Location: USA

Why don't you all get a real life and get over it. You all have complaints and better than that find anything to complain about. Since you are so unhappy at Bidville.com, then don't bother posting there.
I am a lurker and have been for a long, long time. You can complain and show all the numbers you want to satisfy your own self-righteous ego, but if the numbers bothered others they are smart enough to know what to do.
Anyone who was suspended from the boards cannot see what they have done wrong. PLEASE!!!
Nancy and her clarification in just about every forum is one reason, belittling others, etc.
You all need to move on and grow up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have also noticed that all of the people that write negative postings come from the moose cow site, or is that mad-cows
So if you think that the lurkers can't judge for themselves what is going on, think again!
So, since you can't get it through your head that an auction site is for selling, then go ahead one step up and get a job like washing cars,etc.

beckem · Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Posts: 133

Tis I; I'm a long time Bidville supporter, but most of the
complaints I've read about the site are legitimate.

Credit for non-paying bidders. Items disappearing (sp?) from
the search. Their customer service is very responsive, but the
site is really a mess.