SpeedyBuys.com

This company runs an on line auction for a variety of products. The company requires bidders on the site to register, and pay an advance "bidder fee" of $150 which entitles the bidder to 300 bids. Bidding rights or "Bids" must be purchased and paid for prior to making site bids. Upon registration you will be charged $150 for 300 bids. l Bids can be purchased in packages ("BidPacks"). Bids and voucher Bids are non-transferable and valid for 60 days after they have been credited to your account. Upon expiration, they become void and can no longer be placed. Once a Bid is placed in an auction, it is deducted from your Bid account and can no longer be refunded.

There's no guarantee that something is a good deal just because it is on an internet auction block. When considering whether to place a bid, consider the sellers policies on shipping and handling charges, and return and refund policies. If a return or exchange is necessary, are you required to pay shipping costs, or, will a re-stocking fee be required? Try to determine the relative value of an item before you bid. Read the fine print. Try to look for words like "refurbished," "close-out," “discontinued," or "off brand," especially when shopping for computer or electronic equipment. Ask if the item comes with a warranty and where you'll get follow-up service if you need it. Some sellers don’t have facilities to provide service for the goods they sell. Be sure you are willing to forfeit that protection before placing your bid.

Usually you can check the seller’s feedback rating if that information is available on the auction site. While a positive rating is no guarantee that you won’t have a problem, a negative rating is a danger sign. Look for information about insurance and understand the terms. Some auction sites offer insurance protection, but coverage is limited to set amounts, there is usually a deductible, and there may be exclusions; for example, you may not be able to make a claim if you purchased something from a seller whose feedback rating was negative at the time of sale.

Pay the safest way. If you pay the seller directly with a credit card, you can dispute the charges if the item never arrives or was misrepresented. You don’t have that right if you use a third-party online payment service, even if you use your credit card to put the money into your account with the service. However, your credit card issuer may still be willing to help you. Use an escrow service for purchases that aren’t covered by insurance or your credit card dispute rights. The difference between an escrow service and other online payment services is that the escrow service doesn’t pay the seller until you confirm that you got what you were promised.

The Federal Trade Commission's Mail Order Rule allows the seller 30 days to ship ordered products to the buyer unless otherwise specified at the time of purchase. If the seller cannot ship within the 30 day period, they are required to notify the buyer in writing of the delay, and give the option of waiting, or having their money returned within seven days. Credit card payments must be credited within one billing cycle.