OrangeBidz is featured on PennyAuctionCoupon today. For the next 10 hours or so, you can buy 25 bids at only $7, a discount of 63%. This is a great way to stock up on some bids. In addition, if 55 or more of these get sold, everyone who purchased a bid pack will get 5 additional bonus bids.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Collecting Bids at Penny Auctions
Getting cheap bids at penny auctions is tricky because too many free bids leads a site downhill and makes it much more competitive for the bidders. However, there are plenty of ways in which you can collect bids at penny auctions.
When you are looking to gather bids, you should know that some sites like Quibids distinguish between "real" and "virtual" bids, in which case your strategy should be very different. However, most of the new penny auctions don't work the same way. In these, it is easy to win products and pile up bids.
Before you start bidding on bid packs like crazy, you need to look at the history. I had previously written about how it is easy to win bids at some penny auctions and not others. You need to take a look at the history. For example, one of the penny auctions that I really like, HappyBidDay seems to have a lot of goodies in terms of winning bids - most of the bid auctions end at really low prices. The two latest bid pack auctions I could find ended after 34 bids and 133 bids for 100 bid pack and 150 bid pack, each time ending at less than the total value of the bids (note that auctions here start at $1.00 and not $0.00).
As you can see from the above auctions, the bid packs at this site are really good for the bidders. A good strategy in this case would be to just purchase one bid pack and use it to win more bid packs when the opportunity arises. It is good for beginners because you get 20% off your first bid pack purchase if you use the coupon code HAPPY.
There are other penny auctions in which bid packs can get really competitive. Quibids is one of the sites that has competitive bid packs, which is one of the reasons I don't advise the Quibids bid pack auctions. However, in new penny auctions, the strategies can be quite different and you can pile up a lot of bids. Winning many bid packs is also very good for winning high-end electronics like Laptops or other electronics which are comparatively less competitive at new penny auctions.
When you are looking to gather bids, you should know that some sites like Quibids distinguish between "real" and "virtual" bids, in which case your strategy should be very different. However, most of the new penny auctions don't work the same way. In these, it is easy to win products and pile up bids.
Before you start bidding on bid packs like crazy, you need to look at the history. I had previously written about how it is easy to win bids at some penny auctions and not others. You need to take a look at the history. For example, one of the penny auctions that I really like, HappyBidDay seems to have a lot of goodies in terms of winning bids - most of the bid auctions end at really low prices. The two latest bid pack auctions I could find ended after 34 bids and 133 bids for 100 bid pack and 150 bid pack, each time ending at less than the total value of the bids (note that auctions here start at $1.00 and not $0.00).
As you can see from the above auctions, the bid packs at this site are really good for the bidders. A good strategy in this case would be to just purchase one bid pack and use it to win more bid packs when the opportunity arises. It is good for beginners because you get 20% off your first bid pack purchase if you use the coupon code HAPPY.
There are other penny auctions in which bid packs can get really competitive. Quibids is one of the sites that has competitive bid packs, which is one of the reasons I don't advise the Quibids bid pack auctions. However, in new penny auctions, the strategies can be quite different and you can pile up a lot of bids. Winning many bid packs is also very good for winning high-end electronics like Laptops or other electronics which are comparatively less competitive at new penny auctions.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Balanced View of Penny Auctions
Penny auctions don't get the right or fair treatment from the press. Usually. This is because it is much easier to find the unhappy minority and they make for better news articles. There are countless winners in the penny auction industry that are really good at what they do and stay ahead of the curve at all times. Perhaps penny auctions aren't for everyone.
In any case, it was heartening to see an article about penny auctions in Wall Street Journal which seemed to cover both sides of the story. Sure, the article talks of the bad apples - the ones that use shill bidding but it also talks of how the person referred to in the first sentence could win at penny auctions (after losing money initially, that is).
There are definitely red flags in the industry, which is why there is need for regulation but regulation to the extent of making sure everyone is fair. Like any auction, it is competitive bidding with skills and strategies, and people are free to participate or not. However, penny auctions, especially new penny auctions, need regulation in terms of being ethical.
The article also talks of the Entertainment Auction Association which may not have great success but is certainly on the right track. Many review sites cannot be fully trusted.
Here is another interesting tidbit from the article - there are 165 penny auctions in the US currently, according to Technology Briefing Centers so now you know how many penny auctions there are!
In any case, it was heartening to see an article about penny auctions in Wall Street Journal which seemed to cover both sides of the story. Sure, the article talks of the bad apples - the ones that use shill bidding but it also talks of how the person referred to in the first sentence could win at penny auctions (after losing money initially, that is).
There are definitely red flags in the industry, which is why there is need for regulation but regulation to the extent of making sure everyone is fair. Like any auction, it is competitive bidding with skills and strategies, and people are free to participate or not. However, penny auctions, especially new penny auctions, need regulation in terms of being ethical.
The article also talks of the Entertainment Auction Association which may not have great success but is certainly on the right track. Many review sites cannot be fully trusted.
Here is another interesting tidbit from the article - there are 165 penny auctions in the US currently, according to Technology Briefing Centers so now you know how many penny auctions there are!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
RockDawg on PennyAuctionCoupon
RockDawg is again featured on PennyAuctionCoupon. This time, you get 25 bid bones for just $5, an incredible $0.20/bid - a huge saving for all bidders. RockDawg runs auctions which are not traditionally penny auctions but really interesting nonetheless. If you hit a 'magic number' chosen at random, you win. This auction model means you can cut your losses while hunting for great deals. You can know more about it by reading my interview with Diane of RockDawg.
Amazon Gift Cards Deals: The Best In the Industry
Penny auctions are well known for great deals on products, but not every penny auction is well suited for all kinds of products. For example, Quibids is really good for some high-end products, vacation packages, etc. So where do you find Amazon Gift Card Deals?
I like Amazon gift cards because Amazon has a million products that you can buy and you are thus not restricted to only certain items that are auctioned off in the penny auctions. This is why I really like to look for Amazon gift card deals and I found HappyBidDay to be the best of all.
Here is why: The Amazon gift card auctions here end really cheap, even during the most competitive times. The best thing is, these gift cards are bundled together with several free bids and in most cases, the number of free bids is more than the bids that you spend winning the product! This is crazy because you get more bids than you started off with while also getting a great Amazon gift card.
Here are some of the latest auctions at HappyBidDay - notice that these are on a Friday night, one of the most competitive times for any penny auction. Also note that the auctions start at $1.00 and not $0.00 like other penny auctions.
The auctions ended after 15, 15, 8 bids only. And there are 50, 75 and 50 free bids with these auctions. They are really low in competition and something every penny auction bidder should try out. You can keep collecting a lot of bids on these Amazon gift card auctions which help you win even more of these (note that electronics are still competitive, so you should stick with Amazon gift cards). Also, for a limited time, HappyBidDay is having a promotional discount on their bids, so do check that out as well.
I like Amazon gift cards because Amazon has a million products that you can buy and you are thus not restricted to only certain items that are auctioned off in the penny auctions. This is why I really like to look for Amazon gift card deals and I found HappyBidDay to be the best of all.
Here is why: The Amazon gift card auctions here end really cheap, even during the most competitive times. The best thing is, these gift cards are bundled together with several free bids and in most cases, the number of free bids is more than the bids that you spend winning the product! This is crazy because you get more bids than you started off with while also getting a great Amazon gift card.
Here are some of the latest auctions at HappyBidDay - notice that these are on a Friday night, one of the most competitive times for any penny auction. Also note that the auctions start at $1.00 and not $0.00 like other penny auctions.
The auctions ended after 15, 15, 8 bids only. And there are 50, 75 and 50 free bids with these auctions. They are really low in competition and something every penny auction bidder should try out. You can keep collecting a lot of bids on these Amazon gift card auctions which help you win even more of these (note that electronics are still competitive, so you should stick with Amazon gift cards). Also, for a limited time, HappyBidDay is having a promotional discount on their bids, so do check that out as well.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
50% Extra Bids: An Amazing Deal - CashArena Coupon Code
CashArena is a new penny auction that has taken the small world of penny auctions quite by storm because instead of auctioning off products like most penny auctions do, CashArena auctions only pure cash. The site is extremely well made and is very different from all other penny auction sites. In addition, they have a number of other ways in which you can win (e.g. Coloritas at their site).
For a limited time, CashArena has a great promotion to new members - 50% free bids! I didn't find any coupon code for the site, so it is a big deal. The CashArena coupon code is SIDBLOG. You can use it the first time you buy bids and get 50% free bids at CashArena. This will drastically reduce the overall price you spend for the bids (you can mail them the coupon code or just contact support to redeem it)
If you are interested, you can read my interview with Hilary of CashArena to know more about the site and the business. Check out CashArena for a totally different penny auction experience.
For a limited time, CashArena has a great promotion to new members - 50% free bids! I didn't find any coupon code for the site, so it is a big deal. The CashArena coupon code is SIDBLOG. You can use it the first time you buy bids and get 50% free bids at CashArena. This will drastically reduce the overall price you spend for the bids (you can mail them the coupon code or just contact support to redeem it)
If you are interested, you can read my interview with Hilary of CashArena to know more about the site and the business. Check out CashArena for a totally different penny auction experience.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Bid Back Madness is back at HappyBidDay
The hugely popular bid back madness is back at HappyBidDay! It is only for a week, from August 17th to 23rd. During this time, every single bid that you place in an auction will be returned to you as a Happy Bid, which can then be used on any happy auction. This is a great rewards program where your chances of winning are literally doubled. Even personally I've had great success with their bid back madness (pity it doesn't last forever!) You get the bids in your account as soon as the auction gets over.
Anyway, if you are interested, check out HappyBidDay. If you are not yet a member, you can Register Here (coupon included) to get 20% off your first bid pack purchase, which is a great saving.
Anyway, if you are interested, check out HappyBidDay. If you are not yet a member, you can Register Here (coupon included) to get 20% off your first bid pack purchase, which is a great saving.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
An Interesting Promotion at OrangeBidz
Today OrangeBidz has announced an interesting promotion. Only today (August 14th 2011) every 100 bid pack you buy, you will automatically get 100 extra bids! These extra bids should be used within midnight of today. You can use them on any auction though, but it should be today. In addition, you can buy multiple bid packs of 100 and you will get these extra bids multiple times (just be sure to use them all before midnight).
Friday, August 12, 2011
Interview with Hilary of CashArena
This is my interview with Hilary St Jonn, the Marketing Manager of CashArena. CashArena is a new penny auction that, like its name suggests, auctions cash instead of products. In addition, they have a number of other exciting features that lets you win on the site. The business is operated in Europe and North America and the owners have a good deal of entrepreneurial experience, which always helps to keep a company afloat.
The site is already very attractive and well designed, and not one of those hastily put together scripts showing how serious they are about the business. Its global scope is also an interesting aspect. Here is the interview, and I hope you enjoy it. I would always love to hear from my readers, so if you have questions or suggestions, do drop me a line.
Sid: CashArena seems unique in offering money instead of products. Why would bidders be attracted to this?
Hilary: Well, first off you can spend cash anywhere. It isn’t a special product or a gift card you can only spend at one store. We like this because it gives users the flexibility to bid on any auction and then use the money for what they want to.
Sid: Will you have any products or just pure cash even in the future?
Hilary: With “Cash” in our name, we don’t have any plans to introduce products. :)
Sid: Do you plan to stick with the traditional penny auction model or are you looking into other models like unique lowest bid or the 'secret price' auctions?
Hilary: Our model already goes beyond the traditional penny auction model with our unique mini games played with the Coloritas earned in the auctions. There is a weekly Lowest Unique Game where the lowest unique bids win, and the Reward games where users can convert the Coloritas to cash or more bids.
Sid: Apart from the products offered, how is CashArena different from other penny auctions?
Hilary: Well, our mini games and the chance to earn Coloritas are completely unique and never before seen.
Sid: Tell us something about your rewards program and Coloritas.
Hilary: As users bids, the Colorita on the auction will spin faster and faster until it is released to a random bidder. Bidders can then save up their Coloritas and use them to convert for bids or cash in the Reward Games or in the Lowest Unique game, with a prize of $1000. The Reward Games are completely unique as the reward in each level continues to grow as users bid during the auction day. When a level is converted, that level resets and starts to grow again. There is a strategy on converting the level as you don’t want to convert it too soon, but if you wait too long, someone else may convert it and you may loose your chance and a pile of bids or cash!
Sid: With so many penny auctions opening up, do you see the penny auction industry growing or stagnating in the future?
Hilary: I don’t think it will grow or stagnate, but instead users will demand higher quality from the penny auctions they participate in. This is not only fast shipping but also superb customer service.
Sid: Where do you think penny auctions are more popular, North America or Europe?
Hilary: It is hard to say, as they are completely different markets. North America is easier to start in because it is the same language, similar currencies (and only two), so it is a great place to see if your penny auction is a success.
Sid: Why do you think many penny auctions fail to take off and then close shop?
Hilary: I think a lot of penny auctions don’t plan properly. They put all their money and resources into the start up and don’t consider the money and resources needed in order to keep the auction running. They also may not have a marketing budget, and without enough users a penny auction can go out of business very quickly.
Sid: What attracted you to the penny auction model? Are you targeting any particular market segment?
Hilary: We really wanted to bring something completely new to an already existing market. With CashArena.com, that is exactly what we are doing! Right now we are focusing on North American but hope to expand soon.
Sid: Which countries do you operate in? Do you plan to expand in the future?
Hilary: We are worldwide, but our opening hours are targeted towards North America. We do hope to operate 24/7 in the near future.
Sid: Are there any additional features you are planning for the short and long terms?
Hilary: Yes, we do plan to add more payment and withdrawal options as well as more unique mini games for users to play with their Coloritas.
Sid: How long has CashArena been running for?
Hilary: CashArena.com has been online since June 2011, and has been live since August 2011.
Sid: If you had to name just one feature that separates you from all the competition, what would it be?
Hilary: Coloritas!
Sid: Tell us more about CashArena and CoMoGo. How big is your team?
Hilary: CoMoGa is an international corporation with offices in Canada and Europe. There are about 20 members in the entire CoMoGa team, 9 of them are dedicated only to CashArena.com.
Sid: Do you have experience starting companies in the past?
Hilary: Yes, this is CoMoGa’s third start up. And most of the leading team members in CashArena.com have first hand experience working with successful start up companies.
Sid: Any future goals for CashArena you would like to share?
Hilary: We are always aiming to improve CashArena.com and actively look to our users for feedback.
The site is already very attractive and well designed, and not one of those hastily put together scripts showing how serious they are about the business. Its global scope is also an interesting aspect. Here is the interview, and I hope you enjoy it. I would always love to hear from my readers, so if you have questions or suggestions, do drop me a line.
Sid: CashArena seems unique in offering money instead of products. Why would bidders be attracted to this?
Hilary: Well, first off you can spend cash anywhere. It isn’t a special product or a gift card you can only spend at one store. We like this because it gives users the flexibility to bid on any auction and then use the money for what they want to.
Sid: Will you have any products or just pure cash even in the future?
Hilary: With “Cash” in our name, we don’t have any plans to introduce products. :)
Sid: Do you plan to stick with the traditional penny auction model or are you looking into other models like unique lowest bid or the 'secret price' auctions?
Hilary: Our model already goes beyond the traditional penny auction model with our unique mini games played with the Coloritas earned in the auctions. There is a weekly Lowest Unique Game where the lowest unique bids win, and the Reward games where users can convert the Coloritas to cash or more bids.
Sid: Apart from the products offered, how is CashArena different from other penny auctions?
Hilary: Well, our mini games and the chance to earn Coloritas are completely unique and never before seen.
Sid: Tell us something about your rewards program and Coloritas.
Hilary: As users bids, the Colorita on the auction will spin faster and faster until it is released to a random bidder. Bidders can then save up their Coloritas and use them to convert for bids or cash in the Reward Games or in the Lowest Unique game, with a prize of $1000. The Reward Games are completely unique as the reward in each level continues to grow as users bid during the auction day. When a level is converted, that level resets and starts to grow again. There is a strategy on converting the level as you don’t want to convert it too soon, but if you wait too long, someone else may convert it and you may loose your chance and a pile of bids or cash!
Sid: With so many penny auctions opening up, do you see the penny auction industry growing or stagnating in the future?
Hilary: I don’t think it will grow or stagnate, but instead users will demand higher quality from the penny auctions they participate in. This is not only fast shipping but also superb customer service.
Sid: Where do you think penny auctions are more popular, North America or Europe?
Hilary: It is hard to say, as they are completely different markets. North America is easier to start in because it is the same language, similar currencies (and only two), so it is a great place to see if your penny auction is a success.
Sid: Why do you think many penny auctions fail to take off and then close shop?
Hilary: I think a lot of penny auctions don’t plan properly. They put all their money and resources into the start up and don’t consider the money and resources needed in order to keep the auction running. They also may not have a marketing budget, and without enough users a penny auction can go out of business very quickly.
Sid: What attracted you to the penny auction model? Are you targeting any particular market segment?
Hilary: We really wanted to bring something completely new to an already existing market. With CashArena.com, that is exactly what we are doing! Right now we are focusing on North American but hope to expand soon.
Sid: Which countries do you operate in? Do you plan to expand in the future?
Hilary: We are worldwide, but our opening hours are targeted towards North America. We do hope to operate 24/7 in the near future.
Sid: Are there any additional features you are planning for the short and long terms?
Hilary: Yes, we do plan to add more payment and withdrawal options as well as more unique mini games for users to play with their Coloritas.
Sid: How long has CashArena been running for?
Hilary: CashArena.com has been online since June 2011, and has been live since August 2011.
Sid: If you had to name just one feature that separates you from all the competition, what would it be?
Hilary: Coloritas!
Sid: Tell us more about CashArena and CoMoGo. How big is your team?
Hilary: CoMoGa is an international corporation with offices in Canada and Europe. There are about 20 members in the entire CoMoGa team, 9 of them are dedicated only to CashArena.com.
Sid: Do you have experience starting companies in the past?
Hilary: Yes, this is CoMoGa’s third start up. And most of the leading team members in CashArena.com have first hand experience working with successful start up companies.
Sid: Any future goals for CashArena you would like to share?
Hilary: We are always aiming to improve CashArena.com and actively look to our users for feedback.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
HappyBidDay Rewards Program: 150 Free Bids!
HappyBidDay is having a huge rewards program this week, giving 150 free happy bids for every day you log into your account! These bids can be used on special happy auctions on the site. With so many bids, you will never feel short of bids and can just employ the penny auction strategies you want to use.
In addition, for those who are not yet a member, for a limited time, you can Register Here to get 20% off your first bid pack purchase. This is a significant amount of saving, especially if you can get the bigger bid packs and want to stay on the site for long.
In addition, for those who are not yet a member, for a limited time, you can Register Here to get 20% off your first bid pack purchase. This is a significant amount of saving, especially if you can get the bigger bid packs and want to stay on the site for long.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)