I have always been a great believer in TV home shopping, but I have always found that all the channels can be very similar in not only style and presentation, but also in the products that are offered. When Shop! first launched, it was a breath of fresh air for the TV home shopping industry. The presentation was more homely, the presenters seemed more approachable and friendly. But more importantly, the products on offer were far from the usual, mainstream items.
bid-up.tv has taken that concept and evolved and expanded it. On no other channel or web site can anything even close to bid-up.tv be found. The products are totally unique, the presenters not only come across as friendly, funny and knowledgable, but you really can
choose the price you want to pay.
bid-up.tv is just that - an auction on your TV. I have done most of my Christmas shopping from there this year!
Something which seems almost unique to bid-up.tv is the variation within their product range. From children's toys to health and beauty to jewellery, bid-up.tv have always had the product I have required. Their product range doesn't seem to stagnate either. Whereas some shopping channels sell the same products for months on end, I have always found that bid-up.tv always renew and update the products on offer.
Bidding for the products is not only unique, it's also fun. Watching the price rise and hoping that I won't be outbid makes buying the items seem enjoyable and exciting too.
Either through a premium rate phone line, with a different number for each lot, or through the internet site, bidding is also incredibly easy to do. The fact you don't have to register before hand also makes for easier bidding. A few good things about bidding through the web site is that this is free, not 60p/min like the phone numbers are, and you need only bid once. There is a feature on the web site where you enter a maxi-bid i.e. the maximum amount you want to bid to. Your bid is then raised up to this level but not over it until the auction closes. Usually, I have been successful with a bid lower than my maxi-bid!
All the products I have received have always been in excellent condition, as if I had gone into a store and chosen the product myself. The delivery has always been punctual and efficient, but more importantly, every product I have bought from bid-up.tv, I have always saved AT LEAST 50% from the high street price. I recently purchased a print for just £38. Less than a week later, I saw the same print in an art shop for £99. Any breakable items I have ever ordered have always been safely wrapped and transported.
I have had to ring the call centre on two occasions to update my details: The initial automated service doesn't bombard with your with multiple options, it is easy to navigate around. When I had selected that I wanted to speak to a customer service agent, my call was answered within 10 seconds of my being connected. The agents who have assisted me have always had the manner of nothing being too much trouble. I have always found them to be polite, informative and efficient.
The web site is also one of the best shopping web sites I have seen for a long time. Rather than having to keep re-submitting my account details every time I wish to make a purchase, I have only entered them once. This makes buying the items much faster. I am also told by email when I have placed a winning bid - another sign of the efficiency of bid-up.tv. Rather than having to check myself on the web site which products I have successfully bid for, I find out when I read my emails. This not only saves me time, but it also makes checking my emails more enjoyable - by wondering if I'll have a confirmation of my successful bid!
I can't recommend and praise bid-up.tv highly enough. I have never, in the two years plus I have been shopping with them, had any reason to be anything other than happy with every aspect of the service I have received. If you're in two minds as to whether to shop with bid-up.tv or not, my opinion - and that of everyone I have already recommended the channel to - is do it. It really will be the best shopping decision you can ever make.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: There are SOME bargains to be had, mildly entertaining Disadvantages: Can be addictive, You could end up buying things you don't really need.
averagepunter 29.10.2002 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Bid-up.tv
Nov 20th, 2002
(Nov 21st, 2002)
very helpful by (100%):
