bid-uptv.co.uk > Reviews > TV Auctions at Bid-up. TV

Author's product rating:   

Layout & Design	Excellent
Navigation	Excellent
How fast is this website?	Fast
Quality of the Content	Good
Range of Services / Products	Average

Advantages:	Bid - up shopping is very easy
Disadvantages:	Auctions may prove costly

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I used to be an avid shopper at bid-up.tv because its so easy to buy and the bargains to be had seemed terrific.

The principle is to auction off approximately eight lots per hour, sometimes more if it is a speed auction.

An auctioneer describes the product, usually in glowing terms and great detail and a minimum bid is shown on the tv screen alongside a telephone number to ring to bid on the particular auction showing at the time. When you decide to bid and telephone the number you get through to an automated service which magically remembers your telephone number, enabling you to be called back if your bid is successful. You can also bid on their website, which is preferable because you avoid the 60p per minute telephone charges. On the website you can see the whole day's auctions in advance and decide what or if you want to bid on a particular auction. You need to have made at least one successful bid prior to doing this as you will need a user number and pincode to make a web bid.

As I have never in my life been to a "real" auction, I found telephone bidding extremely exciting when I first did it. The adrenalin was flowing and there was a definite buzz when I secured a lot. Think I would have a heart attack if I went to an actual auction as I got palpitations and nearly passed out with the excitement of it all. Slight exaggeration there but it was very entertaining.

Have been a loyal bid-up watcher since its conception several years ago and it began to lose its edge slightly.

The web auctions can still provide a bit of a thrill and competitive spirit as they do web only auctions which are not screened on tv. There are several different categories to bid on such as clothing, electrical, accessories and jewellery to name but a few.

These auctions give a closing time, mostly either 7.30 am or 1.30 am so early risers and night birds get the advantage of bidding in the last minute or so, thus pipping the competition at the post.

I spotted a rather nice diamond bracelet on one of these web auctions which finished at 7.30 am. It was valued at something ridiculous like £2500, which I didn't believe for an instant as I'm sure their estimates are grossly exaggerated, but decided I would risk a couple of hundred pounds, as they dont mind giving a refund if you change your mind or dont like the lot when it arrives.

Consequently I was glued to my monitor at 7.25 am to make my bid and, would you believe, someone else was also glued to theirs as they pipped me by a pound.

This really got to my nastier side and I was determined not to be beaten and upped the ante by a tenner, only to be pipped again by a pound. This went on to the dot of 7.30 am when the magic words "auction over" flashed across the screen and left me victorous.

I was quite amazed though that there would be someone else as silly as me sitting staring at a screen at that ungodly hour.

I did try the same system on an auction for a similar item which finished at 1.10 a.m., but had a little doze and woke up about five minutes after it had finished, so decided the early mornings were a better bet.

I did at one stage become a total bid-up addict and got hysterial if anyone changed channels, but the fascination is now on the wane as the goods seem to be of a poorer standard in recent weeks and the minimum bids have become higher.

Starting at £249 just doesnt have the same attraction as £1 minimum bid.

I do recommend anyone who has never tried a bid to have a go as it is quite entertaining, but I find the programme to have declined lately, with the auctioneers increasingly sounding desperate when the minimum bid isnt met by the required number of bidders and the price remains stubbornly at the starting price.

A bit of fun if you can afford the occasional bid but I dont think the bargains are what they seem as I have seen a number of the lots selling elsewhere at a lot less than they suggest as the estimated price. In fact one of their favourite items at one time were Cosmopolitan watches which they valued at £80 - £100 depending on style and I saw being flogged off at our local catalogue outlet store for a fiver.

So think very carefully before you decide the bargain is unmissable and have a go at a bid for a bit of light entertainment.

Dont watch with a partner who is equally addicted or they will egg you on to keep bidding and not be beaten at all costs.