Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/26/2023

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Auto auction ending date 1/24/23 purchase of a ***** van 2012 that was described at start of the auction as having a key ,starting and driveing claimed by auction house I won the auction and at close my account was immediately suspended but was still invoiced for payment. So the next day during vehicle pick up I went to the tow yard and paid my invoice in full so I may receive the key and papper work. After recovering the key I attempted to start the vehicle.witch it did not start due to dead battery,I attempted to jump start the car several times to no success I then approached the auctioneer and made them aware that the vehilce they claimed started and drove did infact none of those things they then claimed it started the day before just fine.witch infact was a lie because the battery was completely done and would have been impossible to have started any time recently.i understand that the auction is a buy as is and that is fine except for the fact that.false statements about the vehicle were made to attract bidders to bid on the vehicles witch is an unfair business practice to falsely advertise items knowing that once a bid is placed the item must be purchased as is with no liability. That itself is tricking customers into a trap to buy vehicles that infact do not work but are told that they do and Im sure this has been done alot more times then to myself.i received no answer from the company when I addressed the issue and it states on my invoice I'm purchasing a ***** van that has a key runs and drives witch infact it has only a key nothing further this is false advertising and entrapment and I'd like the issue addressed

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/06/2023

  Have still yet to receive any response from the company regarding why my account was suspended.It was suspended immediately at the end of the auction before I went to pick up the vehicle.so it's not due to my complaint as I was already suspended before even arriving to vehicle pick up.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/13/2023

  Better Business Bureau
  
  ATTN: ***** ****** & Matt ******
  
  
  
  Re: Case # ********* Matt ******
  
  
  
  Mr. ******,
  
  I write on behalf of *** ********* *** ******** ***** **** *** ******** HiBid.com. We are in receipt of Mr. ******' complaint dated January 26, 2023. We have investigated this matter with the utmost diligence and would like to inform Mr. ****** that *** is not the correct party to contact regarding the issues detailed in the complaint as his desired resolution can only e provided by the auctioneer.
  
  Based on the facts detailed in Mr. ******' complaint, he is unsatisfied with the way an auction in which he participated was conducted. *** does not conduct auctions and does not participate in the transaction process. *** is a platform and does not control the conduct of auctioneers. More information may be found online ** ******************************
  
  The auctioneer referenced in the complaint is not a *** employee, affiliate or brand. The complaint details actions that are directly related to that company, not *** or HiBid. We therefore, cannot offer the desired resolution requested. We urge Mr. ****** to contact the auctioneer to resolve his complaint as they are the correct party to contact based on the allegations in his complaint.
  
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  /s/ Kseniya ********
  
  Kseniya ********
  
  Staff Attorney
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/16/2022

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  *********** operates a live auction platform (HiBid) that allows various auction houses to sell items in an online auction format. One of their customers - **** ******** ******** - knowingly sells counterfeit coins which is in violation of the Seller Terms published by AuctionFlex. **** ******** ******** also falsely advertises auction items through image alteration (photoshopping) to hide defects in genuine coins. This is also against the Seller Terms published by *********** on the HiBid website. I contacted *********** and asked how to file a complaint. I received one email in response asking me for the name of the auction house and description of the issue. I provided all the details proving the sale of counterfeit coins along with the selling auction house. I have never received a response in return, follow-up emails remain unanswered. *********** has been provided indisputable evidence that counterfeit sales occur on their platform and seemingly condone the sale of counterfeit coins by ignoring my inquiry. It is illegal to both sell and publish counterfeit coins and *********** continues to allow a known counterfeit seller - **** ******** ******** - to use their platform for such purposes.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 12/25/2022

  Better Business Bureau
  
  ATTN: Mr. *****
  
  
  
  Re: Case # *********
  
  
  
  Mr. *****,
  
  I write on behalf of 402 Ventures, LLC ("402"), which owns and operates HiBid.com and AuctionFlex. We are in receipt of Mr. *****'s complaint dated December 16, 2022. We would like to inform Mr. ***** that his complaint will be reviewed consistent with our complaints process.
  
  Mr. ***** accepted the Bidder User Terms ("Terms") when he registered to bid on the platform. As stated in the Terms, 402 is not the owner, seller, or auctioneer of the listed items. Furthermore, bidding is conducted at the bidder's own risk, and any resulting transactions are solely between the bidder and the seller. 402 does not supervise, direct or control sellers. The bidder understands and warrants that 402 will not be liable for the listed items that the bidder bids on, the acts or omissions of the sellers, or any proposed or completed transactions between the bidder and the seller.
  
  Mr. *****'s complaint indicates that this is a matter strictly between the buyer and auctioneer referenced in Mr. *****'s complaint. As such, Mr. ***** will need to direct his communication and the issues raised in his complaint to the auctioneer if he has not done so already. Because this is a claim between the auctioneer and buyer, pursuant to 402's Terms & Conditions and the Bidder User Terms, this matter will need to be resolved between the auctioneer and the bidder.
  
  We urge Mr. ***** to take this matter up with the auctioneer referenced in the complaint.
  
  Sincerely,
  ******* ********
  
  Staff Attorney
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/27/2022

  (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
  
  I am taking the monetary path up with the auctioneer, obviously my BBB complaint does not ask for a refund from HiBid.
  
  
  
  As the complaint clearly indicates, you have a customer/auctioneer that is violating the Seller User Terms. This has nothing to do with Bidder User Terms. This complaint is an attempt to get HiBid to act against that auctioneer to prevent them from defrauding future bidders. The 28 published BBB complaints against the auctioneer (**** ******** ********) indicate this fraudulent misrepresentation has been occurring on the HiBid platform for some time and is likely to continue unabated.
  
  
  
  Through multiple emails and finally the BBB, I provided HiBid many examples of fraudulent misrepresentation of auction items through image alteration - what was listed versus what was received. I can provide another 7 examples of manipulation which equates to over 10% of the coins I purchased in total from this auctioneer. All examples contain undeniable evidence of image alteration that greatly impact the actual value of the item sold. This is against your posted Seller User Terms on item representation. I also provided definitive proof of a counterfeit coin with image alteration to hide evidence of the coin being a counterfeit (exposed lead core). Selling counterfeits is also against published Seller User Terms.
  
  
  
  I question what HiBId's internal complaint process might be. My initial email requesting information on how to file a complaint was answered within 30 minutes. The subsequent emails offering all the evidence remain ignored after a 2 week period. The BBB appears to be the only forum that will get a response from HiBId.
  
  
  
  At the very least, this BBB complaint is in the public record. If HiBid continues to allow **** ******** ******** to misrepresent listings and/or sell counterfeits, there is now documented evidence that HiBid was advised of such and declined to mitigate the issues from occurring on their platform.
  

  

  Business Response

  Date: 01/06/2023

  01/06/2023
  
  
  
  Better Business Bureau
  
  ATTN: Mr. *****
  
  
  
  Re: Case # *********
  
  
  
  Mr. *****,
  
  I write on behalf of 402 Ventures, LLC ("402"), which owns and operates HiBid.com and AuctionFlex. We are in receipt of Mr. *****'s follow-up complaint dated December 27, 2022. Mr. ***** has indicated in his follow-up complaint that he has resolved the issues raised in his initial complaint with the auctioneer. Accordingly, we are considering this matter closed.
  
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  /s/ ******* ********
  
  ******* ********
  
  Staff Attorney
  
  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/07/2023

  (The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.)
  
  Nowhere in my response did I state the matter was resolved with **** ******** ********. In fact, the matter is far from resolved. It may behoove you to reread the entire complaint prior to misstating the facts to fit your narrative. The mere fact that HiBid refuses to discuss any mitigation efforts speaks volumes.
  
  
  
  It is glaringly obvious that nothing will be done to halt this fraudulent behavior. **** ******** ******** continues to violate HiBid's published Seller Terms (unless they were conveniently changed) and platform bidders continue to be defrauded.
  
  
  
  Out of the first 100 items in the January 5th thru 8th 2023 auction, the following 25 items show signs of image alteration via image forensics software analysis. If that percentage holds true thru the entire 2700 lots up for auction, that is 675 bidders who bought items that were misrepresented. All I can say is WOW, well done.
  
  
  
  LOT # : 102411 - 1921 SILVER PEACE DOLLAR UNCIRCULATED
  
  LOT # : 102412 - 1835 CAPPED BUST HALF DIME NICELY CIRCULATED
  
  LOT # : 102413 - 1896-S MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR NICELY CIRCULATED
  
  LOT # : 102415 - 1898-S MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR UNCIRCULATED
  
  LOT # : 102416 - 1859-S SEATED LIBERTY HALF DOLLAR NICELY
  
  LOT # : 102419 - 1883-S MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR CLOSELY UNCIRCULATED
  
  LOT # : 102423 - 1927-S SILVER PEACE DOLLAR UNCIRCULATED
  
  LOT # : 102427 - 1836 CAPPED BUST HALF DOLLAR CLOSELY UNCIRCULATED
  
  LOT # : 102428 - 1878 MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR UNCIRCULATED
  
  LOT # : 102430 - 1873-S $20 GOLD DOUBLE EAGLE CLOSELY UNCIRCULATED
  
  LOT # : 102432 - 1806 CAPPED BUST HALF DOLLAR HIGH GRADE
  
  LOT # : 102433 - 1923 SILVER PEACE DOLLAR UNCIRCULATED
  
  LOT # : 102437 - 1895 MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR CLOSELY UNCIRCULATED
  
  LOT # : 102439 - 1890-CC MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR CLOSELY UNCIRCULATED
  
  LOT # : 102441 - 1884-S MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR CLOSELY UNCIRCULATED
  
  LOT # : 102443 - 1884-S MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR CLOSELY UNCIRCULATED
  
  LOT # : 102448 - 1821 CAPPED BUST QUARTER LIGHTLY CIRCULATED
  
  LOT # : 102449 - 1900 MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR UNCIRCULATED
  
  LOT # : 102451 - 1878 8TF MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR ABOUT UNCIRCULATED
  
  LOT # : 102453 - 1893-CC MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR NICELY CIRCULATED
  
  LOT # : 102455 - 1880-O MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR UNCIRCULATED
  
  LOT # : 102459 - 1885 MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR UNCIRCULATED
  
  LOT # : 102460 - 1892-S $20 GOLD DOUBLE EAGLE UNCIRCULATED
  
  LOT # : 102463 - 1893 MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR CLOSELY UNCIRCULATED
  
  LOT # : 102464 - 1855-O ARROWS SEATED LIBERTY HALF DOLLAR CLOSELY
  
  
  
  I'll accept your response so this gets published and others can make an educated decision on whether HiBid protects them from unethical sellers.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/27/2022

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  This business is an online platform that allows buyers to attend auctions and estate sales
  through their site. The site has allowed independent auction houses to leave false and
  negative feedback against me without any clarification from me or request for clarification.
  Their platform has allowed false claims and untrue representation to be view, presented and
  disseminated to any and every business that utilize this site without any due process and
  claims no responsibility for what is entered by each merchant that utilized their site. The claims are by ********************** and ***********, which are merchants on their site. I have
  reached out to them to advise them of the false statements and to correct what has been
  published by each merchant on their site, and the only response is that they cannot see the
  comments or intervene but they allow defamation comments to be publicized through their
  medium.
  

  

  Business Response

  Date: 12/09/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 8, 2022/11/13) */
  Better Business Bureau
  Mr. ********
  
  Re: Case # *********/*********
  Mr. ********,
  I write on behalf of ***************** ("***"), which owns and operates HiBid.com. We are in receipt of Mr. ********** complaint dated October 27, 2022. We would like to inform Mr. ******** that we have investigated his claims with uppermost diligence and we thank Mr. ******** for bringing this matter to our attention.
  Mr. ******** desired resolution is to advise us of the feedback that has been provided by other auctioneers. We have taken his feedback into consideration and passed it along to our customer service representatives. We again thank Mr. ******** for bringing this to our attention and are considering this matter closed due to it being a customer service issue which will be addressed by our customer service representatives.
  
  
  Consumer Response /* (2000, 13, 2022/11/14) */
  (The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.)
  Thank you for taking the time to review my situation. I like your product and wish to continue to be a user of your site and services.
  
  Thank you.