Don't Trust Luxurylink "Proxy Bidding" Function - Rip Off

[harleyvrod57]

I bid on a travel package which was about to end. I was the high bidder at the time but thought there would be alot of bidding activity in the last few minutes before the auction ended. So I entered my highest bid using the proxy bidder. But instead of upping my bid by $1 as the function was suppose to it entered my high bid. The auction closed with me winning but at the highest bid not the actual bid.

I called Luxurylink the next day and spoke to a representative who agreed with me regarding the bid issues and promised to call me back later to settle the auction. Never heard from anyone at Luxurylink. I wondering if they are trying to avoid me now?

Anyone else have a similar issue with the proxy bidding functionality and Luxurylink's slow response to issues?

[kyshel]

I hope you hear from LuxuryLink today. I don't believe they are purposefully cheating you or trying to rip you off. I saw the last 2 bids you placed and I wondered why. It was my understanding that mystery $1 bid auctions are not run on a proxy basis--just manual bids--but I may be mistaken. I haven't bid on one since the new system started. I was considering it, once I saw how low the price was. I really don't have extra time to go between June and Oct, but would have found a way for that deal! I guess the system still has some kinks--surprised you could even place a proxy bid max. I would expect LL to resolve the issue soon. Let us know what happens please.

[Mountie]

harleyvrod57, that's interesting. You we willing to pay up to $957 for the auction package to CR (I think it was for CR), then the when no one else was willing to pay much over $600, your final proxy bid kicked in and you got charged the $957 plus the handling fee (an amount you were originally willing to pay).

Personally, I think the Subject Title you selected is a bit harsh. I guess you decided to use the title to elicit certain reactions from community members. I'm not certain LL has "Ripped You Off" at all. It is more like "you are what a lab rat must feel when the the test results were unanticipated."



If LL make a mistake or their new system did not function correctly, you will likely be "righted" rather than "wronged."



Patience may be required on your part.



Whatever the case, enjoy your discounted trip to CR and share your experience with us here in the community.



Regards,


Message Edited by Mountie on 07-17-2008 03:24 PM

[Mountie]

harleyvrod57..

you may not have fully understood the rules for bidding in the Mystery Auction. You can probably get the issued resloved with a telephone call or two to the main office in LA.



Proxity bidding is not allowed...here is a clarification posting back on 04-07-2008from a LL_Moderator_ks:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------LL_Moderator_ks
Moderator

Message 2 of 14

Viewed 58 times

Hi LL-Travelfan,

The auto-bid feature will work with our regular auctions only. Mystery Auctions will remain the same.

-Katie

04-07-2008 09:42 AM

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Luxury Link Automatic Bidding System How it Works

1. When you place a bid on a Single Auction, you enter the maximum amount you are willing to pay for the item. Your maximum bid amount is kept hidden from other bidders.

2. The Luxury Link Automatic Bidding System places bids on your behalf starting with the next bid increment for the auction. The system will bid only as much as necessary to make sure you remain the high bidder. The system will keep bidding for you until bidding reaches your maximum amount.

3. If another bidder has placed the same bid before you or a higher maximum bid, Luxury Link will send you an email to let you know that you've been outbid so that you can place another bid if you choose. However, if no other bidder has a higher maximum bid at the end of the auction, you win the item even if your last proxy bid doesn't go as high as your maximum bid. You don't have to keep coming back to re-bid every time another bid is placed. And best of all, you may pay far less for the item than your maximum bid amount! (See Example)

Please note only Luxury Link "Single" item auctions feature automatic (proxy) bidding.

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Message Edited by Mountie on 04-17-2008 07:08 AM

[harleyvrod57]

Mountie,

I have included the bidding explaination that was included on the web page for this auction. It clearly states proxy bidding was allowed. Also I have contact Luxurylink concerning this issue by phone and not receive a solution or any communication back from them.


[img]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/dkok/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image001.gif[/img]

How to Bid

3 Easy steps to follow when placing a bid on a Single Auction:
Once you have registered as a Luxury Link member, carefully review the auction package to be sure the travel dates and package inclusions are what you want.Enter the maximum amount you are willing to pay on the auction page and then click on the Place Bid button. A page asking you to confirm your bid will appear. Review and click on the Confirm Bid button.That's it! You will be returned to the auction page showing your bid has been accepted.
You will receive an email confirming your bid. Our Automatic Bidding System will continue to bid on your behalf until your maximum bid has been reached. If another bidder has placed the same bid before you or a higher maximum bid, Luxury Link will send you an email to let you know that you have been outbid so you may place another bid if you choose. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder will be notified by email.

Remember you will never pay more than your maximum bid and you may pay far less!
Harleyvrod57

[travel2fun]

harleyvrod57, I totally disagree with your posting and I think your Subject is completely unwarranted.

I had taken some time to do some research and guessed the Mystery Auction in question here was the same destination being offered as a Best Buy for $999 Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge, Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica basically $170 to $190 @pax @ nite 4 nights.

I tested the bidding waters on April 10 at $153. and was out bid in a matter of two or three minutes. However, I continued to monitor this package right up until I saw your bid of $925. I assumed, like possible many other observing, you knew the property and you wanted it very, very badly, since you could have bought the deal outright on a Best Buy for only $74 more.

You say you have been wronged by LL in this auction!

What about the other 25 or so people who actively engaged in the auction over the five day period and may have been waiting until the end to place their final bid.you now feel you placed an incorrect bid, obviously not understanding the way Mystery Auctions work and many, perhaps most, of their other participating bidders chose not to out bid $925.

The actual bidding range was more in vicinity of $612 maybe upwards of $625 and might have actually sold for no more than $650, if the correct rules were being followed.

I really dont see LL being responsible for YOUR MISTAKE.

It is the other knowledgeable bidders participating in this Mystery Auction who really come up losing in this debacle caused by what you thought you understood, not what you actually understood.

If you want to discuss this further, I would be happy to take it to PM with you!

[harleyvrod57]

I, like it appears, am a fan of Luxurylink. However, your assumption that made a mistake is inaccurate. I did call LL this morning to discuss and find a solution to this matter. During the conversation I pointed out the links on current live Mystery Auctions that state that proxy bidding is available for single auctions. LL acknowledged the erroneous posting of this information and would have programmers "fix" the issue when they arrived at the office for today's work.

LL did work a agreeable solution out with me. I will remain a loyal customer because they did acknowledge the error and were willing to come to some accomodation regarding this issue.

I hope this issue coming to the surface will benefit others going forward. By the way, who is the "DM"??

Harleyvrod57

[harleyvrod57]

By the way, t 2 f, I noticed that the links that were the cause of this issue have been removed from the Mystery Auctions. Enough said!

[omegaet]

harleyvrod57...maybe your received an email from:




Drew Marich

Chief Executive Officer




harleyvrod57 wrote:

I, like it appears, am a fan of Luxurylink. However, your assumption that made a mistake is inaccurate. I did call LL this morning to discuss and find a solution to this matter. During the conversation I pointed out the links on current live Mystery Auctions that state that proxy bidding is available for single auctions. LL acknowledged the erroneous posting of this information and would have programmers "fix" the issue when they arrived at the office for today's work.

LL did work a agreeable solution out with me. I will remain a loyal customer because they did acknowledge the error and were willing to come to some accomodation regarding this issue.

I hope this issue coming to the surface will benefit others going forward. By the way, who is the "DM"??

Harleyvrod57

************************************************** *******

[thepiranha]

Sorry to hear about what happened with your winning bid, but I don't think that Luxury Link intended to "rip you off." I wouldn't be too happy to know that I had spent more money on a package than necessary, but ripping off implies intent, and I'm sure there was no intent on their part. It's really not worth ruining their reputation in the L.L. Community just to make a few hundred dollars. If I were in your situation, I would follow up on your phone call. There is a good chance that they've reviewed the situation and have come to a satisfactory solution. If not, at least you can remind them that you are not happy with what transpired in the auction and they will look into it. The bottom line is that there was a glitch in the bidding procedure and they'll probably iron it out if you pursue it. That will make the L.L. Community a better place for all of us. Happy travels!