DealDash “Free” Wins

Deal Dash gave us all a lovely pre-Easter gift with a week of ‘Free’ wins. We all know that means Deal Dash covers the final cost of the item and the winner only pays 1 penny for a transaction fee plus the cost of the bids used to win. Not a bad deal at all, we can try for an item that in the past was not obtainable, but with such a small final out of pocket cost, why not try.

However, when this generous offer is on the table, common sense and math ability seem to go out the window. I participated in a number of auctions during this ‘free’ week and did not win anything.

Why? I saw many new bidders having joined Deal Dash within the week of ‘free’ wins. They have not had time to learn Bid Buddy or how to join in without jumping on bids. I saw many bidders jumping others with no regard to what the potential cost to them their action may be. When I see one bidders name 5 times on the list of the nine most recent bids, then I know to go away and come back to this auction later.

One example of math ability going out the window, is on a $100 Walmart gift card. These come up frequently so there is no reason to lose your head and use bids like this is the only time this item will ever come up. This auction started on April 5 about 9:50am. As of the writing of this article, the final sales price is up to $189.56 at 7:40am on April 7. There are four bidders using bid buddy so this may go on a while longer.

If we use the lowest cost Deal Dash offers for buying bid packs of $.15 per bid, then if any of the bidders has used over 667 bids they have over-spent on this item. Once this action ends, I will check All Penny Auctions to see how they did.

Overall, when Deal Dash gives us this great opportunity to save money and try to win items we might not otherwise try for, please remember how to add so you do not over-spend. There is no joy in spending bids that cost more than the item you won.