Is Bid Cactus a scam

Opinion 1:

BidCactus is not a scam. Penny Auctions aren't regulated yet, but they probably will be at some point.

Unlike any other Penny Auction Site, BidCactus is the only Penny Auction Site to undergo an audit by an independent third party - Ernst & Young. They are also accredited by the Better Business Bureau.

Opinion 2:

Yes, it's a scam as most people understand the Word. You are paying seventy five cents per bid with no guarantees. It may just as well list itself as a gambling site, but even in the unlikely case you "win", you'll have paid more for whatever you bought then you would have at the store!

No Opinion, fact. I just watched a bidding war between two parties. It was for a gift certificate. At a presumed value of $0.70 per bid, with 77 bids and a $2.95 shipping charge, the "winner" just paid $56.85 for a $25.00 certificate. The bidding was not stopped when the retail value was met/exceeded. It was allowed to continue. Two parties were bidding so a total of $110.75 was taken in for a $25 gift certificate. This is a SCAM by definition!

Some factual data:

In the sixty or so days since the BBB accreditation of BidCactus they've a number of complaints, especially when one considers how few a percent of people complain to the BBB out of the total number of people who are upset.

The BBB has listed 19 complaints. These complaints, from the BBB's own site are as follows:

Failure to substantiate charges.

Failure to honor a contract or agreement.

Invalid or false contract.

Unauthorized changes to the contract or agreement.

Failure to provide promised assistance or support for products or services.

Non-delivery of products.

Guarantee or warranty complaints issue.

Sales complaint issue.

Sales presentation misrepresented the service.

Sales presentation used dishonest sales practices.

Delayed completion of service.

Complaints are listed as 13 "resolved" and 6 "administratively closed".

Now with the data, one may draw their own conclusions as to the appropriateness of dealing with BidCactus.