
Launched in late 2011, UBIDUGO.com, a travel penny auction site, was founded to "address the growing desire among travel aficionados to gain greater control over the costs of exclusive travel packages." Since they've launched, hundreds of consumers have snagged amazing deals on travel packages, travel accessories, hot electronics, and cheap gift cards.
We recently had an opportunity to interview Irving Weisselberger, CEO of UBIDUGO.com. We asked him questions about the travel penny auction model, what sets his site above the rest, and if people really do win vacations for mere pennies. Read on to discover more!
PennyBurners: Obviously UBIDUGO sets itself apart from the other entertainment auctions by also auctioning travel/vacation packages. What would you say to the skeptics, who see that an auction for a 7- Day Eastern Caribbean on the Norwegian Epic recently sold for only $.40?
UBIDUGO: We expect that we are going to have some losses. Some auctions will go for more and some will go for less. At the end of day, it is all part of the growth process. We expect it. Many of our travel winners have already won and taken their vacations and have posted their feedback on our website.
PennyBurners: You've auctioned several cruises and vacation packages since UBIDUGO opened, many of which went for "dirt cheap". Have you received any feedback on these auctions from the happy customers?
UBIDUGO: Feel free to check out our testimonial page on UBIDUGO.com. Here is what just one customer had to say, “I *LOVE* Ubidugo! What's not to love? I get to do my two favorite things: Bid on Penny Auctions and travel at discounted prices. What's even better is if I don't win, I can use the credit for the bids used to book hotel rooms which I occasionally need to do. I won a two day trip to Orlando with tickets to Universal Studios. We checked in to the hotel without a hitch and the tickets were waiting for us at the gate. Thank you UBIDUGO! You are now my favorite auction site.” - JFR
PennyBurners: Here's the question everyone is wondering: How are you able to offer these amazing travel packages and stay in business?
UBIDUGO: UBIDUGO is well funded. It is only in the beginning stages, and our marketing is continually expanding.
PennyBurners: Now, you don't offer only vacation and travel packages. What else does UBIDUGO have to offer those who are seeking to snag a great deal online?
UBIDUGO: We offer all kinds of travel related products, such as Kindles, digital cameras, GPS navigation systems, iTunes gift cards, designer accessories, luggage, and much more.
PennyBurners: Your site says that there are NEVER any "losing" bids in your auctions. Can you explain how this works and why it's a prized feature for your members?
UBIDUGO: Any bids you make at UBIDUGO that don't win automatically get awarded back to you as travel points, which you can use to book airfare, hotels, car rentals, and tours through our booking solution. It's a prized feature for our members because it is a win-win!
PennyBurners: We notice that you have a "Book Now, Travel Today" section on UBIDUGO.com. Can you tell our readers a little more about that feature?
UBIDUGO: Our “Book Now, Travel Today” section is a booking engine much like Travelocity and other well-known booking engines. You can use our booking engine to reserve hotels, airfare, rental cars, and tours. The perk we offer that is different from other booking engines is that money you have used toward auctions on UBIDUGO that you did not win can be used toward your purchase on our booking engine. Again, that is why there are NEVER any “losing” bids on UBIDUGO.
PennyBurners: Now, down to the nitty gritty: How much do your bids cost, do you offer any free bids upon registration, and are there any promos running currently?
UBIDUGO: Each bid costs $0.60 and we grant each customer 5 free bids upon registration. Coupon code issuing happens only on special occasions. However, we have a great USB bracelet that you can bid on that comes preloaded with a coupon code for a surprise percentage of savings at UBIDUGO.
PennyBurners: Is there anything different about your auctions and format that a veteran bidder should note?
UBIDUGO: The functionality of UBIDUGO is the same as everyone else. However, we offer a booking solution that allows you to put the money from any of your losing bids toward a reservation. Also, we are the only ones doing travel 24/7.
PennyBurners: What sets UBIDUGO apart form other entertainment auction sites?
UBIDUGO: Our single goal is to see everyone travel and enjoying themselves. We are unique in that we only focus on travel.
PennyBurners: Can you tell us a bit more about the team behind UBIDUGO?
UBIDUGO: The team at UBIDUGO is comprised of a hybrid of new and old businessmen. UBIDUGO is surrounded with advisers in the travel and penny auction industry.
PennyBurners: What would you count as your most memorable moment in the entertainment auction industry?
UBIDUGO: I would count November 24, 2011 as my most memorable day thus far in the entertainment auction industry. This was the day we ran our first auctions.
PennyBurners: Any word of advice for aspiring site owners?
UBIDUGO: Customer loyalty should be your number one goal. Making customers happy should be the priority of the business.
PennyBurners: Where do you see the industry a year from now, and why?
UBIDUGO: We will continue growing, especially now that we have a win-win solution. With our added travel component to a new and already exciting industry, we are bound to see growth.
PennyBurners: Thanks for taking the time to interview with the PennyBurners Team, Irving! Is there anything else you'd like to let our readers know?
UBIDUGO: There is much more to come. We continually add new and exciting products, so be sure to stay tuned!
Have you bid at UBIDUGO? Were you a lucky winner of a vacation to the Caribbean or Disney World? Do you have reviews and feedback to share?
Visit the UBIDUGO Sub-Forum on the PennyBurners Penny Auction Forum to stay up-to-date on the latest UBIDUGO and Penny Auction News!

Over the weekend, we learned some good news, and some not-so-good news regarding NailBidder.com, one of the older, most stable penny auction sites in the industry. First, the good news!
NailBidder.com is proud to announce it has been acquired by Penny Auction Solutions, a Nevada corporation. With this acquisition will come some VERY exciting changes for all of our members! As with all changes there is always some growing pains, however in our case Rusty is still in charge and will remain the BOSS of NailBidder.com! There will be no loss of his excellent customer service and/or support staff. We look forward to growing and making us the #1 penny auction site in the world! For more information on Penny Auction Solutions, please visit their corporate website: www.pennyauctionsolutions.com.
We wish both NailBidder and Penny Auction Solutions our very best in their new venture. We have contacted "Rusty" for more information on this acquisition, so for the most up-to-date news, check back in with PennyBurners regularly!
Now, on to the not-so-good news...
We are saddened to inform of the passing of Rusty's grandfather yesterday morning at the young age of 98. Unfortunately, NailBidder will be closed this week and will reopen Wednesday, May 16th while Rusty and staff pay their respects.
We were very sad to hear the news of "Grandpa Rusty's" passing. Over the past two years, we've had the privilege of hearing many wonderful stories about "Grandpa Rusty" and we know that the NailBidder Team will miss him dearly. Our thoughts and prayers are with Rusty and his family during this difficult time, and we wish them peace and joy in the coming weeks and months.
If you have feedback for NailBidder, wish to discuss the acquisition, or would like to leave condolences for Rusty, please visit the NailBidder Penny Auction Forum on PennyBurners.
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