BidSauce.com, the self-proclaimed "#1 Online Penny Auction", is a YEAR BEHIND on some shipments to previous auction winners.

We have recently received emails from several very upset bidders who are owed won items dating back to a year ago! This is, apparently, normal for BidSauce customers, as we’ve received reports in the past of customers not receiving wins for upwards of 3 months after the time they won the auction(s). However, we have received reports from other customers who have received wins in a timely manner (less than a week), and from others who have stated that BidSauce may be slow to ship, but they eventually do ship.

Unfortunately for BidSauce, one out of three isn't not good enough. According to the FTC’s Prompt Delivery Rules for internet sales, BidSauce could be in hot water for their untimely shipping methods.

From the FTC's website:

Complying With The Rule

By law, you must have a reasonable basis for stating that a product can be shipped within a certain time. If your advertising doesn't clearly and prominently state the shipment period, you must have a reasonable basis for believing that you can ship within 30 days.

If you can't ship within the promised time (or within 30 days if you made no promise), you must notify the customer of the delay, provide a revised shipment date and explain his right to cancel and get a full and prompt refund.

For definite delays of up to 30 days, you may treat the customer's silence as agreeing to the delay. But for longer or indefinite delays - and second and subsequent delays - you must get the customer's written, electronic or verbal consent to the delay. If the customer doesn't give you his okay, you must promptly refund all the money the customer paid you without being asked by the customer.

Finally, you have the right to cancel orders that you can't fill in a timely manner, but you must promptly notify the customer of your decision and make a prompt refund.

BidSauce is clearly much more behind than 30 days in regards to several of their customers. This is not acceptable.

According to the FTC’s Mail and Telephone Order Merchandise Rule, which applies to "most goods a customer orders from the seller by mail, telephone, fax, or on the Internet," sites that are slow to ship could face penalties of up to $16,000 per violation:

Why You Should Comply with the Rule

Merchants who violate the Rule can be sued by the FTC for injunctive relief, monetary civil penalties of up to $16,000 per violation (any time during the five years preceding the filing of the complaint), and consumer redress (any time during the three years preceding the filing of the complaint). When the mails are involved, the Postal Service also has authority to take action for problems such as non-delivery. State law enforcement agencies can take action for violating state consumer protection laws.

Apart from this, your failure to ship on time, or your failure to notify your customers promptly about delays and to obtain their consent to the delays, or your failure to make full and prompt refunds when your customers do not consent to delayed shipment, can adversely affect your business by discouraging repeat purchases. Accordingly, most businesses regard compliance with the Rule as simply good business practice.

BdSauce has also earned poor reviews at PennyAuctionScore for their delayed shipping and poor customer service.

Thankfully, most penny auction sites do not ship in this manner, and do ship within their given delivery time-frames. However, if you are owed items from BidSauce, or any other penny auction site, please be aware of the rules above. Consumers have rights, and businesses have responsibilities! If we hold accountable the sites that do not perform at the standard of excellence, it will ensure that they straighten up or get out of the game, thus making room for those sites that do strive to be honest, fair, and fun.

If you are owed items from BidSauce.com, or want to share any other experiences you may have had, please join and post in the PennyBurners Penny Auction Forum. Your feedback helps other bidders and is greatly appreciated!