pricerightauctions.com

[spydrman]

Check out www.pricerightauctions.com

This site is set up like an online auction site, but for each item they require so many bids and only one person is chosen to receive that item. It reminds you of a matrix site, but seems more like a illegal lottery. I just skimmed through this site, and thought it would be interesting to discuss.

[MatrixWatch]

well, the bottom line is this: Does this site offer an incentive/prize program that requires outside influence to win? Do they require that you purchase something to join this program? If this is so, then it is likely to be classified as a LOTTERY. Now, whether or not that lottery is illegal is up to state laws. Even though some states allow lotteries and gambling, they may have laws against these types of marketing programs anyway. Even so, there are some matrix owners who try to "press their luck" by operating from states that allow gambling. Ever here of NVExpo.com (NV = Nevada)?

[spydrman]

Well, I just watched the video on how it works from their website. For every auction they require X amount of bidders.

One of the products running on their home page is a 50" Pioneer Plasma TV. It requires 1,218 bids. The PriceRight amount is $510.13. Then your bid fee is $10.00. Basically, you try to bid closest to $510.13 without your bid being the same as another person. If you have the closest UNIQUE bid to the $510.13 PriceRight amount, you win the tv for that bid amount.

Here's their intake: 1,218 (required bids) x $10.00 (bid fee) = $12,180 + winning bid amount.

You can probably buy the tv for around $5,000

Pretty neat concept, I think it's much better than the matrix model but still looks more like a lottery.

[MatrixWatch]

That is a lot of money. How do they plan to collect all of it? PayPal?

[spydrman]

On the main page it says payment services by VeriSign.

They currently have three small items running now (gamecube, mp3 player and wireless cybiko) which is free to bid. It has no required amount of bidders, no bidding fee and PriceRight amount will be waived. It seems like they are giving these items away. I just signed up and will try these out.

As for how this system works, does it violate any lottery laws that you can think of? Or any other laws for that matter?

[MatrixWatch]

Keep us posted and we will have to see. Verisign is not a payment processor though.

[peterdragin]

it's registered in FL. The haven for scams according to the ftc.

[FightingBack]

I think more of these sites will start appearing. Their a little better than the matrix sites because everyone that signs up has the same chance. (If I am understanding this concept) I think matrix sites will begin to move over to this. But I wondering if they are illegal lottery?

[Agent|Star]

Originally posted by FightingBack
I think more of these sites will start appearing. Their a little better than the matrix sites because everyone that signs up has the same chance. (If I am understanding this concept) I think matrix sites will begin to move over to this. But I wondering if they are illegal lottery?


Totally.. this is already happening... Some open up e-gold type of systems then theres the invest your money kind of sites... even that eBay site that poped up like last week... Craziness!

[Arzel]

That site is quite illegal, very similar to an ebay auction we discussed earlier. This site would constitute the selling of lottery tickets across state lines, which is a felony according the USPS.

[MatrixWatch]

Originally posted by FightingBack
I think more of these sites will start appearing. Their a little better than the matrix sites because everyone that signs up has the same chance. (If I am understanding this concept) I think matrix sites will begin to move over to this. But I wondering if they are illegal lottery?

This was my prediction when we launched Matrix Watch, and it speaks to the character of these people. They are scavengers, and they will not arouse their hearts to a higher walk in life. Their purpose is to find what is border-line legal, and walk that line until their pockets are full enough to start another scam. If I have my way, and I am able to expand the efforts of Matrix Watch like I plan to, these guys will be off the internet forever.

[Agent|Star]

Originally posted by watchdog
This was my prediction when we launched Matrix Watch, and it speaks to the character of these people. They are scavengers, and they will not arouse their hearts to a higher walk in life. Their purpose is to find what is border-line legal, and walk that line until their pockets are full enough to start another scam. If I have my way, and I am able to expand the efforts of Matrix Watch like I plan to, these guys will be off the internet forever.


There are a lot more then the matrix people alone... Stepping out into every aspect will be fun for you.. :D Honestly, I am a little annoyed by the fact that some of them just see money potential and jump into it... I've made a similar post before about the amount of websites the matrix community people make...

I guess a lot of people are trying to find the best & easiest way to make money. =o\ I dont think they consider it scamming people, thats why many of them open shhops... Beside scammers get rich dont they? Matrix owners aren't getting rich at all unless they pack up and disappear (even that they arent rich)... Its not the cash flow website people make it sound like. They take a very small cut on most sites (some sites take HUGE profits) but... not rich not even close...

[MatrixWatch]

BigStarr, you seem to have a lot of wisdom on this topic. Have you ever considered grouping some thoughts together for an "Its not worth it" thread? That would be good for your "no more matrix sites" campaign. I could make it a permanent thread within one of the appropriate forums (maybe former-site owners?).

Also, if we eventually moved on from matrixwatch.org to become a bigger, broader campaign, would you consider joining? If so, what would you like to do?

[MatrixWatch]

Someone emailed these guys and asked them if they were legal. This is their reply:


Hi,

Thank you for your interest in PriceRight auctions.
PriceRight is a new, exciting, and innovative method of conducting
auctions.Our membership and popularity are growing steadily, as is our
list of happy auction winners.
We are sometimes asked why we charge a bidding fee to submit a bid to
our auctions.
A major part of the bidding fees that we charge, are used to help
subsidize the ridiculously low prices for the auction products (at
least 80% less than retail) that auction winners pay. Part of it is
used to keep this exciting website "up and running", and to pay
salaries to our staff. Please also note that we are a "for profit"
company.
Remember that only a limited amount of bids are accepted for each auction.

All participation fees and procedures are clearly stated throughout
the website, in the FAQ, the tutorial (How it Works), and the rules.
There are no hidden rules or fees on our website.

Credit card information is completely secure on our website. Although
membership is free, we require credit card information and a valid
U.S.A. shipping address in order for you to submit bids in our
auctions. This includes the FREE AUCTIONS. There are various reasons
for this. From a technical & programmatic point of view, we need this
information in our database to enable us to charge you the bidding fee
once an auction that you're participating in has closed. This is how
our system is programmed and it is totally automated. We are unable to
acquire credit card and billing information from auction participants
after the fact.

We are licensed by the State of Florida as an auction business. All of
our auctions are monitored by a State of Florida licensed Auctioneer.
The auction results are independently reviewed and verified by the
Auctioneer as well as an independent auditing firm. The names of these
two monitors can be found in the website FAQ.

You are welcome to visit the website frequently to review the progress
of the auctions and see the winners on the "winners page".

We recommend reviewing the website FAQ and tutorial for a full, clear,
and precise explanation of how PriceRight Auctions works.

Thank you.


Thank you.
PriceRight Auctions (http://www.pricerightauctions.com/)

[concerned]

I can't really see anything REALLY wrong with it yet, but the concept does kind of sound strange. At least here, they aren't misleading customers as much as the matrix sites. They tell you that only one person will get the item. They may conduct their business somewhat borderline unethical though.

I did find one strange bit of information. In their rules page, they say that they are a Deleware Corporation. Why do they use an auctioneer that is Licensed in Florida?

[spectre]

Concerned, they can operate out of Florida and still be a Delaware corporation. Many companies are Delaware incorporated because of the favorable corporate laws there.

That in itself is not suspicious. Just means they did their homework on the best place to incorporate.


Their sealed-bid auction approach is very straightforward. They essentially just have a membership fee to participate in the auctions.

Of course, if someone (not meaning you, Concerned) wants to believe that just because they are in Florida they are automatically scammers...well everyone is entitled to an opinion, no matter how ignorant it may be.

Whatever happened to objective investigation before conclusions are made?

[spectre]

While we are talking about this, it occured to me that I'm unclear on what makes a site be classified as a "scam" or a "scavenger", or whatever. Who's definition of a "higher walk of life" are we talking about?

Is it Watchdog's quest to go after anything that appears to be a lottery, or lottery like? How about sweepstakes, casino gambling, etc. ? Are these activities inherently evil and worthy of attention as well, legal or otherwise?

In other words, is it the legality being questioned so much as the morals of those that participate (in any fashion)? Or is the objective to save people from themselves and their own mistakes...

Just curious. Does anybody know the answer to this. Perhaps its been discussed before...

Consumer advocacy is one thing, but self-righteous crusading is something else. I'd like to know whats involved here.

I'd appreciate anybody's input on this.

[MatrixWatch]

You have asked an excellent question. Would you mind starting a new thread about this?

[spectre]

Ok, which question(s)?

[MatrixWatch]

The one(s) that go beyond the topic of this thread.

[Agent|Star]

Originally posted by watchdog
BigStarr, you seem to have a lot of wisdom on this topic. Have you ever considered grouping some thoughts together for an "Its not worth it" thread? That would be good for your "no more matrix sites" campaign. I could make it a permanent thread within one of the appropriate forums (maybe former-site owners?).

Also, if we eventually moved on from matrixwatch.org to become a bigger, broader campaign, would you consider joining? If so, what would you like to do?


Wasn't sure if I should post here or PR message you but heres my respons (sorry to take it off topic).

As far as a "its not worth it thread" I have thought about it... I didn't know where to start heheh... I have also wanted to make a thread geared toward potential new matrix sites telling them the risks involved and the expectations they have are false! heheh I also wanted to make a thread to potentially new matrix customers somewhat of a "to-do" list before investing in a matrix site...

I guess a lot of the reason I dont bother is stuff I post get railed 99% of the time by certain members here... If my wording slips up just a tiny bit.. Always a way to twist someones words into something else... I dont care for that to be picked at for a post I make out of good intentions..

I would really like to help slow down these sites from poping up all over the creation. I have never known a group of people with so many websites till I found a matrix forum.. As I said on another forum "they don't hesitate to just open up another site" heheh... They should stop that... I have been straying away from doing business with websites that show up on the forums (non-matrix sites) I am starting to think that every new site showing up on the forums that are not matrix related are owned by a same person with a matrix site... I dont need that..

As far as joining your group if you decided to get bigger. There is a possiblity for that. I joined the MatrixAgency (Star) to help the Matrix people as much as i could... The agency got laughed at by the members here... =o\ I did not find it funny... Once again had to defend us....... I am not sure how well I can work with people that have shown no respect to begin with?