Question/Warning? Re: Skyauction
 

Hello,
I am new here and thank you to everyone for all the *wonderful* information!
I have a question and perhaps a warning about a site called Skyauction <http://www.skyauction.com/> and wanted to get opinions on it. It seems like a decent idea but after watching the activity there closely, I have noticed some rather strange goings on -- such as several bids by the same person, for the exact same amount, grossly bidding too high ($2000++ for a restricted RT East Coast/West Coast ticket). I wrote the site and they never replied. I wrote again and they replied saying "oops, musta been a mistake bid". What does everyone here think?
Am I off-base thinking this is not right or am I missing something?
Thanks again and I am looking forward to learning more and more from everyone here.
Keith

Sure be glad when the search function works again. Try these URL's to get some more info on Skyauction:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000844.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/001151.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/001372.html

From the few comments we have seen, beware!

[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 06-01-2000).]

Thank you BlondeBomber. Sorry I did not know about those posts. That is why I am reluctant to posting as a newbie. The posts certainly confirmed my doubts. And I am staying clear! Thanks for the info.
You guys do already know about the miles from NetGrocer points right?
Keith

It doesn't hurt to repost some things. Even when the search function is working, there are new people coming to the board all the time. If there is significant discussion on it elsewhere, us old fa*ts will usually point out the URL's so discussion can continue on those threads. http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Don't ever be scared to post. The worst that can happen is Catman will unleash his feline friends on you -- and as you know, they are really pussycats! http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 08-23-1999).]

This thread reminds me that I never followed up on my SkyAuction problem in June. Actually, it was a United problem: after advertising "travel June 1-30", UA basically said "nothing after June 12"! SkyAuction persisted, though, and got me my $534 ticket SFO to Paris in high season.

I was happy enough to try them again: SFO to IAD ($360) went through without a hitch, also SFO-JFK ($305) and SFO to London ($525, for next month).

Yes, some bids are screwy, if you know what the ticket really would cost. For example, I've seen $500 for winter tkts to Europe, where this past winter a regular ticket was $100 less. Go figure. And if you do bid, don't forget to add in the tax & $10 delivery charge (my figures above include them).

While I haven't seen the problems you cite, I can't say I've watched every auction.

BTW: these flights (all on UA and AA) have all earned miles. Including Premier Exec and Dulles 100% bonuses, the June trip to paris ($534) got me 26,000+ miles! They say that 90% of their auctions do earn miles, and I've usually found they respond pretty quickly if I ask "which airline & do I get miles."

[This message has been edited by johna (edited 08-24-1999).]

I too have been keeping a close eye on the bidding patterns on skyauction. It appears evident that if there is no significant upward bidding on a particular item, someone always bids up in huge increments so as to make the price more in line with what is commercially available elsewhere. This seems illogical for anyone to do other than an insider not wanting to sell the item at a huge loss. Skyauction should be more straightforward and impose a minimum bid, rather than do so covertly.
Why would I pay $500-$600 for a trip to Europe, for example, when I can get cyberfares from NW that are currently available for as little as $279...with FF miles?