You’ve likely encountered commercials for DealDash, a site that promises the chance to grab pricey TVs or laptops for just a few dollars. But is DealDash legitimate, or is it a scam designed to take your hard-earned cash?
Below we’ll examine whether DealDash auctions are authentic and share practical tips for using the platform. While we can’t guarantee you’ll snag a once-in-a-lifetime bargain, there may be opportunities to save on this well-known penny auction site.
What Is DealDash?
DealDash is a real website that lets users bid on a range of products, from gadgets to apparel, potentially buying them for less than retail. DealDash itself isn’t a scam trying to con you, but it’s crucial to grasp the true cost of bidding and winning items on the platform.
Penny auctions work by listing products and allowing participants to bid, each bid raising the sale price by one cent. Whenever a bid is placed, the auction clock is extended by a predefined increment.
When the clock runs out because no additional bids are placed, the product goes to the last bidder (the winner) at the final auction price. However, in most cases, any bids you place cost a set fee, and you typically won’t get that money back if you don’t win.
Using a site like DealDash can sometimes yield attractive bargains, but it’s not something to rely on for consistent discounts since the total expense can be greater than it appears. Penny auctions can be entertaining, but bidders may quickly lose track of spending if they’re not careful.
How to Bid in a DealDash Auction
If you want to try a penny auction site, DealDash is about as good a choice as any. Go to DealDash’s website and sign in by clicking the login button at the top right.
If you don’t yet have an account, click Create Account to set one up. You can also opt to log in with Facebook. After your first sign-in, you’ll typically be offered a promotional deal on discounted bids.
In our trial, we were offered 200 bids for $30 (roughly 15 cents per bid). The sign-up promotion you receive may differ, and DealDash notes bids can cost up to 20 cents each. One perk is that bids used from your initial bid pack will be refunded if you don’t win.
After purchasing a pack of bids, you can browse the site for items that interest you. Products bought via DealDash are brand new and include the manufacturer’s original warranty, so purchases have that protection. When you find an item you want, click it to open its bidding page.
There you’ll see an option to spend one bid to raise the item’s price by one cent and add more time to the auction clock. If you are the final bidder when the timer hits zero, you’ll be eligible to buy the item at the auction’s closing price.
Won items are shipped to you at no extra charge (DealDash does not add shipping and handling fees). If you don’t win, you can opt to purchase the product at the “Buy It Now” price (generally near retail), and DealDash will refund any bids you placed on that auction.
DealDash Tips and Tricks To Save Money
You can land a few worthwhile deals on DealDash, but you can also burn through money fast. Penny auction sites are entertaining but resemble gambling in some ways, so monitor how much you spend on bids.
If you decide DealDash is worth trying and you’re comfortable with its bidding mechanics, here are several tactics to increase your odds.
- Target lower-priced items. Winning a high-end item like an iPad or smartphone at a rock-bottom price is difficult. Focusing on less costly items gives you a better chance of success.
- Be patient; don’t bid immediately. Although it’s tempting to jump in when a product appears very cheap, you may waste bids. Let the item’s price climb a bit before committing your bids.
- But don’t wait forever. DealDash prevents new bidders from joining an auction once the price surpasses $5. If you want to participate, place an earlier bid so you’ll be able to continue later.
- Use the BidBuddy feature. Rather than bidding manually, set up a BidBuddy with a maximum number of bids, and it will automatically place bids for you at the last moments.
- Try different bidding times. Experiment with bidding at various hours (including late night) to find periods with less competition. Less active windows mean fewer rivals.
- Buy bids during promotions. DealDash often runs sales offering discounted bid packs. Aim to purchase bids when prices are reduced. The site also occasionally grants free bids to users.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
DealDash may look inexpensive at first glance, but the platform isn’t as generous as it appears. It’s a penny auction site where each bid costs money, and that cost isn’t returned if you don’t win the auction.
If you place a bid and lose the auction, you don’t get refunded for that bid. One notable exception is the first bid pack you buy as a new user—those bids are refunded if you don’t win. Additionally, if you lose an auction but opt to buy the item using “Buy It Now,” DealDash will refund the bids you placed on that auction.
No, DealDash does not require a monthly subscription to use the site. The main expense is purchasing bids.
DealDash isn’t a scam; it’s a bona fide auction website (the company describes itself as a straightforward bidding platform). DealDash has operated since 2009 and holds aTrustpilot rating of 4.5out of 5 from more than 3,000 reviews.
Sarah Delaney is a senior writer for Savinly specializing in technology.
