Bidshot.com gets connected

Bidshot.com takes online auctions to another level this Christmas season.

The first local Internet company and only online auction site to pioneer m-commerce (mobile commerce) incentives via the utilization of SMS or "texting" technology for user authentication, outbid notifications, bidding and many other critical auction functionalities to provide a practical mobile solution to its users, Bidshot.com has interconnected its service with Smart Communications Inc., in addition to Globe Telecom.

The site was launched late last September, to service business-minded and price-conscious Filipinos. Consistent with its thrust to expand its community and provide the broadest of users the opportunity to freely use its online auction facilities and critical mobile features, it allied with Globe Telecom and Smart Communications, two of the largest telecommunications providers in the country. It is the first website to be interoperable with both carriers.

Bidshot.com molded its site and services to best suit the needs of its greatest priority – its community. It is for this reason that it has affiliated and partnered with the best in the business to provide end-to-end fulfillment to all its users, from payment to security, and all the way to delivery.

Bidshot.com offers easy online payment solutions through 1Time and BPI Online, as well as convenient over-the-counter payments at all major banks. An efficient and diligent Customer Service department is available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Mondays to Sundays.

Bidshot.com also has its own Security Committee, which ensures safe, fair and secure transactions. On site, Secure Sockets Layer or SSL technology, a protocol developed by Netscape for sending out private documents or information via the Internet, is used to encrypt any vital information.

The international patented mobile phone registration process of Bidshot.com greatly minimizes the entry of fraud, according to operations manager Mikey Garrovillo. "Most, if not all auction sites require only an e-mail address (among others) in their registration process and such, unscrupulous users may create multiple identities to commit fraud. The mobile phone number, which is a compulsory field in Bidshot’s registration page, ensures that the registered user’s identity remains unique and only he will be able to receive his password, outbid and other critical notifications, and as such, the percentage of fraud is greatly lessened," he said.

For business-minded individuals who have brand-new or second-hand items that they would like to sell, Bidshot.com is a very viable business option. Leftover merchandise from bazaars and tiangges can be put up for auction in the users’ virtual store for free. Resourceful people who have sources for cheap but quality merchandise, such as export overruns, now have a "borderless" and limitless outlet to allow the viewing and profitable sales of otherwise inventoried goods.

Patrick Garcia, chief executive officer and founder of Bidshot.com, has this advice: "Take a look around your house, and you may find older models of items such as stereos or cellular phones and even books that you have no need for and would love to get rid of. Put these up for auction and raise cash! All newlyweds who have four blenders and seven food processors, here’s a way for you to liquidate excess items at no cost and no risk! There are money-making possibilities open to everyone for free – no posting or listing fees are charged by Bidshot.com."

In keeping with the season, Bidshot.com is doing its 30-day countdown to Christmas with new promotions and bargain-price sales. Everything from toys and gift items to clothing and accessories will be auctioned off at cut-rate prices just for this month.

December ushers in the "All I Want for Christmas" promo, which requires users to fill in the blanks with what they want to receive for Christmas. Prizes include Bidshot special giveaways, dinner for two at Soleil, one of Manila’s finest restaurants, and a Polaroid-Zone to record Christmas memories.