IndependentsNov 07, 2025
Foundrae’s New Palm Beach Location Is a ‘Golden Solarium’The brand’s seventh location combines Foundrae’s symbolic vocabulary with motifs from Florida’s natural surroundings.
EditorsMay 25, 2018
What Is Going on with Bidz.com?
Senior Editor Brecken Branstrator takes a look at the jewelry auction website’s growing number of negative consumer reviews.
Bidz.com, the website that sells jewelry and other accessories to the public via live auctions, has received an F rating from the Better Business Bureau for not responding to multiple customer complaints against it. It still appears to be holding regular jewelry auctions, as this screenshot of the website shows.
A few weeks ago, a consumer reached out to me via email. She was having some trouble with Bidz.com; she had won an auction item on the website but never received her merchandise or a response from the company.
While doing some online research, she came upon the story I wrote in February 2015 about the site’s relaunch, and she asked if there was any way I could help her or if I knew anything about the company.
I hadn’t been in touch with anyone at Bidz for a while or heard anything about it since that story, but I told her I’d look into it. After some quick digging led me to the realization that she was one of many customers claiming a very similar issue regarding the company, I thought it might be worth a deeper dive.
First, let me start by sharing a bit of Bidz.com history for those who are unfamiliar or in need of a refresher.
In June 2014, a group of six suppliers and manufacturers who were owed a total of $1.3 million by Bidz.com filed a Chapter 7 (involuntary) bankruptcy petition against the company in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware. Two weeks later, interim CEO Evan Warshawsky said the company had ceased sales and begun liquidating.
Then, in August 2014, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kevin J. Carey signed an order dismissing the Chapter 7 case and appointing a firm to dissolve the company.
Overstock.com purchased Bidz.com’s inventory, estimated to be worth more than $89 million at retail.
In September 2014, a firm announced the sale via auction of Bidz.com’s trademarks, domain names (including both Bidz.com and Buyz.com) and customer data. In February of the following year, a team that included Daniella Zinberg, the daughter of former Bidz CEO David Zinberg, bought it all back so they could give it a second try.
They then redesigned the jewelry auction website site to be cleaner and more image-focused while still offering closeout prices on jewelry, watches and other accessories.
But the retooled Bidz.com is racking up negative complaints across a number of consumer review sites; most of the complaints have to do with paying for an item that was never received or never getting a response from customer service about the status of an order or refund.
(It’s worth noting that there are still positive reviews on some of the sites, with
customers noting that they got their purchases in time and were happy with the results.)
As of Thursday afternoon, the company had an F rating from the Better Business Bureau, which cites the following as the reasons for the failing grade: 149 complaints filed against it; failure to respond to four complaints filed against it; 32 complaints filed against it that went unresolved; and the fact that Bidz.com has “failed to resolve underlying cause(s) of a pattern of complaints.”
The BBB said it contacted Bidz.com on March 27 in regards to “concerns about the amount and the pattern of complaints (they) have received,” but received no response.
I tried reaching out to Zinberg and Danielle Zinberg, with whom I worked for the 2015 story and helped put the new management team together after relaunch, and sent out a few emails to some of the generic contacts listed on the business’ site, but received no responses by press time.
The website doesn’t make it clear who is on the company’s management team anymore, and the LinkedIn profiles of those involved in buying the site’s IP back in 2015 indicate they have moved on.
It appears that, despite the complaints, auctions continue on Bidz.com, though without the aid of regular social media support.
The Bidz.com Facebook page has two recent postings but, prior to that, hadn’t been updated since August 2017. There aren’t many comments on the page either, except some recent activity.
Its Twitter account has been inactive since February 2016 and no posts have been added to its Instagram since a year before that.
In addition to the complaints mentioned on the BBB website, there are a number of other places with negative reviews of Bidz.com.
On the Consumer Affairs website, the company is averaging less than two stars from 69 ratings submitted in the past year. There are 97 reviews and complaints of the company posted there, many of which are negative.
One from a customer in Las Vegas who posted in April states: “Bought 2 watches from BIDZ.COM and over a month later still no merchandise. Called their one customer service phone # 17 times and no human contact. Their Co. voicemail remained full (3 & 1/2 weeks) so leaving a message was impossible. Finally received an email back telling me they were not sending me my merchandise nor were they going to refund my money yet they are still currently selling the same watches on their website!!! I will never do business with these scammers again. Buyer Beware!!!”
There are more negative reviews on the websites ComplaintsBoard.com, SiteJabber.com—where 124 out of 191 reviews gave the company only one star—TrustPilot.com and even Yelp.com, where the company’s rating has been trending down since the start of 2018.
Given the fact that Bidz already ran into trouble once and had to be dissolved, it’ll be interesting to see what, if anything, comes of all this.
We’ll keep you updated if they get in touch or we hear anything else.
As of Thursday afternoon, the company had an F rating from the Better Business Bureau, which cites the following as the reasons for the failing grade: 149 complaints filed against it; failure to respond to four complaints filed against it; 32 complaints filed against it that went unresolved; and the fact that Bidz.com has “failed to resolve underlying cause(s) of a pattern of complaints.”
The BBB said it contacted Bidz.com on March 27 in regards to “concerns about the amount and the pattern of complaints (they) have received,” but received no response.
I tried reaching out to Zinberg and Danielle Zinberg, with whom I worked for the 2015 story and helped put the new management team together after relaunch, and sent out a few emails to some of the generic contacts listed on the business’ site, but received no responses by press time.
The website doesn’t make it clear who is on the company’s management team anymore, and the LinkedIn profiles of those involved in buying the site’s IP back in 2015 indicate they have moved on.
It appears that, despite the complaints, auctions continue on Bidz.com, though without the aid of regular social media support.
The Bidz.com Facebook page has two recent postings but, prior to that, hadn’t been updated since August 2017. There aren’t many comments on the page either, except some recent activity.
Its Twitter account has been inactive since February 2016 and no posts have been added to its Instagram since a year before that.
In addition to the complaints mentioned on the BBB website, there are a number of other places with negative reviews of Bidz.com.
On the Consumer Affairs website, the company is averaging less than two stars from 69 ratings submitted in the past year. There are 97 reviews and complaints of the company posted there, many of which are negative.
One from a customer in Las Vegas who posted in April states: “Bought 2 watches from BIDZ.COM and over a month later still no merchandise. Called their one customer service phone # 17 times and no human contact. Their Co. voicemail remained full (3 & 1/2 weeks) so leaving a message was impossible. Finally received an email back telling me they were not sending me my merchandise nor were they going to refund my money yet they are still currently selling the same watches on their website!!! I will never do business with these scammers again. Buyer Beware!!!”
There are more negative reviews on the websites ComplaintsBoard.com, SiteJabber.com—where 124 out of 191 reviews gave the company only one star—TrustPilot.com and even Yelp.com, where the company’s rating has been trending down since the start of 2018.
Given the fact that Bidz already ran into trouble once and had to be dissolved, it’ll be interesting to see what, if anything, comes of all this.
We’ll keep you updated if they get in touch or we hear anything else.
More on Editors
The Latest
FinancialsNov 07, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s H1 Sales Up 8%The retailer also shared an update on the impact of tariffs on watch customers.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
Pink Tourmaline Bracelet, Emerald Suite Take Top Spectrum Honors Pink and purple stones were popular in the AGTA’s design competition this year, as were cameos and ocean themes.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America Aligns New Mission to Create Meaningful Impact for MembersFrom educational programs, advocacy, and recent MJSA affiliation, Jewelers of America drives progress that elevates businesses of all sizes.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Hosts Raffle Supporting Food RescueAll proceeds from the G. St x Jewel Boxing raffle will go to City Harvest, which works to end hunger in New York City.
Weekly QuizNov 06, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Cornell’s Jewelers Names New PresidentCourtney Cornell is part of the third generation to lead the Rochester, New York-based jeweler.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
De Beers’ Production, Sales Increase in Q3 De Beers also announced more changes in its upper ranks ahead of parent company Anglo American’s pending sale of the company.
WatchesNov 05, 2025
Shinola President Steps Down Just as He Starts Former Signet CEO Mark Light will remain president of Shinola until a replacement for Ulrich Wohn is found.
AuctionsNov 05, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Designer Makes Her Auction DebutKindred Lubeck of Artifex has three rings she designed with Anup Jogani in Sotheby’s upcoming Gem Drop sale.
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Pandora Posts Modest Q3 Sales Growth Amid ‘Weak’ Consumer Sentiment The company focused on marketing in the third quarter and introduced two new charm collections, “Pandora Talisman” and “Pandora Minis.”
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q3 Sales Climb 10%The jewelry retailer raised its full-year guidance, with CFO Jeff Kuo describing the company as “very well positioned” for the holidays.
Policies & IssuesNov 04, 2025
Supreme Court to Hear Tariffs Case WednesdayAhead of the hearing, two industry organizations co-signed an amicus brief urging the court to declare Trump’s tariffs unlawful.
MajorsNov 04, 2025
Danny Clark to Become Stuller CEO, Succeeding Matt StullerStuller COO Belit Myers will take on the additional role of president, with all changes effective at the start of 2026.
ColumnistsNov 04, 2025
Peter Smith: What Do Birds Have to Do With the Price of Gold? Smith cautions retailers against expending too much energy on things they can’t control, like the rising price of gold.
TrendsNov 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Fall Colors for November BirthdaysCitrine and topaz are birthstones fit for fall as the leaves change color and the holiday season approaches.
IndependentsNov 04, 2025
Weston Jewelers Heads to Fort LauderdaleThe family-owned jeweler will open its fourth store in Florida in late 2027.
CrimeNov 03, 2025
Men Dressed as Construction Workers Burglarize Jeweler’s Home The NYPD is looking for three men who stole a safe and jewelry valued at $3.2 million from the home of a jeweler in Jamaica Hills, Queens.
MajorsNov 03, 2025
Matthew Rosenheim Takes Over as JA Board ChairThe trade organization also announced its executive committee and five new directors.
CollectionsNov 03, 2025
Muse’s ‘Have a Heart’ Collab Returns, Now With DDGThe “Have a Heart x Diamonds Do Good” collection is championed by model and humanitarian Flaviana Matata and will benefit her foundation.
AuctionsNov 03, 2025
Kashmir Sapphire Ring Tops Christie's Online AuctionThe ring, set with a nearly 17-carat Kashmir cabochon sapphire, sold for $1 million.
TrendsOct 31, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Spinner Fit for ‘Frankenstein’This “Mother Father” spinner necklace from Heavenly Vices Fine Jewelry draws inspiration from Victorian Era jewelry.
CrimeOct 31, 2025
5 More Arrested in Louvre Heist, Jewelry Still Missing The suspects were rounded up in Paris and its suburbs on Wednesday night, but none of the stolen jewels were recovered with them.
Recorded WebinarsOct 31, 2025
Watch: How to Master Google Reviews for Your BusinessExperts share top tips on how to encourage positive reviews and handle negative feedback.
Supplier BulletinOct 30, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
CrimeOct 30, 2025
29-Year-Old Man Charged in Multiple Seattle-Area Smash and Grabs The suspect faces charges in the August robbery of Menashe & Sons Jewelers and is accused of committing smash and grabs at two pawn shops.
Lab-GrownOct 30, 2025
Alison Lou’s New Collection Uses Lab-Grown Diamonds and ResinThe “Lumière Fine” collection was born from designer Alison Chemla’s interest in the transformative power of light.
