I have been looking at ALOT of these "mystery auctions," and I have been researching them. It seems to me there alot of scammers on here.. You will see #1 of 50.. But you look for all 50, and always come up about 5+ short.. Wonder where those "prizes", were??? Of course on occasion they let someone win, which will leave + FB, and cause more people to buy.. This feeds the frenzy, and more people will bid in hopes of winning. Well, I spent about 4 hours researching articles on Yahoo!, and around another 4 hours on Ebay, researching active, and completed listings.. People.. RESEARCH before you buy!!! I have read articles where someone pictured an XBox 360, but only sent an empty 360 box... What's worse, is since it's a mystery auction, YOU DON'T GET A REFUND FROM PAYPAL!!!! SHAMEFUL!!!! Another person ended up with a $40 Q-Tip.... Another got a $10 box of tacks!!! 

There is nothing wrong with making money off your mystery auctions... After all, it costs money, takes your time, and research... As they say, time is money. But when you are pulling $750, and $1000 off a 24 hour auction... C'mon!!! GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY... Keep some for your labor, and give it back! This is supposed to be fun, and most of all HONEST!

After getting really frusterated at all the horror stories, I decided to start a mystery auction, with a Christian's touch.... I was saved on October 14th 2007.. I'm a new Christian, and God is working wonders in my life. I want to make people happy, and let God's light shine through my works here on Earth.. Some of you laugh at me, and that's ok. Before I got saved I was very greedy, and have done many things I'm ashamed of today. BUT: I have repented, and by God's grace am a new man! Amen!!

Now that you have my testimony... Here's my plan on my mystery auctions: 

• I give 10%+ to the American Red Cross to aid in disaster relief efforts (I.E. Washington / Oregon)
• I will give the majority of the money back to the Ebay community in PayPal, and the "prize".
• My wife randomly picks the winning #'s before the auction begins
• I will gladly give you the winning #'s, and winning bidders so you may contact them
• I will NEVER steel, lie, or scam on my auctions!

  So if I say I'll give away 5 cash prizes (usually three $50, and two $25) then I will give back $200.. I will always give my 10% to Red Cross, I also give 10% to my local church as the Bible says I should. The prize is usually expensive ($200+).

This is a great way to give, and get feedback quickly... If you run it honestly, you'll have happy, repeat customers! So have fun, and RESEARCH!