BidBudz is an account the person inside controls — a call, an email, or mail — funded by family in the free world. Safe, secure, and it can't be taken. From that one account they order books, send letters, get their own newspaper, and send care home. What used to take weeks through the system, they handle themselves.
Their BidBuckz doesn't disappear when they get out — it follows them. Here's exactly what happens:
What is BidBudz?
An account the person inside runs themselves — by a call, an email, or mail — funded by family in the free world. From that one account they order books, send letters, get their own newspaper, and send care home. Safe, honest, and it can't be taken.
What are BidBuckz?
BidBuckz is closed-loop store credit you buy with your card and use to order books and support items through BidBudz. It stays on your own account — it can't be sent to another account or cashed out. It doesn't expire and has no dormancy or inactivity fees.
What happens to their BidBuckz when they come home?
Nothing is lost — it follows them. The balance stays on the account. When they're released, they claim the account (a quick photo-ID check that you confirm it's really them), set their own PIN, and it becomes theirs. From home they spend it in the Reentry Store on real goods — groceries, clothes, a phone — shipped to them or picked up at a store. Still goods only, never cash, but now it's fully under their control.
How do books get to my loved one?
When you order, we place the order with the retailer and it ships directly to the facility — that follows prison mail rules (books must come straight from an approved retailer/publisher). Delivery time depends on the retailer and the facility mailroom, usually a few weeks.
Which facilities can I send to?
You provide your loved one's name, ID/booking number, and facility mailing address at checkout. Rules vary by facility — some route all incoming mail through a specific vendor — so it's worth checking your facility's mail policy.
Is my payment secure?
Yes. Card payments run through Stripe, an industry-standard processor. BidBudz never sees or stores your full card number.
What if an order can't be delivered?
If a book can't be fulfilled or a facility rejects it, the BidBuckz you spent is credited back to your account. See our Refund & Fulfillment Policy.
Can I support more than one loved one?
Yes — as many as you want. Each person has their own BidBudz ID, so just enter the right ID for whoever you're supporting. Save each person's mailing info and reordering is quick. And more than one family member can support the same person — everyone loads the same ID, and it all pools into one balance.
Does my loved one need to do anything?
No. You run everything from the website. They simply receive the books and items you send. You can add saved contacts and manage it all yourself.
How do I keep my account safe?
Every purchase and order is protected by your PIN. Keep it private, and never share your BidBudz ID and PIN together.
What does it cost?
You choose a BidBuckz package at checkout. Items — like a paperback book — have a set BidBuckz price shown before you order. No surprise fees.