Ok some news....
first, phpvms version 5.5.x
PHP 5.6 ( on the server)
PHP 7.2.7 database
PHP myAdmin 4.9.3
MySql ext MySqli
As suggested, I connected the live database to the development site....no joy. I then Copied it to a new data base and connected that database to the test sight, no joy. I went back and did the same thing with just the schedules and found that I could not bid from the schedules either. Here is the strange part.....with the live schedule data base brought into the test site you can't bid, but if you create a NEW schedule that entry can be bid which suggests that there is something wrong with the phpvms_schedule in the existing database BUT.....on the live site, a new entry will not bid. On the second live site that has remained untouched, all of the parts are working just fine including Tour Center. The test site is, as you suggested, bare bones. I guess this just saying that there is something in the _schedules that is screwing up the bid....but what? The confusing part is that while the database was copied into the test site didn't work but new entries do, and the original live site, nothing works.
So.....I suppose you could just say....rebuild the 60+ pages or about 1500 schedules, but if there was a way to avoid that chore it sure would be nice. Tour Center is another issue but it works on the other live site and it isn't installed on the test site and doesn't work on the prime site. At this point, it's one step at a time.
I Hope this makes sense.
Oh....one more thing.....Is it possible to re-install some or part of the program and then the obvious question...which ones?