Gripe: Double standard on OzBargain (about negative comments)

L[Deactivated] on 29/04/2014 - 14:37

I am new to OzBargain, so I was shocked at the treatment I got from fellow posters, and need to vent my frustration.

So yesterday I posted a 'bargain' for a microsd card reader for android https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/142082 Then I got an avalanche of neg comments about how 'this is not a bargain it is the everyday price'. and that $15 delivered is too much to pay. They suggested for $5 to get OTG USB cable and dangle a usb stick from it. WTF??? it's not even similar, as my product is compact and unobtrusive, attached to the phone, or put on your keyring for fast file access.

True, it is not a 'discounted' price, but I don't always count a 'bargain' as the 'lowest price'. A bargain can also be:

  • You use it for years to come so you don't have to buy another one = save money.

  • You get a benefit so you can save money on your primary device, e.g. get additional storage for your phone for $15 instead of paying $100 to upgrade to phone with more storage = save money

  • Less risk of losing important data, photos, docs, with more reliable device = priceless

Here's what should have happened: Admin or a senior member should have pointed out the error, and if it did not belong there should have moved it, e.g. to forum, or asked me to move it. I would have been fine with that.

And here is the double standard:

Today I was looking for a media player as the remote on my WDTV died (I know I can use an app or universal remote but don't want to), then saw this old post as I was looking around: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/128648

SHOCK!!! People were willing to pay up to $300 for a media player with no storage, when there are plenty of alternatives under $100 (noontec, wdtv, keiser baas, netgear, d-link, and the king of them all: Apple TV, jailbreak or not):

AND NOT A NEGATIVE COMMENT IN SIGHT!!!

I have owned most of the above units, and have always flogged off the others to family members and gone back to Apple TV. Sure it has no storage ports, but since it is always networked anyway, you would have your media on a nas, pc, laptop, etc. ( I am not an Apple fanboy, in fact I no longer own any other apple products, I am all Android now).

I WOULD NEVER, EVER, PAY MORE THAN $50 for a basic media player, or more than $100 for a networked full-featured one.

It was even suggested that I change my username of 'smartconsumer' because I am 'not very smart'.

I'm glad that this happened because it gave me an insight into the users here: cheapskate at any cost! And unfortunately it gave me negative connotations about this site altogether. I hope other users will prove me wrong.

Yours,

(I think I am a) smartconsumer

Site Discussion

closed Comments

  • 2shoes on 29/04/2014 - 15:08
    +4

    That's similar to my problem with OzBargain: It's less focused on finding the best valued product that you really want, instead it encourages buying a super-cheap product that you didn't really want or need.

    It doesn't really help you with everyday purchases, because those deals get shot down in flames.

    • leonheart1 on 29/04/2014 - 15:22
      +1

      How dare you! Come on, gang, let's collectively aim our torches at this guy's house and reduce it to crisp!

    • ESEMCE on 29/04/2014 - 15:36
      +2

      No, people just expect that there is a discount otherwise it belongs in the forums..

  • ESEMCE on 29/04/2014 - 15:35
    +3

    1) Not everyone was negative in the comments..
    2) Your "bargain" is the day to day price.. your comparison to the Popcorn Hour deal is therefore irrelevant as that at least had some discount. The fact you can get cheaper (different brand) media players is irrelevant.
    3) You're new and your post reads like you're a rep from Meenova especially given there is no discount.
    4) Seems like an OK product, but $15 is at least $5 too much for mine..
    5) Why so thin skinned?

    • [Deactivated] on 29/04/2014 - 18:23
      +1

      Point taken.

      • Holysmoke on 29/04/2014 - 19:21
        +1

        Which point - are you a rep for Meenova?

        • pmupsinep on 02/05/2014 - 01:05

          Several days later and still has not answered the question. Hmm..

        • [Deactivated] on 02/05/2014 - 04:13

          Holy shit!?! And what are you talking about? If i was i would tick the box like a good little boy, so no

          And I could waste my 'precious' 5 posts in 24 hrs just to reply to stupid questions

          What are those stupid rules anyway, restricting number of comments, is this ussr ot nazi germany?

  • mskeggs on 29/04/2014 - 18:43
    +1

    Maybe instead of posting whinges and comments like "I'not changing my username as i know i'm right. if the admin wants to ban me so be it" you could read the FAQs or even just hang around the site a while.
    Blundering in and loudly insisting a community site should work the way you demand is a bit discourteous.
    A bargain is a discount or extra value over the standard price. Your post was to a standard priced item.
    Even so, some users thought it was an interesting product and up voted the post, more than down voted anyway.
    And your post help uncover other low cost alternatives. Plus it got some feedback on the need to root the phone and some comments on quality from existing users.
    All in all, it would be a good forum post!

    • [Deactivated] on 30/04/2014 - 12:50

      I skimmed over the faqs and there was something about not promoting your own products and people do it all the time

      And I have 'hung around' the site for the past year

      Thanks for the constructive comments

      Cheers :-)

      • Moderatorneil on 30/04/2014 - 12:55

        I skimmed over the faqs and there was something about not promoting your own products and people do it all the time

        Can you cite where it says that? If someone is representing a product or store then they need to post a deal as a rep (by clicking checkbox) or check associated with the store when commenting.

    • [Deactivated] on 02/05/2014 - 04:26

      So can you please read the post again? May help if YOU read the post FIRST:

      "Here's what should have happened: Admin or a senior member should have pointed out the error, and if it did not belong there should have moved it, e.g. to forum, or asked me to move it. I would have been fine with that."

      So, let me repeat once more : "should have moved it, e.g. to forum"

      Get it? Got it.

      So the point is not $5 or issue of standard price vs discount, it is with the way some of you treat postrrs who actually THINK that lowest price does not always = bargain!

      Oh and I can see from the comments that some members are behaving like 5 year olds when they say "change your name 'cos you're not very smart"

      Yep, just like real-life society: you'll have your good ones, your smart ones, the crooks, and the immature ones, and there are the ones that are just dumb who they think they are the smartest ones: I feel right at home. And it'usually the smart ones who retreat and let the crooks and dumb ones lead 'cos they couldn't give a shit. Unfortunately for society.

      Oh and Admin will probably del this post, which will just reiterate my opition!

      • ESEMCE on 02/05/2014 - 08:59
        +1

        Oh and I can see from the comments that some members are behaving like 5 year olds when they say "change your name 'cos you're not very smart"

        It's the internet… what else did you expect?

      • retiredfeline on 02/05/2014 - 09:22
        +1

        It sounds like the reason you feel so hurt is that you were expecting people to share your enthusiasm for the device. That wasn't communicated, you just assumed that everybody would instantly see how great it is. Aside from a couple of negs you just got a lukewarm four votes. That's probably as good as can be expected for the product.

    • [Deactivated] on 02/05/2014 - 05:40

      Error.

  • samfisher5986 on 30/04/2014 - 10:44
    +1

    Here is an easy way to tell if you are wrong OP.

    Your post has 3 positive votes, there always a number of votes from users that are done without reading or knowing anything about the deal.

    So you can basically say one person on ozbargain thought your deal was actually good, everyone else didn't like it or didn't care.

    Now remember Ozbargain is a community site and just because a product exists it doesn't mean it should be on ozbargain.

    So I really don't see what you are complaining about.

  • Tal_Shiar on 01/05/2014 - 23:32

    Then I got an avalanche of neg comments about how 'this is not a bargain it is the everyday price'.

    1 neg is standing, 1 neg got revoked, hardly an avalanche…

    SHOCK!!! People were willing to pay up to $300 for a media player with no storage

    a whole 6 votes, hardly a popular deal worth citing to make a point over…

  • [Deactivated] on 02/05/2014 - 05:42
    -1

    Does anyone know how to UNSUBSCRIBE from this forum?

    Not worth my time or effort.

    • ESEMCE on 02/05/2014 - 10:39
      +4

      Just don't come back.. In fact you should consider disconnecting from the internet altogether!
      Cause the whole place is no better than it is here.
      You're getting told the way it is and you don't like it which is fine, but you're not helping your cause by whining about it!

    • Moderatorneil on 02/05/2014 - 11:45

      Click the button marked UnSubscribe at the top of the page next to where it says Comments. I have now closed this thread as the discussion has run its course.

      If you need to discuss issues with the moderation team, do so in the Talk with a Moderator forum,

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