Is OzBargain facilitating greediness in people?

jv hi fi on 01/06/2014 - 23:30
Last edited 01/06/2014 - 23:35

Hi everyone,

Firstly, I have been a long-time member and love this site. Secondly, this isn't pointing fingers or blaming anyone but I am interested in hearing everyone's opinions and allowing a discussion.

So yesterday, I went to Big W to check out the sale (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/146307) and when I went to check out the gift cards, I saw some fellow (non-worker) there opening the shelf behind the gift card display and going through all the boxes of the backstock gift cards, mainly Westfield cards. I came back after 5 minutes as I wanted to buy 2 or 3 gift cards and I saw this same guy have a basket full of different gift cards and doing something on his phone (perhaps calculating?). He did appear to be going to buy all of them but I left before he did.

So to my question, is OzBargain facilitating (please note: I AM NOT saying it is causing) people to become greedy? I'm not sure how many people would have gone to Big W knowing that non-WISH gift cards would be available for purchase under the 10% off scheme but I'm gonna bet not many if it wasn't for the deal posted on OzBargain. Greedy in terms of purchasing 100s and 1000s of dollars of gift cards and leaving little or none for anyone else. This also extends to other deals posted on Ozbargain where some people create multiple accounts or other methods to circumvent 1 per person/household and other limits. And also where people buy something cheap on Ozbargain in large quantities to then sell later on eBay or some other place.

I think as OzBargain becomes more popular and more people use it everyday, this becomes more apparent. I know it's not OzBargain but anywhere (other websites etc.) where a good deal or offer is available, some people can become greedy and take advantage of it. What do you think?

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Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 01/06/2014 - 23:34
    +1

    Is a knife facilitating murder ?

    • AnophthalmiaCervidae on 02/06/2014 - 07:42
      +26

      In the hands of the wrong person, yes.
      That's why they don't hand them out in prisons.

      • [Deactivated] on 02/06/2014 - 11:30
        -1

        Same with Ozbargain. Knife just like any tool is not facilitating any actions, it has many useful purposes.

        • shortgum on 03/06/2014 - 06:24

          love ozbargain. love bargains. love it. no greed, just love. spread the love. dont stop :3

    • fruit on 02/06/2014 - 11:28

      make (an action or process) easy or easier.
      "schools were located in the same campus to facilitate the sharing of resources"

  • retiredfeline on 01/06/2014 - 23:36

    Sounds like a scalper at work.

  • Almost Banned on 02/06/2014 - 00:19
    +3

    I don't really understand this thinking.
    Stores want to sell their merchandise and offer a good deal.
    People want stuff at good prices so buy said merchandise.
    All Ozbargain does is facilitate this.
    If stores want to limit quantities or say 'x per person' they are free to do so.
    So, where's the harm?

  • ProspectiveDarkness on 02/06/2014 - 00:25
    +2

    Of course it has the potential to, it's the nature of the beast - just as it can also facilitate frugality, depending on the person and the circumstances.

  • [Deactivated] on 02/06/2014 - 00:38
    +19

    people are inherently greedy. oz bargain just highlights this

  • [Deactivated] on 02/06/2014 - 00:43
    +1

    but maybe it was someone from HQ in plain clothes removing all offending items from sale to prevent the obargainers greed

  • eatwell365 on 02/06/2014 - 06:42
    +33

    OP, thank you for your righteousness.

    More and more people do not know fair dinkum these days.

    Once upon a time, picking cockles and pipis on the beach was a good family outing.
    Until one day, some decided to make this recreational activity a money spinner.
    It was advertised as program of day tour. Tourists came everyday. Bus after bus.
    End result - it is now banned. No one can have the fun.

    Remember the fable that teaches us "don't kill the goose that lads the golden eggs."
    Sadly, people choose to ignore.
    Ignore them as they will be judged.

    • ahly92 on 03/06/2014 - 21:57

      wow…that was strong!

    • jv hi fi on 03/06/2014 - 22:37

      +1, well-written and I agree 100%!

  • RockyRaccoon on 02/06/2014 - 07:25
    +2

    It all depends on what they are doing it for.

    If they were going to buy say a 4K TV or maybe one of those curved TV's, then its a way of getting an extra 10% off.

    If its to on sell maybe, but really how do you find a market for something like that and really make a profit, selling via ebay involves fees etc and labour, risk of default etc makes it a pretty small return.

    And what would you consider "greed" 10 cards 11 cards.

    With out understanding motive who are we to "judge", btw another bad word like "greed"

    Annoying - yes being the first one to miss out, just like when the lollypop man picks you to stop but lets the car before you go thru.

  • PJC on 02/06/2014 - 08:54

    This is called shopping. If prices are low, it is not my fault nobody else wanted the goods. The goods must go somewhere.

    • Tal_Shiar on 03/06/2014 - 03:52
      +4

      you kind of sound defensive, are you that fellow in OP's post? :P

  • djones145 on 02/06/2014 - 09:52

    it is but its good for the economy that people are spending!
    so sites like this are good for the economy as people would buy things they might not normally need or want!

  • c64 on 02/06/2014 - 09:58
    -1

    I saw some fellow (non-worker) there opening the shelf behind the gift card display and going through all the boxes of the backstock gift cards

    you should have got there earlier

  • Speckled Jim on 02/06/2014 - 10:47
    +2

    I agree with the OP on the inevitable It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World style hijinks as OzB becomes more popular. The short answer is: Yes it can.

    Online saturation in many areas of modern life arguably leads to the facilitation of many positive and negative affects. Facebook can facilitate stalkers, rapists and murderers while simultaneously enhancing communication with friends and family. eBay can facilitate scammers while legitimate traders get fleeced by eBay itself. And on and on. Let's not forget the many positives, such as talented artists gaining easy exposure for example.

    Deals will be done as they have been for centuries. The evolutionary differences have been opportunity, approach, affordability, abundance…and others without vowels too.

    In 2014, the question is one of awareness of such deals. If I rely entirely on TV ads and catalogues like I did twenty years ago, it's a matter of who received the catalogue first. Maybe the guy across the street got his two hours ago and is already stocking up on the bargains at the shop! Granted, TV and radio ads are a matter of chance if you see or hear them.

    With that in mind, automatic notification of bargains (and the site itself) should be seen as a levelling resource. It should, but can't unless 100% of the population has internet access. So it's still like the neighbour getting the catalogue (those of us online) while the guy next door doesn't get it AT ALL (offline).

    There have always been those who take full advantage, so I don't think OzB can't be blamed for that. Perhaps retailers need to adapt with sites like this in mind? Should someone be trying a Broden, they could quote dear old K. Rudd: "fair shake of the sauce bottle, mate!"

    • JepunK on 04/06/2014 - 17:20

      The Broden spirit was very much alive in this Deal

  • FromAtoZ on 02/06/2014 - 12:05
    +2

    imagine if that guy (the unfortunate guy who was described as "greedy") needed 2K for his new laptop, but BigW made it hard coz they had only $50 and $100 gift cards
    (or even $20 and $40).

    If you have a huge planned spending coming up (wedding ring, new TV for home renovation, and so on) and there is a chance to get 10% discount off it, would you do the same ?

    I went there and bought 2 x 50$ JB Hifi gift cards, and i know i may use it in December.

  • BuyoTheCat on 02/06/2014 - 12:11
    +3

    OZB brings out the beast in us.

    I mean best…not beast

  • blitz on 02/06/2014 - 12:26
    +6

    I don't understand the negative attitude in this thread.

    I use OzB to find bargains on things that I buy. I also give generously (very generously) to charities, family and friends. OzB definitely makes this easier.

    OzB only facilitates greed if you are already inclined that way.

  • SpaceNinja on 02/06/2014 - 13:01
    +2

    Is food facilitating flatulence?

  • psdillon on 02/06/2014 - 13:22
    +15

    OP, you might be interested in a theory called Tragedy of the Commons, which basically says that a common resource is abused until it is worthless: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy_of_the_commons

    I feel that way too when I miss out on a deal, where a whole bunch of people have posted something like "I don't really need this, but I bought two!!" I think that is greedy, but the ozbargain community doesn't discourage it.

    Also when I click on a link in my 7am email and 400 people have bought it out, it makes me wonder how many people just sit on the site all day. That's also bit of a tragedy where people are like rats in a cage, constantly and compulsively checking to see if any new food has been put into their feeder.

    But that's just the way it is. Whether it's good or bad doesn't really change it.

    • Speckled Jim on 03/06/2014 - 09:45

      "I don't really need this, but I bought two!!"

      Five years ago, HN were offering Sunbeam coffee machines (old drip type) for $25 a piece. Well, that was under half price, so I bought three. However, the spares were needed because we give these things a hiding and they fail after 18 months or so. But that's daily use, often twice or thrice a day.

      Good thing I did because I had to unbox the last one recently :o

      Greed? If an insatiable appetite for coffee qualifies, then yes!

      • psdillon on 03/06/2014 - 09:50
        +5

        That's OK because the "I don't really need this" part didn't apply.

    • hahaboy on 03/06/2014 - 15:39
      +2

      Well said. Came here to point out this exact behaviour.

    • jv hi fi on 03/06/2014 - 23:18

      Thanks for that - I will definitely read into it and sounds very interesting!

  • [Deactivated] on 03/06/2014 - 00:24
    +2

    I think it's attributed to consumerism. (I'm no economist/social studies expert; just my opinion/view)

    Leads to people contracting Affluenza.

  • [Deactivated] on 03/06/2014 - 01:46

    You can't help that people are greedy and often corrupt that is simply the nature of Australia increasing capitalist economy and the nature of primates. These people who scalp often have less time value compared to others and are often sitting on government benefits or stay at home mum or dad and have nothing better to do financially than refresh OzBargain.

    Those which are smart will transition to a small business operation which can grow in time, however often the bottom feeders are stuck with scalping/simple reselling for a few extra $$$. I don't feel angry I laugh that people think they are cunning when they make $1000 bucks flipping a good while In make 50000 renovating a house and flipping it during an upswing or paying a the same effective tax rate as someone on an income significantly less than me due to knowledge of tax system and how to shuttle your money through it.

    Scalping is often an very time inefficient way to make $$$ in the long run as many other scalpers are often thinking of the same thing and low quantities involved push up time and freight costs. Don't feel bad because these people were part of the economy even before Ozbargain and will always exist to fill small gaps in the market

    • FrankMcFuzz on 05/06/2014 - 08:49

      I liked this post because OP wasn't even talking about the Government. +1 for conspiracy theory.

  • shortgum on 03/06/2014 - 02:51

    I got frustrated not able to get the MYER gift card last round when some people got two ! The scoopon server is completely down on my PC at 8pm last time.

  • psdillon on 03/06/2014 - 09:59
    +8

    Perhaps we need a new thread titled "Does OzBargain facilitate environmental damage?" When people buy a whole bunch of crap that they don't need, and then throw it into the trash 5 years later, unopened but obsolete… Those goods are no longer available to people who need them, so they end up buying what they need somewhere else. More plastic and metal that goes into landfill.

    • jv hi fi on 03/06/2014 - 23:16

      I agree - I've actually stopped getting free samples for many months now, I would rather go and buy something from the supermarket than have a PINCHME or some other company's 20mL/g sample specially delivered to my home. Will definitely look into other areas to reduce fuel and cardboard waste.

  • Dr Techno on 03/06/2014 - 10:01
    +1

    Some days you win 'em, some day you don't.

    A lot of times its just simple pot luck. Best not to get hung up on a deal. Look forward to the next deal.

    Overall I've been squeezing more bang out of my buck since I've discovered Ozbargain. :)

  • telljoolz on 03/06/2014 - 10:22
    +3

    I think OzBargain facilitates people to buy stuff at cheaper prices.
    I don't think it facilitates greediness in people.
    You are either greedy, considerate or somewhere in between already.
    So it's facilitating all types of OzBargainers to do what they do already.

  • heartychat on 03/06/2014 - 11:06

    From http://www.thefreedictionary.com/greediness

    greed·y (grē′dē)
    adj. greed·i·er, greed·i·est
    1. Excessively desirous of acquiring or possessing, especially wishing to possess more than what one needs or deserves.
    2. Wanting to eat or drink more than one can reasonably consume; gluttonous.
    3. Extremely eager or desirous: greedy for the opportunity to prove their ability.
    [Middle English gredi, from Old English grǣdig; see gher-2 in Indo-European roots.]
    greed′i·ly adv.
    greed′i·ness n.

    So OP, 'Yes', I think I would classify some of the behaviour that we witness (and are at times guilty of ourselves) on ozbargain as 'greedy'.

    • telljoolz on 03/06/2014 - 12:44

      He/she's not asking if some people on ozbargain are greedy.

      Actually the title and the last question he poses at the end of his post are slightly different.

      The title: Is OzBargain facilitating the greediness in people?
      A: Yes, but if there is greed in people it provides more opportunities to fuel that greed.
      But no more than providing other opportunities to people who are not greedy but just in need of saving money for what they need. Ie. it doesn't necessarily make people greedy.

      His last line: "where a good deal or offer is available, some people can become greedy and take advantage of it"
      A: I still say, if you are greedy, you may exploit the opportunity, but that doesn't mean OzBargain changed your personality trait. That trait was already part of you.

      If the general attitude on this site was constantly encouraging members to buy everything, sell it for more, or just constantly telling people to get stuff for the sake of it. Then maybe it is specifically facilitating greed or causing people to become greedy.

      Else, you are what you are and Ozbargain is just a place to post deals.

      • heartychat on 03/06/2014 - 17:46
        +1

        Yeap, and I think the answer is still 'Yes' to OP's questions

  • retiredfeline on 03/06/2014 - 11:10

    The Internet facilitates a lot of disruptive things. Cost of sending mail goes towards zero? Result: spam. No need to travel to shops to buy? Result: bricks and mortar shops have competition. And so forth.

  • onlyletters on 03/06/2014 - 11:32
    +8

    Firstly, how do you know he was an OzBargainer???

  • Mumbles on 03/06/2014 - 12:54
    +2

    It's easy to focus on the few drop kicks but its heartwarming to see how many citizens have volunteered their time and effort to help the rest of us.

    If it makes you feel better the drop kicks are in the same boat as us. They rock up and miss out on awesome deals too from other greedy people.

    Bargains are a want and not a need. If someone feels they need it more than me then let them have it. My money is still in my pocket. Its actually a blessing seeing how much stuff I've accumulated due to OzBargain!

    The bad people are everywhere and not just on OzBargain. Search on Youtube for Boxing day sales. There are people raiding clothing bins and furniture from Salvation Army / Vinnies. Scammers pose as disadvantaged people on recycling websites. OzBargain hasn't got that bad yet.

    • telljoolz on 03/06/2014 - 16:36
      +1

      Yeah. In general OzB has a good vibe :)

  • burningrage on 03/06/2014 - 13:43

    Interesting topic but we do live in tough times. No sin in trying to ace rising cost of living…

  • This Guy on 03/06/2014 - 17:49

    I am disappointed by the current "entitled" attitude.

    Sales are there to attract more customers so they buy other stuff.

    Buying more than one or two of a non-advertised offer will cause the offer to be revoked or called a "price error".

    If you want a better deal, ask. If you want 10 of something, use an advertised, unlimited deal or buy wholesale.

    "But the T&C…" No. You are hurting fellow Ozzies trying to share a bargain.

    These are just my opinions, but I try to do right by other people.

  • [Deactivated] on 03/06/2014 - 20:21
    +3

    In my mind the question comes down to "should we punish frugal people because greedy people can also take advantage of a deal?"

    And in my mind the answer is a firm "No."

  • jv hi fi on 03/06/2014 - 23:05
    +2

    Thanks for the excellent discussion guys, I've read everyting and there are a lot of great points and views being brought up. Some fantastic theories too!

    I think I should clarify some things first.

    1. I didn't miss out on the deal, I bought 3 x $50 Myer vouchers, 1 for each for my family members to spend at the June (now delayed) sales as they weren't able to come with me on the day. There were over 20+ gift cards left of each type (except JB HI-FI) but I don't think the guy had gone through the 2nd display yet when I bought them. I didn't buy any Westfield cards (which the guy seemed to primarily be going for) because I didn't think the purchasing charge was worth it.

    2. I don't know if the fellow was an Ozbargainer but it is likely he either saw it here or heard it from someone who uses Ozbargain. It's rare for retailers to mark 5% or even 10% off useful gift cards (like Myer, DJs, JB, Westfield etc.). I work at Coles and we have to join the union or buy an entertainment book to get 5% off selected gift cards. So my logic is that the original deal (Big W and 10% off gift vouchers) brought awareness to people who visit OzBargain which we otherwise probably wouldn't have seen - I for one would have assumed all gift cards were exempt from the deal like they usually are (e.g. Dick Smith 'storewide' sales, Target etc.).

    3. True - selling gift cards on eBay wouldn't be financially viable due to fees, especially low margins with the Westfield cards. I don't know what the guy was going to do with the cards but someone who buys that many (a basket of different cards) is unlikely to use it personally unless as josh0161 suggested, a high value item like a laptop (which would be a pain to process, 10-20 gift cards in one transaction). He could also use it for mid-year sales and stack discounts for other purposes but it really is all speculation.

    4. I understand that greed is very subjective - so good to see what everyone perceives it is different.

    5. I agree some people will inherently be greedy and that a minority will always ruin things for everyone else. I guess my main point is that because Ozbargain is about saving money and providing a place for good deals, it is easier to facilitate greed (because more often than not, it's about money money money) than most other websites on the internet (except for FeeBay of course) or places in real life.

    Lastly, I use Ozbargain everyday and love this website and the people on here who are some of the most selfless and generous people out there. Unfortunately, as Ozbargain gets bigger and bigger, there will always be some people who come on here to take advantage of a deal and take more than their (theoretical) fair share - e.g. people who create 2 Scoopon accounts to buy multiple vouchers or 'broden' deals. I think it's great to see fellow Ozbargainers discouraging this practice when people do that, keep it up!

    • [Deactivated] on 04/06/2014 - 01:57

      Lol Scoopon

  • [Deactivated] on 04/06/2014 - 07:15

    Yes, but the guy was already greedy. There's a bigger problem with ozbargain.

    Used to be the bargains were true bargains. Like "XYZ is closing down in 4 weeks, they've discounted everything, what a bargain!".

    These days you have to wade through fake bargains like "1 cent off on any $15 hamburger at XYZ store, these are the best burgers ever and I buy 1000s of super delicious burgers from XYZ store every week.. this AMAZING DEAL brought to you by Store Representative for XYZ". Or "name-brand SSD now 1% cheaper than it was last week". It's a computer part. It always gets cheaper if you wait a week or two. That's not a bargain; that's just normal.

    It's getting too hard to find the real bargains because of all the noise.

    • AnophthalmiaCervidae on 04/06/2014 - 09:04

      Watch out or you'll get negged away by the XYZ burger rep and the SSD lovers for having an opinion, then the "haters" will pile some more neg on you just for the lols.

      I dislike how sometimes a legitimate comment gets lots of negs, often to a new user not schooled in the "ozbargain ways", they become defensive or get offended and follow up with "why the negs" which gets them even more.

      Don't neg comments because they express an opinion different to yours (if it is a valid comment and not like someone criticising an iPhone deal because they prefer android).

      Share the love, don't hate.

    • blitz on 04/06/2014 - 13:03

      Statistics: 1 posts

      This is pretty rich coming from someone who has only posted one single bargain. If you want to see different bargains, then post different bargains. OzBargain is a community, and it thrives on participation from members. Be the change you want to see.

      • Speckled Jim on 04/06/2014 - 14:43

        Oh Blitz
        Member since: January 2009
        Deals posted: 6
        Average: 0.0/week

        I'm making no such claims about my participation, by the way. But jeez.

        • blitz on 04/06/2014 - 17:05

          I'm making no such claims about my participation, by the way.

          And I've posted two more than you, you hypocrite!

          My point is that it's not right to criticize the community if you don't contribute to it. I'm not criticizing OzBargain. Do you get that?

        • Speckled Jim on 04/06/2014 - 21:22

          [sigh]

          If we're gonna make this a pissing contest, my average is higher.
          So get posting.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/06/2014 - 08:38

    I think a lot of people need to realize that everything happens over a bell curve. At one end you will have people that don't care if they are getting a bargain, a large number of people will use but not abuse the system, and at the top end you have the 100-card buying person who is addicted.

    Personally, I'm looking at buying a TV this month (waiting for the EOFY sales to kick in). Wouldn't have minded picking up $1100 of JB Hifi vouchers for this purpose (missed the bargain unfortunately). Would that have made me greedy or smart?

  • cryptos on 04/06/2014 - 09:55
    -1

    I do not know about greed, but I went to Bigw and there was no jbhifi cards, after persisting with several employees, asking them to check the back etc a lady opened the magical gift card rack to reveal a stash if gift cards, as she asked how many I'd like, I hinted at a few then asked if I could have a look at how many were there, then said I would take the lot… Did I feel greedy, a little, but what came next was perhaps worse….

    Proceeding to the counter, I tried to convince the blissfully unaware lady that I needed to put these cards through in separate transactions, whilst I told the other customers we were going to be a while here!

    Knowledge is power, using this site and informing/educating yourself is no different to any other profession today. Capitalism breeds competition and corruption, also somewhere along the chain exploitation… ; what your describing is close to socialism, a much better solution in an ideal world.

    So at the end of the day, you snooze, you lose

    • [Deactivated] on 04/06/2014 - 11:56

      you snooze, you lose.

      That's an issue of deficient moral conscientiousness of greedy people. (In your case, I guess it's more advantage sought since other consumers weren't aware)

      A consumer could hone 100 gift cards in a socialist structure. Socialism concerns redistribution of wealth to facilitate equity, in theory, (in my understanding) and not consumer behaviour.

  • lolmao on 04/06/2014 - 22:44

    i have a problem for free stuff, it makes me greedy

  • garetz on 05/06/2014 - 05:31

    The whole premise of what you are saying is ridiculous, money facilitates trade, trade facilitates exchanging of goods for capital, what facilitates greed is not the economy, but the system of trade we use which is capitalism.

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