ChoiceCheapies - community bargain sharing site in New Zealand

scotty on 07/10/2014 - 17:52
Last edited 08/08/2015 - 14:30 by 1 other user

Due to "popular demand", we are launching a OzBargain-like bargain sharing community website in New Zealand, and it is called ChoiceCheapies. It is now open for beta testing, but there's no community nor any bargain at the moment.

"Popular demand" as in it has been asked previous a few times by kiwis or aussie expats whether a site similar to OzBargain exists in New Zealand. Example #1 #2. As far as I can remember we have actually been talking about getting a New Zealand site for 2 years but due to time/resource constraint (and general procrastination), we didn't manage to start "working on it" until about a month ago. I have also found a Wellington-based ex-OzBargainer — shaw — to get that community rolling.

For now I am using this space to call all our New Zealand users to give it a try, and report bugs using the forum there.

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Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 07/10/2014 - 17:58
    +1

    Great name, scotty. I hope it goes well.

    Today, New Zealand.
    Tomorrow… The World!

    • scotty on 07/10/2014 - 18:07
      +1

      Don't think i am aiming that high. As I have said it's ask based on demand — quite a few kiwi & expat asked about it over the years.

      • [Deactivated] on 07/10/2014 - 18:51

        Even allowing for the exchange-rate difference, there will be some interesting Oz vs. NZ contrasts in price highlighted over time and not just relating to the 'Australia Tax'.

        Grocery prices will be interesting for some who are unaware of the differences - including on some Australian imports, or so I gather.
        Other things, too.
        Possible rage in the OzB forums…

  • AssociatedShaw @ ChoiceCheapies on 07/10/2014 - 18:11
    +1

    Just keep in mind, that instead of putting rule breakers to the snake pit, and torturing with crocodiles, over in NZ you get pecked by a kiwi and tickled with a fern!

    It's a much more peaceful place!

    Although on a serious note, thanks to Scotty, Neil, and Moocher for making this happen. It has been something I have been wanting to occur for a long time, and I know alot of others as well, so to finally see it off the ground is awesome.

    • [Deactivated] on 07/10/2014 - 18:56

      Shaw, being pecked by penguins is apparently pretty nasty, so, um, for 'ChoiceBargainers', I'm guessing that the prospect of a kiwi-pecking would be scary enough…
      … Fern-tickles and taking a nip from one of those cute kakapo on that island they live on - even OzBargainers would be up for that!

      • AssociatedShaw @ ChoiceCheapies on 07/10/2014 - 18:58
        +1

        So… you are suggesting next venture should be an extreme NZ-torture travel agency? The kiwi are actually so sparse that you are probably more likely to see a kangaroo than you are a kiwi!

        • [Deactivated] on 07/10/2014 - 19:08

          Ok, maybe just a fern-tickle and kakapo-cuddle…
          Attenborough made a doco featuring them. Beautiful it was.

          The national bird is pretty sweet, too, but a 'pucking' would be nasty…
          (Sorry, couldn't resist!)

        • AssociatedShaw @ ChoiceCheapies on 07/10/2014 - 19:10

          A shame they are:

          Critically Endangered

          though.

          They are as sparse as kiwis…

          How about sheep? ;)

        • [Deactivated] on 07/10/2014 - 19:18
          +1

          My family raised a few pet lambs (in suburbia) when I was a kid.
          Plenty of cuddles, and a few head-butts, but nothing more - hence, I am refraining from sheep jokes. Be Thankful!

        • AssociatedShaw @ ChoiceCheapies on 07/10/2014 - 19:21

          Sheep jokes don't bother as many people as Aussies think, I actually prefer to laugh along than get all cut up about it!

          Kinda like watching Beau knows Benji http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqrEp4DAYzA

        • [Deactivated] on 07/10/2014 - 19:34

          Are there any statues of Dave Dobbyn in New Zealand?
          Along with various Rugby players, isn't he still venerated as a god, or a slice thereof?

        • AssociatedShaw @ ChoiceCheapies on 07/10/2014 - 19:41

          Yea, there is a massive one in wellington, right next to the beehive! You have to check it out!

        • [Deactivated] on 07/10/2014 - 19:50

          I'll be sure to google it after dinner. I think that I can cope with the suspense…

          All the best with your part in the new OzB > CC venture.

        • AssociatedShaw @ ChoiceCheapies on 07/10/2014 - 19:55

          Cheers, it will be fun!

        • neil on 07/10/2014 - 21:03
          +6

          Sheep jokes don't bother as many people as Aussies think

          I was pushing for the site to be named Baaahhgains.co.nz but no dice.

        • AssociatedShaw @ ChoiceCheapies on 08/10/2014 - 05:57

          @neil:

          I'm still very disappointed that none of you have brought up "ChoiceSheepies" yet!

        • AssociatedShaw @ ChoiceCheapies on 13/10/2014 - 09:03
          +2

          @Tas:

          I got a photo of the statue on the way home the other morning:

          http://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/46901/25793/img_2014100…

        • [Deactivated] on 13/10/2014 - 11:12

          @shaw:
          Um, ta.
          Magnificent - just like the surrounding architecture and adjacent greenery…

          Ok, now I'm just itching to get on a flight.
          Hold on…
          Nope…
          That was just a bloody mozzie-bite!

        • retiredfeline on 18/12/2014 - 17:30

          @Shaw: I was more thinking visitors might come to your site looking for fried potatoes.

        • AssociatedShaw @ ChoiceCheapies on 21/12/2014 - 18:03

          @greenpossum:

          They actually do! Fast food deals are surprisingly popular…

  • PVA on 07/10/2014 - 19:21
    +2

    you didnt want to keep the naming convention and have NZbargains.co.nz ?

    • AssociatedShaw @ ChoiceCheapies on 07/10/2014 - 19:48

      We did go though a number of potentials following the same naming convention as OZB, but in the end none with a full domain set were available. And if it was anything but nzbargain.co.nz it wouldn't really work anyway, which currently is an active domain.

      • silverrat23 on 07/10/2014 - 19:52
        +1

        nzbargain.co.nz it wouldn't really work anyway, which currently is an active domain.

        Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

      • bluedufflecoat on 18/10/2014 - 20:34

        So kiwibargains wasn't available either?

        • neil on 18/10/2014 - 22:05

          Nope. I think we tried every combination.

        • Skinnerr on 09/01/2015 - 01:18

          @neil:
          Even nzchoicebragainbro.co.nz?

  • apocalypso on 21/10/2014 - 11:20

    This is FANTASTIC news. I just stumbled across this thread while searching the term 'New Zealand' on OZBargain to see if there are any current flight deals. I'm moving there at the end of the year so am very happy to hear of the new sister site and will certainly contribute any Bargains I spot when I get over there. I have been meaning to bring up having an NZ site as a suggestion on here for a long time given the lack of anything similar over there and the popularity of OZB in Australia.
    Might be worth posting about the new site in this bargains and deals thread on the NZ equivalent of the Whirlpool forums to help get some new NZ community members
    http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=164
    Well done guys, great news!

    • neil on 21/10/2014 - 15:24

      Yeah, we did get a mention on one of their threads. However, we don't want to come off as spammy.

    • AssociatedShaw @ ChoiceCheapies on 22/10/2014 - 07:52

      Welcome aboard apocalypso, I did notice that you signed up, and at this stage I can afford to wonder where each individual user originates from, this answers that one!

      Just to follow up on GeekZone, I have posted a reply to a post on GZ that was linking to CC, and do intend to post in the "Startups" section of the website, as the Bargains and Deals area is not designed for that purpose. My goal is to promote a positive relationship between the communities, and the mutual benefits that this entails, without coming across as trying to advertise our website (Leaving out direct hyperlinks) or spammy (Not going off topic etc).

  • aldog on 18/12/2014 - 17:12

    Hey, perhaps a good idea would be to place a little banner logo somewhere (maybe next to the search box?) to say something to the effect of 'Have you visited our NZ sister site - Choice Cheapies?'. Would be great to get Choice Cheapies a bit more exposure, as it's helped me out buying things for people across the ditch :)

    • neil on 18/12/2014 - 17:16
      +2

      There is a notice that appears if OzBargain detects a New Zealand IP address.

      • aldog on 18/12/2014 - 17:34

        Thanks for clarifying that Neil - shame about the people on Aussie IP addresses who may have no clue as to the site!

        • neil on 18/12/2014 - 17:38
          +1

          It was brought up that perhaps we could have a box show that can be dismissed but the worry was it was a bit obtrusive for the majority of users. Perhaps we need something less obtrusive?

        • aldog on 18/12/2014 - 18:54

          @neil: Sounds like a great idea - thanks :)

        • neil on 09/01/2015 - 01:52
          +1

          @aldog:

          Just to follow up. We promoted CC in this weeks OzBargain newsletter as well as social media. I believe there will be a permanent link in the footer in the next code rollout.

        • aldog on 09/01/2015 - 20:26

          @neil: Thanks neil - your help has been appreciated!

  • congo on 12/10/2015 - 08:42

    Hi, just my 2 cents, I think you would need to come up with a better name.
    Choice Cheapies isn't memorable…sorry.

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