Anyone know why this was taken down? If it was "multiple sockpuppeting" as googles cache says, at least the mods could have just closed the comments or deleted the posts. As I would like to see how long the minimal amount of cards lasted.
Same happens to some other posts. Maybe OzB should have a "page 2".
Still trying to work out what was going on in that thread. However basically a large number of new users (~20, users or bots) coming from IP addresses overseas (US, Germany, Netherlands, Israel) to vote up that deal.
Those accounts have been banned. They have also up voted the previous Bing Lee offer, but not bargainhuntermom's previous post so the incident is more related to Bing Lee not her. Bing Lee has been banned for now for more investigation.
Surprised that there was sockpuppeting for that deal as it was a genuine bargain provided you were online when it went live.
The 2 for 1 cards lasted 14 minutes according to Facebook. For me the website didn't handle the hit particularly well, was running slow and gave error messages on the final checkout page. Some people got it, some people missed out. Some got confirmations of their order, some didn't.
Yes I was disgusted at this. I was on at midnight the site allowed me to allocate a card to my cart but then the "fun" began. Bizarre amounts appeared at checkout and the site generally was all over the place. The end result was I couldn't purchase. If Bing Lee are going to offer this they should ensure their site can FAIRLY process purchases!!
I thought something strange was going on.
I logged on at midnight….signed up for new Bing Lee account, was able to add the iTunes card to my cart but could NOT checkout, nor proceed with the orders. All the while other users seemed to have no issue at all.
Very dodgy.
Site was slow and I had to reload a few times, but the deal was genuine.
LOL you'd think Bing Lee of all companies wouldn't bother sockpuppetting a deal. Goes to show the power of ozbargain :P
Scotty sell the story to ACA or 60mins, I can already here the dramatic advertisement 'Retailers and the lengths they go to. The truth at 7pm'
Bing Lee's sockpuppeting history on OzBargain go looooooong way back. They got banned a few times, and we sort of let them come back because they are one of the major retailers.
Looks like they have done it again.
Anyway. No point selling the story to ACA or TT. I much prefer the retailers to play the rules here so it's fair to everyone. Now the moderators are waiting for explanation from Bing Lee…
The site was painfully, painfully slow. I was on at the dot of midnight, and the transaction took all of 16 minutes to complete. I've still had no confirmation that my purchase was successful. It's only because I saw here on ozB to check my account at Bing Lee that i have any idea at all.
Whoever runs Bing Lee's social media/online marketing is doing a hilarious job of it, they're quite obviously treating the public like idiots. You can obviously tell who the sockpuppets are by their overly optimistic comments ("I love bing lee lolz!!1") and that their accounts were started exactly 2 days and 21 hours ago.
Don't forget there was that fiasco a few months back with Bing Lee offering to donate $1 to the QLD floods for every like on their Facebook page…
Has anyone actually had these posted out yet?
I contacted Bing Lee & they told me expect it to be sent mid to late next week.
When a business sockpuppets deals here - it makes you wonder what other games they play to manipulate rankings etc.
Do they have all the stock that they say they have? Is the stock being purchased by retail customers? Is it Staff? Is it non existent sales?
When the trust barrier is broken how can you be sure its not being broken again….
On the internet it's a little harder to tell.
As mods these are questions we constantly ask. Manipulation of this site is manipulation of our members, which is something we are not willing to be party to.
Totally agreed!
Anyway…………. for those who paid, has anyone had theirs posted yet?
Got mine today - registered post.
Still waiting here
Still waiting too - payment cleared 27/06
Here is link for it(for others)
http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/47638
Sockpuppeting
i.e.
What happens if a sockpuppeting company creates 100 accounts just to "upvote" their "bargain" post , should that be closed as well?
You have to keep things fair