Why did you signup for OzBargain? Going from a guest to a member.

neil on 13/02/2013 - 20:17

This question is a bit of side topic from this thread. While there is no problem with people viewing deals without signing up for an account, there are loads of benefits of signing up.

So the question is why did you sign up? What things can we do to encourage more lurkers to sign up?

My personal story is that before OzBargain, I used to find all my freebies and deals from Whirlpool's Freebies threads. Scott used to post there and I think either him or someone else linked to the OzBargain Blog. I followed that for a while when eventually he created OzBargain. As a natural progression of commenting on the blog/Whirlpool, I signed up for an account.

Site Discussion

Comments

  • m0nkeycheese on 13/02/2013 - 20:21

    Free stuff..

  • retiredfeline on 13/02/2013 - 20:24
    +10

    To make comments.

    • MadJD on 16/02/2013 - 17:35

      Me too.

  • robotdad on 13/02/2013 - 21:03

    Also to customise view and to track new posts/unread comments. Also for personal messages.

  • mrhorseham on 13/02/2013 - 21:13
    +41

    Revenge.

    My story/reason for joining is a bit of long one. It all started on a warm summers day around this time 2 years ago. I was searching the inter webs for some cheap alcohol the night before, and stumbled upon my local liquor store advertising a coupon for a free bottle of mudgee wine. The next day, lets call it redemption day, i was travelling to my university from sydney cbd, i was travelling with a my bus 1 travel 10, and to my surprise the ticket inspectors came on the bus, as i went to get off the bus he asked for my ticket, i showed him, he then proceeded to say i needed a my bus 2 to travel this distance, so i responded "where does a my bus 1 get me?" he replied "1 stop back from here", i said "ok, tell the bus driver to turn around and take me back then". Cutting that bit of the story short, i got a $100 fine! so you can imagine how much i needed this free bottle of wine to drown my sorrows.

    Upon arrival at the liquor store, i stated i had a coupon from the website for a free bottle of wine, so he went and got it for me, then as i was about to leave he said "you need to buy something in order to get it". I pointed out to him that there was no terms and conditions stated on the website, nor on the voucher, nor in the store, stating he would have to honor the voucher. They would not honor it.

    I contacted the ACCC that night and it took them about 2-3months to get back to me, i got a phone call and the woman on the phone said "i have reviewed your case and it appears that you are in fact entitled to the free bottle of wine, however, under the liquor act, they are not allowed to give out free liquor without a purchase, if you wish to take this matter further they are likely to loose their liquor licence." This is where i decided to leave the matter, after 3 months i wasn't angry anymore ;P

    So basically, i decided to join ozbargain in order to post the coupon as a deal in order to get more ozbargainers down to the liquor store and attempt to redeem it. show them who's boss basically. But once signed up there is that can't post for 24 hours rule, and by the time i could they updated the coupon with terms and conditions. All i wanted was a free bottle of wine to drown my sorrows!

    Well that is my story, let me know if i need professional help ;)

    • daniesaurs on 13/02/2013 - 21:50
      +16

      I joined because of this guy

    • superklue on 13/02/2013 - 22:01

      I +'d you because you didn't hold a grudge.

    • cheepwun on 14/02/2013 - 23:17

      cool story bro.
      But that ticket fine is too low. Were they offering discounts that day?

      • udyz on 15/02/2013 - 12:10
        +1

        Do you think he should have posted the discount here??

  • Glittergirl on 13/02/2013 - 21:55
    +2

    I had been a long term lurker who signd up to respond to a forum comment I think. I am too scared to post a bargain 'cos people can be quite harsh on newbies who get it a bit wrong; that said though, I dont see a lot of bargains that havent already been posted.

    • Shaw on 13/02/2013 - 22:42

      Just post something like this, get a few +'s and feel good!

      That leave you unscared to post a potential bargain that you might think twice about in the future!

    • andy19363 on 14/02/2013 - 08:39
      +1

      I am too scared to post a bargain 'cos people can be quite harsh on newbies who get it a bit wrong

      You're not alone….. it's a harsh environment, and people get attacked even when they get it right…. just so happens their deal might not suit the opinions of the mob.

      The neg vote is their 'smacking' tool.

      Many people don't post because of this…. :-)

    • rjb on 14/02/2013 - 21:33

      ..me too…I would like to second you statement ! Too Scared to Post !

  • jwh on 13/02/2013 - 22:24

    Is it OK to say it's because I'm a professional?

    No really I joined so I could post comments and give thanks.

  • Ventak on 14/02/2013 - 00:22

    To post comments and maybe post deals (though the deals I find are usually ones people have posted hours before me…).

  • Geewhizz on 14/02/2013 - 07:34

    I figured if people were posting such awesome bargains the least I could do was thank them for doing so (with a vote.)

  • aussiehost on 14/02/2013 - 10:18

    Initially to post deals, but I enjoy the atmosphere here and who knows, may be I'll end up sitting here all day long, commenting other deals and talking to nice people :)

  • Pumpkin_rrr on 14/02/2013 - 10:26

    I join because it is a lovely community, a bit like my siblings, they share good stuff but they also smack when you are a little below par!

  • The Quote Train on 14/02/2013 - 10:32

    to downvote Gooddealmate

  • hellbound on 14/02/2013 - 10:49
    +4

    I joined because someone was wrong on the internet, and I couldn't allow that.
    I also like contributing to the posts, and its good to be able to ask for more information on deals

  • kolorijo on 14/02/2013 - 11:15
    +1

    to thank people and to vote up a good deal

  • Waffles on 14/02/2013 - 13:16

    Pretty much to be involved in the discussions/ask questions and to vote. I've sent/recieved about 3 PMs and haven't done much customisation.

  • jv on 14/02/2013 - 20:44
    +4

    I was tricked…

    • Commonwealth Pig on 14/02/2013 - 21:40

      How?

    • neil on 14/02/2013 - 22:17
      +2

      jv, Did you see your love note in the paper today?

  • Scumbag on 14/02/2013 - 21:04

    To vote on deals, and also post comments on some deals.
    (I'm yet to discover a deal to share with the world.)

  • twinbag on 14/02/2013 - 21:21
    +4

    to see the hidden comments

  • kabigon on 14/02/2013 - 21:30

    Probably to keep track of new comments and customise view / other settings. I figured I'd comment / post at some stage but it sure took me a while after registering (6 months+ for first comment / 3 years+ for first post), I may have been lurking for a while before I made an account but I can't remember.

    I think the seed/leech terminology may have put me off signing up if I had only just discovered the site, it makes things seem a bit less welcoming / more elitist. Let people who aren't signed up see all the good deals, positive discussion and helpful feedback and signups will take care of themselves.

  • Charybdia on 14/02/2013 - 21:39
    +4

    I joined because I wanted to see comments that are heavily negged ie. Broden's famous words

  • evol on 14/02/2013 - 21:48

    I joined to contribute and upvote all the punniness that goes around. Ozbargain is srs bizness.

  • cheepwun on 14/02/2013 - 23:18
    +2

    I joined to see downranked comments.

  • debo on 15/02/2013 - 08:22

    i joined 'cos this is a great place to share a laugh - of course I want to contribute where and when I can to share knowledge and help our great ideal "It's all about the deal!" - maybe OzBargain needs a slogan???

  • coxy on 15/02/2013 - 08:24
    +2

    I joined to vote and as such help get the bargains that I like up on the main page. I've only posted a couple of bargains myself.

    Just one point about lurkers though - I quite often clear my browser cache, which logs me out of OB, or I view OB from another computer or whatever. This results in me viewing as a "lurker" probably about 1/3 of the time I'm on here. I'm sure many other people are in a similar situation.

    Basically, many "lurkers" may not actually be lurkers - just people who don't like to stay signed in and can't be bothered to sign in every time they visit the page.

    • hahaboy on 15/02/2013 - 16:57
      +2

      "often clear my browser cache" eh? I am onto you coxy! ;)

  • netsurfer on 15/02/2013 - 11:47
    +1

    I joined so that I can post bargains. Since I found so many good deals here, it is only fair I contribute back whenever I can.

  • KenDiaMoi on 15/02/2013 - 15:05
    -1

    SO I COULD NEG PEOPLE I HATE

  • [Deactivated] on 15/02/2013 - 16:18

    So I could not be forever alone.

  • extract on 15/02/2013 - 16:22
    +1

    The reason i signed up is so i could join in on the fun of neg voting JV's comments :P

  • EnALup on 15/02/2013 - 23:49

    Well From whirlpool, I got reference to OZB somehow. Becoming a member was based on following factors not limiting to one:
    1. After getting few good bargain, I wanted to share something back to the community it can be that I wanted to know, if the deal was good or not.
    2. Other reason was to share your views about a posted deal or about that seller or item.

  • shinryoku on 16/02/2013 - 11:48
    1. To +1 good bargains
    2. To track my history of +'ed bargains
    3. To expand membership base for benefit of OzBargain site
  • Sage on 16/02/2013 - 13:29
    +1

    I don't specifically remember, but it was most likely to express my gratitude for a deal. (positive vote it)

  • lolmao on 16/02/2013 - 20:29
    +1

    so i can see the negged comments.. annoying as these are normally hidden

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join