How Do You Define a 'Bargain'?

Chazzozz on 28/08/2020 - 23:59

OzBargain is a great place to post deals that save us all money, and it provides the ability to comment on each deal where some robust discussions often take place. When disagreements arise that lead to arguments or inflammatory comments it often revolves around the same question: Is the deal a 'bargain' or not?

So, what is a bargain? Who gets to decide whether a deal is one or not? What constitutes a fair comment and what doesn't? I am myself guilty of stooping to what I perceive as objectionable behaviour (and I don't like to admit it, but there it is…) in the pursuit of belabouring these points.

To this end, I went looking. As I've recently relocated to a new State my personal library, which includes an old abridged copy of the Oxford English Dictionary and a copy of the Fourth Edition of the Macquarie Australian English Dictionary, is in storage so I am forced to rely on Internet resources only. Sadly, both of these excellent resources are behind paywalls for their online versions so I can't use them*, but the ever-handy Dictionary.com has two definitions:

an advantageous purchase, especially one acquired at less than the usual cost

something bought or offered at a low price

The Merriam-Webster web site allows public lookups, so its definition is:

something acquired by or as if by negotiating over the terms of a purchase, agreement, or contract
especially : an advantageous purchase

Lastly, that growing (and oft-questioned) font of all human knowledge, Wikipedia, defines it thus:

  1. An item purchased for significantly less than the usual, or recommended, price

  2. A gainful transaction; an advantageous purchase.

This takes me back to my question "What is a bargain?". I recall more than one post where luxury cars were slashed by significant amounts. All of these deals received significant votes and were very popular. Why? They were still priced way out of reach of the average person (there's certainly no way I'd ever be able to afford one). Yet, there are daily examples of people putting up deals of reasonably priced items that get called out "This is a crap deal!" by others who don't happen to see the same value in it as the original poster. It's these ones that often dissolve into a trail of "Is so!" - "Is not!" comments which end up getting quite bitter at times.

Therefore, I throw it out to the community: what is your definition of a bargain? Is it something that is cheap? Or does it only have to be cheaper? Is it okay to just rubbish someone's post in the comments merely because you don't agree, or should you give a reason why (maybe even suggest an alternative)? I'm curious to know.

*If you happen to have another authoritative resource handy then please feel free to post the definition of 'bargain' it contains in the comments. Ensure you quote your resource by name and, where possible, the edition or publication date. When I have the chance, I'll check back here and put your definition in the main post with a credit to your comment.

General Discussion

Comments

  • Hybroid on 29/08/2020 - 00:05
    +5

    A bargain is obtaining the product at the cheapest price point. It doesn't just mean being cheap or absolute barebones value for money. It's simply buying the product I want/didn't know I wanted for the cheapest offer (within reasonable delivery, local stock warranty etc).

    Simple as that. There's no need to gatekeep the definition any further. The community feedback within posts will do so anyway.

    • Emerald Owl on 29/08/2020 - 00:09

      I disagree genuine Supreme/Gucci is not a bargain, even at 50% off. Whereas Kmart clothes are generally a bargain at full RRP.

      I’d say there are multiple definitions and like the word ‘literally’, can mean different things at the same time.

      • Hybroid on 29/08/2020 - 00:13
        +8

        Your subjective view of a product and it's value to you is not the defining point of whether it's a bargain or not.

        A $3,000 handbag on offer for $1,000 as the cheapest price around for that handbag is a bargain price for it. Whether it's ideal or suitable for us or not.

        I would never spend a grand on a Dyson vacuum cleaner but if a retailer had one for $200 off and that's the cheapest price for one, it's a bargain for it.

        • Emerald Owl on 29/08/2020 - 00:16
          +3

          You make valid points.

          However, a bargain is paying less for something than usual. So a discounted handbag at $1 000 is still far more than what is usual for a handbag.

          I would never use the word in that context and would be confused if someone did. More acceptable language would be ‘I got it on sale.’

      • AustriaBargain on 29/08/2020 - 03:04
        +2

        If you were going to buy a genuine Supreme/Gucci anyway then it is a bargain, and it is saving you 50% off. If you have a wife or a teenager, or are a wife or a teenager, then you may very well be in the market for a Supreme/Gucci right this moment.

    • AustriaBargain on 29/08/2020 - 03:02

      So could I invent a new product, lets say AustriaBargain Chocolates, and sell them only on my website at whatever full price I make up. Could I then submit it as a bargain, under your definition?

      • Emerald Owl on 29/08/2020 - 04:39
        -1

        If the price is cheaper than an equivalent quality item, yes. My point with Supreme is that it is the same as a Kmart shirt but with a brand. Now this brand holds value, yes. But, in my eyes, a full priced Kmart shirt that is an equivalent quality is a bargain because it is far cheaper for a similar product. I don’t see a $200 shirt selling for $100 as a bargain but I see a $5 shirt selling for $5 as a bargain.

        • AustriaBargain on 29/08/2020 - 04:41
          +1

          There is no equivalent quality to AustraliaBargain Chocolates, it's sold in a unique shape and made with a secret formula. And a Supreme isn't the same as a Kmart shirt. An AS Color blank is better than a Kmart shirt.

          • Emerald Owl on 29/08/2020 - 04:43
            -1

            @AustriaBargain: Enjoy your overpriced shirts. If your chocolates are better value, they will be a bargain and sell.

            Listen to Macklemore. ‘$50 for a t-shirt SHI’.

            Also, I would educate the teenager about the value of money and dump the wife for an accountant or something.

            • AustriaBargain on 29/08/2020 - 04:50

              @Emerald Owl: If you consider a blank AS Color shirt to be overpriced, then I'd say your standards are too low. Kmart as a shirt is fine, but if the next step up in quality means you pay $12 instead of $7 then that's what you pay. If you want a good design on it with a warranty on the work, you're probably looking at $30. If you want Supreme then you'll pay $50. But $50 to someone else may represent a smaller proportion of their disposable income than $5 represents to you. Why not spend $50 on a Supreme shirt, the shirts are nice enough and comfortable. All the cool kids wear them, so it gives you some fashion. And it's not like the Supreme company is just throwing the money into a hole, that money gets around at the end of the day, probably helping the yacht making industry in California. Those yacht makers have families too you know, their kids have aspirations and dreams of their own just like you and me. Did you even think about the children of yacht makers before rubbishing a $50 shirt?

              • Emerald Owl on 29/08/2020 - 04:54

                @AustriaBargain: I’d never heard of AS, I was talking about Supreme and co.

                Someone wearing Supreme makes them less attractive to me because they are wasting money. It’s very poor/Nouveau rich to think a 30 cent tshirt made by some Bangladeshi kid gives you personality.

                • AustriaBargain on 29/08/2020 - 05:02

                  @Emerald Owl: The fashion industry should be thankful that men are now willing to spend $50 on a shirt, it means anyone can make a shirt of very good craftsmanship and men will already be willing to pay for it because that's what a good shirt costs they now think. What's wrong with supporting the fashion industry, you get better clothes than Kmart would even sling on you, and it's only money. Money was born to be spent.

                  • Emerald Owl on 29/08/2020 - 05:11

                    @AustriaBargain: Honestly I’ve never even touched a Supreme shirt. There is good craftsmanship in something like a pair of RM Williams and I will continue to support them. However, brands such as Supreme aren’t known for their quality, they’re popular because they’re popular. Also, buying a Kmart shirt is supporting the fashion industry. I would prefer no mortgage and a wardrobe full of Kmart.

    • Chazzozz on 29/08/2020 - 07:20
      +1

      Thanks. This is the kind of discourse I was hoping to foster. It’s clear there are multiple opinions of what a bargain is, but I’m wanting to get everyone to think of why they believe it’s a bargain and to question others the same. It’s great to see not everyone thinks the same otherwise this would be a boring place indeed.

      I agree that sometimes the upvotes don’t truly represent the deal’s value, other than entertainment. But, if you’re going to disagree with someone’s post then do exactly what you’ve done here: provide a justification and give alternative examples. That actually adds value to your argument and everyone learns from it, which adds value to the community as a whole.

  • Godric on 29/08/2020 - 00:21
    +1

    A deal that is good

  • MagicMushroom on 29/08/2020 - 00:33

    Any deal submitted on Ozbargain where the sum of votes are ≥ 1

  • p1 ama on 29/08/2020 - 02:24
    +1

    This takes me back to my question "What is a bargain?". I recall more than one post where luxury cars were slashed by significant amounts. All of these deals received significant votes and were very popular. Why? They were still priced way out of reach of the average person (there's certainly no way I'd ever be able to afford one). Yet, there are daily examples of people putting up deals of reasonably priced items that get called out "This is a crap deal!" by others who don't happen to see the same value in it as the original poster. It's these ones that often dissolve into a trail of "Is so!" - "Is not!" comments which end up getting quite bitter at times.

    These upvotes are likely from people just taking the piss and having a laugh as opposed to people genuinely believing that said luxury cars were actually "bargains".

    • AustriaBargain on 29/08/2020 - 04:44

      Never occurred to me that someone might take the upvotes seriously, and actually consider buying whatever item. If it's something that's save 10 cents on peanut butter, then even with lots of upvotes it probably doesn't belong on the front page. But hiring moderators costs money, and hiring managers to manage the moderators costs even more money. OZB either doesn't have enough traffic to take that next step, or it doesn't have any interest in growing or changing from what it currently is. There's multiple "solutions" to these "problems", but they will probably be issues for another bargain site to tackle in the long run.

  • try2bhelpful on 29/08/2020 - 07:32
    +6

    I try not to enter the “it’s not a bargain” mosh pit because one persons trash is another persons treasure.

    In my case a bargain is something I’ve bought at a good price for something I want to use. I prefer to buy quality items and use them for a long time than buy cheap and have to keep replacing them. If you aren’t going to use something, no matter how little it costs, it still isn’t a bargain.

    Unless I have a useful contribution to a deal I try to stay away from looking at it; unless I think the comments are going to be amusing.

    To me nothing is more annoying than a downvote and a “this is not a bargain” without any justification at all. If you know there is a fault with the bargain explain why. If you have links to a better price then put them in. If your “justification” is that there was a better deal “two years ago” your claim might be a tad spurious.

    We need to be respectful of each other; although I’m as guilty of lapses as the next person. It is in our self interests to encourage people to post up here. The deal they won’t post, for fear of ridicule, might be the one I particularly want. The forum post they put up might have info I need.

    My view is take each post with a pinch of salt and make each comment with a spoon full of sugar. (Which will probably mean I’ll die of heart disease and diabetes).

    Stay healthy, everyone.

  • feda16 on 29/08/2020 - 08:05
    +2

    A bargain to me is something that you require and need that you have managed to secure for a less that market rate price. IMO its not a bargain if you're never gonna use it!

  • HeWhoKnows on 29/08/2020 - 08:13
    -1

    Its a pretty loose definition on Ozbargain.

    I have put up a DEAL because it seemed like the best price in town but because it wasnt a price reduction - rather it was an everyday low price it was shot down.

    Then recently another poster did the same with the same type of product/service line and I pointed out the fact it was an everyday price and I got shot down.

    Seriously these OB people are very inconsistent in their "BARGAIN" determinations!

    Its really very frustrating.

    • Clear on 29/08/2020 - 09:01

      People hate everyday prices unless it's Aldi, Woolworths or Coles. It really shows the double standards some people have

  • vikvance on 29/08/2020 - 08:14

    How Do You Define a 'Bargain'?

    It's like the definition of obscenity by a US judge. It is hard to define but "I will know it when I see it".

    All of these deals received significant votes and were very popular. Why?

    For many people, the upvoting simply means: "I like this deal & may buy this item".

    It's a very easy way to act as reminder & avoid forgetting to use a potentially good deal. A user can go to "My Account" and then "Voted" and see all their own votes in reverse chronological order.

    They were still priced way out of reach of the average person (there's certainly no way I'd ever be able to afford one).

    You would be surprised about how many people on this site are at least comfortably well off, if not moderately wealthy, and would be able to buy the Tesla or the Infiniti.

    Most of the deals on Ozbargain involve spending money to save money. A person who is genuinely doing it tough, would not for example, be able to spend $100 on a Woolies gift card to get an extra $3 bonus cashback.

    • try2bhelpful on 29/08/2020 - 08:44
      +1

      One of my first big “bargains” here was being able to get a round the world business class airfare from Virgin for $3500. I could’ve got the economy class for $1,100 but I could afford the price and the business class was a much better discount, and had much better perks, than the economy class. To me the economy class was cheap but the “bargain” was the business class deal.

  • pegaxs on 29/08/2020 - 09:38

    If it’s a Nintendo switch, RRP or over…

  • theHMASfriendship on 29/08/2020 - 09:50
    +1

    A deal that has been blessed by jv…

    • jackspratt on 29/08/2020 - 13:52
      +1

      Quite often, just the opposite.

  • popsiee on 29/08/2020 - 09:56

    In the Lego and Gaming world too many people post new items that are going to be easily obtainable at a lower price shortly ( 20% off is the standard starting point for most Lego )
    Cheaper stores like BigW and Kmart everyday prices even starts closer to this .
    No clue of this especially : an advantageous purchase

  • [Deactivated] on 29/08/2020 - 10:29

    1-39% off - Meh
    40-49% off- Nice
    50 -74% off- Good deal!
    75-99% off - BARGAIN 👍👍

  • Baysew on 29/08/2020 - 11:04
    +1

    I may not know much about bargains, but I know what I like.

  • Arthur Dunger on 29/08/2020 - 11:12

    The community decides by upvoting.

  • askme69 on 29/08/2020 - 14:36

    For me it used to be 50% off or more. Nowadays with all the crap (chinese made) stuff around, it's getting to nearly anything that does what it says it will is a bargain or last until the warranty period.

    • jackspratt on 29/08/2020 - 23:35

      So what brand is your phone again……. or your sons' for that matter?

  • HaiG on 30/08/2020 - 00:40

    I've put together a quick check list for oz bargain (please feel free to improve the list):

    1. Amex, Shopback, CashRewards offers, % off gift-cards and voucher codes
    2. Mobile plans on promo (Catch, Kogan, Boost, etc.)
    3. Amazon, Woolworths and auto shops frequent promo items and point rewards
    4. Promo food items (most popular KFC, Mc Donald)
    5. Chinese cheaper equivalents to famous brands or online shops (phone, accessories, vacuum cleaners, umbrellas, air filters, phone covers, cables, wine, beer, etc.) Popular names are XiaoMi, HuaWei and AliExpress. Always get many upvotes for these.
    6. ebay, Kogan and Coles promo (including Coles on ebay) frequent promo items and point rewards
    7. Discount or free PC games and software, and free courses that one can buy but may never use
    8. Stock clearance and promo items from other popular local stores (BigW, KMart, Myer, Harvey Norman, TGG, JB Hifi, Bunnings), make sure you mention if Office Works price match can be done.
  • lexxyacc on 31/08/2020 - 17:46

    The definition is contextual. Cowrie shells were a bargain in the distant past. Tulips were a bargain during the Dutch golden age early on. A bargain is what the wisdom of the crowd considers a bargain. Somebody up said "a deal that is good". A deal that is "good", will rise to the top where bargain experts get together and vote on deals. Like this website. Generally a bargain is something that gives you eneloops or value, perceived or real.

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