What Ruins OzBargain for You?

Lhearitfromhorse on 11/04/2022 - 00:01
Last edited 12/04/2022 - 21:36 by 2 other users

So I have a love/hate relationship with ozbargain.com.au. I really enjoy the principle of sharing great deals, saving sums money and getting everyone's shared experiences and reviews.

At the same time the humour is pretty solid. There are some witty commentators among you.

That said. Some things turn me right off! What grinds your gears the most?

I'd like to think the ozbargain.com.au gods are reading this and might take our views into consideration.

Update: Thanks to the mods for providing some advice to some concerns/comments.

I know this may have set off some negative comments but I hope the ozbargain.com.au gods take it as constructive. It was good of them to allow this forum run at the risk of complaints.

I still ❤️ you ozbargain.com.au

Poll Options expired

  • 117
    People who bold words that don't need emphasis
  • 10
    People who comment on spelling mistakes
  • 24
    People who comment or reply on everything
  • 3
    The conservative restrictions on content
  • 96
    The limitations on negative votes
  • 9
    The people who ask things like "provide evidence"
  • 165
    The people who ask dumb questions instead of googling it
  • 259
    All of the above
Site Discussion

Comments

  • Mysterious on 11/04/2022 - 11:25
    +6

    Nothing. I like OzBargain.

  • benderz on 11/04/2022 - 12:16
    +7

    Probably the "humour" which mostly seems to be a teenagers attempt at being edgy.

    When reading comments I much prefer personal reviews and experiences over poor attempts at wordplay.

    • [Deactivated] on 11/04/2022 - 12:46
      +4

      Probably the "humour" which mostly seems to be a teenagers attempt at being edgy.

      it may seem like that, but i suspect the people who you are referring to are well into their 30s - 40s.

      • banana365 on 12/04/2022 - 14:14

        Oi! 50s if you please.

        • try2bhelpful on 12/04/2022 - 17:15
          +1

          60s. Although I hope, someday, to grow up.

    • mdavant on 11/04/2022 - 17:50

      Settle down boomer

  • tallkid123 on 11/04/2022 - 12:17
    -6

    Downvoting for forum posts.

    And the fact that any random can just setup an account and -1 to their heart's content. I'd personally get rid of it but I would be open to downvoting as a gated feature for longtime accounts and/or those who have contributed deals etc to the site.

    As for actual deals, I have no issues with downvoting as you have to comment first and at least visibly try to justify why you're downvoting understandably cheap shit in the first place.

    • [Deactivated] on 11/04/2022 - 12:47

      you can't downvote comments for 30 days after account creation

      • tallkid123 on 11/04/2022 - 14:46
        -4

        Needs to be a year to be honest.

        Should keep those anonymous losers and other fly-by-night accounts away a bit longer from the negative sign button.

    • cookie2 on 12/04/2022 - 21:59

      There's enough of a perceived heirarchy on OzB, further restrictions on who can apply negative votes, would be unfair and unproductive imo. What's the benefit of making it a year really? Why would OzB want to keep them away?

  • PopCounty on 11/04/2022 - 12:33
    +3

    People calling for “hand over your OzBargain Membership”. Also the same jokes again and again ….. and again. You know what I mean.

    • John Kimble on 11/04/2022 - 12:34
      +2

      Username checks out :p

    • gimli on 12/04/2022 - 21:27

      i assume you meant to say there should have been an option for bikies in the poll?

  • chrisd262 on 11/04/2022 - 12:48
    +1

    pointless stupid comments I assume by school kids who think they are funny - they are not!
    Check out any condom ad!

    • Savas on 11/04/2022 - 13:01
      +5

      i find the condom deals very enjoyable

      • cashless on 11/04/2022 - 20:03
        +1

        Yes, they slip down nicely

      • try2bhelpful on 12/04/2022 - 17:29
        +1

        Especially if you turn the ribbed ones inside out.

  • timmy_tam on 11/04/2022 - 13:12
    +7

    i hate that Ozbargain is open to all the world, so you don't even need to log in or be a member to be able to access the bargains.

    so things end up being ozbargained by those who don't contribute (or even sign up)

    • Ten on 12/04/2022 - 16:08
      +1

      10 upvotes, 900 clicks.

    • Ravensbane on 13/04/2022 - 07:22

      Would be nice if the deals showed up for members for an hour or 2 first before just being shown on the page for everyone or something like that.

      • Moderatorhamza23 on 13/04/2022 - 13:56

        We don't want to be seen by some as forcing people to join, who don't want to. We also don't see much benefit in forcing someone to be a member who don't want to be, if people wish to contribute they would sign up as members anyway, if people don't want to contribute then making them create an account (to see the deals) is unlikely to change their mind.

        It would also lead to scenarios where you would send an OzBargain link to a friend or similar, but they wouldn't be able to open what you sent them until the time has elapsed.

        We try to be as open as possible and this might be seen as contradictory to that, even if that wasn't our aim.

        P.S. Members do see deals about 2 minutes before guests do, unintentionally due to caching😝. More importantly, members can take advantage of subscribing to stores, subscribing to product tags, categories, users etc. and receive email and web alerts (including push notifications using the OzBargain app) which gives them other advantages in seeing deals, over guests who would simply rely on refreshing. In addition to the other advantages membership gives you (other customisations, referral program, classifieds etc.)

        • mapax on 13/04/2022 - 14:24

          The store alerts are often pretty slow though, maybe 15-20mins sometimes?

          • Moderatorhamza23 on 13/04/2022 - 14:31

            @mapax: Store alerts are 10 minutes delayed yes. On submission some deals are missing a store or the wrong store is used, so this gives it some time (when possible) for it to be fixed up (by mods or power users) before the subscription triggers. If the correct store isn't added within 10 minutes of posting, then those subscribers won't get alerted.

            Edit: It will also mean if a post is removed within 10 minutes (as a duplicate, referral spam, spam or some other reason) then the subscribers won't get a pointless alert.

  • s1Lence on 11/04/2022 - 13:28
    +1

    Bad deals annoy me so you better not post any or else…

  • DrSwag on 11/04/2022 - 13:31

    The deals for free PC games for which you couldn't pay me to play. Feels like spam that 99% of OzBargainers would sift through.

  • Munki on 11/04/2022 - 13:36
    +2

    That first option feels like a very personal attack.

  • big ol bargs on 11/04/2022 - 13:50
    +4

    A lot of users think they're comedians and feel the incessant need to blurt out something on every deal. Sometimes it's worth taking and think about if your post actually adds value.

    I also wish the blocking function worked better so I can not see these users.

    • Slippery Fish on 13/04/2022 - 07:40
      -1

      it's worth taking and think about if your post actually adds value.

      :)

  • askme69 on 11/04/2022 - 13:59

    Posting deals that are 5% off retail. Minimum should be 30% on the gtont page.

    Moderators.

  • Spootage on 11/04/2022 - 13:59
    +1

    The JV bolding always grinds my gears.

    • whatwasherproblem on 11/04/2022 - 14:23
      +1

      He's spelling out a secret message I think.

      • Munki on 11/04/2022 - 15:01
        +4

        He murdered the nanny with a wrench in the library.

      • Spootage on 11/04/2022 - 17:11

        Whoa. Has anyone ever checked to see what his message is?

        • John Kimble on 11/04/2022 - 17:26
          +1

          It's the longest message ever.

    • payless69 on 13/04/2022 - 09:17

      He is probably commited to stay put but suffers from the "Mao" style ruler making his life a misery!

    • Munki on 11/04/2022 - 14:44
      +5

      *Not being able to list your neggers

      Woah! You're not allowed to use that word.

    • Ughhh on 11/04/2022 - 16:53
      +1

      Pros

      LOL sounds like something from high school, like the "plastics" from mean girls.

    • Zondor on 11/04/2022 - 20:44

      Community unable to see obvious bait

  • PurchaseAnxiety on 11/04/2022 - 15:55

    Nothing ruins it for me. I wouldn't keep coming back if the experience was that bad. Though I guess if I were to nitpick:

    • When charitable services are posted as a 'bargain' (though I haven't really noticed much of this recently).
    • Politically motivated 'bargains'. Posting free political stickers etc. only serves to stir people up. The hard part though is when a genuine bargain (e.g. a game bundle) is tied to a perceived political cause.
  • Ozbargainasaurus on 11/04/2022 - 15:57

    Posting a deal with unknown quantity, minutes later being moved to forum for insufficient quantity because photo only shows a handful. Seeing other posts from "local Coles only" going through no worries. Don't get me wrong I like these posts and appreciate the posters, but puts me personally off posting new deals.

  • dmbminaret on 11/04/2022 - 16:39
    +2

    The people who still carry on about youfoodz being racists even after company has been bought out.

  • PleasureMe on 11/04/2022 - 17:06

    none of the things in the poll bother me. so you need an option for "none of the above"

    The only thing that bothers me is when there is a really good deal and it gets ozbargained before I get a chance to buy.

  • Jamiea on 11/04/2022 - 17:15
    +1

    People who create new accounts to post a dumb question on the forums that Google could have answered. And jv.

  • Vote for Pedro on 11/04/2022 - 17:40

    Rwnjs

  • mountaineer on 11/04/2022 - 17:50
    +2

    Ozb used for political issues like the wanna be politician using Ozb as a free platform. Everyone is entitled to different political view but please move your political agenda away from a bargain hunting website. A) This is for everyday bargain hunting there are plenty of places one can make a political statement and I hate to see Ozb become one of them B) People coming to this website to save a few dollars and you come here to try to win their votes? This is just not the right place for such topic. I don't mind some political points been discussed as a side note on some posts (to spicy it up a bit) but I totally object the idea to start a post of political matter.

    I remember a joke I read a number of years ago. There was a competition to select the best 'liar" with only one rule - that career politician is not allowed to take part as they are 'professional liars". I found this is not a joke, it is the best truth. So please, why would we want professional liars come to this site, please ban any political post on Ozb. With the election announced, this becomes more relevant, no polls or promotions of any political party, view or idea etc. Please keep Ozb as what it was created for.

    • Ozpit on 12/04/2022 - 09:11

      I agree, let’s git albo into kirribilli.

  • MrSammyMcG on 11/04/2022 - 18:12
    +2

    Gotta say the lack of comradery and unnecessary displays of arrogance with some of the political views on here. I love bargains as much as everyone, but it seems like when bargains are not the primary focus, people turn on each other so quickly. Most of these threads are what im talking about. People make dumb decisions and are looking for support (which, ideally they shouldnt be), but so many people are just beyond harsh sometimes. No compassion for the fact that it's a real person behind there. Its always just brutalism and "well you deserve it", even when people are talking about losing jobs/ houses/ family relationships.

    Id like to think we can be decent and support each other via agreeableness. Doesnt mean you have to specifically agree with the person or what theyve done/ asking; but at the end of the day Id hope people could just be compassionate to one another and find something to agree with or demonstrate some empathy with, instead of being so rough and arrogant all the time - even if you think the OP deserves it, in your mindset..

  • icanconfirm on 11/04/2022 - 18:34
    +3

    I think it could be improved with more posts (bargains) in other fields (I.e., variety); computer/electronics is overrepresented (I understand that the demographics and interest of ozbargain users skew this)

  • this is us on 11/04/2022 - 18:36

    Oversensitive people who don't have resilience or sense of humour, take things too seriously, and feel offended or attacked by anyone, including the arrogant and unhelpful users, the complete imbeciles, and those with stupid different political views.

  • serpserpserp on 11/04/2022 - 18:37
    +1

    The forums I both love and hate so much.

  • RiseAndRuin on 11/04/2022 - 18:44
    +4

    The limitations on negative votes. Some posts/comments deserve to be voted into oblivion and disappear into the void.

  • DoctorCalculon on 11/04/2022 - 19:30

    People who bold words that don't need emphasis

    This is clearly a dig at @jv, right? ;)

  • lonewolf on 11/04/2022 - 19:53
    +5

    The level of sarcasm bordering on insulting and bullying i come across these days (there are some people on here these days that seem to value getting as much positives next to their snarky comment or insult is what makes their day), I never used to witness this when ozbargain started but last few years it has really picked up …

    Other thing i hate, is Brodens / the level of people who arent members who buy out all the deals before members can even get to it.

    • Ravensbane on 13/04/2022 - 07:26
      +1

      Make deals only visible to members for a few hours before they appear on the front page for everyone else.

      • lonewolf on 13/04/2022 - 15:29
        +1

        I have been saying that for a while but its not going to happen. It goes against why ozbargain started in the first place and i get that. Its just a shame that some people do take advantage of it.

  • Zondor on 11/04/2022 - 20:23
    +10

    Honestly the community here is becoming super toxic. The amount of people responding to forum posts without a shred of empathy is shocking.

    • lonewolf on 13/04/2022 - 15:29
      +1

      yup, It wasnt the case when it started, everyone was much more helpful and friendly. These days there are some real trolls on here.I ended up having to block a couple of users.

  • PerthMan96 on 11/04/2022 - 20:23
    +6

    Too much PC gear on home page.

    • MessyG on 11/04/2022 - 20:54

      THIS!

    • Moderatorhamza23 on 12/04/2022 - 12:17

      You might like to hide particular tags related to PC gear, from the new deals and (now) front page,

      eg Video card and CPU, click the 3 dots menu top right hand corner then click 'hide on Front page and/or hide on New deals page.'

      See here for a picture / more info.

      Alternatively you could just block the whole computing category (my account > settings > edit > deals >I want to include Deals For Selected Categories > clicking everything BUT computing, however that will block everything computer related so might be too much.

  • MessyG on 11/04/2022 - 20:54
    +3

    The pile-ons to innocent posts, and racism (particular towards Chinese and Indian people). There's a whole lot of crappy self esteem playing itself out as moral superiority on here and it's embarrassing to watch.

  • locknuts on 11/04/2022 - 20:59
    +2

    The same attitude that pervades most groups within Australia: A love of big government.

    • MessyG on 13/04/2022 - 21:00

      As opposed to "small government" who collect your tax revenue and spend it on their mates all the while congratulating themselves on doing nothing for you because "small government". They'll throw you a few hundred bucks at tax time and say they're removing taxes, while funnelling billions into private enterprises that they'd never let you in the door of. Good times. Keep on buying that.

      • locknuts on 14/04/2022 - 07:06
        -1

        What I want is far more extreme than either major party would support. Military, judicial system, police, very small representative government and nothing else. Everything else privatised. Low income tax of approx 5% flat rate. GST only for anything else but only on non-essential items. Tie government revenue to economic performance. Make borrowing illegal for governments.

        • try2bhelpful on 14/04/2022 - 07:32

          Except that doesn’t work. In fact the countries that have the highest satisfaction indexes are where the government actively helps people. The vulnerable need to be looked after, otherwise we get the societal equivalent of the hunger games. Universal health care is the most effective way to provide health; look at the American system. Somebody has to build roads, ports, schools, public transport Etc. People can’t provide it themselves. If they form collectives to do it we are back at Government. What you are talking about would lead to stagnation of infrastructure in the country as no one would think they are responsible for installation and maintenance. Frankly the real problem is, as stated by MissG, the misuse of funds to funnel from the poor to the rich. Governments need someone, independent, watching them. Hence a, real, corruption commission.

          • locknuts on 14/04/2022 - 08:09

            @try2bhelpful: Charities, churches and community organisations can help people. People don't like this idea because these organisations require some level of improvement or behaviour change to get money from them. Not everyone on on Centrelink is a jerk, but there is no incentive to get along with other people.

            Our health care system is ruthlessly exploited and run by incompetents. Roads, ports, schools are great. You want these things? Keep the economy humming and pay for it from GST revenue. If the government can't raise enough taxes, then they're not doing a good enough job with the economy. No public schools? They'll be voted out immediately! I would agree with a corruption commission if it could be appointed completed independently of governments. Make it a corruption and efficiency commission. Issue KPIs for every government worker. Fire them if they fail to achieve them. Fire them on the spot. Only elected representatives should be allowed to see out their terms and face the consequences at an election.

            The reality is that we simply can't afford all the things that the western governments buy. That's why national debts keep going through the roof. Eventually this has to be paid and we are all going to suffer badly. We need to stop them before it's too late.

            • try2bhelpful on 14/04/2022 - 11:43

              @locknuts: I don’t think you’ve covered the bases but I’m not going to get into these long back and forth discussions. People don’t agree and it gets tedious. Look at countries that don’t provide services to their people and they are not places most of us would like to live in. They, also, tend to be massively corrupt. I worked on a couple of big organisations and outsourcing was a way to pay lots of money to not get things down.

              Charities should not be looking after the vulnerable; that is an, absolute, joke. So the only ones who get looked after are those religions think are worthy? Dear lord; I’ll probably be left to starve in the street because I have big issues with their views on women and the LBGTQ+ community. The rort of “tax free” status for these institutions is, totally, non democratic. Citizens deserve dignity and equality. You might want to look at the history of charities; it ain’t pretty.

              We will need to agree to disagree. I can’t see the people voting for what you are proposing so this is a, nice, philosophical discussion. The economy is designed to serve people, not the other way around.

              • locknuts on 14/04/2022 - 12:18

                @try2bhelpful: Don't worry mate. This is just my utopian vision of the world. Like I said, Aussies love their big government and it's one way I really don't fit in here. Other than that, Ozbargain and Australia are lovely places.

                • try2bhelpful on 14/04/2022 - 13:10

                  @locknuts: No probs either, friendly discussion. One person’s Utopian is another persons’s Dystopian. The beauty of Australia is that if you really wanted to put your ideas in practice you could go “off grid” for a while and see how the theory holds out. If nothing else you can test your limits. Enjoy.

  • lunartemis on 11/04/2022 - 21:00
    +4

    When people post questions or ask for advice and give no acknowledgment to people giving up their time to provide advice

    • htc on 11/04/2022 - 21:22
      +2

      I often upvote reply to my questions, just a courtesy. Sometimes I will try to reply if there are some positive things I want to say.

  • Champ888 on 11/04/2022 - 21:24
    -3

    I’ll say it again haters: Ozbargain is dying. The existence of (or need for) this thread and the previous comments within is sad.

    Nudging ever closer to the same cliff from which many previously good things fell.

  • txb on 11/04/2022 - 23:07
    +1

    I really wish they'd bring in an option to ignore certain users. Doing so would hide any post they make. Ahhh how much better would that be..

    • mapax on 12/04/2022 - 06:12
      +2

      It already exists.

    • Moderatorhamza23 on 12/04/2022 - 12:19

      Following on from what mapax mentioned,

      You can hide users posts and comments by clicking hide underneath their name/post or my account menu > settings > edit > blocked where you can manage or add new people there (direct link for your account).

  • dufflover on 12/04/2022 - 00:48
    -1

    Wouldn't call this a hate by any stretch but I do find it contradictory that there are certain products or brands which have their cliques or similar where being snobbish ends up contradicting the whole idea of doing things at a bargain.

    Stuff like coffee, and dare I say Eneloops.

  • pformag on 12/04/2022 - 06:36
    +5

    Jv

  • Homr on 12/04/2022 - 08:07

    Nothing - Ozbargain is the first site I visit when I wake up and also the last before I go to bed.

    The positive and negative post amuses me, it's like free entertainment

  • Willy Stains on 12/04/2022 - 08:34
    +3

    i hate it when i miss the good deals

  • Ozpit on 12/04/2022 - 09:40

    Back and forth spats between two members can get a bit tiring. But when they become nothing more than personal insults, both (or the offending member) should be banned from all forum commenting for, let’s say, a month.

  • King Steuart on 12/04/2022 - 11:17
    +1

    When conspiracy theories get a platform

    • try2bhelpful on 12/04/2022 - 11:19
      +1

      Yeah, the problem is they’ve gone from fringe idiots to a bigger group of idiots. When did people get so gullible?

      • try2bhelpful on 12/04/2022 - 11:45

        Seems I’ve touched a nerve. Funnily enough “doing your own research” only makes sense if you listen to experts; not some guy who heard something from his mum’s boyfriend.

  • GodsSon23 on 12/04/2022 - 11:25

    Sensitive mods when it comes to downvoting 'bargains'

    • Moderatorhamza23 on 12/04/2022 - 12:22

      FYI, you have only had 1 negative vote revoked since joining OzBargain and this was not done by a moderator.

      You can read more here.

      When negative votes are revoked:
      The community casts a number of negative comment votes to any comment by the user casting the deal votes.

      • GodsSon23 on 12/04/2022 - 13:14

        Well, I've probably only given one or two negative votes.

      • Vote for Pedro on 12/04/2022 - 15:03
        +1

        Mods being overly defensive :P

        • gimli on 12/04/2022 - 21:30

          hope you have prepared entertainment for your time in the penalty box

          • Vote for Pedro on 12/04/2022 - 22:18

            @gimli: It’s called having a sense of humour and I see @hamza23 does

            • gimli on 13/04/2022 - 05:55

              @Vote for Pedro: I dont see you do

              • Vote for Pedro on 13/04/2022 - 08:18

                @gimli: I got it. I lolled. Damned tone doesn’t come through on text ****sigh****

                • gimli on 13/04/2022 - 08:51

                  @Vote for Pedro: Haha yeah. 😁
                  Somes jokes dont work well written but i still go for it. (And usually get negged)

  • syousef on 12/04/2022 - 11:34
    +5

    in short the arguing and the bullying.

    Anonymous voting == anonymous bullying and then there's the not so anonymous stuff that isn't always moderated appropriately. Also a lot of people don't know how to argue a topic without becoming personal and abusive, don't know the difference between an opinion and a fact, will ask you to provide evidence then ignore it and carry on like a pork chop if you bother. Then once a year R U OK day gets pushed heavily with no sense of the irony.

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