Inconsistent (or Not) Moderation of Allegedly "Free" Things Deals?

tenpercent on 04/04/2025 - 20:26

A deal was posted a few minutes ago for "free" books, audiobooks, magazines etc at your local library.

Like a good Ozbargain citizen I hurriedly typed up a comment about feeling inspired to post a deal about free (in air quotes) play equipment use at your local park.

Alas, to my horror, by the time I clicked to submit my comment the deal had already been unpublished and my comment dissapeared into the aether never to be seen again.

Deal Unpublished by Moderator
You do not have permission to access this page.

Reason: Deal isn't a valid bargain

"Deal ins't a vaild bargain" got me to thinking about another recently posted deal for alleged freebies. Specifically this one which just so happens to also be for "free" stuff from a library.

I recall several other so-called deals especaily for films available for "free" on SBS on Demand, which I though would not be allowed under the Free Multimedia rule.

This post is about getting a better understanding of the deal posting guidelines.

Why was one of the library "deals" unpublished yet the other persists?

Lastly should I post a deal about the play equipment? Would that be a "valid bargain"?

Poll Options

  • 16
    Do not post the local park deal.
  • 10
    Post the local park deal. It will be unpublished.
  • 3
    Post the local park deal. It will not be unpublished.
Site Discussion

Comments

  • Downvoter on 04/04/2025 - 20:30

    I’m still trying to work out what your old username was

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 04/04/2025 - 21:04

      ? I thought this account was relatively new

      • randomusername2017 on 04/04/2025 - 21:05
        +3

        More active when the other one is in the PB….

    • jv on 05/04/2025 - 02:04
      -1

      I’m still trying to work out what your old username was

      fivepercent

      • tenpercent on 05/04/2025 - 11:13
        +1

        Inflation is real

    • tenpercent on 05/04/2025 - 11:15
      -3

      I haven't had any other accounts or changed my username. I only made an account last year.

  • GordonD on 04/04/2025 - 20:35
    +10

    Now if it was free gas to do your cooking at the barbecue in the park, that'd be a different matter.

    • Sye on 04/04/2025 - 20:50

      That was a Free Electric BBQ unless I missed another forum post or are you talking about the OzBargainer who had unmetered gas and is probably now RIP.

      • GordonD on 04/04/2025 - 20:52

        You might be right. I was relying on my memory, which is far from perfect these days.

      • jv on 05/04/2025 - 02:06

        That was so sad.

        The OP died on 07/01/2024

  • AustriaBargain on 04/04/2025 - 20:50
    +1

    If you haven't noticed, OZB can be fairly informal.

  • jjjaar on 04/04/2025 - 20:56

    Ahhh yes the ones that grind my gears are the “free” deals when new things are added to a paid subscription like Disney+. I get notifications for Disney+ and other subs because I want to know when the subscription fee is discounted, not when new things are added to the service, but it’s the latter that bombards my notifications.

    I’ve been saying for years, we need an “FYI” category for these kinds of things.

    • Moderatorhamza23 on 04/04/2025 - 21:12

      I get notifications for Disney+ and other subs because I want to know when the subscription fee is discounted

      That is because you are subscribed to the Disney Plus store, so you get a notification for every deal posted for disneyplus.com. Remove that store subscription and just subscribe to the Disney Plus product, to only get notifications for the Disney Plus product.

      I’ve been saying for years, we need an “FYI” category for these kinds of things.

      An FYI category is incredibly broad and means different things to different people, we already have a specific category tag for those deals which you can use to opt out of seeing them completely, pasted on every deal, or any tag for that matter:

      Users who wish to Block "Additions to Streaming Services" can do so by clicking on the Streaming Service Addition tag, then clicking the 3 dot menu, then clicking hide on new deals and/or front page. Ensure that on the home page, the new front page is selected for customisation to show. Video Instructions here or More info here.

      • jjjaar on 04/04/2025 - 21:33
        +3

        That is because you are subscribed to the Disney Plus store, so you get a notification for every deal posted for disneyplus.com. Remove that store subscription and instead subscribe to the Disney Plus product

        I’m just gonna give you the biggest thank you I could possibly give because in several years raising this, no one has ever highlighted that there was the store and product versions. I’ve been subscribed to both for ages.

        I’ve had many people suggest the block additions to streaming m, which I had done years ago, but kept getting the notifications. The store v product thing makes so much sense.

        And yes I appreciate that an FYI category is near impossible, so I get why it won’t ever happen.

        Again, THANK YOU 🙏

        Also noting that the product version did used to have those SUBS posts so I was getting it from both originally, but as the last one was two years ago I doubt this will happen again.

  • JimmyF on 04/04/2025 - 21:01
    -1

    A deal was posted a few minutes ago for "free" books, audiobooks, magazines etc at your local library.

    To be fair, the library is a great place to get access to "free" ebooks, audiobooks and digital magazines that most people are not even aware they offer as they think its all physical books and stuff. Plus you can do it all from your phone, so no need to visit.

    deal about free (in air quotes) play equipment use at your local park.

    Slightly different, but sure. I get your point. But as you have also pointed out, we have so many well 'known' free deals posted does it really matter?

  • Jetstream on 04/04/2025 - 21:42
    -1

    Yeah, you’re just being stupid and were treated accordingly.

    Free park equipment? You might as well tap up a deal for the free air we breathe - just make sure you mark it as targeted to people that are alive.

    • tenpercent on 05/04/2025 - 08:56
      -2

      you’re just being stupid and were treated accordingly.

      Please read the OP again. It wasn't my post that was unpublished.

  • rompastompa on 04/04/2025 - 21:58

    OK, I'll bite. Did you just find out that there are parks in your area that have play/gym/BBQ equipment you can use?!

    Using your example, Libraries offer more than most people think and publicly acknowledging the services that are available can be a good thing. I agree that the your SBS on Demand example is more of a PSA, but this is a community. Things that people may not be aware could be posted, but a park having park equipment is common sense which you could easily ascertain they exist by using your eyes..

    • tenpercent on 05/04/2025 - 08:57
      +1

      Libraries offer more than most people think and publicly acknowledging the services that are available can be a good thing.

      Then why was one of the library posts unpublished?

  • pegaxs on 04/04/2025 - 22:14
    +2

    Wait till you start seeing things being posted for full RRP and getting 400+ upvotes…

    • Clear on 04/04/2025 - 23:30
      +1

      Apparently if the product is "limited" then it's okay. Or at least to everyone in Aldi RRP deals.

    • Nillionaire on 06/04/2025 - 00:14

      Because RRP absolutely can be deals.

  • try2bhelpful on 05/04/2025 - 05:16
    -4

    Really? We’ve got to where we get stupid posts like this? Just get a life dude.

  • Baysew on 05/04/2025 - 09:54

    Lastly should I post a deal about the play equipment?

    No.

  • Foggy Fluoride Stare on 05/04/2025 - 10:09
    +1

    On another note:

    I saw this on my reddit feed…

    Reddit Link

    Mods, should be alert to some dodgy deals coming in soon.

    • Moderatorhamza23 on 05/04/2025 - 11:42

      Thanks, I can see that store is already banned on OzBargain due to a dodgy post last week.

  • JimmyF on 05/04/2025 - 15:24
    +1

    Oh the irony from this post about mods deleting a library as they have free stuff that people might not know about, but yet we allow stuff like this on the front page.

    How is that a 'deal'!? Its free, it comes with EVERY device…….

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/656036

  • tenpercent on 10/04/2025 - 07:53

    Another example:

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/901186#comment-16421862

    Why is this one also allowed but the very similar one referenced in the original post not?

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