[Suggestion] Auto-generate PDFs of links to stop stores changing the T&Cs

Davo1111 on 22/02/2013 - 21:51

This is a somewhat large feature, but i figured i would suggest it.

Perhaps the system could automatically save a pdf of the page linked on the deal, and store it for later on if issues arose from the stores changing the T&Cs. There have been a few deals (such as the WD promo, or Dell "bait and switch" deals) where having a timestamped screenshot of the page when it was created would have provided excellent evidence to fair trading/complaints department etc etc.

It could also only be done where a deal gets over 50 votes. That would save space on the server

If storing pdfs on the server is out of the question, i'd suggest a "email me" button which would automatically email the user a pdf of the page, and the ozbargain original post (with url linkback)

just an idea anyway

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Comments

  • neil on 22/02/2013 - 22:36
    +1

    You could always write your own script, using Yahoo Pipes or IFFT to download each file for each deal.

    http://www.ozbargain.com.au/goto/94707. Just iterate this link +1.

    Probably just IFFT front page RSS feed —> save link to Google Drive or Dropbox?

  • In10ce on 23/02/2013 - 09:50
    • 1… Good idea
    • neil on 23/02/2013 - 13:59
      +1

      I almost have it working…

      I took the frontpage rss feed and replaced node in the url with goto. Goto links will just redirect to the link to the store/file. I've also appended a PDF making link, http://do.convertapi.com/Web2Pdf?Plugins=true&Timeout=60&ConversionDelay=5&CUrl=

      Output from Yahoo! Pipes

      I've then setup an IFTTT,

      If RSS From Pipes

      Then Add the file (with to dropbox.

      It then adds files to a dropbox folder which can be publically shared.

      The problem, I've run into is that it's not quite working properly. Internally stored images convert to PDFs but html links convert to PNGs for some reason. Probably have to play with it a bit more.

  • scotty on 23/02/2013 - 23:01

    Also sometimes T&C is not on the same page that has been submitted, which ended up not getting scrapped / converted.

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