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--- consolidated_rules [2010/12/16 20:03]
Davo1111
+++ — (current)
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-Whirlpool has a great rules page, we are writing one up in a similar format for testing purposes. If you
-like it/hate it, please let us know :)
-------------------
-Contents
-about done
-Commenting
--	Summary table done
--	Commenting guidelines. done
-Posting Deals done
--	Summary table done
--	Deal Posting guidelines done
--	Banned Items
-Voting
--	Voting Summary
--	Voting details
-Representatives
--	Summary
--	Tips/hints
-Sockpuppeting
--	Summary
--	Rules
-Moderation Policy
-- reasons you can be banned
-- Negative Votes done
--------------------------------
-====== About OzBargain ======
-===Welcome to OzBargain!===
-**Our goal is simple **— //bringing the best deals and bargains in Australia to consumers.// Too
-ambitious? Surely it is! Therefore we need your help. Instead of finding all the great bargains
-ourselves, you, one of the best bargain hunters in the land of Down Under, can bring in your hottest
-findings and share with the rest of us.
-===The Ozbargain Community - Who is OzBargain?===
-OzBargain is **you**, the community of on-line shoppers in Australia. This is the place where we share
-the best bargains in Australia and share them with each other.
-OzBargain is developed by scotty, //a Sydney based software programmer//, and with help from a small
-team of moderators.
--------
-==== Signing up to OzBargain ====
-How does it work?
-- [[http://www.ozbargain.com.au/user/register | Register]] an account.
-- [[http://www.ozbargain.com.au/deals/submit | Submit]] a new bargain.
-- //(If you are affiliated with a company, make sure you read the **strict rules on representatives**.
-If you're unsure, click here)//
-// (From June 2009, we have had to introduce a 24 hour submission ban for new users in order to fight
-spammers.  Please see Deal Sumbissions for more information)//
--------
-===== Commenting on deals =====
-Please follow a few simple guidelines to make OzBargain a better place for both the bargain hunters and
-merchants.
-**Summary**
-^ {{http://www.ozbargain.com.au/files/images/vote-up-btn.png}} ^{http://www.ozbargain.com.au/files/images/vote-down-btn.png}}       ^
-| **Constructive Criticism please**   | **DO NOT troll, abuse other users, or use innappropiate
-language**    |
-| **Genuine opinion or feedback only**    | **[[help:sockpuppeting|DO NOT]] sockpuppet or artificially
-vote for your deal.** |
-| **If negative voting, [[:list_of_price_comparison_sites|CHECK]] competitors prices.**    | **
-[[help:banned_items|NO]] illegal comments (suggesting fraud)**    |
-| **BE respectful to others.**  | **[[help:deal_posting_guidelines#affiliate_links|NO]] Advertising or
-Affiliate Links.**    |
-Your "comment" might attract negative votes from OzBargain members and/or getting unpublished if you
-post the following material;
-==== Duplicate Comments ====
-If your comment is posted twice or more, Moderators will remove/unpublish all of the duplicates other
-than the first one.
-==== Personal Attacks ====
-Abuse, name calling and malicious comments directed at a person or a group of people are unacceptable.
-Disagreements and debates are fine and encouraged but please respect everyone's opinion. If you see an
-argument please click 'report' below the post, write a simple discription, and click submit.
-==== Affiliate Links ====
-**Summary:**
-^ {{http://www.ozbargain.com.au/files/images/vote-up-btn.png}}      ^
-{{http://www.ozbargain.com.au/files/images/vote-down-btn.png}}       ^
-| **Declare any affiliations with the brand/company**   | **DO NOT post the affiliate link the the main
-URL**    |
-| **Place affiliate link in body only**   | **DO NOT try and hide the link with a url shortnener**    |
-| **Moderators can remove your affiliate link at their own discression**   | **No affiliate links with
-Group Buy sites.**    |
-Affiliate links are generally not welcomed over here in OzBargain. Not that we do not want you to make
-money, but instead we already have a very good [[store:moneybackco.com|cashback scheme]] in place that
-is partnered with many affiliation networks in Australia. Therefore by using your link, our members
-might miss out the chance of getting cashback, which makes your deal more expensive!
-However, if there is no affiliation network that can provide cashback to our members, i.e. they will
-have to pay the same amount anyway if they don't click through your link, then the moderators here might
-turn a blind eye on it. Please make sure that you put enough declaration in your post about the
-affiliate link.
-Affiliate links are to be posted in the body of the deal, not the main deal URL. They must also have
-"**AFFILIATE LINK:** <url>" written next to it.
-Moderators have the right to remove any Affiliation Links at their own discression. Occasionally we find
-"post and run" users posting affiliate links on the site. This is one of the quickest way to find
-yourself in the penalty box.
-To reduce the amount of spam, **Group Buy Sites are not allowed to have any affiliation links**
-whatsoever.
-====== Posting deals ======
-**Summary**
-^ {{http://www.ozbargain.com.au/files/images/vote-up-btn.png}}      ^
-{{http://www.ozbargain.com.au/files/images/vote-down-btn.png}}       ^
-| **[[help:title_guidelines|POST]] a clear title including price and location.**   | **DO NOT post
-duplicate deals.**    |
-| **DECLARE if you are a merchant or have some relationship with the merchant.**    | **
-[[help:sockpuppeting|DO NOT]] sockpuppet or artificially vote for your deal.** |
-| **[[help:deal_posting_guidelines#link_directly_to_the_source|LINK]] directly to the deal.**   | **
-[[help:deal_posting_guidelines#only_sites|NO]] Adult websites.**    |
-| **[[:list_of_price_comparison_sites|CHECK]] competitors prices before posting.**   | **
-[[help:deal_posting_guidelines#free_software_freeware_free_websites|NO]] Freeware or Free Websites.**
-|
-| **[[help:deal_posting_guidelines#limited_quantity|MAKE]] sure there is sufficient quantity.**   | **
-[[help:deal_posting_guidelines#gambling_betting_deals|NO]] Gambling Sites.**    |
-| **BE respectful to others.**   | **[[help:banned_items|NO]] Banned Items or Websites.**    |
-| **REPORT any problems to the [[help:moderators|mods.]]**  | **
-[[help:deal_posting_guidelines#charities_donations|NO]] Charity Links.**    |
-|**POST only active deals.**    | **[[help:deal_posting_guidelines#competitions|NO]] Competitions.**
-|
-|**DEALS that are available to Australians.**    | **[[help:deal_posting_guidelines#affiliate_links|NO]]
-Affiliate Links.**    |
-----------
-===== Posting Deals Deatiled Rules. =====
-Please follow a few simple guidelines to make OzBargain a better place for both the bargain hunters and
-merchants.
-===== Starting Etiquette =====
-The guidelines are a rough blend of what this site was intended for and the changing attitudes of the
-community.  They have been written to try and help make your experience here, more pleasant.
-===Your first post.===
-Summary for first time users
-^ {{http://www.ozbargain.com.au/files/images/vote-up-btn.png}}      ^
-{{http://www.ozbargain.com.au/files/images/vote-down-btn.png}}       ^
-| **Declate any affiliations with the company**   | **DO NOT write "please be nice, its my first post"**
-   |
-| **Search for existing deal**   | **DO NOT lie about your affiliation with the company**    |
-| **Check the fine print**   | **DO NOT exclude important detail**    |
-| **Is it a genuine deal?**   | ****    |
-**Detailed Explanation for first time users**
-One thing to avoid is, telling the community that you are new, and asking them to take it easy on you.
-A number of people have tried this as their opener and it does not go down well.
-Also, note there are markers underneath user ids to indicate if this is your first post and if you are
-still new to OzBargain.
-==== Before posting a bargain ====
-It's a good idea to check that you are getting and/or posting a good price.
-A few things to check and/or included for your bargain are:
-  * Did someone else post the deal already?  How to search will be explained later
-  * Is this really the best price on the web [[:list of price comparison sites]]
-  * What is the cost of postage and handling is included, if applicable
-  * Is this deal accessible from Australia
-  * If it's specific to a particular location, specify that
-  * Check the fine print, that a low initial cost does not have a huge responsibility attached
-  * If it has special conditions (including walk in only, a particular payment method, membership
-required) those should be at least referenced in the title and definitely stated in the body of your
-deal
-Be transparent about why you are posting a deal here:
-  * Declare upfront if you have a relationship to the business or it's people.
-  * Declare upfront if you will some how benefit from the posting or if someone asked you to post here.
-  * If someone might question what is going on, if they found out something about you and your
-relationship to the deal, be upfront and include that in the body of the post.
-Notes to merchants:
-  * As OzBargain is a community website, deals that you have posted will be judged and voted by our
-community members.  Post when you have a bargain and not for plain advertising.  Plain adverts may be
-removed or may make it difficult for you to post, when you have something that really should be popular.
-==== Link directly to the source ====
-**Always** link directly to the specific product page, wherever possible.
-Do **not** link to the company's top-level website unless there is no specific page that could be used
-instead. Linking to a top-level website, especially when there is a direct link to the product, is often
-regarded as spam-like conduct and is not welcomed.
-Also, if you have an affiliate link, link directly to the specific product and if you want to include
-the affiliate link in the body of deal, remember to declare that it is an affiliate link.
-=== Media File Uploader ===
-When there is no direct link to the bargain or information supporting the bargain, you can use the
-[[media file uploader]].
-The [[media file uploader]] is [[http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/14069#comment-75624|not needed]] in
-the vast majority of cases. The uploader should only be used for scanned images (e.g. catalogues,
-flyers) and photos (e.g. receipts, pricing displays) when there is no webpage or website that could be
-linked to instead.
-In particular, the uploader is [[http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/14069#comment-75624|not be used]] to
-link to an image of a deal. OzBargain's [[foxshot|screenshot engine]] automatically provides an image of
-the webpage posted in the deal. There may be a small delay before the image appears.
-==== Search first ====
-Someone else might have already submitted the deal. In that case, vote on the existing deal instead.
-Duplicated deals will be deleted.
-Please use the search function first before posting anything. You can also use [[deals by domain]]
-functionality to check all the recent bargains from that store.
-Note: To sort your search in order of creation date, with most recent first, add the following to your
-sort
-> sort:created
-eg **zoo sort:created**
-==== Be descriptive ====
-  * //Please check [[Title Guidelines]] on how to write descriptive title for your deals.//
-Please explain clearly what the deal is about:-
-  - State the merchant and product model, and provide a brief description if you wish.
-  - State the price.
-  - State the location (city and state) if it is specific to an area.
-  - If it's a deal for walk in customers, mention that
-  - If shipping is required, state the shipping cost to major Australian cities if this information is
-available; approximate range is ok if the exact cost is variable or not available. (Store
-representatives **must** provide this information - there should be no reason to hide this from
-potential customers.)  At the least, state "+Shipping"
-  - State any relevant terms & conditions, such as expiry date and any "hidden catches".
-  - Summarise briefly why it is a bargain - why did you buy it or consider it worth sharing? How does
-the price compare to elsewhere? Can you comment from personal experience on the quality of the product?
-  * Do provide the most relevant details but do not copy pages and pages of specifications from the
-link.
-  * Please use the > sign at the start of any line of text copied from webpages, flyers, etc. The
-[[http://daringfireball.net/projects/markdown/syntax|Markdown]] [[http://michelf.com/projects/php-
-markdown/extra/|Markdown Extra]] syntax will mark this text as a quote (with a left-hand orange border),
-rather than appearing to be your own words.
-  * Note: If you know someone who works for or owns that business or if someone asks you to post or
-comment, state this when posting or commenting
-====== Title Guidelines ======
-== General guidelines ==
-  * **Be descriptive** -- a title that just says //"Big Sale at Myer"// is much less useful than a title
-that says //"Kids Wear 20% off Sale at Myer, Sydney CBD Only"//
-  * **Don't be spammy** -- a title should be informative, i.e. providing sufficient information to let
-other members to decide whether it is a good bargain. "Marketing speak" is not informative.
-== Titles should state:- ==
-  - **Product model.** May include relevant - but brief - specifications such as screen size.
-  - **Price.** May include discount or saving (e.g. "$2 off" or "half price) if enough space.
-  - **Shipping cost.** Exact cost if known or approximate range.
-  - **Company/merchant.**
-  - **Location.** City/suburb and state (e.g. Abbotsford, VIC) if specific to an area.
-== Titles should NOT include:- ==
-  * **Advertising phrases.** Like "Great price!" and "Hurry!" and most other things with an exclamation
-mark. Good bargains speak for themselves, and the community will ultimately decide with its votes.
-Advertising phrases are annoying and waste space that could be used to communicate relevant information.
-  * **Too many specifications.** Specifications become meaningless when there are numerous bunches of
-numbers and letters. These should be included in the description instead.
-    * If model number/code is specified in the title, it should provide sufficient information for other
-members to find out the exact specification.
-  * **Spelling errors.**
-== Example of a good title ==
-  * //Acersus EeeWind 1234 netbook w/ Atom 1GHz CPU & 10" screen - $499 + $19 shipping -
-ComputerStore.com.au//
-== Example of a bad title ==
-  * //BEST BARGIN EVER - cheap 1234 net computer - not many at this price save $100! warrenty//
-  * //CHEAPEST CRAZY BARGAINS OMG YOU WONT BELIEVE IT!//
-----------------
-====== Voting Guidelines ======
-Please use the following as guidelines to voting using EBAY's feedback system as an example.
-===== No Vote =====
-If the deal doesn't apply to you, you don't like the company, you want to leave a warning for people
-about the business or deal, you might want to leave a **comment** and then not vote.
-If you have any association or relationship with the business or the dealings related to the offer, do
-not vote.
-(eg employee, owner, built the website for them, supplier, in a relationship with someone in the
-business)
-If you have any association or relationship with a competitor's business or organisation, do not vote.
-If your reason is purely that you've been asked to vote by someone, do not vote.
-===== Positive Vote =====
-Please vote positive if you feel the deal is good. This encourages the poster to share more deals as
-they know its appreciated
-If you are associated with the Deal or company **DON'T VOTE**. Friend, Family, employees, shareholders,
-media relations, developers, contractor, affiliate etc  In other words you are independent from the
-company or deal.  All infractions may lead to a ban and post being revoked.
-===== REPORT Function =====
-There has been an additional tool provided to all members to assist in quickly identifying inappropriate
-posts and comments.
-USING the NEGATIVE vote instead of the report function has one side effect that you should be aware of.
-IF a poster gets more than two negative votes the system, locks them out of posting again for 5 days. Is
-this what you want to happen to the poster, when it may just be a simple mistake.
-This is the REPORT button that can be found just under the NUMBER OF CLICKS that a post has. You will
-find a number of reasons that you can choose from like Duplicate, Sold Out, Expired, Spam,
-Sockpuppeting, Illegal/Inappropriate. or you can write your own.  As well there is the "talk to the
-moderator forum", where you can discuss an issue in greater depth, and give your reasons for concern
-For a comment, the REPORT function is found at the bottom of each comment close to the REPLY button
-===== Negative Vote =====
-Many people dont like a deal, and want others to know about some issues they have with the deal, as
-evidenced by the comments made about a deal when they negatively vote. The IRONY for you to consider is
-that if a deal gets a number of negative votes, it is removed from most visitors screens. So your
-considered comments go as well.
-(However, if there are listing violations such as duplicate, SPAM or sockpuppeting, you can use the
-Report link, found just under the body of the deal, to let the mods know there's a problem)
-Negative votes are also appropriate when there maybe something wrong with the product. Eg an automobile
-accessory that may be cute, but might be against ADR's (Australian Design Rules). Or an telephone
-product that hasn't passed local approvals. Safety issues
-Reliability issues are also important to know about. However this comes into a gray area. If it didn't
-work for you, maybe a post with no vote attached, if you know others have had issues and have seen bad
-reports elsewhere a post with link if possible and a negative vote is appropriate
-Negative votes are also limited per day per user.
-Please do not vote negative just because a deal is sold out. If the title of a deal needs to be updated
-to reflect the deal no longer available, please use the REPORT link instead for mods to update the deal.
-Negative votes made for this reason will be revoked by mods.
-Negative votes do have an impact - new members tend to shy away fearing that their deals may not be good
-enough. Let the lack of positive votes tell them what appeals without, jumping on them. Also your
-opinion on what makes a good deal may not fit with the others here, a little encouragement goes a long
-way to building the information network this site is all about.
-IF a poster gets more than two negative votes the system, locks them out of posting again for 5 days. Is
-your negative a repeat of someone else's negative and would a REPORT be more appropriate - that is it
-gets the mods to remove the post.
-A negative vote would also be appropriate for cheaper prices elsewhere.  In this case, please include a
-link or description of where it is cheaper
-Note:
-  * auctions, private sales and expired offers are not the same thing as current offers by physical and
-online stores; don't use these to compare prices
-  * if it's cheaper elsewhere but won't reach everyone the original deal covered, please mention this
-but do not vote negative for this reason. Likewise comparing a price to a price from an overseas
-location, is good to point out, BUT not appropriate for a negative vote.
-If you want to leave a negative for more than one reason (eg needing a correction + cheaper prices
-elsewhere), please feel free to list all reasons in your comment.
-Please use negative votes sparingly and always **REPORT** listing violations to moderators by using the
-REPORT function, this alerts mods to inappropriate behaviour much faster than your negative vote. And if
-you feel so inclined still vote negative AND use the REPORT function if its appropriate
-=====banned items=====
-^ {{http://www.ozbargain.com.au/files/images/vote-down-btn.png}}  ^
-{{http://www.ozbargain.com.au/files/images/vote-down-btn.png}}  ^
-| **Duplicates**                                                  | **Auctions**
-                             |
-| **Competitions**                                                | **Freeware software/apps/websites**
-                           |
-| **Things that have //always// been free**                       | **Affiliate links** (see below)
-                           |
-| **Reps. 1/day max 2/week**                                      | **Inactive deals (group buy)**
-                           |
-| **Insufficient quantities**                                     | **Gambling/Betting Deals**
-                           |
-| **Charities**                                                   | **Jobs/Work**
-                           |
-| **Sites Displaying nudity**                                     | **Deals from RedBalloon**
-             |
-| **URL shorteners**                                              | **Deals from McDonalds**
-                                      |
-| **Private sale of Alcohol**                                     | **Pirated Software**
-                           |
-| **Illegal items**                                               | **illegal weapons**
-                           |
-| **Counterfeit products**                                        | **Adult products (toys &
-pornography)**                         |
-| **R4 cards**                                                    | **Undeclared Representatives**
-                           |
-===== Grey Area =====
-There are a number of grey areas regarding bargains.  This section of the guidelines covers what is less
-desirable.  However, the ultimate action taken can vary from one deal to another, based on community
-response among other factors.
-==== Limited Quantity ====
-If a bargain is for a limited quantity, that fact and the quantity, should be publicised in the deal (in
-the title ideally).
-If a bargain is for a low quantity, it might be "unpublished".
-==== Questions about Seller ====
-Where a seller is unknown, has very little history to establish a sales history, or there are other
-problems identifying that the end organisation really is a retailer, wholesaler or manufacturer, the
-deal might be unpublished or modified.
-We've had a number of stores trying to just dump links to their site without identifying anything on
-their site that would be a bargain.
-So, please make sure to identify a bargain on your site or don't post until you have one or you may even
-get your site banned or worse.
-==== Listings on Mass Retailing Sites ====
-If it's a listing on a site such as eBay, Oztion etc please follow all other guidelines to see if the
-listing should be excluded for any reason.
-Remember to consider whether it really is a bargain as compared with stores.
-If it still looks okay, next look at the history of the seller.  If they've been selling for a while and
-still seem to be active, the listing is more likely to be allowed.
-  * //Related article -- [[Posting Guidelines on eBay]]//
-===== What Should Not Be Posted =====
-It might be easier to spell out what should not be posted here. Your "deal" might attract negative votes
-from OzBargain members and/or getting unpublished if you post the following material.
-==== Duplicates ====
-Don't post duplicates.  Please search OzBargain before posting.
-==== Auctions ====
-Don't post auctions.
-==== Competitions ====
-Competitions are not deals, so please do not post competitions, contests or anything that only a small
-number who have registered might win. If you have a very good competition that you wish to share with
-other members at OzBargain, feel free to post in one of our [[http://www.ozbargain.com.au/forum|
-forums]].
-==== Free Software(Freeware) & Free Websites ====
-There are so many useful free software programs and websites out there that if we listed every great
-one, then we would be inundated with deals. Feel free to discuss any of these in one of our
-[[http://www.ozbargain.com.au/forum|forums]]. Alternatively, add the freeware to its dedicated free
-software wiki page -- [[:Useful Free Software]].
-Examples of what you **shouldn't** post:
-  * Software: [[http://getfirefox.com|Mozilla Firefox]] (Free Browser, Always Free)
-  * Websites: [[http://www.google.com/|Google]] (Free Search Engine, Always Free)
-Examples of what you **should** post:
-  * Software: [[http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/10109|DVB Web Scheduler Pro is now free]] (Normally you
-have to pay for it, now free)
-  * Websites: [[http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/10349|Used Car Ads Free on Carbuddy.com.au]] (Free for
-now but later on not free)
-==== Charities/Donations ====
-Just like free software and freeware, there are many great charities out there. Charities are not a
-bargain but feel free to post any charities or good causes on the [[http://www.ozbargain.com.au/forum|
-forums]].
- ==== Affiliate Links ====
-  * //Related article -- [[Affiliate Links]]. As of 2010, OzBargain is also using affiliation links to
-**guests**, i.e. not logged-in members, as part of its monetisation method.//
-Affiliate links are generally **not welcomed** over here in OzBargain. Not that we do not want you to
-make money, but instead OzBargain already have a very good [[store:moneybackco.com|cashback scheme]] in
-place that is partnered with many affiliation networks in Australia. Therefore by using your link, our
-members might miss out the chance of getting cashback, which makes your deal more expensive!
-However, if there is no affiliation network that can provide cashback to our members, i.e. they will
-have to pay the same amount anyway if they don't click through your link, then the moderators here
-//might// turn a blind eye on it. Please make sure that you put enough declaration in your post about
-the affiliate link. Please **do not** post affiliate links in the main URL.
-Due to the influx of [[:list_of_one_deal_a_day_sites|Daily Deal]] and [[:list_of_group_buy_sites|Group
-Buy]] deals, affiliate and/or referral links on such deals are not permitted. This includes links or
-codes within the deal description.
-Steps to take:
-  * Check whether this merchant already has commission cashback offered by sites like MoneyBackCo. If
-No, then
-  * Make sure you check that the deal you are posting is not part of a Group Buy or Daily Deal site.
-  * Make sure you declare your affiliation link. For example,
-    * It contains my affiliation link, and if you click through and make purchase, I will be getting
-commission from your purchases.
-  * You can also provide a non-affiliate link (optional).
-Moderators still hold the right to unpublish offers or remove affiliation part of the links, if found
-inappropriate.
-==== 18+ Only Sites ====
-Sites with adult themes should not be posted on OzBargain.
-  * More discussions [[http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/11112|in the forum section]].
-==== Too many deals ====
-Store reps can post about offers from his/her store.  Stores should have only 1 rep.  Stores should post
-no more than
-    * 1 bargain per day
-    * 2 bargains per week
-That also means if merchants have something that they want the whole OzBargain community to know, they
-need to plan ahead and only post the ones that will attract the best responses.
-For everyone else, we are currently having discussions about limits on posting
-http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/19678
-There doesn't seem to be anything official yet, but once you get past 2 listings in the same hour (or 4
-in 2 days) some users seem to start scrutinising your deals much more closely.
-==== Multiple Bargains for the Same Site ====
-Think twice if you are posting more than one deal from a site.  Are they all really good deals?
-It's also possible to post a deal, mentioning the best offer, and mention "+ more" in the title, then
-put details of the other bargains in the same posting (along with direct links to those items too)
-If more than one post is found for the same site per day, some posts may be removed to reduce clutter
-(especially where postings are not considered bargains).
-==== Special note: Sales, Catalogs and Stores ====
-People generally value their time.
-If you know there is a good bargain or two in a sale, catalog or store, it's a good idea to mention one
-or even two bargains, in the title, and provide direct links where possible, to those items.
-If there are multiple bargains in the same sale, catalog or store, it is still advisable to post once
-only.  Then multiple items can be listed in the same posting; probably with what looks to be the best or
-most popular bargains at the top.
-Postings that reference a sale, catalog or store but don't provide enough information to find at least
-one bargain, may be unpublished.
-Multiple postings for the same sale and/or catalog may be unwelcome and may be unpublished.
-Multiple postings for the one catalog and/or sale are especially unpopular if they all occur on the same
-day and if they all come from the same person.
-If someone else posted earlier from the same sale or catalog as you now want to publish from, please
-post under the other person's listing.
-If you do post separately it should be an especially good bargain, it may attract a more critical eye
-from some readers and it might still be unpublished.
-==== Group Buy Deals ====
-[[:list_of_group_buy_sites|Group buy]] sites such as Jumponit & Scoopon sell their items after reaching
-a certain number of people who agree to buy their items.
-  * Only deals that are active are allowed to be posted on Ozbargain. A deal is considered active when a
-user goes to purchase the deal and their sale is immediately finalised. A deal is inactive when a site
-requires X amount of people for the purchase to go through and that number hasn't been reached. (e.g. 35
-bought, 65 more required to get the deal)
-  * No Referrals. Due to the recent influx of such deals, referral links or codes are not permitted
-(including the description) for such sites.
-  * Please remember to include the state that the deal is applicable to (e.g. $49 for a $100 Dinner
-Voucher & a Bottle of Wine at Example Restaurant [NSW])
-==== Gambling / Betting Deals ====
-Deals which involve betting and/or gambling should not be posted.
-While discussions on betting and/or gambling may be discussed in the forums, moderators reserve the
-right to remove them at their discretion.
-==== Jobs / Work ====
-Jobs or deals that resemble paid work are not bargains.
-===== banned items =====
-Summary of banned items
-====Banned items on OzBargain====
-Items on this list shouldn't be posted on OzBargain. Please note this is not an exhaustive list and may
-not list all items.
-  * [[http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/24029#comment-262798|R4 Cards]]
-  * Adult products (Lingerie, Prophylactics OK, Toys and Pornograpy not OK)
-  * Counterfeit products
-  * Illegal Items
-  * Pirated software
-  * Private sale of alcohol (Prohibited by law)
-  * Console modifications that circumvent copyright protection (PS3, Wii, etc.)
-====Banned websites on Ozbargain====
-  * Deals from [[http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/15412|McDonalds]]
-  * URL shorteners (Bit.ly, Ow.ly, etc.)
-  * Deals from [[http://www.ozbargain.com.au/deals/redballoon.com.au|RedBalloon]]
-  * Sites displaying nudity.
-----------
-Moderation Policy
-^ {{http://www.ozbargain.com.au/files/images/vote-down-btn.png}}    Reasons for moderation ^
-|**Personal Attack**      |
-|**Off-topic**            |
-|**Trolling**             |
-|**Spam**                 |
-|**Duplicate**            |
-resubmit your issues, you can
-. Talk with a moderator here with the community seeing the discussion
-http://www.ozbargain.com.au/forum/5
-. Have a private discussion about the issue here. Where only you and the mods see the discussion
-http://www.ozbargain.com.au/forum/10041
-As there are a number of mods in opening the discussion please make reference to the post by pasting the
-url in your topic text.
-A mod after discussion may reinstate your comment, etc or modify it, or not. This depends on the
-discussion you have with the mod.
-For your information Mods can refer back to the post that has been hidden while others cannot, so if you
-are making reference to it in the community discussion keep this in mind.
-===== Negative Votes that can be removed by a Mod =====
-Please include a proper description of why you are voting negative.  Votes accompanied by unclear
-reasons or inaccurate reasons may be revoked.  eg +1, yea, as above, agreed, ditto .... ?? etc. If you
-simply agree with someone else's justification on their negative vote and have no further comments, you
-can simply not vote and report the deal.
-Negatives left to ask for corrections to a post are also helpful (eg a condition left out of the title)
-but may be removed after the corrections have been made, either by the original poster or a Mod
-In essence the negative vote is a warning. A warning about being a scam, spam, defective product or a
-better deal exists already. It is not for saying that the price doesn't match some preconceived idea of
-what a bargain is in terms of percentage off. Postage costs can be negatively voted against, if it takes
-the total deal over the price of a product that can be obtained from another supplier. But please use
-common sense, if this other supplier is not national, then while it might be more expensive for some, it
-may not be for others.
-Evidence should be provided with the negative post so that members can check this for themselves. If you
-suspect something but don't have evidence don't negative vote the deal. Use the Report button so the
-mods can investigate.
-Votes that do not do pass this warning intent with evidence, can be removed.
-All the above does NOT stop you from making comments without a negative vote, that other members might
-find useful.
-Members who abuse negative voting by breaching the guidelines a number of times may also find they will
-earn a ban for a period of time.
-Now we come to the gray areas on Negative voting. To which a MOD may or may not remove a vote.  Note
-please, these guidelines are here for both regulars and moderators, and moderators are free to revoke
-reported votes, or are free to ignore them.
-===== The FUNDAMENTALLY wrong Negative Vote TEST =====
-If a vote doesn’t meet these we can revoke the vote.
-We appeal to all members to think about a negative vote and apply these fundamental tests to them first.
- While you’re more than welcome to express your personal opinion against a deal, this alone should not
-be used as a reason to vote negative.
-. Is your negative vote really indicating that something is wrong with the deal or the seller. For
-example these products are prone to failure based on your information- if so then also put your source
-and where others can verify this. If you cant verify your source, then make the comment but skip the
-negative vote.
-. Pricing is always subjective. A $1 off a $500 item isn’t much of a bargain, but on a $3 item it is.
-But then again to some a $3 item is junk so anything off isn’t a bargain. So really negative votes
-purely based on pricing requires caution. Are you imposing your set of values on another in the
-community?
-. Comparing a deal that is now, to a deal that is no longer available. This is not a valid reason.
-Don't vote at all if you don't like the deal compared to one that was offered last month etc. Yes
-sometimes the 50c off a pizza, isn’t a “good” deal compared to the regular offerings of $1 off that many
-Pizza stores may make. In this case leave the deal alone, don't vote, make a comment, but it’s not a
-valid reason to negatively vote a deal. It's the one that is currently on offer, and 50 cents off or
-nothing off is a deal that some might want to take.
-. If the voter has got the "facts" wrong. Eg XYZ's deal cheaper than this deal, when its not. Saying
-that at ABC three 300ml Cans for $1.20, is no deal compared to than XYZ's 2 300ml cans for $1.00.
-Under these fundamentally wrong tests Mods may, but with an explanation when doing so.
-. Remove your vote
-. Refer your vote to another mod for a second opinion and remove if there is consensus.
-. In reference to 2 a mod might make a comment about your vote for another mod to see and make their
-call.
-. Ask you to consider either removing your vote, or give another reason and give you a time frame of at
-least 3 hours to do this.
-. If a report has been made about your vote, and the mods have let it stand a small comment about your
-vote being valid, may be made after your first comment. For less obvious cases, this is so the reporter
-can know the reason why we consider your vote is valid.
-NOTE the mods look at your first comment about why you voted negative, they don't go through all the
-comments you make, so if you are adding to the reason you voted you must add these to your first
-comment.
-Any vote that is revoked cannot be restored - that is a limitation of the system.
-MODS don't like having to remove votes, we like the system to be self regulating where possible, so mods
-will tend to give people the benefit of the doubt, but understand that there is plenty of grey area
-here, we may get it wrong, either way.
-Mods want people to share deals, that gives more opportunity to others here and they can make their own
-assessments if a deal is good for them
-===== Examples of negative Votes that MAY be removed by a Mod =====
-To assist in understanding, examples will be added here, over time.
-Examples follow.....
-Not a bargain.
-Agree
-SPAM
-I dont like the deal
-Its not available to everyone (ie only some)
-I dont think its a good deal (Doh thats what the negative vote says - the comment is meant for an
-explanation of why it is a bad deal)
-"Ditto" "see above" etc.  - Well its already got a negative vote, for that reason, its not a popularity
-test so no need to vote again. And if you feel that strongly that you need to, then it shouldn't be hard
-to explain why. Again understand what negative votes are used for
-----------------
-^ {{http://www.ozbargain.com.au/files/images/vote-up-btn.png}}      ^
-{{http://www.ozbargain.com.au/files/images/vote-down-btn.png}}       ^
-| **argument**   | **no argument.**    |
-| **argument**   | **no argument.**    |
-| **argument**   | **no argument.**    |
-| **argument**   | **no argument.**    |

Last edited by Davo1111 on 2010/12/16 20:03

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