Hot Deals Poll

[chrisexv6]

The Hot Deals thread needs some rules. (similar to the classifieds) There's about 10% deals and 90% worthless chatter.

Suggestion: Post the deal only and take all the chit chat elsewhere.

Taking it a little further, "Tool Deals" should become a forum group, with Hot Deals as one forum and Hot Deal TALK as another

Or just have Tool Deals as a completely separate forum where there is a single post per-deal and you can discuss that deal in those threads (a la SlickDeals)

 

[Ryan]

Hey fellas, I've had some guys mention that they would like a separate forum for "Hot Deals" rather than just a thread. If we did a separate forum, a thread would be dedicated to each deal...

Anyway, I'll let you guys decide. Vote for what ya wanna do...

Thanks,

Ryan

 

[Ryan]

Re: Hot Deal Index - Part 2

Hell, I can't make up my mind... Why don't you guys just decide?

Vote here:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=150469

 

[nrs2420]

Re: Hot Deal Index - Part 2

I too find it easy to skim just one thread. I have this thread saved to come up each time I start my browser and it automatically go right the the last post that was made when I closed my browser. Therefore making it easy for me just to skim the new posts since I last closed my browser, but I don't really care as long as there are deals being posted.

 

[lennoxlennox]

Re: Hot Deal Index - Part 2

Just my 2 cents

I like to just monitor the one thread...

If it's an entire forum, I'll miss a lot of deals I think.

^^^ what he said ^^^

it's like are you kidding me? has someones OCD kicked in?

let's have a separate thread to talk about separate threads to talk about separate threads... because i want to see it like this???

I'm sure the forum administrators aren't paid and this isn't their full time job... so I think the onus is on the people in the forum... which has a way of self policing if things get carried away.

in my opinion... carry on as we always have... good suggestions (maybe) and i'm sure there will be some effort... but over time... this thread will be exactly like the previous one... oh did i mention forums have a way of self policing?

 

[lennoxlennox]

Re: Hot Deal Index - Part 2

Hell, I can't make up my mind... Why don't you guys just decide?

Vote here:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=150469

WOW... it's come to this?

 

[Stuey]

Re: Hot Deal Index - Part 2

Yes, taking back the affiliate links feels good... Not because I'm making a ton of money (I made $3 yesterday), but because I've taken away the ability for other's to game the thread.

In any case, you started Hot Deals... Should we do a separate forum?

People keep asking for it, so it may be worth trying a subforum out. Maybe hide the subforum from non-registered members and move the deal index thread there as well so deal-posters have the option to post here or in a new thread.

A subforum also has the potential to get out of hand. Soon someone will want an Amazon-focused thread, a Sears-focused thread, an HF coupon thread, etc.

But I have a feeling that many deal-posters will still post to the index rather than starting a new thread. Many of the complainers are those that consume way more than they produce. Those complaining about the chit-chat can always go to SlickDeals or other places for deals if they'd like.

 

[MNRZR]

Re: Hot Deal Index - Part 2

Hell, I can't make up my mind... Why don't you guys just decide?

Vote here:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=150469

"Poll is Closed"

I think a dedicated Hot Deals forum with one main thread stickied for the actual deals and separate threads for discussion would work best. Any posts in the stickied "Hot Deals" thread that don't include a deal should be deleted. That way, if you want to just check one thread for deals you can. Likewise, if you'd like to discuss a deal, post a new thread for discussion(unless one already exists).

 

[lennoxlennox]

Re: Hot Deal Index - Part 2

 

[Ryan]

Re: Hot Deal Index - Part 2

"Poll is Closed"

I think a dedicated Hot Deals forum with one main thread stickied for the actual deals and separate threads for discussion would work best. Any posts in the stickied "Hot Deals" thread that don't include a deal should be deleted. That way, if you want to just check one thread for deals you can. Likewise, if you'd like to discuss a deal, post a new thread for discussion(unless one already exists).

Fixed. Sorry about that.

 

[tmcowboy]

Re: Hot Deal Index - Part 2

I'm starting to talk myself into the separate forum for hot deals... A little worried about spam... But do you fellas want to try it?

Yes Sir.

 

[dankicksass]

There's already a hot deals forum, it's called slickdeals and it's full of assholes. One thread is the best way to go, keep it simple.

 

[vw_tdi]

Re: Hot Deal Index - Part 2

I do want to put in my vote for keeping it the way it is. Yes, all the chatter can be bothersome, but, so many times, folks have posted a deal, and the subsequent discussion of the deal (e.g. quality of product, where they may be available, what folks found at the store, etc), is quite valuable. Would that all go in the 2nd forum?

Anyway, I am making the apparent unpopular vote of keeping it the way it is. Yes, there is excessive chatter, but just skip over those posts. It's not that hard.

 

[ecidious]

My vote is for a separate section, but I'd be fine with just a moderator cutting down on the off topic tangents a bit. Some discussion is ok, but other times it gets a bit ridiculous.

Anyways, for the separate section have a few stickies at the top for the various coupon threads and have someone manage the first post with current coupons and delete old ones periodically.

 

[archirelic]

What we're seeing wrong with the Hot Deals thread is the inability for an individual to monitor himself/herself and know when to cut the idle chat off.

Sadly, I do not know how creating a dedicated forum will alleviate this problem. What you will begin to see is the mindless drivel that currently infects the current deals thread start to pop up in every thread in the dedicated forum. The fact of the matter remains that someone's going to want to state something relevant to the deal and then 20 posts later, it's grown into the **** we all hate to see in the thread.

 

[-Brent-]

I voted no only for the fact that the one thread is more manageable. I don't like all the extra comments that distract from the deals but I've gotten used to how the thread works.

I could see a new section being another source of frequent moderation energy rather than individual posters having some control over their fingertips (which that thread needs most).

 

[-Brent-]

Re: Hot Deal Index - Part 2

Can someone explain to me how affiliate links make the thread/GJ money?

 

[brimorga]

This thread is so popular, why would you want to change it?

Sure, you could change it, but as others have said, that is what other forums like slickdeals are for.

I think this is a, if it's not broken, don't fix it type of thing.

Why would you want to mess with something that has over 1 million page views?

 

[brimorga]

Re: Hot Deal Index - Part 2

I do want to put in my vote for keeping it the way it is. Yes, all the chatter can be bothersome, but, so many times, folks have posted a deal, and the subsequent discussion of the deal (e.g. quality of product, where they may be available, what folks found at the store, etc), is quite valuable. Would that all go in the 2nd forum?

Anyway, I am making the apparent unpopular vote of keeping it the way it is. Yes, there is excessive chatter, but just skip over those posts. It's not that hard.

Agreed, I love it just the way it is. The number of page views and posts speaks on it's own. Why change something so successful?

Maybe if the thread dies, you make some changes, but it looks to be doing great all on it's own.

 

[Boost Creep]

i think it would be easier to browse a seperate forum for deals than trying to get through all the chatter in a single topic. its easy to miss a deal when it gets buried under alot of posts about a different deal. especially when you try and browse past that chat real quick when its about something you're not interested in. having its own forum you can have the topic be what the deal is and then all the chatter about it can be in that thread. if you're interested open it up and read. don't want to get in on the deal than its easy to skip over and see the next one posted and not have to worry about missing it cause you didn't see it. basically adds organization to the site by allowing everything for one type of "tool" to be in one "drawer"

 

[Cryptic1911]

I voted for a seperate forum. I find that the single post is a bit unruly to deal with as it's so scattered with posts for different things, that it's hard to follow. At least if there was a seperate forum, you could have relevent posts for each topic in that post

 

[Big Omega]

i think it would be easier to browse a seperate forum for deals than trying to get through all the chatter in a single topic. its easy to miss a deal when it gets buried under alot of posts about a different deal. especially when you try and browse past that chat real quick when its about something you're not interested in. having its own forum you can have the topic be what the deal is and then all the chatter about it can be in that thread. if you're interested open it up and read. don't want to get in on the deal than its easy to skip over and see the next one posted and not have to worry about missing it cause you didn't see it. basically adds organization to the site by allowing everything for one type of "tool" to be in one "drawer"

^^^ what he said.

And I'd rather look for tool deals here than on slickdeals - rather read the opinions of fellow tool junkies than Joe Blow homeowner on SD.

 

[jayoldschool]

I would love to see a separate section where each deal gets its own thread!

 

[JMcFly]

I would love to see a separate section where each deal gets its own thread!

And maybe threads can be auto removing after 30 days of inactivity or some sort of decided time so they do not take up valuable space on the server(s).

 

[Davefr]

I guess it doesn't really matter where the thread resides. What does matter is that there are some clearly defined posting rules/guidelines. (like in the classifieds).

The rules should clearly state that posts be limited to hot deals and only relevant data pertaining to the hot deals. (like coupons/promos, avail, rebates, better opportunities, money saving strategies, etc).

I don't want to hear about your grandma's latest hemorrhoidal fare ups and you don't need to explain why you are either going to buy or pass on the hot deal.

 

[Interex]

To those that aren't using the thread subscription: you're just wasting bandwidth and slowing down the site. Each time you perform a search for your own name, a query is submitted to the server which takes memory, processing power, and disk access. The thread subscription is all anyone should need to find threads that you've replied to. You can even setup your preferences to automatically subscribe you if you reply to a thread. Setup a bookmark to take you directly to your Control Panel and you'll be presented with all of the threads you've subscribed to that have had replies since the last time your viewed them. Click the arrow icon in front of the thread title and you'll be sent to the first post that was made since you last viewed it.

In regards to the sub forum, it's definitely needed. I would recommend encouraging users to utilize the thread rating system to help with judging if a deal is really hot or not (this is done on other deal websites like Slick Deals). As a way to police for spam, the 'Post Alert' function should be utilized by users to alert Mods of the offender.

Dedicated threads should still be utilized for things such as HF coupons.

I believe this can work, Ryan. Assign 2-3 Mods for this section and let's give it a chance. If it doesn't work out, we can always go back to a single thread.

 

[jim2664258]

Re: Hot Deal Index - Part 2

Why change something so successful?

Maybe if the thread dies, you make some changes, but it looks to be doing great all on it's own.

Why? To make it better. Your justification there is just rationalization too - if you can make something better, why not? A bicycle gets you around just fine, why motorize any vehicles?

As far as the comments about finding the other comments about a particular deal valuable, I agree. So make a thread on a particular deal and confine those comments TO THAT DEAL. Then if you are interested in all discussion around that one deal, keep clicking on it. If not, it's a lot easier to bypass. And it's a ton more organized.

Sigh, I know it's no use. I just have yet to hear a single legitimate reason why it shouldn't done. Sorry to clog up the thread, I'll stop now.

 

[Stuey]

Re: Hot Deal Index - Part 2

To those that aren't using the thread subscription: you're just wasting bandwidth and slowing down the site. Each time you perform a search for your own name, a query is submitted to the server which takes memory, processing power, and disk access. The thread subscription is all anyone should need to find threads that you've replied to. You can even setup your preferences to automatically subscribe you if you reply to a thread. Setup a bookmark to take you directly to your Control Panel and you'll be presented with all of the threads you've subscribed to that have had replies since the last time your viewed them. Click the arrow icon in front of the thread title and you'll be sent to the first post that was made since you last viewed it.

In regards to the sub forum, it's definitely needed. I would recommend encouraging users to utilize the thread rating system to help with judging if a deal is really hot or not (this is done on other deal websites like Slick Deals). As a way to police for spam, the 'Post Alert' function should be utilized by users to alert Mods of the offender.

Dedicated threads should still be utilized for things such as HF coupons.

I believe this can work, Ryan. Assign 2-3 Mods for this section and let's give it a chance. If it doesn't work out, we can always go back to a single thread.

Slickdeals rating system is a joke - people will thumbs-down deals randomly without explanation. People here sometimes 1-star threads b/c they don't like the brands being discussed.

As for "assigning 2-3 mods," would you like to be one of the mods that has to deal with the Hot Deals thread let alone an entire subforum? Nobody's going to volunteer for that type of responsibility.

I'm currently subscribed to over 4000 threads since I auto-subscribe. And http://garagejournal.com/forum/subscription.php is easier to bookmark as the control panel doesn't show a full list.


I have a feeling that some of the complainers just want it to be easier for them to score a good deal for resale. I checked the Classified here the other day - one member was already selling quite a few Gearwrench ratchets he obviously picked up from the massive Sears sale he discussed in the Hot Deals thread.

 

[jim2664258]

Re: Hot Deal Index - Part 2

Stuey - I do agree on your rating comments. And I do suspect the non-creation of a subforum is related to subscriptions mainly - and that could be a legitimate point. I don't use thread subscriptions at all.

I do question your comment that the 'complainers' just want to make it easier to resell items. How in the world do you come to that conclusion?

 

[MOJoWales]

Re: Hot Deal Index - Part 2

I have a feeling that some of the complainers just want it to be easier for them to score a good deal for resale. I checked the Classified here the other day - one member was already selling quite a few Gearwrench ratchets he obviously picked up from the massive Sears sale he discussed in the Hot Deals thread.

This ^. The stated purpose of this site is garages and the things inside. The hot deals thread is already an offshoot of this.
That the thread can get cluttered might be it's saving grace. Being inefficient for professional resellers might keep it a bit under the radar. If I see a deal here I stand a decent chance of being able to buy whatever it is before the supply is exhausted. Deal sites kill deals for those of us who want low quantity or have to do some research before pulling the trigger.
I like checking on a few posts at lunch or whenever and this thread, now at part II, is one daily refresh. If this site becomes the next popular tool deal site this will be threatened as the people who check every minute and buy massive stock will drown us out.
It's a double edged sword, wanting deals and savings = good, but too good = become mainstream = deals die fast.
Also, the garage and tool discussions could become an offshoot of the deals if it really takes off and seems like a question for the site owner.
My .02, and sears corp. still ***** .

MOJoWales

 

[Interex]

Re: Hot Deal Index - Part 2

Slickdeals rating system is a joke - people will thumbs-down deals randomly without explanation. People here sometimes 1-star threads b/c they don't like the brands being discussed.

True but overall, I believe that the ratings system would be utilized for the right reasons here. I'm sure we'll still get trolls that will rate down things like HF products but the majority will prevail here IMO.

As for "assigning 2-3 mods," would you like to be one of the mods that has to deal with the Hot Deals thread let alone an entire subforum? Nobody's going to volunteer for that type of responsibility.

Absolutely. I'd love to be part of helping out with the section as I've been a huge supporter of it. I'm sure we can find 1-2 others that would be willing to volunteer as well.

I'm currently subscribed to over 4000 threads since I auto-subscribe. And http://garagejournal.com/forum/subscription.php is easier to bookmark as the control panel doesn't show a full list.

True, if you're looking for threads going back, the subscription list is also a good option. User CP just works well for me since it's not very often that I need to look at a thread that hasn't been responded to since I last read it.

I have a feeling that some of the complainers just want it to be easier for them to score a good deal for resale. I checked the Classified here the other day - one member was already selling quite a few Gearwrench ratchets he obviously picked up from the massive Sears sale he discussed in the Hot Deals thread.

Yes, it's sad but true that reselling hot deals will always be an issue but the complainers (and I'll be the first to say that I am one of them) aren't all looking to resale deals. We're just looking for some organization. On quite a few occasions, I've come to the Hot Deals thread looking for something that I saw posted in the last couple of weeks. After going back page by page of other deals and chatter, I often just give up. Sure, I could try using the search function within the thread but that still leaves me sifting through more chatter.

As a way to combat 'deal snipers', I would recommend we institute a minimum post count in order to be able to view the forum. Maybe 50 posts? It's something we use to keep the trolls out of sections in other forums that I'm part off.

 

[Ryan]

Re: Hot Deal Index - Part 2

Can someone explain to me how affiliate links make the thread/GJ money?

So, if you buy something from somebody that is an affiliate of mine through a link on garagejournal.com, I get paid a small percentage (I think it's around 3 to 4%, but I am new to this game). It's really as simple as that.

We've had problems in the past with users posting their own affiliate links, which is fine I guess... But I felt weird about it. For one, it sort of skews the "hot deals" in that a user can be tempted to post deals that aren't really all that "hot," but that make them money. Secondly, I kind of felt like if the links were coming from my site, I should be the guy getting paid - not some guy that is just using my site.

In any case, I put a script on the site that essentially strips out affiliate code placed by others and puts my own in.

 

[tube_guy]

Re: Hot Deal Index - Part 2

This ^. The stated purpose of this site is garages and the things inside. The hot deals thread is already an offshoot of this.
That the thread can get cluttered might be it's saving grace. Being inefficient for professional resellers might keep it a bit under the radar. If I see a deal here I stand a decent chance of being able to buy whatever it is before the supply is exhausted. Deal sites kill deals for those of us who want low quantity or have to do some research before pulling the trigger.
I like checking on a few posts at lunch or whenever and this thread, now at part II, is one daily refresh. If this site becomes the next popular tool deal site this will be threatened as the people who check every minute and buy massive stock will drown us out.
It's a double edged sword, wanting deals and savings = good, but too good = become mainstream = deals die fast.
Also, the garage and tool discussions could become an offshoot of the deals if it really takes off and seems like a question for the site owner.
My .02, and sears corp. still ***** .

MOJoWales

Based on this, I'd like to change my vote from dedicated forum to keep it like it is.

 

[slob]

Having separate threads for each deal means we don't have to sift through dozens of low-content posts to find what we're looking for. I have no interest in Craftsman or Sears deals, and yet have to read page after page after page of chit-chat about Sears and Craftsman to find what I need. Numerous times I've missed out on some really good deals because they were buried in pages of low-content banter. Having vendor-specific or deal-specific threads would allow the chit-chatters to have their chit-chat and others to find what they need. I've seen it work this way in other forums without it turning into a horror show.

 

[MOJoWales]

It seems:
Main argument for change would be organization and ease of use.
Main argument for leaving it alone is risk of becoming reseller central, losing the one-on-one type atmosphere, and maybe having cross-contamination in the rest of the forum if it really takes off.

Some old hands might feel that ship has already sailed but here we are.

I keep thinking that there are several deal only sites and they do a good job of being quickly searched.
If the changes are made, a post limit to view deals would be a great idea but some of the forum members who don't give a hang about tool deals are going to become upset when new members look for an excuse to reach the limit in their threads ie. "Is that a hammer Yo?"
No way to make everyone happy. Risk vs reward.

Now excuse me while I look for a place for the new Metabo miter saw in my garage. Actually, how about killing the hot deals thread entirely?

MOJoWales

 

[91bronc300]

I just voted to keep it like it is. Posting a hot deal and then getting 6 or 10 posts of people's opinions and experiences with the order is part of what I LIKE about that thread. Of course there all the truly useless posts which get annoying (they get annoying in ANY thread), but I more often than not find that the discussion posts are informationally valid. At least for me.

Maybe we could just put the it a little more under the radar by naming it 'mediocre deal index'.

 

[jim2664258]

Re: Hot Deal Index - Part 2

People keep asking for it, so it may be worth trying a subforum out. Maybe hide the subforum from non-registered members and move the deal index thread there as well so deal-posters have the option to post here or in a new thread.

A subforum also has the potential to get out of hand. Soon someone will want an Amazon-focused thread, a Sears-focused thread, an HF coupon thread, etc.

But I have a feeling that many deal-posters will still post to the index rather than starting a new thread. Many of the complainers are those that consume way more than they produce. Those complaining about the chit-chat can always go to SlickDeals or other places for deals if they'd like.

Sorry, I thought my response was going to be posted in the Poll thread. Not sure how I made that mistake ??

Edit: fooled by the topic change in the thread - my incompetence knows no bounds.

 

[d_rock]

what about a sub forum that you have to be a donating member to view?

 

[jim2664258]

Stuey,

Maybe this is a crazy idea. Would it be possible to have a subforum, but take every single post and programmatically make a thread out of it featuring all of the posts? That would satisfy both groups of people, although the technical feasibility of doing that is admittedly in question. This would presuppose you could only create new posts in the subforum, which is probably more of a limitation that those that want to keep a single thread are willing to swallow. Just trying to brainstorm.

I am honestly very surprised that people subscribe to a thread with as much traffic as the Hot Deals thread. I've never used thread subscription on any forum I've visited, so there could be some options to it that make it more palatable for heavy traffic threads.

I don't know what to tell you about the people that really are just out there to buy deals in bulk and resell - I don't think you are going to stop those people no matter what you do. I guess I understand the point about making it harder for those types, but does that mean we should all punish ourselves? Tough call.

 

[Cryptic1911]

As a way to combat 'deal snipers', I would recommend we institute a minimum post count in order to be able to view the forum. Maybe 50 posts? It's something we use to keep the trolls out of sections in other forums that I'm part off.

I was just sitting here thinking about this thread, and came back to post this.. Make it "free", but only available to people who actually post and contribute here

One other thing too, is to maybe prune the forum and delete old threads for dead deals after a certain amount of time so they dont just sit around forever