The bargain forum is now a joke, a far cry from what it was even 12 months ago.

I love those threads as well. I'm lazy and like to just click one thread, see all the rebate options etc. all in one place.

Just limit them to one per movie.

This needs to be addressed.

it will be very soon, everyone please be patient.

Thank you, Pilot, for letting us know that we are being heard. Initiating patience... ;)

xpfshost

Quote:

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Originally posted by Josh Hinkle
I love those threads as well. I'm lazy and like to just click one thread, see all the rebate options etc. all in one place.

Just limit them to one per movie.

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Agree with this.

While I do sometimes check out the "weekly" ads [and DEFINITELY check out Blade's Costco threads], there are time where I just click on a "Best Price" thread to find the...best price on a particular DVD [when all is said and done - rebates, etc] at a B&M the day of release. If people were littering the Bargains forum with this threads for every.single.DVD. released that week, I could see it being a problem, but they usually pop up for the "MAIN" releases.

Perhaps these threads should have a two week shelf life and after the initial "two week" release period, the thread starter should be held with the task of deleting the thread so there's no clutter?

Or get a new mod to soley deal with the bargain forum and those types of tasks.

*points at himself*

Those are the 2 best deals you got in on? That sucks, dude. I mean, those were good, but what about those fantastic Suncoast deals, etc? Anyway, I do agree that I never found those Best Price threads to be very helpful. However, I didn't find them annoying either. If you aren't interested in the thread, don't read it. I don't think they were that overwhelming. Although I personally won't miss them, I don't agree with banning them...

If there is no bargain, they usually die anyway. I really don't see the clutter either.

It's good we go rid of those best price threads in a bargain forum. Why would someone look for a best price in there?

At least we have "Did you get rebate for movie x?" threads in there. Those are great bargains.

How long has this discussion been going on and we still can't get a straight/realistic answer as to why they were removed?

From reading Geoff's post in Bargains, that's what I got as well.

How about this for a possible solution?

- One thread in the Bargains forum where people can post requests for best prices. It may get big, so perhaps we close it every month or two and start fresh.

- One thread per DVD with people posting information regarding the best prices or bargains that they've found. Discussion or someone posting information about a better price or bargain is allowed... no, they're not off-topic or threadcraps, as someone had suggested for some reason, since the topic of the thread is posting the best price.

- Threads in which people post information about rebates/coupons/etc that they've found.

As I interpret it, Geoff's goal here is more signal & less noise in the Bargains forum, not a stifling of discussion.

Unfortunately I'm not around enough as I don't have internet access at home.

Another thing, and I am sure it might have already been mentioned, but there are 10 sticky threads.

I think this is the best solution. Something like an 'Official best price thread for -xxx- DVD' or something with someone posting the best deal they've found in the opening post. All deals/prices/rebates etc. for that title could be easily found in that thread. Your first suggestion for one deal thread for all titles would be a non-starter for me. Also, the dedicated threads can be restricted to major release titles (Aladdin, Shrek 2, Harry Potter, etc.). As others have said, once all deals have been hashed out, the thread will drop off the main page eventually by itself...eliminating clutter.

On a different note, in reply to Big Worms, there is already a thread about that in this Feedback forum (I don't have the link, sorry).

xpfshost

No, what I meant was a thread in which people could post requests for bargains/best prices, as opposed to information about bargains/best prices they had found. It seems like some folks are upset that they can't post threads asking "what is the best price for ______?" This would allow people to still make requests for bargains & best prices that people have found, but keep it contained to one thread.

I can't imagine a single thread of requests being very efficient. Are you expecting people to reply under that single thread with what they think is a good deal on whatever is being requested? That would get messy real quick. Or start a new thread upon seeing what people requested? I don't see how that would make things any less cluttered.

Again, i still don't see why this is an issue to begin with. Not many people complained about the threads (judging by the posts here and the support for them.) They helped a lot of people find the best prices. They fall off quickly when no one is interested. They weren't cluttering anything. As far as i can tell, that's all there should be to it.

Did anyone ever analyze the hit counts on "Best Price" threads? If their average hit count was WAY below other bargains, then it makes sense to jettison them. I have a feeling those threads have high hit counts - except for the lame titles of course.

If a big release is coming out, I don't want to have to search all over the place for the best price.

I don't think anyone expects you to. From what I understand, Geoff is just trying to cut down on threads in which people are requesting information as opposed to posting it. Threads in which people post the best deals they've found for a particular DVD are still okay. You can just click on that thread about the particular DVD you're wondering about... no searching necessary.

But why out of the blue now, this place has been alive for 4+ years (as have these type of threads)???

Nobody has posted a complaint thread in the "feedback forum". Posts in this thread are "overwhelmingly" against.

Most of the prohibited threads did turn out useful to many members, and the ones that didn't just died. I just don't get the rational behind this one.

Where is the problem that is trying to be solved?

That was my first reaction when I saw the sticky in the bargain forum banning these threads.

So, as an example, how about this post:
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Thread title: Best Price for HP: Prisoner of Azkaban

Thread body: "The best price for HP: POA appears to be at TWEC stores for $14.99 after $5 mail-in rebate. Please reply to this post if you found a better deal."
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Does this post pass muster?

Looks good to me.

Looks good to me as well, but it doesn't pass muster in the Bargains Forum as threads of that type are currently locked. Also existing threads that have actual Best Prices posted by others are locked as well.And my first reaction was that it was a Very Bad Idea.

Oddly that reaction has a persistence and resonance here in the Feedback Forum and in the Bargains Forum.