[[help:deal_posting_guidelines]]

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help:deal_posting_guidelines [2017/06/14 04:03]
hamza23 June 14 Referral Update
help:deal_posting_guidelines [2024/10/08 09:48] (current)
hamza23 [Duplicates]
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 If any of the above is true, check the *I am a Store Representative* box. If any of the above is true, check the *I am a Store Representative* box.
 +
 +Do not ask users to vote on your deal or attempt to solicit votes (in your deal description or by any other means). Do not ask users to vote on your deal, attempt to solicit votes, solicit subscriptions for your user profile or for the related store (in your deal description or by any other means).
  
 ==== Search first ==== ==== Search first ====
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   * //Related article -- [[Posting Guidelines on eBay]]//   * //Related article -- [[Posting Guidelines on eBay]]//
 +  * [[Posting Guidelines on Amazon au]]
 +  * [[Posting Guidelines on AliExpress]]
  
 ==== Multiple Bargains for the Same Site ==== ==== Multiple Bargains for the Same Site ====
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 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) 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 daysome posts may be removed to reduce clutter (especially where postings are not considered bargains).+If more than one post is made for the same site/store within 24 hoursit may be combined (especially where posts aren't considered bargains or are related sales/products). Moderator discretion applies.
  
 ==== Price Matching & In-store Negotiations ==== ==== Price Matching & In-store Negotiations ====
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 In-store negotiated deals are dependent on the store, salesperson and other circumstances. In-store negotiated prices (haggling to receive a further discount on the ticketed price) aren't available to everyone and are not guaranteed. You should post a deal for the ticketed/guaranteed price, you can then add your experience with negotiating further discount in the deal description only. Alternatively you may wish to post your experience in the forums. In-store negotiated deals are dependent on the store, salesperson and other circumstances. In-store negotiated prices (haggling to receive a further discount on the ticketed price) aren't available to everyone and are not guaranteed. You should post a deal for the ticketed/guaranteed price, you can then add your experience with negotiating further discount in the deal description only. Alternatively you may wish to post your experience in the forums.
  ==== Affiliate & Referral Links ====  ==== Affiliate & Referral Links ====
 +<html>  
  
-Affiliate links are generally //not welcome// on ChoiceCheapies. Many members of ChoiceCheapies are already using various cashback schemes to get cashback from various affiliation networks. Therefore by using your link, our members might miss out the chance of getting cashback, which makes your deal more expensive! Moreover, we do not want to encourage people sharing low quality deals just for the sake of earning affiliation commissions. +<ul class="fa-ul" style="list-style:none"> 
 +  <li><i class="fa fa-bullhorn fa-li"></i>NEW!</li> 
 +</ul> 
 +</html>
  
-=== Difference between Affiliate and Referral Links ===+Referral links & codes are prohibited almost* everywhere on ChoiceCheapies; this includes all deal, forum and classified posts and comments. Referral links & codes can however be added to our automated [[https://www.cheapies.nz/node/8153|referral system]] from My Account - Edit - Referrals. Do not solicit referrals by any means (eg asking users to PM you or by drawing attention to the referral system). Affiliate links are prohibited on ChoiceCheapies.
  
-//Main article[[referral and affiliate link differences]]//+**EXCEPTIONS:** 
 +  * Competition referral links (to gain entries) ARE permitted in competition posts (at the bottom of the post) and competition comments. 
 +  * If you have a referral link or code for a deal you are posting AND it is not in the automated system, please add it to the bottom of your post & a moderator will add it into the referral system (and remove it from your post). 
  
-    * **Referral links** or referral codes give //referrers credit// for the store.  +**Can I post a deal for the Referral offer itself?** 
-    * **Affiliate links** are links that pays affiliates financially+   *  If the retailer offers a referral program, you may post it as a deal (e.g. signup to ABC site via referral code and earn $10 credit) if all of the following conditions are met: 
 +          -  The referee also earns credit.  
 +          -  It has NOT been posted as a deal previously. 
 +          -  It has been less than 7 days since it was added to the ChoiceCheapies referral system (i.e. a new edition). 
 +          -  It is not an update to a store's referral system, unless it is a limited time offer.  
 +                 Examples: Airbnb updates their refer a friend credit from $32 to $34. As this is already in the referral system, it should simply be updated to $34 and not posted as a new deal (updates to the referral program should not be posted as a deal).  
 +                A Bank has a promotion for the month of April only: Sign up to a new account and both the referee and referrer receive $50. In July they have the same promotion again (this can be posted as a new deal as it is a new offer and the previous offer had expired/ended).
  
-Both referral and affiliate links are not allowed in the main body of posts or in comments. However, we have a built-in [referral system](https://www.cheapies.nz/wiki/help:referral_links) where users can add their own referral links into a pool. 
  
-=== Is a referral link for a store ever allowed?  === +//Main article: [[referral and affiliate link differences]]//
- +
-There is only one exception where a referral link can be added to the end of deal. That is if the referral for the store in question has not yet been added to the system. However, once the referral is added to the system, the referral link will be removed by a moderator.  +
- +
-**Steps to take to post a referral link for this scenario: +
-** +
-   * You need to post the **non-referral link** in the main URL/Link field. +
-   * Post one referral link or code **at the end** of the main post body +
-   * You are not allowed to draw attention to your referral link or code by means of applying special formatting to the referral link/code or the text around it (including bolding). +
-   * Make sure you **declare** and **explain**  (if store is not already in the [[help:referral_links|ChoiceCheapies referral system]]) your referral link. For example, +
-     * This is my referral link, if you click through and make a purchase I will receive $10 and you will receive $5. +
-   * The deal title should stand on its own without mentioning any referrals. Any product prices in the title should **exclude** the referral discount. +
-   * Your post will be marked by the system as a referral post which places an **Referrer** tag next to your username.  +
-   * Do not post referral links or codes in the coupon code section. This supports the requirement for the link to be placed at end of text. +
-   * Do not mention ways to circumvent a sites referral rules - eg multiple sign ups. +
-   * Do not link to your referral deal elsewhere on ChoiceCheapies (forums, comments in other deals). +
-   * Do not add your referral link to your deal post if it was posted more than 7 days ago. +
-   * Do not post referral links from a merchant, retailer or service provider different to the one for the main deal. +
-   * Do not place another ChoiceCheapies member's referral link within the deal. +
-   * Do not solicit referrals. +
-   * Moderators still hold the right to unpublish offers or remove referral part of the links, if found inappropriate. Requests for removal by the OP will be denied unless there is a sufficient reason. +
- +
- +
-=== Deals where the referral system is the deal === +
- +
-  * You may post a deal that is for the retailer's referral system if all of the following conditions are met: (1) The referee also earns credit (2) It has not been posted as a deal previously (3) It has been less than 7 days since it was added to the ChoiceCheapies referral system. +
-  * You cannot post your own referral link or code within a deal that is for the retailer's referral system. If the deal is not already in the ChoiceCheapies referral system you can request it be added here. +
-  * In the case of long running referral only deals: All subsequent “announcements” about the referral program shouldn't be posted as new deals, including updates to the referral program. This does not include limited time referral only deals where the previous offer was expired/ended and is now being offered again. You may post a forum topic about any updates to a referral program (with a link to the referral system only). +
-  * Examples: (1) Airbnb update their refer a friend credit from $32 to $34. As this is a long running referral only deal, updates to the referral program should not be posted as a deal. (2) A Bank has a promotion for the month of April, sign up to a new account and both the referee and referrer receive $50. In July they have the same promotion again - this can be posted as a new deal as it is not a long running referral deal and the previous offer had expired/ended. +
-  * +
 ==== Merchants & Store Representative ==== ==== Merchants & Store Representative ====
  
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 Deal posts that reference an upcoming sale or deal without information about any specific offer, or have an unknown/indefinite start date may be unpublished. Please post only when at least a product price or a specific discount is known, and include that in the description. //Please note that **up to XX% off** discounts are not specific discounts.// Deal posts that reference an upcoming sale or deal without information about any specific offer, or have an unknown/indefinite start date may be unpublished. Please post only when at least a product price or a specific discount is known, and include that in the description. //Please note that **up to XX% off** discounts are not specific discounts.//
  
 +Upcoming deals should not be posted more than 90 days in advance.
 ==== Airfare Deals ==== ==== Airfare Deals ====
  
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 ==== Duplicates ==== ==== Duplicates ====
  
-Don't post duplicates (deals that are already on the site).  Please [[https://www.cheapies.nz/wiki/help:deal_posting_guidelines#search_first|search]] ChoiceCheapies before posting.+Don't post duplicates (deals that are already on the site). Please [[https://www.cheapies.nz/wiki/help:deal_posting_guidelines#search_first|search]] ChoiceCheapies before posting.
  
 Exceptions: Exceptions:
  
-  * The original deal is older than one month, and was expired or sold out between then and now.+  * The original post is older than month, and was marked as expired or sold out between then and now.
  
-  * The original deal is active but older than 6 months.+  * The original post is activebut older than 6 months, and has not been reposted to the front page in the past 6 months.
  
-  * The duplicate gains an excessive amount of positive votes (5+) and reaches the front page.+  * The duplicate gains an excessive amount of positive votes (10+) and the original deal was posted and had become active more than 24 hours ago.
  
-  * The original deal is a list of multiple items and the item is not contained in the title of the original deal.+  * The item is not in the title of the original deal. Moderator discretion can apply if the post is seen as excessive. 
 + 
 +Note: If an expiry date is not set on a deal post, it will be automatically marked as expired after 45 days (90 days for freebies). It is the poster's responsibility to either set an expiry date, or report the deal to have it marked as 'long expiry' (never auto expire). 
 + 
 +These exceptions do not apply to [[https://www.cheapies.nz/wiki/help:deal_posting_guidelines#affiliate_referral_links|long running deals where the referral system]] is the offer.
  
-Note if the expiry date is not specified on a deal post, our system will automatically expire the deal after 45 days (90 days for freebies). It is the posters responsibility to set an expiry date or report the deal to have it not auto expire. 
 ==== Auctions ==== ==== Auctions ====
  
 Don't post auctions. Don't post auctions.
 +
 +==== Joke Posts ====
 +
 +Please don't submit joke posts in the deals section - new deals trigger notifications to subscribers who are after genuine deals. Feel free to put any humorous finds in the forums.
  
 ==== Competitions ==== ==== Competitions ====
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 ==== Free Multimedia Content & Websites ==== ==== Free Multimedia Content & Websites ====
  
-There are so many useful free multimedia content (e.g. ebooks, videos, photos, software, apps etc.) and websites out there that if we listed every great one, then we would be inundated with deals. Feel free to discuss or post any of these in one of our [[https://www.cheapies.nz/forum/30381|Free Software Forum]].+There are so many useful free multimedia content (e.g. ebooks, videos, photos, software, apps etc.) 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 [[https://www.ozbargain.com.au/forum|forums]]. 
  
-In general, multimedia content that are always free and available to everyone should be posted in the forums, but if something that's not usually free is offered free for a limited time, it qualifies as a dealIn some cases, decisions on whether a post should stay as a deal or be moved to forum post is at moderators discretion. As this is an evolving subject, community feedback is welcomed in our Site Discussion forum.+In general, always-free multimedia content that are available to everyone should be posted in the forums. Products that are temporarily free or have become permanently free qualify as dealsModerators will make informed decisions on whether posts should stay as deals or be moved to the [[https://www.cheapies.nz/forum/30381|Free Software forum.]] As this is an evolving subject, community feedback is welcomed in our [[https://www.cheapies.nz/forum/5|Site Discussion forum.]]
  
 Examples of what you **shouldn't** post: Examples of what you **shouldn't** post:
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 Examples of what you **should** post: Examples of what you **should** post:
  
-  * Software: DVB Web Scheduler Pro is now free Normally you have to pay for it, now free +  * Software: DVB Web Scheduler Pro is now free (Normally you have to pay for it, now free) 
-  * Websites: Used Car Ads Free on Carbuddy Free for now but later on not free +  * Websites: Used Car Ads Free on Carbuddy (Free for now but later on not free)
 ==== Charities/Donations ==== ==== Charities/Donations ====
  
-Just like free software and freeware, there are many great charities out thereCharities are not a bargain but feel free to post any charities or good causes on the [[https://www.cheapies.nz/forum|forums]].+Freebie deal posts from charities targeted at specific groups where you receive a physical item in the mail are not permitted (with exception of a deal posted by a rep)See [[https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/354078|discussion]] on Ozbargain. 
 + 
 +Charity deals where the user receives nothing in return are not a bargain but feel free to post any charities or good causes on the  [[https://www.cheapies.nz/forum|forums]].
  
 ==== 18+ Only Sites ==== ==== 18+ Only Sites ====