RedFlagDeals.com Forum Rules

1. Before You Post: General Tips
   
2. General Rules (Apply to all forums)
   
3. RedFlagDeals.com Code of Conduct
   
4. Where Should I Post?
   
5. Trading Rules (Apply to the Buy, Sell, and Trade forums)
   
6. Trading Tips
   
7. RedFlagDeals.com Glossary
   
8. How can you help RedFlagDeals.com? (RedFlagDeals.com Affiliate Links)
   

1. Before You Post: General Tips

Want to look smart? Read the following tips before posting and you won't make a rookie mistake!

• If you have recently created an account, but cannot post, it is likely because you did not activate your account. An email was sent to the email account you registered with that contained a confirmation link. If you have lost this email, please send an email to support@redflagdeals.com explaining your problem. The email must come from the email account you registered with.

• Your first post must be approved by a moderator before appearing on the site. This is done to ensure the legitimacy of the account (for example, that it is not a spam robot). Posts are usually approved within 3 hours. If you post is not approved, it is most likely because it either broke one of the rules below or was deemed to be suspicious.

• Before asking a question use the search function to see if it has already been asked and answered.

• Before posting to the Hot Deals forum, use the search function to see if it has already been posted.

• When posting your hot deal, your headline should include at least the items that are on sale and the price the retailer is charging for it. In your actual message be sure to include that same information as well as the retailers name and a link to their webpage if possible. To make the post as helpful as possible to other members of the community, see if you can cover the who, what, where, when, and how.

• Read the "Where Should I Post" section of this document!

2. General Rules

The following rules apply to all forums on RedFlagDeals.com. Please read them carefully. If there is anything you do not understand, please post a question to the Site Comments & Suggestions forum.

The following rules will be enforced and at the discretion the moderators or administrators:

1. No SPAM/Advertising. This includes promoting a company or service in your signature or sending unsolicited messages through the Private Messaging system. If you wish to promote your company, please contact biz@redflagdeals.com. This also includes posting your BST listings or items for sale in any forum outside of the Buy, Sell, and Trade.

2. No multi-level marketing, pyramid, and get-rich schemes allowed.

3. No affiliate and/or referral links. This includes soliciting referrals in your signature, posts, or asking for private message referrals. We have to draw a hard-line on this otherwise SPAM will quickly overrun the boards. For more information on affiliate links, see section 6 of this document. No 'free money' or 'paid to surf' threads. Once again, to minimize spam and due to their dubious reputation.

4. We do not allow the discussion of illegal activities. For example, where to download pirated games or movies.

5. No cross posting or linking to RedFlagDeals.com competitors.

6. RedFlagDeals.com is a PG rated site. This means that no deals for pornography or weapons will be allowed, avatars must be rated PG, and linking to x-rated material is strictly prohibited. Sexual discussions may be edited for content or removed entirely.

7. Discrimination against individual sexual preferences, race, or religion will not be tolerated. Personal attacks of any sort are uncalled for and will not be tolerated. This includes sending messages through the private messaging system.

8. Only one forum account is allowed per individual person. People found to have multiple accounts who are using them in a benign manner will be given the choice of which account they would like to keep. If a user has multiple accounts in order to commit fraud or to circumvent a ban or any other RedFlagDeals.com rule, they will have all of their accounts banned and will not be allowed back into the RedFlagDeals.com forums ever.

9. This is a site focused on deals, so political or otherwise controversial content should not be discussed in deal threads or placed in signatures.

10. Group Buys: User organized Group Buys can be posted in the Group Buys forum under the following conditions:
    
    1. One thread per actual buy. If it's a new group of people buying, you have to create a new thread.
       
    2. The person organizing the group buy has to get competitive bids whenever possible. The only case where they wouldn't be able to do this is unique items (gameshares, etc).
       
    3. The person organizing the group buy has to post a proof of purchase (ie receipt) if they are purchasing on behalf of people.
       
    4. A group buy can't be open ended. It must have a specified number of slots/items available within a set time frame.

11. Homework threads are not allowed. Please do your own homework.

12. Abuse of the thread tagging system is not allowed. Please use tags that describe the thread, not your personal opinion of the thread content. Users posting vulgar or otherwise inappropriate tags will be subject to bans from the site.

13. Cookie Stuffing is Not Allowed. Any type of cookie stuffing or cookie dropping (setting a cookie without a user generated click) will result in an immediate ban. Users suspected of this behaviour will be banned immediately.

14. Retailers and other businesses are allowed to participate on the forums to provide support to users as long as they clearly identify themselves and pursue no commercial activity whatsoever. This prohibition includes sending users private messages soliciting business. Businesses can answer support questions or provide product information, but cannot offer prices or quotes even when specifically asked for them.

3. RedFlagDeals.com Forum Code of Conduct

The RedFlagDeals.com Forum is a community and users who act in way that is detrimental to the well-being of the community will be subject to warnings and, if necessary, bannings using the forum infraction and banning system. Respect your fellow members!

Types of Behaviour that will earn an infraction:

1. Insulting/harassing/fighting with other members.
   
2. Making a new user feel unwelcome.
   
3. Posting an image or message that is not appropriate for a general (ie family) audience. This includes using such an inappropriate image as an avatar.
   
4. Trolling. For example, making a post to incite a fight.

Behaviour that will earn an instantaneous ban of 3 or more days:

1. Personal/Group Attacks based on individual sexual preferences, race, or religion will not be tolerated. This includes making such an attack either through a post, signature or through the private messaging system.
   
2. Threadcrapping: The Buy, Sell, and Trade forums are not the Hot Deals forum where opinions on pricing are open for discussion. Respect the posters asking prices. If you feel the need to comment, do it via a PM or an Email. Negative comments of any sort (including obvious lowballing) toward the listing are considered threadcrapping.

Infractions are based on a points system. Each infraction earns a certain number of points (usually 2). The points expire over time. If at any time you exceed 10 infraction points, you will be banned until your points expire and you fall below the threshold. If you have many infractions in a short period of time, you can be banned as long as 30 days. Users who continually break the rules will be given longer and potentially permanent bans. Be good to your fellow community members!

4. Where Should I Post?

Where should I post my message?

• Hot Deals: Post the hot deals you find here! This forum is not for the posting of private sales.
  
• Request-a-Deal: If you are looking for a deal from a retailer, this is the place to post. If you are looking for used items, post a WTB (Want to Buy) post in the appropriate Buy, Sell, and Trade Forum.
  
• Shopping Discussion: Discuss retailers and their policies here.
  
• Freebies: If you have found a company giving away something for absolutely free and want to share, post here.
  
• Contests: If you have found a company holding a contest and want to share, post here.
  
• Expired Contests: An archive of no longer running contests. You can continue discussion here.
  
• Expired Deals: Continue discussion about expired deals in this forum.
  
• Expired Freebies: An archive of no longer valid freebies. You can continue discussion here.
  
• BST: Apparel: If you wish to buy, sell, or trade apparel or related accessories post here.
  
• BST: Computer Hardware, Software & Accessories: If you wish to buy, sell, or trade computer hardware, software, webcams, PDAs, etc. post here.
  
• BST: Cell Phones & Accessories: If you wish to buy, sell, or trade cell phones or related accessories post here.
  
• BST: Electronics: If you wish to buy, sell, or trade, DVD Players, MP3 Players, and other electronics, post here.
  
• BST: Gift Cards: If you wish to buy, sell, or trade gift cards post here.
  
• BST: Motor Vehicles & Accessories: If you wish to buy, sell, or trade automotive related items post here.
  
• BST: Textbooks: If you wish to buy, sell, or trade text books post here.
  
• BST: Tickets: Buy, sell, or trade concert, sporting, travel or event tickets here.
  
• BST: Video Games, Music & Movies: If you wish to buy, sell, or trade DVDs, video games or consoles, or music, etc. post here. Video game equipment should be posted here, but DVD players and MP3 players should go in the BST: Electronics.
  
• BST: Everything Else: If you wish to buy, sell, or trade clothing, Condos, or something that doesn't fit the above BST forums, post here.
  
• Group Buys: User organized group buys.
  
• Free Stuff: If you wish to give something away, post it here.
  
• Scammers and Warnings: A list of bad traders to avoid and other tips.
  
• The Welcome to RedFlagDeals.com Forum: This forum is for new members to introduce themselves and ask questions.
  
• Site Comments & Suggestions: This is the forum to offer your comments and suggestions on what you like/dislike about RedFlagDeals.com and how we can better serve your needs.
  
• Computers & Electronics: If you wish to discuss computers, electronics, and related topics, do it here.
  
• Computers & Electronics - Cell Phones: This forum is for discussion of cell phones and plans.
  
• Computers & Electronics - Photography: Share photos, tips, and discuss equipment here.
  
• Careers: Visit this forum to discuss jobs and education or post job openings!
  
• Entertainment: If you wish to discuss movies, actors, music, books, TV or any related topics, do it here.
  
• Entertainment - PC & Video Games: Discuss video games here.
  
• Entrepreneurship & Small Business: This forum is not meant for self-promotion, but rather to discuss the challenges facing Small Business owners and those wishing to start their own business in Canada.
  
• Fashion & Apparel: If you wish to trends, clothing, accessories, makeup, hair salons, or related topics, do it in here.
  
• Food & Drink: If you wish to share recipes, restaurant reviews, or any food related topics, do it in here.
  
• Green / Eco-friendly: Discuss environmentally friendly products, deals, tips, and more.
  
• Home & Garden: Talk about home improvement, landscaping, decor, and more here!
  
• Motor Vehicles & Accessories: If you wish to discuss automotive related topics, do it here. This forum is not for buying or selling, please use the BST: Motor Vehicles & Accessories forum for that.
  
• Parenting: Discuss childcare and parenting related issues with fellow RedFlagDeals.com readers.
  
• Personal Finance: Visit this forum to discuss mortgages, loans, money saving tips, taxes, and more! (No stock tips allowed)
  
• Pets: Discuss pets related issues with fellow RedFlagDeals.com readers.
  
• Sports & Fitness: If you wish to discuss sports, working out, or any related topics, this is the place.
  
• Travel: If you wish to share travel tips, stories or if you want to ask for travel help, this is the forum to post in.
  
• Off Topic: This forum is for the general discussion of anything that does not fit in the other forums. This can include current events, personal problems, and more. Political/ideological/religious topics should not be posted on RedFlagDeals.com.

To help out the moderators and to make the forum more useful for everyone, we'd really appreciate it if you could use the 'Report this Post' link on the left to let us know when Hot Deals, Freebies, or Contests have expired so we can move them to the appropriate Expired Forums.

5. Trading Rules

The Trading Post is intended for individuals to buy, sell, and trade between one another. RedFlagDeals.com cannot guarantee the legitimacy of the buyer, seller, trader, or the items being exchanged. RedFlagDeals.com does not take responsibility of any sort for any transactions that takes place between individuals. If you do have difficulties with a trade or you think you have been scammed, contact NSX through the private message system and he will do what he can to help you resolve the issue.

Please post your items in the proper forum:

• BST: Apparel: If you wish to buy, sell, or trade apparel or related accessories post here.
  
• BST: Computer Hardware, Software & Accessories: If you wish to buy, sell, or trade computer hardware, software, webcams, PDAs, etc. post here.
  
• BST: Cell Phones & Accessories: If you wish to buy, sell, or trade cell phones or related accessories post here.
  
• BST: Electronics: If you wish to buy, sell, or trade, DVD Players, Cameras, MP3 Players, and other electronics, post here.
  
• BST: Gift Cards: If you wish to buy, sell, or trade gift cards post here.
  
• BST: Motor Vehicles & Accessories: If you wish to buy, sell, or trade automotive related items post here.
  
• BST: Textbooks: If you wish to buy, sell, or trade text books post here.
  
• BST: Tickets: Buy, sell, or trade concert, sporting, travel or event tickets here.
  
• BST: Video Games, Music & Movies: If you wish to buy, sell, or trade DVDs, video games or consoles, or music, etc. post here. Video game equipment should be posted here, but DVD players and MP3 players should go in the BST: Electronics.
  
• BST: Everything Else: If you wish to buy, sell, or trade clothing, Condos, or something that doesn't fit the above BST forums, post here.
  
• Free Stuff: If you wish to give something away, post it here.
  
• Group Buys: User organized group buys.

Cross posting (posting the same item in more than one thread) will not be tolerated. Please only post for sale items to one BST category.

Rules:

1. You MUST post a price for ALL For Sale (FS) and For Sale/For Trade (FS/FT) topics.

2. You cannot charge taxes for your items. Honour your prices.

3. No auction style posts will be allowed. This includes posting vague statements like "Make me an offer!" or waiting for an offer higher than what you posted. The posting of eBay links by themselves is prohibited. eBay links are allowed if the poster is willing to sell the item(s) to forum members at a specified, POSTED price.

4. Threadcrapping will not be tolerated. If you do not intend to buy and have no legitimate questions or concerns, please refrain from posting in that topic. If you think the asking price is too high, or want to make an offer significantly lower than the posted price, please contact the seller via email or private message (PM). Violators of this rule will be banned for 3 days for a first offense. Multiple offenders will be banned permanently.

5. You cannot sell something you do not have in your immediate possession. You cannot sell items on behalf of your friends, relatives, etc. If they wish to sell something, they should create their own forum account.

6. No alcohol, tobacco, pornography or weapon sales. This includes air soft and paintball guns.

7. No pirated/bootleg/illegal/trades allowed. You cannot disclose the inclusion of pirated games/applications/movies in any of your sale threads. Your price can also not reflect the inclusion of pirated games/applications/movies. Furthermore, the sale of fake purses or other branded goods is strictly prohibited.

8. Selling tickets for an event above the ticket face value is illegal and not allowed. You must include the face value of the ticket in your ticket sale listing. Creative evasion of the scalping laws (ie including another item) is not allowed.

9. No more than 2 active threads every 5 days in each Buy, Sell, and Trade subforum at all times. This means you can either have 2 for sale threads, 2 want to buy threads, or one of each in a forum. For example you could have 2 threads in BST: Electronics and 2 threads in BST: Textbooks.

10. Bumping a thread: No more that 2 bumps per 24 hour period (00:00 - 23:59). Any post by the original poster counts as a bump, even if they are answering a question.

11. Price Checks/Interest Checks do not belong in the Buy, Sell, and Trading Post forums. Please post all Price Checks in the Hardware forum or Off Topic forum if appropriate. Please make it a genuine post to determine price and not an attempt to find the highest bidder.

12. Services are not allowed in the Buy, Sell, and Trading Post. We have had numerous problems with people offering services and believe this is in the best interest of our users.

13. Dealers, resellers and other large quantity sellers are not allowed to post in the BST. You cannot sell more than 3 new items per thread. This includes 3 of the same new item or 3 individual new items. If you want to sell more than 3 new items, you can either become a Sponsored Poster (see information below) or contact biz@redflagdeals.com for advertising information. Users selling large quantities of used or refurbished items who are clearly operating a business are not allowed either.

14. For further clarification, in the BST: Gift Card Forum, large quantity sales would be defined as a member selling more than 20 gift cards TOTAL of any type at any particular time. Anyone selling gift cards must clearly state the number of gift cards available for sale and their denominations. Sellers with a seemingly unending supply of gift cards would also be considered large quantity sellers. Because of increased gift card fraud, you may be asked to show proof that the gift cards were obtained legitimately.

15. What is a "Sponsored Poster"? A sponsored poster is a small business or large quantity seller who has paid for the privilege of posting in the RedFlagDeals.com Buy, Sell, and Trade forums. They are bound by the same rules of posting as any other RedFlagDeals.com user with the exception of the rule against large quantity sales and the charging of taxes. RedFlagDeals.com does in no way vouch for the legitimacy of the "Sponsored Poster" and normal precautions should be taken when dealing with them. If you would like more information on becoming a "Sponsored Poster" please contact biz@redflagdeals.com

16. Users other than the original poster are not allowed to post a message to a Buy, Sell, and Trade thread solely for the purpose of bringing it to the top of the thread list (AKA "bumping"). Only legitimate questions or concerns may be posted to a thread.

6. Trading Guidance:

1. Leave your contact information whether that is your e-mail address, MSN, ICQ, Skype, etc. You must be able to contact one another to be able to buy, sell, or trade. Before you complete a deal, it is recommended that you obtain each other's phone number and ensure that the number works.
   
2. Use common sense. If the deal seems too good to be true then take extra precaution.
   
3. Clarity is key. Links to a product's website are often helpful. Be honest when describing the condition of used parts. Make sure there is a mutual understanding of what is being paid for and what is expected and get it in writing where possible. Agree on any terms of sale before the transaction takes place. (ie: damage responsibility, excess charges, guarantees, and payment options). It is a good idea to include your location in your post.
   
4. Keep in touch when making transactions. Let the buyer know when money has arrived, items have been shipped, and if you're having any difficulties. In case of deals gone bad, keep a record of your discussion.
   
5. Honesty is the best policy. If you promised to sell at a set price don't change it after someone has met that price.
   
6. Check for references. Established traders will usually have RedFlagDeals.com BST Feedback, Heatware (http://www.heatware.com/) and/or eBay references. If a trader claims to have references but cannot produce them, take extra precautions when trading. The number of posts and the length of time they have been registered is a good place to begin but there are no guarantees. We recommend that you try to contact someone the seller has previously dealt with for a reference.
   
7. Attempt to resolve any issues in private. If the issue cannot be resolved after a reasonable amount of time send the Moderators or Administrators a private message. Post a message to warn others if necessary, however keep it respectful.
   
8. Make proper packaging and shipping a priority. Tracking and insurance on a shipment is obviously preferred. Remember to use anti-static bags for component that are sensitive in nature. Make sure an item is sufficiently padded on all sides.
   
9. Leave an accurate evaluation at the end of the deal.
   
10. Make sure you know what you are purchasing. Attempt to get all the relevant information such as conditions/usage, what's included, refund possibility etc. Sometimes in the haste of getting in on a good deal, you may end up with something you didn't quite anticipate.
    
11. Most gift cards have a phone number on the back that allows you to check the balance. For more information on gift card trading, read this thread: http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=237948

Recommendations:

• Trading takes two - it's the responsibility of BOTH parties to ensure a smooth transaction. For sellers, follow up on the trade. For buyers, make sure that you're comfortable with the sale. Both of you should have some sort of feedback venue, like Heatware or eBay. Nothing is fool proof, but it's something.
  
• Clear communication - Ask questions, keep records, and above all, be specific. This applies to both seller and buyer. DON'T ASSUME
  
• Calm communication - When you're hot and toasty mad, don't go sending that message in a hurry. Take a deep breath, heck, take ten. Think about it and try to avoid rash statements. This hinders any kind of mediation process.

Buyer beware and happy buying, selling, and trading!

7. RedFlagDeals.com Glossary

AFAIK = As Far As I Know
AFK = Away From Keyboard
AOL = America Online
ASAP = As Soon As Possible
ATM = At The Moment
B&M = Brick and Mortar
BB = Best Buy
BBV = BlockBuster Video
BOGO = Buy One, Get One
BRB = Be Right Back
BTW = By The Way
Bump = a short message to move the post to the top of the forum list
CC = Credit Card or Canada Computers
COD = Cash On Delivery
CT = Canadian Tire
DD = Direct Deposit
DOA = dead on arrival
EMT = Email Money Transfer
FAQ = Frequently Asked Questions
FS = For Sale or Future Shop
FSOT = For Sale or Trade
GL = Good Luck
GTA = Grand Theft Auto or Greater Toronto Area
GVA = Greater Vancouver Area
GVR = Greater Vancouver Region
IIRC = If I Recall Correctly
IMHO = In My Humble Opinion
IMO = In My Opinion
JK = Just Kidding
LF = Looking For
LMK = Let Me Know
LTIC = Last Time I Checked
MIJ = Made in Japan
MIR = Mail In Rebate
MIT = Made in Taiwan
MSG = Message
NFR = Not For Resale
NIB = New In Box
NP = No Problem
OBO = Or Best Offer
OBRO = Or Best Reasonable Offer
OD = Office Depot
OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer (Not Retail)
OMG = Oh My God
OOS = Out of Stock
OP = Original Poster/Original Post
OT = Off Topic
PC = Personal Computer
PITA = Pain In The *ss
PM = Private Message or Price Match
POS: Piece of Sh*t or Point of Sale
RCSS = Real Canadian SuperStore
RFD = Red Flag Deals
RMA = Return to Manufacturer Authorization
ROFLMAO = Rolling On The Floor Laughing My *ss Off
ROTFL = Roll on The Floor Laughing
RS = RadioShack
RTFM = Read the er.... manual
SCOP = Scanning Code of Practice
SOL = Sh*t Out of Luck
STFU = Shut the f* up
TBA = To Be Announced
TD = Tigerdirect or TD bank
TRU = Toys R Us
TS = The Source by CC
TTT = To The Top (a.k.a. Bump)
WTB = Want To Buy
YGM = You've Got Mail
YGPM = You've Got a Private Message or You've Got Personal Mail.
YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary

8. How can you help RedFlagDeals.com? (RedFlagDeals.com Affiliate Links)

Over the past 9 years RedFlagDeals.com has grown beyond our wildest dreams. We couldn't have done it without the amazing support of our readers. We often get asked how readers can help RedFlagDeals.com directly. The easiest way is to use one of the links in the Marketplace section whenever you are planning to make a purchase from one of the following retailers. The Marketplace section is filled with retailers that RFD has worked with and in many cases we get a small commission when you buy through those links. It doesn't cost you anything either and as always we appreciate your help! Happy deal hunting!

Comments can be posted in the Comments & Suggestions Forum as always.

Thanks for reading, we appreciate it :)

UPDATE Oct 23/06: Mostly cosmetic update. The formatting has been cleaned up and we've updated some of the links and the glossary. A few rule clarifications that were made elsewhere were also included in the above.

UPDATE Sept. 6/07: Clarified Group Buys rules. Updated Forum list.

UPDATE May 11/09: Updated 'How can you help RFD?' section.

UPDATE June 12/09: Code of Conduct added, infractions added, rules consolidated and clarified.

UPDATE Sept. 13/10: Minor updates to language around group buys and retailers.