Do not allow downvotes for "Unable to get the deal" if subject line includes word "Targeted"

Downvotes do not count towards the OP. They simply serve as an indicator that the deal might be bad or have limited availability (targeted deals).

That makes sense.

Downvoting on deals that are subject to geographical area makes the overall deal look bad when it really is just the member who can't read. Obviously if the deal says "Ontario", the "BC" or "Quebec" member shouldn't downvote for "unable to get deal".

For the Deals & Freebies forum (except Shopping Discussion), I think downvotes on threads should be disabled. The quality of the deal/coupon can be reflected by the upvotes alone.

Mostly because I don't think it makes sense to create a punitive sentiment to anyone posting something intended to be helpful, big or small, limited or broad.

TomRFD wrote: ↑ Downvotes do not count towards the OP. They simply serve as an indicator that the deal might be bad or have limited availability (targeted deals).

Nevertheless, it's still very discouraging and disheartening to OPs to get heavily downvoted when they're just trying to help.

xenocidic wrote: ↑ Nevertheless, it's still very discouraging and disheartening to OPs to get heavily downvoted when they're just trying to help.

If we took the option away, people would reply with their critique which is arguably worse than a simple down vote for "Unable to get the deal". It's just the nature of targeted deals and is worse when the target group is the vast minority of RFD members. The OP is still credited for helping the select few who can obtain the deal and not at all penalized for any amount of downvotes.

peanutz wrote: ↑ For the Deals & Freebies forum (except Shopping Discussion), I think downvotes on threads should be disabled. The quality of the deal/coupon can be reflected by the upvotes alone.

Mostly because I don't think it makes sense to create a punitive sentiment to anyone posting something intended to be helpful, big or small, limited or broad.

At the same time though downvotes are good for a number a reasons outside targeted or geographical reasons.

There are many so-called deals that really aren't good for a number of reasons. Although the OP may think it's a good deal, others in the RFD community may actually know better and disagree, and this should be noted. For example, an OP may think 20% off at a particular store is a great sale but then another RFD will point out that the store in question has their retIl price 15% higher than the next retailer making that 20% off sale mute in terms of a deal. So downsides for that reason would balance out any positive upvotes.

Other deals may also seem great but the service is really bad. Another example, roofing company is having a discount but then the quality of the product they use is subpar. Those who don't know about the quality of the product will upvote the deal not knowing and without the downvote people may end up buying it without knowing.

xenocidic wrote: ↑ Nevertheless, it's still very discouraging and disheartening to OPs to get heavily downvoted when they're just trying to help.

Says who? I really don't think anyone on the interweb cares if a stranger or 2 downvote them...

flyingnurse wrote: ↑ Says who? I really don't think anyone on the interweb cares if a stranger or 2 downvote them...

I don't want to put anyone on the spot but I have seen OPs say things like "Why the downvotes" etc.

xenocidic wrote: ↑ I don't want to put anyone on the spot but I have seen OPs say things like "Why the downvotes" etc.

Nothing more than an ego bash

xenocidic wrote: ↑ I don't want to put anyone on the spot but I have seen OPs say things like "Why the downvotes" etc.

They might genuinely not know. Deals are very subjective. There's the obviously hot and the obviously not. There's a big range in-between the two.

TomRFD wrote: ↑ They might genuinely not know. Deals are very subjective. There's the obviously hot and the obviously not. There's a big range in-between the two.

It may be useful if there were a way to track why someone votes a thread up or down. Perhaps this information would help OPs better craft their threads.

WorldIRC wrote: ↑ It may be useful if there were a way to track why someone votes a thread up or down. Perhaps this information would help OPs better craft their threads.

Definitely something we can look into for downvotes.

TomRFD wrote: ↑ Definitely something we can look into for downvotes.

Isn't it already there? You click the ? and it says why

xenocidic wrote: ↑ Isn't it already there? You click the ? and it says why

I assumed he meant a running tally for all threads they created.

xenocidic wrote: ↑ Isn't it already there? You click the ? and it says why

Oh wow, I never noticed that! :-)

TomRFD wrote: ↑ I assumed he meant a running tally for all threads they created.

@xenocidic addressed it for me!

WorldIRC wrote: ↑ @xenocidic addressed it for me!

Problem solved!