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   posted: Jun. 19, 2008 @ 4:20p
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I know I've already sent PMs to a few of you, so here's the deal: the Free Stuff FAQ isn't much of a FAQ. Its more of just...errr...guidelines. This is fine, as it gives new members a clear foundation to work under should they read it, but its still not really a collection of Frequently Asked Questions. With that in mind, I'm going to be updating the Free Stuff FAQ soon. So my question to you is . . . what are your questions.

If you are new, what are the questions you already have.

If you aren't new, what are the questions you are tired of seeing posted over and over again - OR - what are the lingering questions you still have about moderator procedure and policy?

I will guarantee even if I don't include your particular question on the FAQ I will do my very best to give you an answer - all FS questions are welcome!
Edit by Moderator: Clarified Title

Message edited by: Virgil27 on 2008-06-20 22:07:54 CDT
   posted: Jun. 19, 2008 @ 4:20p

Quick Summary is created and edited by users like you... Add FAQ's, Links and other Relevant Information by clicking the edit button in the lower right hand corner of this message.


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   posted: Jun. 19, 2008 @ 4:30p
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I don't think new members read the FAQ or there wouldn't be so many reposts.
If they did they would see
Search, don't repost
•before posting, please user our search feature to check for existing topics on the same freebieplease user our?

Message edited by: MumzOf2 on 2008-06-19 16:32:41 CDT
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   posted: Jun. 19, 2008 @ 4:37p
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Hey Mum,

I agree - getting new members to read the FAQ is a whole another thing which needs to be addressed. We'll probably be making the FAQ button bigger, and beyond that, a few more drastic measures have been addressed. Right now, I'm just concerned with getting a polished product out there, and you're right Mum - polished means typo-free. Thanks for the reply.

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   posted: Jun. 19, 2008 @ 4:48p
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Censored

Message edited by: Phenix76 on 2008-07-19 21:53:28 CDT
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   posted: Jun. 19, 2008 @ 4:53p
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Phenix76 said: Maybe change the button name. Most sites use FAQ to help users that have problems, if a new user doesn't realize they are in the wrong, why would they read the FAQ? How about adding "New User Info" title to button. If the new users realize this information is for them and not only those who are having problems, they might actually check it out more often.Ohhh, good point Phenix76!

Most new users wouldn't bother reading since they aren't having trouble yet, so a simple name change could save a lot of hassle! Thanks for the suggestion.

Message edited by: FatWallet moderator on 2008-07-25 09:51:50 CDT
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   posted: Jun. 19, 2008 @ 4:59p
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I have a question; should mail-in offers qualify to stay in Free Stuff? You have to pay postage to get them, and while that cost is minimal it still is a cost and therefore isn't free. The FAQ states freebies need to be 100% free, and mail-in offers aren't.

Thanks!

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   posted: Jun. 19, 2008 @ 5:21p
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PML said:I have a question; should mail-in offers qualify to stay in Free Stuff? You have to pay postage to get them, and while that cost is minimal it still is a cost and therefore isn't free. The FAQ states freebies need to be 100% free, and mail-in offers aren't.

Thanks!

Good question, PML! So . . . .

Umm . . .

Ehhh . . .

I have no bloody clue. It may not be 100% free, but where's it going to go if its not? It's probably not a "Hot Deal" at that point, so it becomes more of a homeless deal.

I guess it could be kind of a matter of categorization. If it could fall into some other categories like Finance or Computers, we'll put it there, but if its a physical freebie w/postage and not an abundantly hot deal, it could probably be posted on Free Stuff with a note in the title.

What do you guys think? Do you see a lot of these deals, and if so, what kind of categories do you think they fall under?

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   posted: Jun. 19, 2008 @ 5:36p
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Virgil27 said:PML said:I have a question; should mail-in offers qualify to stay in Free Stuff? You have to pay postage to get them, and while that cost is minimal it still is a cost and therefore isn't free. The FAQ states freebies need to be 100% free, and mail-in offers aren't.

Thanks!

Good question, PML! So . . . .

Umm . . .

Ehhh . . .

I have no bloody clue. It may not be 100% free, but where's it going to go if its not? It's probably not a "Hot Deal" at that point, so it becomes more of a homeless deal.

I guess it could be kind of a matter of categorization. If it could fall into some other categories like Finance or Computers, we'll put it there, but if its a physical freebie w/postage and not an abundantly hot deal, it could probably be posted on Free Stuff with a note in the title.

What do you guys think? Do you see a lot of these deals, and if so, what kind of categories do you think they fall under?

Personally, I don't see a ton of them here but there was one recently that made me think of this. I think a lot of people view them negatively (myself included) just because they don't fit into the FS guidelines, and do require money spent. Maybe we could have a sticky thread posted in FS exclusively for those deals, as well as SASE deals. Not *quite* free. I think they would be better received there.

ETA you spelled "questions" wrong in the title.

Never mind.......

Message edited by: PML on 2008-06-19 17:52:28 CDT
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   posted: Jun. 19, 2008 @ 5:49p
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PML said:Personally, I don't see a ton of them here but there was one recently that made me think of this. I think a lot of people view them negatively (myself included) just because they don't fit into the FS guidelines, and do require money spent. Maybe we could have a sticky thread posted in FS exclusively for those deals, as well as SASE deals. Not *quite* free. I think they would be better received there.

ETA you spelled "questions" wrong in the title.

I think sounds pretty plausible. Just to be clear, if its a physical freebie with a shipping and handling charge, it'd probably go in Hot Deals, since shipping and handling can vary. But I think one thread would probably work for SASE or mailing deals, since the price would be pretty standard for deal after deal.

And ETA, no I didn't (**shifty eyes** thank goodness for edit powers **shifty eyes**)

Message edited by: Virgil27 on 2008-06-19 17:50:03 CDT
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   posted: Jun. 19, 2008 @ 6:05p
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why are the guidelines not more prominently placed or displayed upon pop up where they CAN be seen before being able to post first time????

and my other suggestion is this. DEE16 is the Queen of this forum, a favorite among many, would it be an honor to bestow upon her a title like "freebie queen" or "dedicated" or something similar? she deserves it!

Message edited by: FrugalFreak on 2008-06-19 18:10:04 CDT
rated:
   posted: Jun. 19, 2008 @ 6:19p
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I'm not a long-time user (about a year).

But I think Mail-in is fine, as long as that is clear in the title.

Actually, I think that's what could be added to the "New Users Info" ... a listing of things to include in the title.

For example, if the location is limited, indicate that. If it is mail or phone in (rather than fill out online) indicate that. If for a particular group (business owners, dentists, etc.) inicate that.

I do think it should be clear that items which require you to pay any shipping/handling are NOT considered free.

rated:
   posted: Jun. 19, 2008 @ 6:32p
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It's been a long time since I posted as a new member, so forgive me if something of this sort is already in place here at fw- but there are ways to help the new members posting the first few times. Not sure if this is possible here at fw- but here is a suggestion;

When posting as a "new member" after hitting the "post new topic" button, the FAQ/guidelines page for that specific forum loads. The new member would have to scroll to the bottom of the page and click an acknowledgment button such as "I have read the FQA/guidelines/whatever" that would then take them to the "post a new topic" form.

Granted, many won't bother to read it- but many will, especialy those who want to conribute to the community. It may help clarify what the expectations of FW are for that particular forum, thereby reducing the number of "repost" "wrong thread" and other assorted replies while also assisting the new member in posting in a manner more productive to FW.

From there, it's the responsibility of the community to offer constructive suggestions that point back to the faq/guidelines when there is a misplaced/redundant/problem post by a new member. I'm not talking about hand holding- just offering positive and correct suggestions that don't belittle or alienate the new member.

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   posted: Jun. 19, 2008 @ 6:46p
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FrugalFreak said:why are the guidelines not more prominently placed or displayed upon pop up where they CAN be seen before being able to post first time????

and my other suggestion is this. DEE16 is the Queen of this forum, a favorite among many, would it be an honor to bestow upon her a title like "freebie queen" or "dedicated" or something similar? she deserves it!

I agree Dee16 is definitely the queen of freebies. Also new members should have to read the guidelines before being able to post. Maybe then there wouldn't be so many reposts.

rated:
   posted: Jun. 19, 2008 @ 6:47p
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Phenix76's suggestion of a name change is a good one.
Maybe it's just me, but I think it gives off more of a "Go here for help with technical issues." vibe, instead of a "Welcome to Free Stuff. Please read this BEFORE posting." vibe. So even new members who did notice it probably wouldn't think click it.

You also mentioned a change in size. I think a color change of the button or the label might be a good idea as well. The grey is kinda subtle.

Message edited by: NoDAK on 2008-06-19 19:07:23 CDT
rated:
   posted: Jun. 19, 2008 @ 7:11p
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I like the idea of making the FAQs slightly more obtrusive for new members, and at the very least, I believe a makeover is in order for the FAQ buttons anyway. I'll bring up everything being said about pop-up's as well as Dee's queenhood at the next weekly mod meeting Tuesday.

With that said, right now I want to take this a step at a time and make the FAQ page easy-to-understand and sufficiently clear on the finest points of Free Stuff. I will make sure anything dev-related is brought to their attention in a timely manner to give them a heads-up, but right now I want to make sure the Free Stuff FAQ we lead/make/coral the newbies into is the best one possible. Any other questions on the possible content of the FS FAQ?

rated:
   posted: Jun. 19, 2008 @ 7:20p
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Virgil27 said:PML said:I have a question; should mail-in offers qualify to stay in Free Stuff? You have to pay postage to get them, and while that cost is minimal it still is a cost and therefore isn't free. The FAQ states freebies need to be 100% free, and mail-in offers aren't.

Thanks!

Good question, PML! So . . . .

Umm . . .

Ehhh . . .

I have no bloody clue. It may not be 100% free, but where's it going to go if its not? It's probably not a "Hot Deal" at that point, so it becomes more of a homeless deal.

I guess it could be kind of a matter of categorization. If it could fall into some other categories like Finance or Computers, we'll put it there, but if its a physical freebie w/postage and not an abundantly hot deal, it could probably be posted on Free Stuff with a note in the title.

What do you guys think? Do you see a lot of these deals, and if so, what kind of categories do you think they fall under?


As long as I have been here, it has been the policy to put the mail-in and SASE offers under $10 here, because they just get lost in HD. The Op is supposed to indicate 'Mail-in' or 'SASE' in the subject line. If they are going to stay here, then the FAQ needs to reflect the need to identify such offers in the subject line. I think most don't mind then being here, as long as they are idicated clearly as such in the total.

rated:
   posted: Jun. 19, 2008 @ 7:35p
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SweetClover said:As long as I have been here, it has been the policy to put the mail-in and SASE offers under $10 here, because they just get lost in HD. The Op is supposed to indicate 'Mail-in' or 'SASE' in the subject line. If they are going to stay here, then the FAQ needs to reflect the need to identify such offers in the subject line. I think most don't mind then being here, as long as they are indicated clearly as such in the total.I totally agree sweetclover, I think a lot of issues would be moot if the subject line clearly reflects the nature of the freebie.

Some subject line suggestions for free stuff:

mail in offer
SASE mail in offer
Printable free coupon (may become moot for some items with new grocery forum)
Free coupon by mail (again, may be moot for some items with new grocery forum)
Call in- live operator
Call in- automated call

perhaps a a list of "add-ons" like the ones above could be in a drop-down on the "new topic" form in free stuff.

rated:
   posted: Jun. 19, 2008 @ 7:45p
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SweetClover said: As long as I have been here, it has been the policy to put the mail-in and SASE offers under $10 here, because they just get lost in HD. The Op is supposed to indicate 'Mail-in' or 'SASE' in the subject line. If they are going to stay here, then the FAQ needs to reflect the need to identify such offers in the subject line. I think most don't mind then being here, as long as they are idicated clearly as such in the total.

We're working on a Hot Deals posting wizard which is supposed to help posters in that forum provide the necessary information. This is strictly something "further down the road", but maybe we could eventually have a Free Stuff posting wizard which include some of your and discussbabe's phrases as clickable categories. But again, I don't want to get ahead of ourselves. Until then we'll just make sure we put it in the FAQ and enforce it a bit more stringently than we have before.

Remember, for the time being, if you see something which really should be included in the title, don't be afraid to send in a mod alert about it. I clarify titles on Hot Deals all the time to add up-to-date prices and other details - I'd have no trouble adding stuff like "mail in offer" or "SASE mail in offer."

rated:
   posted: Jun. 19, 2008 @ 8:13p
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you should sticky this virgil- this is a geat idea.

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