The Art of the Deal - When is it a Deal and when is it Trash?

[Moshe Green]

In a different thread, there was a discussion on a certain sale from Amazon. There were those who said it was a tremendous deal, (92% off the list price,) while others argued that if it was so cheap, then there had to be some issue with it. The rating system on Amazon was not very helpful being that there were only 4 reviews. So the conversation about sorta just fizzled out, with the only thing being known about it was that one guy said his wife liked it and another guy accused him of adverting the book for his relative .

We also know, that every year, when Black Friday and Cyber Monday comes around, the stores are very often just getting rid of old stock or items that didn't sell well. That could mean many different things, the two main ones being that a) the item was too expensive but with the sale it's actually a good price, or b) its a bad item.

We also know that if its too good to be true, its probably not (except if its a mistake or for advertisement).

So the question for the "DDO" (Dan's Deal's Oilum) is; when is a sale a good deal and when is it, well, a sort of scam?
Of course, if you were planning to get it anyway, then its great. But we are talking about how to know if the sale is inherently good or not.
Please share your wisdom and knowledge about this.

[gozalim]

FWIW Amazon handles books differently than they handle products. including buying up copies from publishers and then dynamically pricing it based on supply/demand.

At times this has led to amazing sales on amazing books, at prices that make no sense on normal market dynamics. those prices also usually disappear quickly.

[yuneeq]

Aside for that, books have different values to people. A book about a niche topic can be very valuable for someone that is interested in the subject, getting it for cheap doesn't mean the book is bad even if the book isn't popular.

[Euclid]

This thread title is baiting @CountValentine

[CountValentine]

This thread title is baiting @CountValentine

Some of us have will power to resist trolls. 

[justaregularguy]

I’m the sole yes voter have to admit it. I actually thought the question was is everything on dansdeals a deal? Not ‘a great deal’

I actually don’t think every deal is a great deal and Dan doesn’t think so either. He is very honest when a deal is a deal, hot, smoking , sizzling, or otherwise.

I think as a rule dan only posts things that are specifically better than average cost out there. And when it’s a great deal he says so.

[Moshe Green]

Aside for that, books have different values to people. A book about a niche topic can be very valuable for someone that is interested in the subject, getting it for cheap doesn't mean the book is bad even if the book isn't popular.

So you're saying something very important:
Rule #1: A deal on an item may be a great deal for those who are very into that thing, but a bad deal for those who aren't.
Example: A gaming computer for 25% off is a great deal for those who are into gaming but a complete waste of money for those who aren't.
Or: A certain type of pillow or blanket (lets say anti-allergy) may be a great deal to get if you have allergies but a terrible deal for those who aren't.
Something to keep in mind.

[Moshe Green]

FWIW Amazon handles books differently than they handle products. including buying up copies from publishers and then dynamically pricing it based on supply/demand.

At times this has led to amazing sales on amazing books, at prices that make no sense on normal market dynamics. those prices also usually disappear quickly.

So your saying that When dealing with Amazon, you may get an amazing deal because their algorithm doesn't understand how amazing the item is even though no one even looks at it or buys it? Doesn't that mean that it's not a popular product?

[Moshe Green]

This thread title is baiting @CountValentine

I'm sure the Count has what to say on this subject as well.

[EliJelly]

So you're saying something very important:
Rule #1: A deal on an item may be a great deal for those who are very into that thing, but a bad deal for those who aren't.
Example: A gaming computer for 25% off is a great deal for those who are into gaming but a complete waste of money for those who aren't.
Or: A certain type of pillow or blanket (lets say anti-allergy) may be a great deal to get if you have allergies but a terrible deal for those who aren't.
Something to keep in mind.

Really rocket science

[gozalim]

So your saying that When dealing with Amazon, you may get an amazing deal because their algorithm doesn't understand how amazing the item is even though no one even looks at it or buys it? Doesn't that mean that it's not a popular product?

yes, no

[Moshe Green]

Really rocket science

name checks out

[zh cohen]

Doesn't that mean that it's not a popular product?

No,it means it's not popular on Amazon. Most people who are looking for Jewish books don't go to Amazon.

[Moshe Green]

No,it means it's not popular on Amazon. Most people who are looking for Jewish books don't go to Amazon.

O.k. It seems that people agree to this.

Rule #2: When there's a special on websites that use algorithms to determine the sales, don't pay too much attention to the fact that it was put on sale (as a sign that it's not a good product) when it is an item that is not normally purchased on that site.

[AsherO]

Basically, list price is only a factor in assessing a deal if it’s an item that rarely sells below list/MSRP. Other than that, “percentage off” is irrelevant and the current sale price and the item function/quality are the only factors. Price can be compared to previous prices for this item (e.g. LEOA), or comparable item prices at the same/other retailers.

[Moshe Green]

Basically, list price is only a factor in assessing a deal if it’s an item that rarely sells below list/MSRP. Other than that, “percentage off” is irrelevant and the current sale price and the item function/quality are the only factors. Price can be compared to previous prices for this item (e.g. LEOA), or comparable item prices at the same/other retailers.

i think you are saying 2 separate things:

Rule #3: When looking to determine if a sale is a good deal or not, percentage off should generally be ignored. Instead look at its past price and the current price (of item of similar quality) on other sites and from other sellers.

Rule #4: A "sale" that pops up every few weeks or even couple of months is not considered a good deal (to be grabbed).

[zh cohen]

Rule #4: A "sale" that pops up every few weeks or even couple of months is not considered a good deal (to be grabbed).

Disagree.

[etech0]

Depends

[Yo ssi]

*Thread deleted to discourage competition*

[AsherO]

i think you are saying 2 separate things:

Rule #3: When looking to determine if a sale is a good deal or not, percentage off should generally be ignored. Instead look at its past price and the current price (of item of similar quality) on other sites and from other sellers.

Rule #4: A "sale" that pops up every few weeks or even couple of months is not considered a good deal (to be grabbed).

What I’m saying fits most into rule three, and I think I prefer my own wording (there are nuanced differences that I’m too lazy to dissect).

I’m certainly not saying rule #4, and I’m not even sure I agree with it. For consumables (Bounty/toilet paper, etc.) I think it makes sense to stock up on the periodic “deals” that are the common price. Yes you can be one of those weirdos who stocks up on a room full of bounty once every five years when it’s LEOA, but not everyone’s warehouse (or deal appetite) is as big as yours.