DansDeals - Time for a Master Thread?
May 25, 2016, 3:20 pm
#16
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, mid-tier with pretty much everyone else
Posts: 873
I don't see the point of having a DD master thread. This board is to make fun of all the articles that BoardingArea bloggers write, not to criticize someone's management of deal postings and a forum they run. Seems like email would be better for that instead of a public airing of grievances.
May 25, 2016, 3:48 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1,602
I was especially annoyed with Dan this morning and he made me think of Gary's clickbait titles when I saw "Today Only: Save Up To 91% On Luggage And Travel Accessories From Amazon." Naturally, as a long-time reader of Dan, I was suspicious, but he does unveil great Amazon deals at times, so I took the bait. One such "91% off" deal is Amazon item number B0183QG0G0. That's a "Columbia Chill Out Three Piece Rolling Luggage Set" regular price $920.60, now $87.39. I don't know what a reasonable 'original' price for this item is, but there's no way it's north of $250 (it doesn't appear on Columbia's site - maybe it's even counterfeit?). The fact that he not only doesn't call out Amazon for this BS on the pricing, but attempts to use it to his advantage is both misleading to his readers and it furthers the deceit on Amazon.
Regarding the Dandeals forums, I found some interesting travel threads there, like their Global Entry sale thread where it is offered for about $30.
May 25, 2016, 4:14 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,028
I bought this Amazon metzia. I have a couple Columbia dufflel bags that cost over $200, so I figured Columbia is expensive but makes excellent products, has good customer service and offers a lifetime warranty. I called Columbia and Cara said this model is discontinued, but did not provide me an option to take it somewhere to check if it's counterfeit. I guess if it doesn't seem right when I get it I'll return it.
Regarding the Dandeals forums, I found some interesting travel threads there, like their Global Entry sale thread where it is offered for about $30.
Regarding the Dandeals forums, I found some interesting travel threads there, like their Global Entry sale thread where it is offered for about $30.
May 25, 2016, 5:40 pm
#19
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,737
I enjoy the fact that ctownflyer is willing to come here and participate. I've only seen a few instances where a travel blogger has posted here. I think that was MommyPoints?
A few years ago Ben took something I posted and decided to make a blog entry about what I had to say. Link
He wrote:
"For that matter, I’m not sure he’s actually interested in the answer, in which case he could have emailed me, Tweeted me, or left a comment on my blog asking the question.... But I suspect in this case he was just trying to stir up controversy."
Somehow if you question a blogger's motive or method they become the victim? I have a foggy memory, but I think these bloggers say they don't read these threads... but I'm guessing otherwise. TPG got a lashing on reddit recently and I believe he brought up the term haters as well. I would say that at times on here I've been a little whiny, but I've typically always had constructive criticism.
Josephstern's original observation is something I've seen fairly prevalent on BoardingArea and I think he's right to have some suspicion with some sneaky methods some bloggers have used to obtain Amazon referral commission. On BoardingArea I've seen a lot of targeted promotions where they say... hey you should use this link to see if you were targeted by amazon for a $10 off coupon knowing that if you go on to purchase anything in the next 24 hours it will pay them $$$. I would say 95% of the time bloggers that use this method weren't even targeted themselves.
I don't read DD enough to know the history of clickbait referral links. Though he has detailed some really helpful award travel information and I'm still waiting for him to post the screen shots posted by a drunken Brian Kelly directed at Lucky on a past Emirates flight.
A few years ago Ben took something I posted and decided to make a blog entry about what I had to say. Link
He wrote:
"For that matter, I’m not sure he’s actually interested in the answer, in which case he could have emailed me, Tweeted me, or left a comment on my blog asking the question.... But I suspect in this case he was just trying to stir up controversy."
Somehow if you question a blogger's motive or method they become the victim? I have a foggy memory, but I think these bloggers say they don't read these threads... but I'm guessing otherwise. TPG got a lashing on reddit recently and I believe he brought up the term haters as well. I would say that at times on here I've been a little whiny, but I've typically always had constructive criticism.
Josephstern's original observation is something I've seen fairly prevalent on BoardingArea and I think he's right to have some suspicion with some sneaky methods some bloggers have used to obtain Amazon referral commission. On BoardingArea I've seen a lot of targeted promotions where they say... hey you should use this link to see if you were targeted by amazon for a $10 off coupon knowing that if you go on to purchase anything in the next 24 hours it will pay them $$$. I would say 95% of the time bloggers that use this method weren't even targeted themselves.
I don't read DD enough to know the history of clickbait referral links. Though he has detailed some really helpful award travel information and I'm still waiting for him to post the screen shots posted by a drunken Brian Kelly directed at Lucky on a past Emirates flight.
May 25, 2016, 5:51 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,028
Yes - Dan has been great about posting here. He's definitely not the norm among these bloggers in that regard.
I'd also like to point out that I was annoyed by the clickbait title this morning, but I can't accuse him of too much clickbait long-term. Frankly, even Gary has toned it down a bit.
I really do think Dan is a fantastic businessman in a way that the other bloggers are not. He has a more specific audience, and he caters to them, and earns their respect. The rest that we typically discuss on here are just after the newbie with the cc app. Or, more broadly, they're after a buyout. I don't see Dan pursuing such a path.
Anyway, my point in starting this thread was to open up discussion - for better or worse. I'm glad Dan has joined in.
I guess this makes me a DanFanBoy to some extent, and explains a bit why I was let down by that Amazon/luggage post.
I'd also like to point out that I was annoyed by the clickbait title this morning, but I can't accuse him of too much clickbait long-term. Frankly, even Gary has toned it down a bit.
I really do think Dan is a fantastic businessman in a way that the other bloggers are not. He has a more specific audience, and he caters to them, and earns their respect. The rest that we typically discuss on here are just after the newbie with the cc app. Or, more broadly, they're after a buyout. I don't see Dan pursuing such a path.
Anyway, my point in starting this thread was to open up discussion - for better or worse. I'm glad Dan has joined in.
I guess this makes me a DanFanBoy to some extent, and explains a bit why I was let down by that Amazon/luggage post.
May 25, 2016, 6:10 pm
#21
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,588
Took my 4 year old son last month to SFO to experience 747 J class upstairs before UA retires it. Got to sit in the cockpit and had the time of his life. But some thought leaders here just want to ban kids, despite the adults on the flight that acted worse than he did 
There's $1,400 to TLV via LHR in J on my site. See a new city and take a 23 hour connection each way. Go by July and earn 42K miles with the TATL bonus
There's $1,400 to TLV via LHR in J on my site. See a new city and take a 23 hour connection each way. Go by July and earn 42K miles with the TATL bonus
I was in Tel Aviv a couple years ago. It was the most boring part of the 2 weeks we spent in Israel. But if you find decent business class tickets to London inSeptember please do post it in the reasonable premium class fare forum!!!
May 25, 2016, 7:02 pm
#23
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May 25, 2016, 7:44 pm
#24
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Look up - On a ✈ DELTA ✈ jet NOW!
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Posts: 4,174
I don't see the point of having a DD master thread. This board is to make fun of all the articles that BoardingArea bloggers write, not to criticize someone's management of deal postings and a forum they run. Seems like email would be better for that instead of a public airing of grievances.
May 25, 2016, 8:21 pm
#25
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,588
I just looked at DD for among the first times. Not really a P&M blog, but I did show it to my wife who subscribed. So thanks to the OP for making me a hero tonight! ^
May 25, 2016, 9:02 pm
#26
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, mid-tier with pretty much everyone else
Posts: 873
May 25, 2016, 9:08 pm
#27
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 1
Amazon has gold box deals every day. Sometimes they are products I know will be popular such as luggage, toys, memory cards etc.
So I link to the sale page and usually do a roundup of all the products.
Amazon usually lists the sale as save up to a certain percent off. I like to be as accurate as possible with my posts so as I go through all the listings I note the highest percentage off and use that in the title.
In 3 years I have't heard one complaint about this.
Now let's take today's post as an example. The 91% off product was this for $9.99 and it was actually selling for $130 yesterday from Amazon. As of this morning it wasn't being sold at any other store online, other than a listing on eBay for $171.
Every store that I can think of advertises sales based on the MSRP. Sure there are lots of complaints about what is MSRP recently, but for me the best way to describe a sale is using the information given to me by the seller. And Amazon is a company people trust I don't feel like I have to go to the factory in China find out the production cost and then figure out a fare price and base the title on that price. I am merely relaying information here, not creating.
May 26, 2016, 12:08 am
#28
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Somewhere above the Mason-Dixon
Programs: DL Ham Samich
Posts: 1,659
You know... You wouldn't have to write "Andy, proud BA drone blah blah" every time if you put it as your signature.
Or maybe you want two signatures.
Very thought leadery
Or maybe you want two signatures.
Very thought leadery
May 27, 2016, 1:57 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: UA Million Miler (lite). NY Metro area.
Posts: 15,069
B'H. 
Speaking of Amazon, you should be clicking through on TravelBloggerBuzz's Amazon link.
As for Dan, I read the FB DD page. Lots of 'silly' questions from lots of rookies. Recently, one woman named Leora (written in Hebrew), kept posting questions of different parts of the world. The first time I read her post, I responded on FB and via PM. She certainly peppered me with questions. After her 2nd, 3rd, or 4th post about a new destination, I stopped responding. As we say her on FT, just pass it by.
Sine Dan already has DD, I don't think it's necessary to post here. I do suggest that people check in once a day though. There are some good deals posted.
Shabbat Shalom.
Good Shabbes.
Gut Shabbes.
May 27, 2016, 2:12 pm
#30
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,670
The DD Facebook group is something else. I far prefer the forums.
Shabbat Shalom to you as well. If your BRT wasn't on a Saturday I'd tell you to add the ribs from Izzy's Smokehouse to the list. If you haven't tried them yet, you'll be in for a real treat.
Shabbat Shalom to you as well. If your BRT wasn't on a Saturday I'd tell you to add the ribs from Izzy's Smokehouse to the list. If you haven't tried them yet, you'll be in for a real treat.