Posted by: Bekim | March 1, 2010

Group Buy Pimp’s Your Bike

Bekim Ahmedi from OfferMe discusses how Group Buy Cycle Week is going to help you turn your bike into a real ride!

Would you trust these guys with your bike?

When I saw next week’s Group Buy promotion on the calendar, my mind went back to my last holiday in Germany. Most of us, by now have either heard of or seen MTV’s Pimp My Ride, hosted by the rapper Xzibit. The concept was simple and catchy. The team would basically find a crappy old car and fix it to look like the ultimate chariot. Bombs, destined for the junkyard, were magically transformed into show-cars filled with things most people wouldn’t even ever use in a car!

As the success of the show was so high, the Germans, always with an interesting take on the world, decided to capitalise. Whilst flicking through the various channels at my hostel I came across MTV Europe. Tears of laughter ran down my face as I took in their skewed version of the show: Pimp My Fahrrad (translated: Pimp My Bike).

Watching these guys overacting on a €50 upgrade of a €20 bike was one of the funniest things I had seen on TV in quite a while. Sure, it could have had something to do with the poor choice of television in European hostels, but I think it was more than that. In fact, I’ve even decided to share sample so you can see what I mean… Here’s the UK version:

Anyways, back to this week’s big promotions on Group Buy: Starting this Monday – March 1st -  OfferMe will be hosting Cycle Week! Instead of waiting to be selected by these larakins to pimp out your bike, you can do it yourself.

Cycle Week Group Buy deals:

  • Beto Mini Pump w/ Gauge
  • CELL 700c Wheelset
  • Maxxis CrossMark Foldable Tyres
  • IceToolz Pronto Toolkit
  • Sigma BC1606L Bike Computer
  • Merida Saddle Bag
  • Topeak Mini-6 Multi-Tool
  • X-Tech Alloy 1 Watt Lightset
  • Rock n Roll Gold 4oz
  • GU Gel Lemon Lime 24-pack

These deals will all be at unbeatable prices, so check them out at OfferMe!

Pimp Your Bike This Week

OfferMe’s Nadim Sharbean takes a look at an example of poor customer service at Sydney Airport.

Okay, so I’m going to leave my usual group buy soap box and step onto another one: Sydney Airport, where’s your customer service?

If you’ve ever watched an episode of airways – and I admit, I haven’t, but I’ve seen a series of their best ads – you get the impression that airport personnel unfortunately have to deal with a wide variety of unhappy customers who demand far too much from the people their dealing with. In fact, you get the impression that the airways staff are going above and beyond what their customer service entails.

In most cases, I’d say fair enough. If the flight you’re after is delayed because of flash flooding, for example, it’s not the fault of the person behind the desk and there’s not much they can do about it.

Yet I have a case here where I think Sydney Airport customer service simply dropped the ball…

A few weeks ago, whilst sending off a loved one at Sydney airport, I decided to climb their outdoor stairs to the Observation Deck. On the way up the stairs (similar to the set pictured), my thong caught, I slipped over and my Oakley Oil Drums dropped from the top of my head and through the gap in the stairs.

Now, I’m not the litigating type. It was clearly my fault that I slipped over and the sunglasses fell. However, what followed was out of my control.

Beneath the set of stairs was a fenced off building site. From my vantage point above the site I could clearly see the sunglasses below. They had landed on a Styrofoam wall beneath (which you can clearly see in the photo I’ve taken below). I was about to hop over the stair-railing and retrieve them when security stopped me. The Deputy Security Manager, Simon, explained that he couldn’t let me jump the fence but would try to find a key to the gate in the fence.

My lost sunglasses - in one piece.

Twenty minutes went by and I waited patiently with my family. Unfortunately, as it was a Sunday, no one in the entire airport had access to this area. Again I offered to jump the fence, but Simon insisted that he’d have to have me arrested if I were to try that. Frustrated, I had to relent and listen to my only other option: Sydney Airport would retrieve the glasses on the following Monday and I could collect them from lost & found.

“But what if something happens to them?” I asked Simon, “They’re $200 sunglasses!”

“If something does, then the airport will be liable,” replied the Deputy Security Manager.

A day went by and on the Monday I heard nothing. Worried, I called the airport and was told that the sunglasses weren’t found, but that they were looking into it. The next day they again told me that the sunglasses were not recovered and palettes had been put into the site, so there’s a possibility my sunglasses were moved. I sent them the picture of my glasses and waited. Seeing the evidence of my intact sunglasses, I was moved up the food chain to a manager of sorts.

After 10 days of back & forth phone calls, I was finally told, yes, my sunglasses were found, but were in a bad state. Further, Sydney airport informed me that, because the glasses were on top of my head at the time they were dropped, it was my fault that they were now damaged.

Here’s a photo of what Sydney Airport returned:

My retrieved sunglass - no longer in one piece!

So, my question to Sydney Airport is this: If my sunglasses were left in your care in one piece, and you returned them to me in three pieces (with one piece missing), really, how do you figure I’m to blame?

I’ve sent an email to both Sydney Airport’s Insurance & Risk Coodinator, Rebecca Ashdown, and their General Manager of Airport Operations, Graham Woods, and so far they’re mum on the subject. As might be assumed, they feel they can simply ignore the subject and it’ll go away. After all, I’m simply out of pocket $200.

But why should I expect less customer service from them, than you would expect from OfferMe?

Sorry Sydney Airport, but as Desi Arnaz would have said, “You’ve got some s’plaining to do!”

Update:

While still avoiding the dreaded L word (liability), Sydney Airport has reached out and offered me equitable compensation for my damaged sunglasses. It may not be a full-blown “sorry”, but Sorry’s won’t protect me from the sun either. Good show, Sydney Airport.

Need help finding the right gift for Valentine’s Day? OfferMe’s Bekim Ahmedi suggests checking out Group Buy.

Wasn’t I just saying that you should check out Group Buy for Christmas gifts? How did we get to Valentine’s Day already? I really can’t believe that a whole year has passed since I was running around trying to find a decent bunch of roses to buy for my wife. Flowers, flowers and flowers. Over priced and unoriginal are just two thoughts that come to mind when I think flowers. But really, what else do I get my wife for Valentine’s Day?

Will more flowers kill the love?

Well, we’re trying to add a little more variety this year with OfferMe’s Group Buy. Our Deal Detective, Erick, is doing his best to source great deals that’ll make your partner feel the love this year. And I say partner because, ladies, we like the ol’ Valentine’s Day gift to, you know? Although, hun, if you’re reading this, no flowers!

Each week, when Erick finds something decent, he’ll ‘Heart’ it. If you see a little heart appear next to the picture, take a click and give it a look. As usual, these we’ll be at great Group Buy reduced prices.

Love laptops? Well, we’ve got a great range coming your way in February. Our Love the Laptops promotion will see four stunning machines, each a little different than the next, go on sale at unbeatable prices. There will be an all-rounder, a stylish travel companion, a back-to-school special and finally a gamer’s dream. This week’s, the all-rounder, is the ASUS U1E… Check it out!

Finally, don’t forget the results from last week’s Valentine’s Day Voting! We saw some really great gift packs take to the polls and the winner’s were:

See the Full Results

So, if you’re stressing about this year’s Valentine’s Day, breathe! You’ll love what we’ve got at OfferMe.

Posted by: Erick | January 19, 2010

The Group Buy Summer Selection rolls on

OfferMe’s Business Development Manager, Erick Teresa evaluates last week’s Group Buy Summer Selection Sales Results.

Our Summer Selection promotion has really given our Group Buy participants the opportunity to make their voices heard by picking the products they would like to purchase. The concept is pretty simple, but if this is the first time you’ve heard about it, I’ll explain it again: Each week we introduce five new selections promoting variety, competitive pricing and the power to choose when your item is put on sale on our Group Buy site. All you have to do is cast your vote. Not only is it obligation free to vote, you’ll also get $1 in OfferMe Credit when you do!

The first week’s vote, on Games & Accessories, went to the polls two weeks ago, with the winners hitting Group Buy last week. The Week 1 Champion, the PS3 DualShock Controller, went on sale Tuesday, followed by the FIFA 2010 PS3 Game on Wednesday, and finally the Microsoft XBox Controller on Thursday.

Results were amazing to say the least. After only five minutes, the PS3 Controller had already sold 20 units and by the following day, this Group Buy deal was sold out. The hype was so intense that we had buyers looking to book multiple controllers prior to the midday launch time! Further, after selling out of all stock, numerous buyers came to us asking us to source more sellers for this particular Group Buy!

It’ll be interesting to see how this week’s sales go. For those of you that didn’t get a chance to vote last week, you missed out on deciding between an array of household appliances. The candidates were a GoDuster, a Swivel Sweeper, a pair of Stain Removing Pens, a portable Steam Iron and Digital Bathroom Scales. (For more info about these items, click here) The Scales jumped out to a huge lead, which it held onto in spite of a late surge on the Swivel Sweeper. Following in third was the electric-powered and electro-magnetised GoDuster.

Here’s the Group Buy Medals Podium:

The Scales go on sale today – Check it Out

The Swivel Sweeper & GoDuster hit the Group Buy markets on Wednesday & Thursday respectively. For those, keep an eye on www.offerme.com.au/groupbuy

This week’s Summer Selection focuses on digital cameras & accessories. This includes two high quality digital cameras, a great deal on a 7-inch digital frame and an elite professional standard, travel-secured camera bag. These are items that have seen heavy requests on OfferMe and we believe you, the buyers, will enjoy this vote.

Just make your voice heard! Go to www.offerme.com.au/voting

Posted by: Nadim | January 13, 2010

The OfferMe Community: Voting for Group Buy

Nadim Sharbean discusses the results from Week 1 of the Summer Selection.

Summer Selection Week 1: Group Buying Gaming & Accessories

Well, a week has passed and our Group Buy Summer Selection has found its first victor. Nearly two hundred people cast their vote, making their voices heard. With the wide range of games and gaming equipment, it was a tough selection. Yet in the end one item stood far ahead of the rest.

Here’s how the Group Buy Summer Selection medal table ended up:


See Full Details

I’ll admit, I’m a tad disappointed. I voted for the item that came in fourth; the game Borderlands on Playstation 3. However I’m also keen on getting FIFA 2010, so I may redirect the Borderlands money to that.

In the end even our suppliers were stunned by the huge demand for the White PS3 Controller. With only 20 in stock, they had to race out and scrounge together whatever other controllers they have available. Luckily for them, most didn’t mind the colour. They just wanted the great price on the device! The sale went live yesterday and (at time of posting) 50 had already been sold.

Summer Selection Week 2: Group Buying Household Appliances

This week five new products will go to the polls, all in the household appliance category. Here is a brief run-down of each candidate:

Group Buy – 2 x Bleach Pen Stain Removers:

These bleach pens will make your whites shine again! These pens are great for getting tough stains out of white clothing and off household surfaces. Simply dab with either the pinpoint end or the wide end and rinse it off. Great for those really nasty stains like red wine, coffee rings, mildew and more.

Group Buy – The GoDuster:

This is an electric duster that uses electro-magnetics to help catch dust. Now, I can’t quite comment on the GoDuster, but I have used an item exactly like this myself. And I’ll say this, they’re brilliant! Just point it at the dust and it’ll whip it away. The best aspect is you can get this thing into hard-to-reach areas and get to the dust without having to do too much.

Group Buy – Portable Dual Purpose Mini Steam Iron:

This little take-anywhere device is a must have for any frequent traveller. This iron not only does the job of more traditional irons, but it also has a steam ‘n brush feature that’ll help you clean your garments on the go. Remove the creases from folded up luggage and get that suit or dress ready for a night out!

Group Buy – The Swivel Sweeper:

This is a nifty item that’ll make cleaning up little messes even easier. This Sweeper is essentially a powerless vacuum cleaner with 360-degree cleaning movement. What this means is it cleans no matter which way to push it so you never miss a speck of a dust.

Group Buy – Digital Bathroom Scales:

Want to know how harsh Christmas was on you? Well this scale is just the right item. No one likes to step on the scales, but with New Years’ resolutions about to take effect, there’s no time as the present to start measuring your success. Designed in chic black and taking up to 180kg in weight, these scales are a smart addition to any bathroom.

Seen something you’d like to Group Buy? Then you better make sure you vote for it!

This vote runs ’til midnight Sunday, January 17th, with the winner going on sale the following Tuesday. To see more product details and cast your vote, click here.

Remember:
OfferMe is built to cater to the Buyer’s voice… So make your voice heard!

Posted by: Bekim | January 4, 2010

Group Buy Voting: Whetting your appetite

OfferMe’s Bekim discusses how the Summer Selection is putting the cherry on Group Buy…

Like everyone else, the decisions I make shape my life. This statement is never more true than when it comes to spending my hard-earned money. Each decision I make, from where I buy my coffee to what type of car I purchase, is a choice I weigh up. Sure, I spend much more time choosing the car than the cupper, but you get the point. Which brings me to this week’s blog topic: Voting on Group Buys.

Group Buy: On the Menu…

Throughout the month of January we are giving users of OfferMe the choice of which products should go live in our Group Buy deals. Just like the menu at a restaurant, we will bring you a category and you get to choose what you want us to sell.

In our Group Buy newsletters and banners on our site you will see the Summer Selections banners and products you can vote on. This week’s featured category will be gaming with these five products going live:

Borderlands
(PS3)
FIFA 2010
(PS3)
PS3
Controller
(white)
XBox360
Controller
Gaming
Headset
Under
$50.00
Under
$50.00
Under
$50.00
Under
$40.00
Under
$50.00

All users can vote for the one they want to see go on sale. Voting goes through for a week, with the top three products going on sale the following week in order or 1st to 3rd on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Group Buy Voting: For Dessert…

You can also earn OfferMe Credit throughout the voting process! You’ll receive $1 OfferMe Credit for each of your votes. Plus, tell your friends to vote, and if they register and vote, you’ll receive a further $1 OfferMe Credit for each friends vote. So if you can successfully get 30 of your friends to vote, you can make a total of $31 OfferMe Credit to spend on OfferMe.com.au.

So check out for the first Summer Selection vote today by clicking here and make the decision that shapes your buying experience.

Posted by: Erick | December 22, 2009

Introducing Group Buy on Services

OfferMe’s Deal Detective, Erick Teresa presents yet another concept that’s guaranteed to put savings in your pocket.

I have always been passionate about our online Group Buying concept and what it means to our users. People come online to get a great product at the most competitive price and I’m proud to say that our team has performed exceptionally well to serve that purpose. OfferMe consistently provide great value products at the best prices we can negotiate from reputable sellers. Each of whom pass a stringent registration process just to be part of the site. We have introduced a wealth of communication tools ensuring your voice is heard and that you can purchase products in full confidence.

However, the last thing we want to do is rest on that success. Over the last couple of weeks we started receiving high level interest from our users that focused on a new line of business. No company is currently providing this new concept and we thought, “Why not OfferMe?” Our team started initial discussions and, after heavy research, proudly present a brand new concept that’s guaranteed to open a whole new world of opportunities, while continuing to save you dollars and time.

Group Buy at your Service

Group Buys on services allow you to grab a great deal on an activity! Get a discount on great meats at select restaurants. Save bonus dollars on a weekend away for you and your partner. Pamper yourself with a spa treatment for only a only a fraction of the original price. The possibilities are endless and so are the savings.

One of our verified sellers, City Hunter Internet Cafe is the nation’s only gaming orientated internet cafe chain, providing their patrons the very best in e-Entertainment. They do this by combining the latest in PC technology along with a large array of games. They feature five stores in the Sydney area spanning from Chatswood to Burwood. With their 6th anniversary just passed, City Hunter has grown to be a popular destination for the new generation LAN gaming population.

Some of the action at City Hunter Burwood.

Every Christmas, City Hunter offer $21 Gift Cards, allowing patrons to give their friends and loved ones a minimum of six hours of free playtime. This year, they’re offering that same card through OfferMe, becoming the first company to be part of the Group Buy on services program. Thanks to Group Buy, City Hunter will be selling the Gift Cards for $15 off! That’s $6 each. Additionally, for the first 99 cards you can use up to $5 in OfferMe Credit.

That’s $21 of playtime for a mere $1. Check it out

We’re pretty excited about this first Group Buy on a service. We feel it shows the potential of this new feature and we hope you embrace it. We’re aiming to provide you with even better deals going forward; in travel, accommodation meals and entertainment. Further, if there’s something that you’ve always wanted to do, but were waiting for the best price, tell me. After all, this is Group Buy at your service.

Posted by: Nadim | December 14, 2009

The OfferMe Community: Group Buy goes to the Polls

Community Manager, Nadim Sharbean tells you how you’ll be getting more control over Group Buy deals.

The People’s Choice…
Group Buy Assassin’s Creed II

Two Thursday’s ago we held a vote for Christmas to tell us which PS3 game you wanted most on Group Buy. On our end there wasn’t a big push. A small banner in the daily newsletters and a few mentions on Facebook. And yet the results were massive, with Assassin’s Creed II and Tekken 6 going neck-to-neck right down to the wire. Near 150 users chimed in to give us their thoughts and, when it seemed that Tekken had taken the race, a huge surge for Assassin’s Creed pushed it over the line.

Here are the final results for the Group Buy vote:


Assassin’s Creed II –
56 votes (37%)
Tekken 6 – 46 votes (30%)
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves – 28 votes (18%)
Dragon Age: Origins – 17 votes (11%)
The Saboteur – 6 votes (4%)

Everyone’s a Winner with Group Buy…

Well, almost everyone. In the end, the three top games went on sale through Group Buy at the ridiculously cheap price of $49.95. This was even cheaper than a certain gaming companies ‘Insider Online 24-hour Discount Bonanza’, who advertised at about $10 more. In fact, over 30 people have already joined the Group Buys for Assassin’s Creed and Tekken, with Uncharted 2 going live today. I, myself, have joined the Assassin’s Creed Group Buy and am seriously thinking about Uncharted as well.

At those prices I can afford two games for Christmas!

The Group Buy Voting will live on…

2010 is going to be a bigger year for OfferMe. There’s a lot in the pipeline set to make your experience on our site even more enjoyable. My favourite is our Summer promotion, the Summer Selection. Similar to the past PS3 game vote, we’ll be hosting polls on a wide range of categories, allowing you to choose the best products you want on OfferMe. The aim is to keep ensuring we have the Group Buy deals that you’re after. Obviously, the most important thing will be your vote! Sure, picking politicians can be tough… But knowing what you want or need for the house etc is easy enough.

So keep your eyes peeled for the Summer Selection, there are bound to be some sizzling deals to start the new year with a bargain!

Make Your Group Buy Voice Heard…


Did you know that OfferMe’s Request It service is similar to these Group Buy votes? Simply user the OfferMe search bar to find the product you’re after and click ‘Register Interest’. When a product has enough interest behind it, our Deal Detectives will do their best to turn it into a Group Buy!
If you don’t find the product you’re after, list it. Then, whoever else is looking for the product, can also add their support to it.

Posted by: Bekim | December 8, 2009

The OfferMe Update: Communicating the Group Buy Message

OfferMe’s Bekim Almedi looks at how great communication can lead to better Group Buying experiences.

At OfferMe, we often say that better communication with our buyers leads to successful Group Buy deals for our sellers. Yet great communication doesn’t stop there. Whether it be in your job or your relationships with family and friends, there’s no doubt that communication is very important for each and every one of us.

I could go on about communication from OfferMe to our buyers, about upcoming deals, about new features and all the rest… but even I know that would just be boring. Instead, I’m going to talk about the communication OfferMe buyers can have with each other, with OfferMe and with other people who have not yet come across OfferMe.

Let me just quickly say that, we’re currently working hard to bring you a selection of hot deals

Erick's getting ready for Summer

across Summer. Erick, our deal detective, is busy looking for the products most requested on OfferMe. Yet our efforts are all based on the registered interest of the entire OfferMe community. So, the question I have for you is: Are we looking after you?

The truth is, if you’re one of the numerous OfferMe users who simply registers interests and then waits, you’re probably not sure. Well, it’s time to kick start your OfferMe experience and make sure. We’re ready to work hard for you, so let us know where you would like our efforts to go.

To do this, you need to communicate with us…

  • Put Erick to Work – Jump on OfferMe’s InTouch and get communicating with Erick by adding him as a friend. Simply tell him what you’d like to see on Group Buy and he’ll see what he can do.
  • Share the Revolution – If you’ve made a purchase, you probably know how great OfferMe’s service can be; how it can save you money and how it’s revolutionising the eRetail industry. So don’t keep it a secret… Spread the message and get more people involved. In the end, it just means cheaper prices for everyone!
  • Give us a Piece of Your Mind – Feedback, we love feedback. Tell us what you like, or better yet, tell us what you don’t like and we’ll do our best to rectify it.

My Group Buy Experience…

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (PS3) - On OfferMe's Group Buy

Thanks to a little inside knowledge, I was the first person to book a spot in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Group Buy last week. Wow, was I excited when I heard we would be selling it. I just couldn’t wait for midday to pass so I could click ‘I Want To Buy’! Yet almost as soon as I had clicked the button to reserve my place, my emotions shifted. There was a minimum purchase of 8 buyers. And I was the only one. Did I panic? Not at all. I knew there was something I could do to help me get what I wanted.

Communication! I spoke to my friends who I knew were into PS3 games, and in particular Call of Duty. Now even though one of my mates already had a copy, he was still happy about the price and passed the message onto his friends. Two of which went on to purchase the game (so says my friend). It didn’t stop there. I was so motivated to make sure the deal went through I looked at all avenues. I ’shared’ the Facebook post about Call of Duty with all my friends on Facebook. I also forwarded my Group Buy email to friends I thought would be interested.

All these steps took a few clicks of the button and, in the end, maybe I didn’t need to worry considering 33 copies of the game sold! Still, when the deal finalised only a few hours later, I was over the moon. And I couldn’t help feeling like I had played a part in the quick sales. I also helped out a couple friends get savings too. Now, I just need to wait for the game. Enough of watching the trailers already, I just want to play!

Posted by: offerme | December 4, 2009

Group Buy: Vote for the PS3 Game you want for Christmas

And the Group Buy Vote Winner is…

Assassin’s Creed II

Here are the full results:

Assassin’s Creed II – 37% (53 votes) ON SALE TOMORROW

Tekken 6 – 30% (43 votes) ON SALE SUNDAY

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves – 18% (26 votes) ON SALE MONDAY

Dragon Age: Origins – 12% (17 votes)
The Saboteur – 4% (6 votes)

To buy one – or all – of these games for only $49.95
Go to Group Buy at OfferMe.com.au

Congratulations to all that voted!
Hopefully you got the game you wanted most for Christmas.

Read More…

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