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Help
RedFlagDeals.com Help
Shopping Questions
RedFlagDeals.com Forums
Abbreviations
RedFlagDeals.com Operations
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RedFlagDeals.com Help
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What is the purpose of RedFlagDeals.com?
RedFlagDeals.com was and will always be designed as a source of information to
help Canadians save money on both online and offline purchases. With the advent
of the Internet, Canadians from across the country can now gather together and
share information. RedFlagDeals.com is the community where this can take place.
With daily deals, coupons, rebates, forums and much more we hope that everyone
will be able to save just a little bit on their purchases.
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Is this an online shopping site?
No. RedFlagDeals.com is not an online shopping site. It is a web site designed
to inform Canadians about the hottest shopping deals across the country. Via
the Internet, visitors to the site can access information about online and offline
shopping deals, as well as coupons and rebates.
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What is the difference between RedFlagDeals.com and online
shopping web sites?
Consumers should visit RedFlagDeals.com BEFORE they shop to learn about shopping
deals, coupon codes and rebate information available to consumers for both on
and offline purchases. They can then visit their favourite shopping web sites
or retail outlets to take advantage of the deals they've found at RedFlagDeals.com!
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How do I start using the site?
Here's how to start using RedFlagDeals.com:
a) Point your browser to http://www.redflagdeals.com
b) Click on the 'Deals' link
c) Scroll down and find deals of interest!
d) When you find a deal of interest, simply click on the 'location' link under
the description and you will be sent directly to the deal.
e) Via the deals main page, you can also take part in an online poll, sort
through deals by category, subscribe to the RedFlagDeals.com newsletter, submit
a deal and so much more.
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Can anyone use RedFlagDeals.com?
RedFlagDeals.com has always been a site designed for the general Canadian public
and thus content included on our pages are strictly within the parental guidance
suggested (PG) standard. Therefore, there will never be any deals posted for
pornography or other items inappropriate for family viewing. We want everyone
to feel comfortable browsing our website at home, school, or work without any
fears of running into content that would put them in an awkward situation.
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What does cold, warm, hot mean?
Sometimes in the forums and on the deals pages readers or editors will refer to
deals as being hot, cold, or warm. The tempuratures associated with deals signify
the degree of value found in the particular deal. If an item is an amazing deal
it may be called a hot deal. Warm deals are associated with good deals and a cold
deal usually means you're not getting much of a price break. Keep in mind that
hot, warm, and cold are subjective opinions.
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Can I only view deals from Amazon.ca/FutureShop.ca/Retail
Stores/Freebies, etc.?
Yes, absolutely. Just click on the drop down menu located to the right side of
the Deals page labeled 'Deal Sort' From there you'll be able to view only
freebies, deals from specific retailers, deals only for purchase in retail
stores and more.
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I clicked the link to the deal, the page doesn't load
correctly or not at all; what's happening?
Problem: You posted a deal on your website, but when I clicked
the link to the deal the page doesn't load correctly or not at all. I received a
Cannot Find Server/This Page Cannot Be Displayed error.
OR
You posted a deal on your website, but I don't see a link to click.
Why is this happening?
Many large online retailers like Dell.ca and NCIX.com offer commission to website
operators who refer customers to them. When a retailer has a deal and they have
such a program, RFD will use referral program links provided. Retailers often
offer their affiliates better deals than are generally available and we post
them for you to take advantage of. However, because unscrupulous people have
abused such programs in the past, many ad blockers will block referral links
on legitimate sites like RFD. Unfortunately, this means that many deals posted
on RFD may not be available to you unless you successfully try one of the following
solutions:
Solution #1: A common fix is to configure the Hosts
file used by Windows to control access to specific servers. You can check the
contents by opening the file in Notepad, which is located at:
- Windows 95/98/ME: c:\windows\hosts
- Windows NT/2000: c:\winnt\system32\drivers\etc\hosts
- Windows XP: c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts
Many retailers use 3rd party companies to run their referral program. Grant
access to these sites, either by commenting them out (using the # character at
the beginning of the line) or deleting them from the Hosts file entirely:
- anrdoezrs.net
- bfast.com
- cc-dt.com
- click.linksynergy.com
- clickserve.cc-dt.com
- commission-junction.com
- intactearnings.com
- linksynergy.com
- myaffiliateprogram.com
- qksrv.net
- service.bfast.com
Solution #2: Blocked advertisements can prevent a page from
loading, or from rendering properly; we recommend setting permissions to allow
credible advertising to appear. Configure security/networking utilities on your
system for appropriate access.
- Ad Aware: This applies to the subscription versions; switch
off the Ad Watch feature.
- Norton Internet Security: Access the Web Assistant
from the toolbar, and uncheck the Block Popups option.
- Spybot Search & Destroy: Go to Immunize,
and disable Permanently Running Bad Download Blocker. Also head to Advanced mode\Settings\Ignore Products and uncheck any entries from the approved servers list. If you are prompted to block anything from the list, select No, as these are legitimate ad providers and not malicious.
- ZoneAlarm: Under Privacy Options, you will
need to allow cookies from the approved servers list.
Solution #3: Regularly monitor and remove spyware/malware from
your system. Try free versions of utilities such as Ad-Aware, Spybot, and Windows Antispyware.
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Shopping Questions
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What is online couponing and how does it work?
The concept of online couponing is no different from that of offline coupon
clipping. It is the distribution and notification that clearly distinguishes the
two. To date, there are three basic varieties of online couponing:
i) Via email from selected retailers for whom consumers have granted permission
of notification for such deals;
ii) Via company web sites;
iii) Via banner ads on a web site
In several instances coupons must be downloaded and printed for in-store use.
However, coupon downloaders can also access coupon codes to use when making
online purchases as well.
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Where can I enter the coupons from the coupons sections?
Coupons are often entered during the checkout process at online stores such as
Staples.ca, FutureShop.ca, and Amazon.ca. Look for a box asking for a promotional
code or coupon. Some coupons are automatically added to your cart when you click
on our link.
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Can online coupons be used at retail/brick and mortar stores?
This varies from retailer to retailer. Generally speaking, online store coupons
cannot be used at retail stores. However, there have been instances whereby retail
outlets have accepted online coupons. It is suggested that you contact the store
in question to find out the terms and conditions of coupon.
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Are deals found on RedFlagDeals.com only good for online use?
No. Deals found on RedFlagDeals.com may apply to online purchases, in-store
purchases or both depending on the deal and the vendor. As an example, we may
post a Future Shop deal that is available on both their website and in retail
stores.
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What are the main types of deals to be found on the site?
Via the main page, site users can expect to find discounted offers for computer
equipment and other online purchases, coupons for everything from office supplies
to sports equipment to personal digital assistants and beyond. For those who
would rather not shop online we also offer a selection of freebies. Site users
are also welcome to take part in one of the many online forums. Forum memberships
are free and available to everyone.
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If I'm buying from a US store, will I have to pay duty and/or
taxes?
It depends. Certain US stores actually ship their items from within Canada so no
duty will be applied. BarnesandNoble.com is an example of this but they do charge
taxes. For US stores shipping from the US, if possible select USPS (United States
Postal Service) as the delivery method of choice. UPS has been known to charge a
brokerage fee for taking items across the border in addition to duty and taxes.
If in doubt, ask the online retailer.
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How can I be a safer shopper?
There are a few things you can do that will go a long way to ensure that your
online shopping experience is pleasant and you get exactly what you expect:
a) Review and understand taxes, shipping costs, and the return policy.
b) Make sure that the SSL, Secure Sockets Layer, padlock is visible when ordering
c) Check that the item is in stock and has full warranty.
d) Use a single credit card for online shopping or if possible, a single use credit
card number. Always check your monthly statements.
e) Check for complaints against the store with your Better Business Bureau.
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RedFlagDeals.com Forums
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What is the purpose of the RedFlagDeals.com forums?
The forums is a place where RedFlagDeals.com readers can come together to chat,
discuss, and share information. Discuss Deals, sell your personal items in the
Trading Post, request deals in Request-A-Deal, find freebies in the Freebies
forum, or just talk about the site, hardware, software, movies, tv, games, books,
food, drinks, and ANYTHING else (well... almost :) ).
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Do I have to register to post in the forums?
Yes, you do have to register to post in the forums, although you are free to
browse and read as a guest. In the past, we did not require users to register
in order to post but there was a growing use of profanity and verbal abuse toward
members by users hiding behind guest posting. From the urging of our users and
to make the forums a place where everyone feels comfortable we decided to require
users to register before posting. The process is very simple though, very little
information is required and you'll be ready to post in less than 30 seconds.
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Am I allowed to post my affiliate ID or use my referral codes
when posting links in the forums?
No, only RedFlagDeals.com affiliate codes and referrals are allowed in the forums.
Why? There's two reasons actually. First, if we allowed the posting of affiliated
links everyone would post their own and there would be chaos in the forums.
Secondly, in order to keep operating as a free service, RedFlagDeals.com needs
a source of revenue and affiliate programs do make up a large portion of that
revenue to keep us going.
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Abbreviations
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What does FAQ stand for?
FAQ is an acronym for Frequently Asked Questions. If you have an unanswered
question regarding the way RedFlagDeals.com works, this is the first place to look.
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What does PM stand for?
PM is a commonly used acronym for Private Message. This is often used in the
RedFlagDeals.com Forums meaning that a private message has been sent to a user
via the instant messenger in the forums. PM could also stand for pricematch
depending on the context of the sentence.
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What does B&M stand for?
B&M is short for Brick & Mortar, a term meaning the retail or physical
store. Future Shop retail stores would be the Brick & Mortar counterpart to
FutureShop.ca, for example.
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I came across this abbreviation, what does it mean?
There are hundreds of abbrevations that would be too numerous to list in this
FAQ. However, our readers have put together a very comprehensive
RFD Glossary.
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RedFlagDeals.com Operations
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Who are the people behind RedFlagDeals.com?
RedFlagDeals.com was founded by Derek Szeto who also serves as the site's editor.
Marc Duchesne and Ryan McKegney fill the role of news editors, posting the deals
you see on a daily basis. JLunar, JayPatel, Hippak, and Zippity help keep the
forum easy to read and under control as forum moderators. However, the most
important people behind RedFlagDeals.com are the readers. Without them there
would be no reason for RedFlagDeals.com to exist and they could never be able
to achieve the quality of information that exists.
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Who finds the deals posted on RedFlagDeals.com?
RedFlagDeals.com combines the use of staff expertise and the power of community
to find the hottest shopping deals across Canada. Deals are also found via the
RedFlagDeals.com online forums and through site visitors.
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How often is the site updated?
The site is updated several times a day with new deals and the community forums
are constantly updated with several hundred posts a day.
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Who should I contact if I come across a "hot" shopping deal?
If you know of a "hot" shopping deal please let RedFlagDeals.com know. Deals
can be submitted via the web site at www.redflagdeals.com,
via email at deals@redflagdeals.com
or they can be posted in the forums.
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Given the public's ongoing concern regarding issues of
privacy and Internet security, how do you ensure that your users profiles are not
being subjected to solicitation outside RedFlagDeals.com?
All information provided to RedFlagDeals.com is private and confidential. Under
no circumstance will information be released to outside sources. Any emails sent
by RedFlagDeals.com will be done on an opt-in basis. That is, emails will only
be sent to those individuals who have specifically requested information from
RedFlagDeals.com. RedFlagDeals.com's privacy policy can be found at
/deals/legal.php.
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Does RedFlagDeals.com receive remuneration from the companies
whose deals are posted on their web site?
The answer is yes and no. Some of the deals posted on RedFlagDeals.com are pay
per click and commission is collected, but the site posts deals with and without
remuneration. Advertiser sponsored deals will be clearly labelled as such.
RedFlagDeals.com generates income from both advertising and commission sales
and would appreciate any support you can offer by buying through our links or
clicking on ads you're interested in if you enjoy the service we offer.
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Can I advertise my used stuff as a deal on your frontpage?
No. RedFlagDeals.com posts deals on the latest deals page that are accessible
to a relatively large audience, preferably across the country. If you would like
to sell your used stuff please visit the RedFlagDeals.com Forums and post in the
Buy, Sell, and Trading Post.
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