Stricter Rules regarding Repeated Chat Topics
Feedback
Just like many others do, I love the chat section and enjoy contributing to meaningful threads. 
However, I have noticed a lot lately that there are many repeated chat topics being posted all for the sake of a few points. It also makes the chat section kinda boring at times seeing the same old stuff being posted. One that comes to my mind at the moment is the tiresome 'cat vs dog' debate, which I believe there are currently 4 threads with that title.
I have noticed other members have mentioned this little slight annoyance. So I know I don't stand alone on it. As previously stated, I genuinely enjoy the chat section. I just think it needs tweaking a bit.
I think it will be difficult to monitor these topics but it would be great if we wouldn't have the sort of topics like what's your favourite pet?
I suggest ZERO points are awarded for posting a new thread, and that points are only awarded if the original post gets 5 or more responses.
That should help make things more interesting.
There’s far far too many rubbish posts being made now by people greedy for points who couldn’t care less if they get a response to their question, and who rarely if ever comment on it - even to just say thank you - if they do.
I agree, time for a change!
I have been noticing a lot of chat topics with questions that can be easily found out by doing a quick Google search. As for the 'this versus that' threads they are much better suited to something like Facebook.
If that were the case I'd never get any points for posting a new topic. LOL! Mine are never exactly setting the board on fire. That's cool but there's been a few times when I could have done with some replies as I was asking for advice or other times I've been giving a heads up about something somewhere that might have caused some issues for others. I did find that sharing Sylvester the talking kitty cat videos did. i do wonder if sometimes people take the chat section too seriously. I pop in and if there's something I want to reply to then great, if not, I'll come back later.
That's not a bad idea actually! There are some posters who certainly post for the sake of it, without any thought, and then never reply to responses - waste of time and space.
Just realised how old this thread is! Someone bumped it and didn't notice the age. Still no improvement then after all this time!
Yup they do shelly is chat not for chatting lol I have to make topics up happenings in my genral life so I can chat to human life form as I asked why my fb keep getting reviewed and now I dont have 1 it's been disabled 
@ShellyAnn
I think Kelsey has already stated previously that the LD team are looking into reformatting this section, as I and some others suggested only awarding points to trending topics, so those that get 3 or more responses, like the system they have in place for 3 or more likes. If you could see what this chat section was like before all this, you can see why the LD team started the award system for chat - it was very stagnant and no one paid much attention to it. There was even a joke thread that one of the moderators started to inject some life and humour to the chat section, but no one ever really responded to it
The problem is paying for rubbish (by awarding LD points for any type of new thread) encourages more rubbish. That chain needs to be broken so that the Chat section becomes more enjoyable and less tedious
Johnny yes but that’s not really something LD will be able to monitor well, and it’s not really worth investing the time and effort on this section. The primary purpose is the deal sections, and monitoring the comments on that alone is hard enough. This chat section was meant to be fun, and it’s perhaps fun for many people, but also causing frustation for others. Tbh I think everyone should just do what is enjoyable and ignore the stuff that isn’t
I really like that joke thread. I keep meaning to contribute to it more often.
Thank you for reminding me about it.
RegularComper90 One problem with threads like that is that they go on too long making it difficult to find the latest ones. Although I'm against repeat topics it could be suggested that something like "Jokes February 2019" (and so on) might be considered. Similar for "Introduce Yourself".
As you all know from the thread I started some time ago, I have very strong opinions on this! The point gathering is so blatant for absolutely no effort.
Humans being as they are will always jump on the bandwagon and if they see others getting points for posting rubbish with no repercussions they will see no reason why they shouldn't do the same. The quality of chat will deteriorate but suggestions have been made to counteract this. Personally I think chat would survive without points but the points for likes or responses would seem a good way forward and as Johnny has said should be easy to automate.
Another good idea would be to enlist the aid of members who are willing to volunteer to monitor and maybe join repeat topics and keep an eye on things. Not to inhibit or restrict but just to keep it running smoothly.
You do actually get some really good meaningful threads in chat. But they do sadly sometimes get overlooked by the obvious point gathering ones.
RegularComper90 Those of us who don't post meaningless or totally pointless topics are aware of who the culprits are, I personally ignore their posts, if it was made that points were only awarded for topics that had a certain number of responses that could solve the problem, although, as said earlier (below), to stop points entirely on this chat section might be a very simple solution.
Most of the repeat offenders obviously don't even bother reading their own replies, let alone the topics of any other contributors, so therefore have no idea that these discussions are going on! But then again they would probably ignore and not take note.
This is true. I just saw a lot of those x Vs x posts. There are also people who make posts and never come back to the answers which really makes you think they are just points farming.
Probably the simplest solution would be to not award any points whatsover on this chat section. I'm sure many of those who genuinely want to chat wouldn't mind.
I think it is interesting that this chat topic is itself a repeat as the topic has been created at least twice before.
maybe the answer is to allow only posts about deals or money saving. at least it would be useful and in keeping with the type of site this is
mmokane24 that may be so but it is of interest to everyone and the responses have been overwhelming. There is obviously a lot of food for thought on this subject and mine was about people not bothering to answer whereas RegularComper90 made the point about repeat topics. There is only so many times you can answer whether you prefer parrots to peacocks!
PS There are probably many like myself who only use this site for comps and chat. I have never used it for deals.
You only get 2x 20 = 40 points maximum per day for creating chat topics.
40 points = £0.04 or 4 pence which is hardly earth shattering.
Don't see what the fuss is about unless you're on here 24/7 that the chat section irks you all so much.
Also you can't expect everyone to go through all pages to see if similar topics have been posted.
Currently there are 185 pages of chat topics, sometimes even a quick search doesn't find similar topics since people use different synonyms or phrasing.
People love to complain over trivial matters these days. There are more important things in this world to worry about honestly.
Also this website is 100% free to use.
I agree with this to be honest. I mean the amount of points awarded is so few its not like anyone can cash in quick using it - take me, been here since 2017 with only 27,255 points so I'm not exactly really spamming the place up here to get an amazon voucher. I know there are block features here. I've never used these but maybe if people are bothering people with silly topics or boring topics all whatever you don't like, maybe block them so you only see people who you considering to be interesting? I just ignore topics I see and don't want to answer.
You're quite right (for once) some people do love to complain - I had one such person trolling my first deal complaining it was open to fraud etc. and making a complete fool of himself. He didn't even have the guts or decency to apologise when it became obvious he was wrong. instead he tried to turn any blame onto me. (reminds me of a couple of other members)
I'm happy to report that the deal will be there for many years to come (despite it being maliciously reported as expired twice), he might like to complain again and see if the complaint that makes him look a complete idiot can be removed.
If anyone disbelieves... this might help https://www.latestdeals.co.uk/deals/print-own-money-off-vouchers-farmfoods
1. You seem to be here as much as anyone 'without a life'
2. You don't have to go through all the pages, there is a search box above to quickly check. No one expects a subject to never be repeated but 5 times in a couple of days? Often a repeat on same page.
3. 40 points per day is 1200 per month, times all the members and, like everything, it adds up.
4. People don't like advantage takers and your own topics, more often than not, get zero responses. This is a chat section about LD that allows other subjects. I have never seen you start a topic about the ' important things in this world'
5. Your current topic is on same theme but no one is suggesting no points for posting deals, comps etc. Merely not giving topic posting any points until they receive x amounts of responses. Of course it would not be as successful without any points.
Lyns hun I keep going through them all page by page but I think getting hang bit more I love chatting though just I do post the random list topics but there topics I really enjoy talkin bout and interested in I dont post 4 few weeks some time then maybe post few will you keep me on track if any mines bug just tell me
Mctash as you can see that was written 2 years ago. Don't worry. You can tell the ones who do two a day for points but hardly ever reply to anyone who replied to them. You do, and that is the main difference.
I wouldn't dream of coming on strong and telling you how to contribute but I guess any one of us would make a comment if someone was way out of line.
Thank you for your messages. It is our intention to improve the Chat section with some sort of duplicate thread checker, similar to when posting a deal: If the system thinks it may have been posted before, it'll suggest adding a reply there instead of creating a whole new topic.
There are many improvements we would love to see across LatestDeals.co.uk, and we're still a very small team doing our best. So it's on the list and hopefully we'll get to it shortly. Thanks again for your feedback, we love to hear your thoughts and comments.
Maybe there could be a chat thread but then a feedback thread so you know if you're on feedback it is a question needing people's own experience & advice . The chat thread would then be for chit chat such at the this vs that topics. So by choosing to view the feedback I would eliminate scrolling through dozens of chit chat topics and just be able to answer people's more important questions.
I hope that makes sense 
I feel I need to bump this up as we are getting so many repeats and this v. that threads.
I understand that new members wouldn't think to put a topic word in the chat box - we all grope our way round for a while. I have added a careful comment on a few posts and added the link to the duplicate thread. The vs chats have disappeared but the this? or that? subjects are making a comeback. Having said that it is really nice to see the original posters coming back to the thread and interacting.
Lynibis After going quiet for a little while, I too have been noticing many repeated topics and this vs that ones. One prime example of a repeated topic is Christmas shopping. I have lost count at the number of Christmas shopping threads there have been over the last month or so. And don't get me started on the "iPhone or Android" and "Whole or semi-skimmed" threads.
I was going to mention the Christmas threads, it's bad enough when it is upon us but not 4 months ahead of time RegularComper90
RegularComper90 haha I've noticed the Christmas ones too. I open them thinking "didn't I reply to this already?!" and realise.
MeestairChrees as I write there are 5 Christmas topics in the first 5 pages lol!
If you can't beat'em, join'em!
Lynibis that image is confusing for me. It's bright, cheery and colourful - all good things. But I hate Christmas stuff earlier than December! 
Do I like it dislike the image? I don't know!
This gives me the idea to create a post where we could chat about repeated chat topics. Yeh I will do that in a moment. 
I must say I wondered re this as just over the past few weeks I have seen an increase in people putting same things on within days- I always try and do a quick search if looking for an answer etc not fool proof but least i try unlike those posting the same things- i wondered if there was a month cut off before people recycle? Shame
I believe there is a 30 day limit before something can be reposted. I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong but I think it applies to deals and comps also.
C'mon peeps! I love Christmas and I revert to a child with old fashioned games, quizzes and specially created foods and all things brightly lit and sparkly........BUT it's too early to be discussing it so many times in a chat topic. jmsonl hurry up and create that new chat topic. I don't wanna turn into a grinch but I can't take any more xmas and pizza chat. 
Omg, someone's just added another one! I guess not many posters are reading this thread lol.
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