Day 2.3: Bargains Online: A Summary

My last two posts today have contained a lot of information, so tonight I figured I'd boil it down. This is going to be a short post, so rest easy, and if you want more detail, please read the last two! Here's a list I've compiled of questions to ask when you're hoping to walk away with a bargain:

1. Is this a site I know and trust?
2. Are the shipping and handling expenses reasonable?
3. Does the fine print say anything about completing offers or getting references?
4. Is the seller promising a "special deal" if you buy right now?
5. Did you learn about this bargain in a trustworthy manner (i.e., not from a popup)?
6. Is this site claiming to have a new and amazing way to make things affordable?
7. Do I have to purchase something else before moving on with this bargain?
8. How are the sellers making their money?
9. Does anything come up if I search for the bargain as a "scam" on Google?
10. Is this deal too good to be true?

Personally, I do all my online shopping at Amazon and Ebay. I can find what I want, compare prices or bid, and I don't feel bad pulling out my credit card. One more note about online shopping, especially if it's at one of the more trustworthy bidding sites like Ebay: don't bid unless you have already decided on a fixed price. Wait until the last moment before bidding so that the price isn't raised early.

There's a lot more to say on this topic, but I'll save that for future posts. Please come back tomorrow, when I'll talk about the possibilities of independent publishing, both on and offline. It's a fascinating, growing field and offers a lot of potential for profit!