How to minimize getting scammed in the future
 

i'm sure most of you know these things (although often you don't follow them which is another story), but for those that are new here it's for your best interest to take the below things seriously:


Because someone has been around in boards for a while doesn't mean shit. I've seen me getting credit from people (I don't know or remotely know) only because I've been around in boards for a while. It's a big mistake frequently committed. I won't mention names, but we've seen people been around for some time and one day they turned scamming EVERYONE.


Request invoices for the product or services you purchase.

Ask for a % of the money upfront and issue an invoice from your turn.

Treat your on-line business like it's an offline business. The person that will try to avoid the above or act as offended is the person you don't want to do any business with. Exceptions apply, but it's up to you to filter them.

Avoid sending WU. Scammers favorite money system.

You get an offer from a guy or girl you haven't heard before. Do a little research on his name/nickname/domains. Do you see anything fishy? If it's for more than few $ ask around and always take steps that will secure your position as much as possible.

Extremely great offers are limited. Something that looks awesome deal probably isn't . Let others jump first and then you follow if you still have the same impression.

There's no such thing as great opt-in mailing lists for few $

There's no such thing as excellent traffic for few $

There's no hosting company with 100% uptime. If your host tries to convince you for this, they don't know the nature of their service.

Even one bad business deal with someone else that gave me the impression it's your fault is enough to not consider you as person I want to deal with. In 2004 this industry has too many sponsors, content providers, traffic sources, hosting providers, billing companies to limit yourself.




feel free to add your own advice as well

aint that the truth!
most companies Ive been with have been 100% up the ass time.

lucky i found a good host now and havent had any downtime since i joined em

yeah the same shit happened to me, so the next time I asked for 50% of the $ upfront. Asking for a deposit is a great tip

Act professional and avoid those people that do not.

good advice

amen

you should, especially on 1st time customers.

I'm starting a GFY collection agency, sort of like the one on WWE, the APA.

good advide Soul_Rebel

My best advice is to get referrences from people you plan on sending money to

and as far as doing work, 100% up front always unless you've done business with the person before or have good recommendations on them.