There are a large number of people and websites out there that claim to make you the next big internet millionaire. Get rich quick schemes have been popular in our country since the time of the gold rush. Everybody who watches a Hollywood blockbuster knows it’s going to be alright in the end and that after a while, money will start pouring in. Our culture is driven by a capitalist craving and thank God for that, right? But it isn’t always easy to do something that brings in the big bucks, and there are plenty of untrustworthy people doing business as well.

So how do you manage to separate out those who can be relied on from the ones who are untrustworthy? By being very cautious and aware of the possible scams, dangers and frauds that are rampant on the internet, the conmen are very creative and the scams keep changing. But it is important to be on the lookout and to deal only with the right people and businesses. Here are some tips on finding the trustworthy buyers and sellers for your product or service online.

Finding trustworthy sellers is often harder than it seems. Many web sites and portals claim to offer fantastic schemes and maybe even great fake testimonials. But you are left with a dud product or sometimes no product at all. It is best to do business with an entity that has accreditation from a body like Better Business Bureau Online (BBB Online) or the FTC. Another idea is to ask friends, relatives, colleagues or others you know who are making money online for their seller sources. Not everyone is willing to divulge this information, especially if it sets you up as competition for them. But if you are looking for a product that is not identical to theirs, some people may be more forthcoming.

Do a background-check and ask for unbiased references. Do not rely on lists or databases of sellers available online. A good indicator of reliability is properly published and active communication channels, such as a business telephone number or office address that checks out. Make sure that you have some assurance of delivery when you make a payment. Ask for an inspection of the product before delivery and withhold some amount of the payment until final delivery. Be sure you read the fine print, including all disclaimers, etc.

Finding trustworthy buyers for your online business can be quite difficult as well. Make sure that there is some verification of the payment system provided by the buyer. It is important to get paid, that’s what you’re in business for – so don’t ignore it in your haste to confirm a buyer. A genuine buyer will understand any reservations that you have, and may even wish to do a check on you so be open to that. Timely responses are also important in establishing that your buyer is interested and authentic. However, do not give in to any pressure to rush a project, complete work as per agreed timelines. Be careful when you sign any documents or agreements created by the buyer by reading through them carefully, including any notes and inclusions. There are plenty of “standard” contracts floating around online. Be sure you ask for clarifications if you need any and ask other people as well.

William King is the director of Wholesale Pages: http://www.wholesalepages.co.uk , Pakistan Real Estate and Property Portal: http://www.zameen.com , Daily Trader: http://www.dailytrader.com and Australia Wholesalers: http://www.australiawholesalers.com . He has 18 years of experience in the marketing and trading industries and has been helping retailers, entrepreneurs and startups with their product sourcing, promotion, marketing and supply chain requirements.