1. Too good to be true
If an offer is too good to be true, it is probably not a scam. So if you discover a site offering luxury handbags for a measly sum, you should be wary. Of course, sometimes, especially in a bazaar, someone can find a real treasure offering a luxury item in great condition and at a more than affordable price, but this is the exception rather than the rule. Most of the time, it is an attempt to take your hard-earned money.

2. Non-original photos
A solid seller, whether an individual or a store, will take their own photos of their products. Therefore, if you want to know a solid store, enter the photo into an image search engine. If the same photo appears on more than one site, especially if some of those sites are photobanks, be careful when making a purchase.

3. Contact information
Well-established stores, even virtual ones, will have their ID, e-mail, phone, address, and other contact information clearly listed on their website. If they cannot be found, or if all you can find is an e-mail and a non-functioning phone number, you really should back out of the purchase. Consider that there is always the risk that you will have to return the merchandise.

4. References
Read user comments on the store page or look for references. Most online bazaars allow users to rate sellers. Good online stores offer the opportunity to rate their services directly on the site, either in the form of a review of a specific product or a rating of the service as a whole. Good online stores should not be afraid of feedback, so be wary if they do not offer this option or if the customer experience is poor.

5. Read
How many times in your life have you mindlessly checked the phrase “I have read and agree to the terms and conditions”? And how many times have you actually read them? Sure, the terms and conditions are long and boring, but in the case of online retailers, they are the only thing you reach for when you\’re in trouble.