Pay safest way. Requesting cash is a clear indication of possible0 fraud. If possible, pay by credit card because you can dispute charges if goods are misrepresented or never arrive. If you pay by check, make it out to seller. But remember that merchandise probably won't be shipped until your check is deposited and cleared, so stopping payment is not an alternative.

PayPal, while very convenient and used by many, it has been reported that they may not provide same protection as a regular credit card in event of fraud. It is my opinion that they fall into same category as paying by check.

Someone who has a bank account is not normally a person who "hits and runs". Know if merchant offers a warranty or money back guarantee or before bidding on a product. You don't want to get stuck with a product that does not work or you're not satisfied with.

If you do have a problem, let auction site know. Some sites investigate problems like "shills" being used to bid prices up or other abuses of auction system. They may also want to know about sellers who don't deliver or misrepresent their wares. A bad record may result in a seller being barred from using site in future.

Above all, use common sense to guide you. Ask yourself: Is what seller promises realistic? Is this best way to buy this item? What is most I am willing to bid for it? If someone does out bid you, don't be afraid to out bid them. Remember however, not to go over your maximum bid price.

If you follow these simple rules, you may find online auctions to be a source of some great deals. If you don't, you may still get that great deal, but you could also find yourself wishing you had.

Their Basic FREE service is now little more than a Business Card Web Page, with ads inserted and a forwarding email address.

The next step up is their Charter service which allows members 35mb of disk space with a monthly fee of $7.95. On top of that, there is also a set-up fee of $7.95.

It is VERY doubtful that they will continue to boast of nearly 1 MILLION members.

Especially when you consider that there are still many web sites around that provide same level of service for FREE on which Bizland.com wants to start charging a monthly fee.

A survey in our FBCN newsletter clearly showed that 100% of our 282 respondents, would NOT pay a fee for service or content they can aquire elsewhere for FREE.

Perhaps some online businesses can get away with now charging a FEE for previously FREE services or content.

However, any business playing with idea of changing their structure would do well to research competition.

The Internet was born on a FREE exchange of ideas.

I do feel we will NEVER see complete removal of all FREE based services from Internet.

However, it is only natural to presume that some online businesses MUST charge a fee or cease to exist.

Which ones will depend on unique type of service or content that they provide.

However, I predict that most valuable properties online will be those that have a business model based on BOTH FREE content and services, but with FEE based content and services that are much more enhanced.

The promise of a FREE service or content will continue to drive traffic to a web site. Once there, visitors will be given option of paying to receive PREMIUM or ENHANCED service and content.

That will be nature of , "The New Internet".