[usaphp]

So does it mean that you will never purchase a service from somebody who you don't know? Let's say they added an about us page and list their names, but you still don't know these people, does it mean you won't purchase the service even tho they have an "About Us" page?

[ntaso]

Online, I only purchase stuff if they have a legally-looking imprint and make a general impression of seriousness. And while this website has a nice design, the lack of an imprint implies that there's something sketchy going on. My reasoning is: If someone is afraid to put his complete name + address online, there must be a reason for it and I'm not the one wanting to do business with him or her.

Edit: I don't have to know the people. And the About-Us page isn't very important. I just want to see that it's a legitimate business and usually in most countries, this requires the company to put a full address on their website.

[vecinu]

And if that address is a fake address?

I really don't understand your reasoning for wanting an About Us page before purchasing a service. I don't feel that this level of paranoia is appropriate when using online services.

[ntaso]

Don't get hung up on that about page too much. An imprint is usually fine, an about page is even better.

The reason is very simple: From my experience, legitimate businesses have an imprint. As I said, an imprint is mandatory in most countries for commercial websites and trying to hide the address is very sketchy.

[sillysaurus3]

The service costs $29/mo. Most people here make more than that per hour. It's completely illogical to worry about losing $30 unless that $30 has high utility to your life.

If they steal your money, you can make an HN submission about your experience, which will completely ruin their reputation. Their reputation is far more valuable than whatever small amount of pocket change they could skim by tricking a few HN users. Therefore, the chance that your money is going to be stolen is hovering just above nil.

[r0muald]

Aren't you exaggerating when you say that

> an HN submission about your experience, [..] will completely ruin their reputation

?

Are there any cases like the example you suggested?

[sillysaurus3]

If they literally stole your money, which is what the parent poster was worrying about, then there's no chance their reputation will last very long. The HN post would just be the manifestation of that. In fact, I don't think anyone has ever posted a "Show HN" with malicious intent, let alone gotten away with it.