Fake Discounts, Real Lessons: What I Learned from Selling Online

Unexpected Lessons from an Early Start in E-Commerce

Recalling some old lessons from working online—
lessons that helped me understand how e-commerce works.

In the 10th class, I started an e-commerce store on a website.
It was my first time doing freelancing.
The store focused on digital goods—I used to sell subscriptions, games, and related in-game items.
I created a list of items and set the prices myself.

I had never worked offline or online before, and this was my first time dealing with customers.
I managed everything on my own, with full support from my family.

I set the prices of gigs and noticed something unusual:
I could give discounts.

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So, what's with the DISCOUNT thing?

Let’s say I had an item worth $200 and I wanted to add a discount.
I could set the original price to $450 and the current price to $200, showing around 45% discount.

But it didn’t end there.
I could set the “before discount” price to whatever I wanted.

But that’s a different matter—how many would actually be sold is another thing entirely.

I could also add my items to a campaign that highlighted discounted prices and limited-time offers.

However,
This doesn’t mean the website wasn’t offering real deals,
but sometimes the intensity of the ads wasn't as convincing,
but,
a tactic.

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Does this affect anything—or profit?

Running these campaigns is a form of marketing.
They show you massive discounts,
but that’s not always the case.

They try to influence your subconscious mind:

• That you are among the few getting this offer

• That time is limited

• That you must act now

You may end up falling into this psychological trap.

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So, is this all just drama?

Not entirely.
But you should have the know-how of e-commerce.

• How e-commerce stores operate

• How they launch marketing campaigns

• How they attract and convert people

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Now I don’t fall for the “You are the only one” trap when these campaigns pop up on social media.
I also explain to my family that things aren’t always what they seem on media.

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Lesson

Working—whether offline or online—can teach you life lessons, 
Unexpectedly, maybe.

It’s all about how you perceive things.