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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Lesson

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

It’s all about how you perceive things.

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