Here’s another excerpt in the ongoing series about online deals. Previous chapters: How FatWallet tracks down deals, Deal Locker guarantees coupon codes.

Psst … Want to know how to get an extra special discount at Buy.com? Sign up for its affiliate program.

Affiliate programs are the force behind online discount sites, such as FatWallet and Deal Locker. They provide the bargain-hunting world with coupon codes and special sales. So when a consumer stops by a bargain site, selects the deal link to, say, Buy.com, and makes a purchase, Buy.com and the affiliate split the profit.

It’s not much money, said Jeff Wisot, Buy.com’s vice president of marketing (photo of Wisot on left by OCRegister photographer Jebb Harris). The company will only say it’s “above 3 percent.”

Truthfully, though, all the work required to become an affiliate likely dissuades users from setting up their own stores just to get a discount for themselves. But sites that do include Buy.com as one of hundreds of deal sites can make a living off such programs.

“Buy.com’s Top 30 affiliates can each bring hundreds to thousands of orders each day,” he said.

Buy.com affiliates also get a sneak peek at what’s going on sale. A few weeks ago, affiliates learned that a Soyo Bluetooth headset went on sale for $10. Now, it’s $27. On Monday, a Lenovo laptop for $399 sold out within hours, thanks to affiliates.

But, says Wisot, you don’t have to be an affiliate to get the best deal from Buy.com.

The company, which discounts everything on its site unless the manufacturer has a set price, offers all sorts of tools for consumers.

A “price engine” on some items shows buyers alternative shopping options and prices — even if the link takes the customer to a competitor’s site.

Similar to rival Amazon.com, there are also video reviews, user reviews and links to its marketplace of small vendors, who are part of Buy.com’s online mall. It also offers free shipping on most items. Under consideration: a program similar to Amazon Prime, where $79 a year gets free two-day shipping on anything.

Plus, Buy.com always saves a few extra goodies solely for consumers.

“Not all the greatest deals are given to the affiliates so it’s good to sign up for newsletters. There are some deals that you can’t find anywhere else,” Wisot said.

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