Related pages only or run-of-site links

[RoyalChina]

I want to buy some text links on two related pages of a website which has 2000+ pages. The site owners offers #*$! dollars a year for a run-of-site links or half price for links on these two pages only. Run-of-site links are certainly a easy-to-spot paid links to SEs from my personal view which shall be avoided. But I would like to know what you guys think on this.

[Bethlk]

ANY paid link is a huge no no ( in my opinion ).

[RoyalChina]

I know paid links are not as good as natural links. But almost every competitor is doing so and outranks us. I will lose a lot potential business if i just sit in my little house working on unique content to attract links.

[Shaddows]

Paid links work. Fact.

Paid links are frowned upon. Fact.

If paid links are detected, they will be devalued. Pseudo-fact.

If your entire link profile consists of dodgy links, and you are identified as a link purchaser, you are likely to find your whole profile devalued, and if you are particularly unlucky or have otherwise broke guidelines, you may fing yourself with a penalty, or a more insidious "loss of trust"

So, its up to you.

If all the links on the pages are sold, then I suggest it is only a matter time before they all get devalued and you're out of pocket. And as I say, if I were Google and had identified one instance of link purchasing, I would take a hard look at all your other links, and possibly other practices your site engages in.