and then a list to stay away from?
In addition to what "wavelengthsf" mentioned above, you can also use "
Badbitcoin" website (it gets updated frequently but shouldn't completely rely on it [some of the websites appear to be missing or haven't been listed yet]).
Take note: It's more of a general list, instead of focusing on mining vendors.
A simple rule: Stay away from websites that offer an attractive prices.
Great advice didn't think it would actually work but you did it anyway i didn't think enough but you simplified the problem by stating the obvious reasons and putting up into words that anyone can understand that's some high quality posting right there. Indeed it is obvious for a scammer to lure his costumers/victims with an absurd deal that anyone that is new to this business be scammed because they lack the knowledge to go through this.