Significant offer made on one of my domains

prb · Mar 25, 2008

Hi guys,

Would really appreciate any advice I can get here.

I received an email by someone who wants to buy one of my domains. I wasn't planning on selling it but he offered a significant price - significant enough that I would be willing to sell it - but he mentioned that we can't do business until I've had it valued by an independent valuer, however.

My questions are:

* Is this the normal 'done thing'?

* Could this be a scam? Are there any ways to ensure that it isn't?

* Can anyone recommend a independent valuer and how much will it cost?

* Any other advice you could give would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

bb99 · Mar 25, 2008

Steer well clear - it's an established scam. The "valuer" is actually somehow associated with the sender of the email.

If any genuine buyer is suggesting a decent offer and wants a valuation, they can surely afford to get one themselves and pay for it.

It's a savage world out there :twisted:

pugyrob · Mar 25, 2008

Sounds fishy to me m8 but you never know.Just make sure you get all money before you send forms and be careful of taking paypal payments as they can be taken back.

Consider using escrow services and hold firmon your price.

Rob

tifosi · Mar 25, 2008

Sounds like the standard scam. The've no intention of buying the domain, just in getting you to pay the 'independent valuer' who they will 'suggest' money for a useless valuation. The valuer will of course be associated with the buyer.

If you suggest using something like sedo 3rd party valuation (£35+) & getting them to pay it, then I'll bet my dear old granny that the sale dies pretty quickly.

S

grantw · Mar 25, 2008

It is most likely a well known scam, he will probably come back to you suggesting the appraisal services that he trusts, the cheapest one will probably be the site he runs himself!

If he's happy for you to choose your own appraisal service then it may be legit. Sedo.co.uk are probably your best option for an appraisal, I'd reply to they guy first and suggest Sedo and see what he says before paying for an appraisal anywhere.

Grant

grantw · Mar 25, 2008

There's some quick typers round these parts

Grant

tifosi · Mar 25, 2008

damn me, surprising how fast we stamped on that one!!

we're a cynical lot!

ScottJ · Mar 25, 2008

grantw said:
There's some quick typers round these parts

Grant

I'll say! That's service for you, I'd agree with the above.

Admin · Mar 25, 2008

Tell him it is worth what he is willing to pay for it

You can use domainprices.co.uk as a reference point of UK sales values.

prb · Mar 25, 2008

Wow! Super fast response! Thanks all.

Looks like a scam judging by all your comments. Here's his last email in full:

------------------------------------------------

Can you accept 10,000 USD?

Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?

Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.

Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals.

Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It's very important for me in terms of reselling too.

But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I trust.

To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies.

Please check this posting from archive:
http://domaintalk.007sites.com/Archive/290106.htm

If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% - 15% discount.

After you send me the valuation via email (usually it takes 1-2 days to obtain it) we'll continue our negotiations.

What is your preferred payment method: Escrow.com, International wire transfer, PayPal.com or something else?

Hope we can come to an agreement fast.

Looking forward to your reply.

------------------------------------------------------

Thanks again everyone. That was brilliant!

ScottJ · Mar 25, 2008

http://bsalert.com/news/2189/New_Domain_Purchase_Scam_Appearing_In_Your_Inbox.html

& more..

prb · Mar 25, 2008

Hehe! My first time at being domain scammed ... Excellent!

If something sounds to good to be true ... etc etc.

ScottJ · Mar 25, 2008

I've had exactly the same type of email and the first time I got it a large part of me wanted it to be true.

prb · Mar 25, 2008

Absolutely. For a short time I was planning my next holiday.

Nice blog you got there btw. Just subscribed.

feKIX · Mar 25, 2008

A scam - without doubt...

I have been subject to this very scam, although I didnt fall for it.

I was offered 12,000 USD for Fresh-Fruit.biz, with exactly the same scenario, I want an independent valuation, blah blah....I dont trust Sedo, blah blah...

My answer was;
I'll get an appraisal....you get an appraisal and we'll work from there. I told him to pay for it himself and guess what.....

No more was heard from him!

I think his emails came from the addy BONBON.net.

Crap scammer with a crap scam who may even frequent domain forums like this to hunt for innocent victims.....if someone wants your domain bad enough to pay ,000's of dollars, they will pay for the appraisal themselves.

Only a king-size numpty would make a significant offer before an appraisal!!!

retired_member16 · Mar 25, 2008

Damn - I would have got away with it too if it wasn't for you pesky kids.

bb99 · Mar 25, 2008

I suppose this is a bit like many spam emails - they're virtually free to send, so you just send zillions of them. Maybe only 0.5% reply and then maybe only 10% of those buy an appraisal. But if you're sending zillions, you can probably put away a tidy living.

Beats working for a living