Appraisal Scam | Appraisal Scam | Appraisal Scam | Appraisal Scam | Appraisal Scam
Appraisal Scam
NEWBIES PLEASE READ AND BEWARE – Seasoned domainers have all encountered this before, or certainly have heard of it over the ears. Having read several domain forum posts over the last year from Newbie domainers, it is very apparent that the old appraisal scam is live and well. As such, while I’m not the first, I’ve decided to write a post about the appraisal scam in hopes of saving a newbie from giving their hard earned cash to these lowlife scammers.
As a new domainer, you must realize that when you purchase your first domain name(s), there are many people watching you. There are many tools and scripts that folks utilize to find and research purchasers of domain names. It doesn’t take long for them to figure out who is a newbie in this business and it’s like a cat spotting the mouse for the first time. Let’s face it, they are preying on newbies who do not know better and who are in a vulnerable position to easily get taken, becoming the prey.
How they operate is this. After a month or two of purchasing your domain name, assuming your Whois information is public (and it should be if you are trying to sell the domain name(s)), you will receive an e-mail similar to this:
RE: DOMAINNAME.COM
Hello,
We noticed that you currently sell this domain (correct?).
We are interested in purchasing it. What is your desired price?
If you have other names for sale please email me your domains with prices, especially if you have financial, adult, Hosting and TV related names.
We are looking forward to doing business with you.
Regards,
Mark Reitman
CEO
Website Domain Hosting Inc
end
Appraisal Scam | Appraisal Scam | Appraisal Scam | Appraisal Scam | Appraisal Scam
Typically, the newbie seller will get excited at such a quick inquiry and will either respond with a price or will creatively ask for an offer, if they’ve done their homework (you always will have negotiation power if you get an offer first, but loose it immediately if you provide a price).
Within a day or two, the newbie seller will then receive an e-mail similar to this.
Seller,
What do you think about 7,000 USD for your domain name?
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 and my partners trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal
companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and
buyers:
http://www.************.***
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
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.
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Appraisal Scam | Appraisal Scam | Appraisal Scam | Appraisal Scam | Appraisal Scam
That’s their scam – they entice and excite you as a newbie domainer with a high $$$ offer, in hope that you’ll order the appraisal, for which he gets a commission or perhaps the whole thing if the appraisal company is also a scam (and likely is). The scam blog he references, will point you to a fake blog page, where two appraisal companies are discussed and recommended.
Be very sure that this is a scam. If someone wants to purchase your name, they will not ask you for an appraisal, period! Perhaps a prospective purchaser would have their own appraisal done, although the real worth of appraisals, in general, are not really worth much (that will be the subject of a future post). Bottom line, don’t fall for the appraisal scam!
Appraisal Scam
Appraisal Scam | Appraisal Scam | Appraisal Scam | Appraisal Scam | Appraisal Scam
Appraisal Scam
