ChrisHarrison
New Member
- Impact
- 4
I've used the escrow service at escrow.com before to sell but not to buy domains.
I am wondering if their 30-day inspection period will allow me to "test drive" a website before I buy it.
Here's a plan
1) Make offer to owner of website. Offer will be much higher than I actually think the site is worth - I am just putting in a high number so he will say "yes"
2) Put money in escrow at escrow.com. Buyer puts domain in escrow and emails me site files.
3) I set up site on my server. I operate it for a month, see how much money it makes me, find all inbound links, etc.
4) I never release the funds from escrow.
5) At the end of the one-month inspection period, I cancel the deal. Owner gets the domain back. I have got some money from operating the site for a month and some deep knowledge about this competitor's site. I have spent no money.
6) If I want, I can then offer the owner what I think the site is really worth.
This scheme is not ethical and I would not do it. But I wonder if it is possible using escrow.com.
I am wondering if their 30-day inspection period will allow me to "test drive" a website before I buy it.
Here's a plan
1) Make offer to owner of website. Offer will be much higher than I actually think the site is worth - I am just putting in a high number so he will say "yes"
2) Put money in escrow at escrow.com. Buyer puts domain in escrow and emails me site files.
3) I set up site on my server. I operate it for a month, see how much money it makes me, find all inbound links, etc.
4) I never release the funds from escrow.
5) At the end of the one-month inspection period, I cancel the deal. Owner gets the domain back. I have got some money from operating the site for a month and some deep knowledge about this competitor's site. I have spent no money.
6) If I want, I can then offer the owner what I think the site is really worth.
This scheme is not ethical and I would not do it. But I wonder if it is possible using escrow.com.