I actually just responded to this thread because I did an email search for the guys email address and found this thread indexed as a result.
I think the "scam" is much easier than this. The link he gives in his response to your inquiry is:
thenamepros . com/Archive/ 9217506.htm
When you lookup thenamepros . com it takes you to webhostingforums.com
I registered there and did a search for Groover, Nameseller, and Don Williams - none exist.
It's possible that he was just having a conversation with himself in that thread and it all points to using
Certified Domain Value com wanted .asp
as the "independent manual evaluation service" and for $59Euro you can get someone to evaluate your website for him.
That may be his business. He may just be drumming up business by quoting you a very high price for your domain so you get excited and think that a $59Euro investement is peanuts in comparison.
In fact, in his email he asks me if the site is developed or I would just be willing to sell the name. It would be obvious if he checked it out.
Here is what you do. Agree to his terms, but tell him to use that service and that you will use another service once he submits it's report. This way the risk is even more minimial to him since TWO independent domain name evaluation services will be giving an assessment, and that you guys will agree to something in between the two.
Here are the email exchanges. You can see how he has responded to that proposal on my part:
His First Email said:
Hello,
How much do you want for your domain?
We have found it listed for sale and we have a good offer for you.
Our company invests in domains and developed sites. If you have a list of
domains for sale, please send the list with prices in plain text.
We prefer ".com", ".net", ".co", ".co.uk", ".us" and easy-to-remember
names with other extensions.
Regards,
Mark Groover
CEO
Name & Hosting Solutions LLC
My response #1 said:
Hi Mark,
What is your offer?
His Email #2 said:
Can you accept 20,000 USD?
I have a 48,000 USD budget for 5-8 domain names. Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? Without a valuation certificate we cannot be sure in the sale price. Moreover, my accountant and tax services always ask for valaution certificates
. On the other side, it's very important for me in terms of reselling too. Of course, we must engage a valuation company with a REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my accountant trust.
To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies. Please check this blog with suggestions from other sellers and buyers:
thenamepros . com/Archive/9217506.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. Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name? Domain without content is ok with me. Web site is not necessary.
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.
My 2nd Response said:
I would be happy to let you use whatever domain evaluation service you prefer to use. I will cross reference their appraisal with a service of my own and we can come to an agreement that way. At this point, I will accept your offer. I don't mind using escrow.com, but you will have to handle the fee. As far as paypal is concerned they charge 2.5% per transaction. I will accept paypal as well. If you, alternatively, insist in international bank transfer, I'm happy with that too.
Let me know your response.
His 3rd Email said:
I see, but it's a standard practice to show independent valuation to
buyers/resellers. Nobody will do business without it. I'm a businessman and
have no intention of changing rules which help both parties to avoid
additional risks.
Of course, investors never take into account auto-generated valuations. So
manual valuation is a "must" too.
I read the following information about appraisals at:
thenamepros . com/Archive/9217506.htm
Without the independent valuation from a trusted source we don't spend a
penny. This is our financial policy. So our offer is just a rought estimate.
If the appraisal comes higher we are ready to offer a bit more. If it comes
lower we will discuss the price with you again.
Thank you for understanding. I'm looking forward to doing business with you.
Hope we can come to an agreement fast because I'll be on vacation soon.
My Third response said:
I think you misunderstood me. I fully agree and will do so. I've made it even more risk free for you. You use the source in the link you've found to evaluate this .com and I will use another trusted and reputable manual service. We will then compare and see what two independent evaluators suggest. Much less risk on your part. Let me know when you are prepared to move forward on this.
I haven't received another response from him yet, but you can see he keeps redirecting you back to the thenamepros.com archive where, if you read carefully, there really is only ONE truly recommended service. If you look up that service it was created July of this year, also by domainsbyproxy.com
Registrant:
Domains by Proxy, Inc.
DomainsByProxy.com
15111 N. Hayden Rd., Ste 160, PMB 353
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
United States
Domain Name: CERTIFIEDDOMAINVALUE.COM
Created on: 02-Jul-10
Expires on: 02-Jul-11
Last Updated on: 02-Jul-10
Interesting way to scam a hundred bucks or so off of unsuspecting domainers.
Dumb fecker!
If anyone gets this message, reply with the same response I've given you, then post the responses here. Hopefully this page can get indexed high enough that if anyone is astute enough to do a search on his web domain, or email, they find it and avoid the scam!
Enjoy,
Jay
