Best Appraisal Service

[Doibhilin]

I have a buyer offering a large amount of money for a domain, but he wants a third-party appraisal done. Can someone recommend a reputable service, one that will consider more than just keyword services? (And hopefully is relatively cheap.)

Is it considered necessary for the seller to provide an appraisal?

 

[Tippy]

Sounds like a scam to me, there are many threads here about such Appraisal scams, I certainly wouldn't ever get a name I owned appraised, the buyer should know what its worth.

 

[betterdayz4]

i would try to get the buyer to pay for the appraisal.. also, if their first email to you went something like this one below then its likely a scam. --

"Do you sell a developed site or domain only? I prefer domain names.

Do you have an independent valuation from industry experts (appraisal)? I need an appraisal certificate for domain priced in your range. I consider your name as an investment. In other words I'm going to sell your name later and make a profit. If I overpay I won't be able to make a profit in the future. It's very important for you and me to know the current market value of your domain.

Of course, we must be sure that you are engaging a reputable appraisal company. Please note that I don't trust free or cheap appraisals.

To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies in a forum

http://domaintalk.ourplace.com/Archive/38042.htm

Juck check this posting.

After I verify an appraisal from you we'll continue our negotiations.

How do you prefer to get paid: www.PayPal.com, www.escrow.com, check or wire?

Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
"





Sorry to be negative and I hope your buyer is legit ! sadly mine was only trying to get me to pay for appraisals from one of those sites - which he probably has an interest in.

 

[diddie]

Yeah, looks like a scam, sorry

 

[netPH]

FYI, that "buyer" is an obvious scammer. Refrain from replying instead throw thoes spam to your trash.

NameProsDomainAppraisal™ is the best :tu:

 

[Doibhilin]

Well there was a somewhat lengthy correspondence before the subject of appraisal came up. It's not as if his first email asked for an appraisal.

He linked me to forums that talked about why Afternic was a poor service and suggested AllForDomains.com, which I have no intention of using (costs $59). I guess I'll reply saying that a forum suggested he might be a scam, and that if he wants an appraisal he'll have to pay for it himself-- see what happens. I'll let you all know (and if it happens to be a scam, I'll post his email address so you can be weary).

 

[gazzip]

I would mention that there are alot of similar scams for appraisals going on and suggest that he should pay for the appraisal (up to a pre-set amount) and if the sale goes ahead refund that amount off the final selling price.

If the sale does not go through then he pays, just a suggestion :hehe:

You could maybe also suggest a reputable firm for appraisal.

 

[Gene]

Never, never, NEVER buy an appraisal for a potential buyer. Did I say NEVER? Never! Let them get their own appraisal and if they buy your name, credit them back the appraisal cost if you wish. If they are not willing to buy their own appraisal, they will NOT buy your name. Anybody considering buying a domain that is valuable enough to have appraised will be glad to pay the small fee if they're not fully convinced of the price you're asking.

The appraisal domain you mentioned above is a well known scammer. Don't get sucked in.