Buyer asking for Valuation Certificate/TM evaluation - Scam?

[rockstardomains.com]

Hello,

I have recently been contacted regarding one of my domain names, however the buyer wants a valuation certificate for the domain.

I don't really favor any valuation from online to be quite frank, I value my domain at what I believe it's worth and if the buyer is interested he should buy it, if not then next please. I don't really fancy using a valuation certificate as it may appraise my domain in favor of the buyer meaning the valuation being lower than what I have asked for.

1) Is it necessary? If so where can I get one from?

Also understandably the buyer wants to be sure there is no TM copyright involved with the domain (which i am almost 99.9% sure there isn't but he wants confirmation before he buys

2) How can i prove there is no TM/copyright involved?

3) Can someone explain how the Escrow payment process works/is securer than Paypal (Need to persuade the buyer to use Escrow).

This seems like a legitimate scam to me, baring in mind i googled a phrase from the email and I found this:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20120504063437AAb0jgK

- Message from Scammer -
£x,xxx are ok with me Great. Let's proceed.

I hope you know the procedure. In order to process with the deal I need two things:

1. I need a valuation certificate.

It should be from a reliable site I trust. It will minimize our risks.

2. It's important for us to know that you domain has no problems with trademarks. Some evaluators include this option in the appraisalsal service. I need the evaluation service with the TM verification.

It's not a problem to obtain a valuation. It's a problem to find a valuation service with the trademark verification. I've found only one such service with the TM verification via web forum. Please read suggestion of other domain buyers and sellers to find out the right valuation company:

If the valuation comes higher you can change your asking price. After you send me the professional valuation with the trademark verification via email (usually it takes one day to obtain it) we'll continue.

 

[Wes1023]

Got email today from broker of Japanese client as well.

Here's a copy of the email:

Our commission is only 5%. It's divided between buyer and seller 50/50 after you get the money.

The buyer offers $55 000 USD dollars. If it's not enough please let me know and we will negotiate.

He will pay you money via Authorize Net (First German) Escrow. They support buyers from Asia and it's important for my buyer. This escrow service supports many payment methods and you will be able to receive the money easily.

Do you have a certificate for your domain? Without it his legal department won't approve the purchase. It's also required by the buyer's bank.

The certificate must include the following things to be accepted by my buyer and his bank:

The certificate must include the following things to be accepted by my buyer and his bank:
- Copy of the certificate in Japanese (required by the buyer's bank).
- Ownership verification (the certification agency must confirm you are a legal owner).
- Trademark infringement verification (the buyer does not want to lose the domain after purchase because it has problems with trademarks).
- The domain must not be pledged or sold to third parties (verification of restrictions).
- The certificate must be up to date (issued during last 30 days)
- The certification agency must be authorized by my buyer and his bank.

You can read about certification agency that's accepted by his bank and supports a copy in Japanese at Google Answers: (link removed for security purposes) (I've made short form of the long Google Answers link. “Domain Broker” is my nickname).

No risk for you: they provide full money back guarantee if you don't sell your domain within 15 days.

The process is very easy (you can do everything online in several minutes):

1. Go to the certificate agency site accepted by my client and order the certificate. The service recommended at Google Answers is accepted by the buyer's bank (they support Japanese and English languages). It guarantees us a smooth and fast transaction.

2. If they approve your request please make the payment. The certificate will be sent to your email within several hours. Send the certificate to me and we will start the sale process the same day.

If you are new to the certification process or unsure which certification agency to use, I can help you with the step by step instructions how to order a proper certificate online.

 

[Sulabh Sharma]

No doubt! 100% scam.

 

[rockstardomains.com]

I instantly smelt something fishy when he changed currency of the deal from £ to Euros, lowered the valuation himself, and then agreed on the price himself :lol:

---------- Post added at 12:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:21 PM ----------

[email protected]

Add it to your blacklist/ignore guys

 

[rockstardomains.com]

Exactly if they are hassling you over email and ever want any extra valuation/proof of price through shabby appraisal sites then you know they are trying to scam you.

 

[Ted.T]

Scam! Stay away from him!
This are appraisal f**ing scammers!

 

[SK1990]

Scammer.

 

[lothos]

agreed, appraisal scam. Buyer can get his own appraisal if he wants one.

 

[rockstardomains.com]

Haha, thanks guys! :bah:

Could just tell, had that feeling..

Im pretty sure I am supposed to appraise my own domain that I am selling, hence the buy-it-now price :lol:

 

[zapdaddy]

Same appraisal scam has been popping up year after year for as long as there has been domains.

 

[infmoney]

Appraisal scam.... We have all received one of these at one time or another. I haven't been bothered with one for a long time though.

 

[FPForum]

LOL..the domain in this guys email is a TM violation itself.

Yes, total scam.

 

[wonderfulsites]

The same guy emailed me lol.

I mean who would have an email address linux.... I dont know many people named after operating systems...what a scam!

Sent via Android

 

[vckc4ever]

Appraisal scam, expect you to pay for the appraisal services (whom maybe belongs to his/her buddy).

If a buyer wants an appraisal, he/she should get the name appraised and pay for him/herself.

Otherwise, forget about the request.

 

[nicolai0208]

Oh, I know ... same me ...an email from like that linux.hosting....
Scam, he say want to buy my domain with $6,000.
I know him before. So I just say: Ok let's make offer at Sedo.com
If not want to buy, please don't bother me.
And he don't say any thing more

 

[humbertocarv]

i got similar mail yesterday will update my conversation soon when i am allowed to post links on here

 

[dnk]

Have received a similar request from a buyer who was willing to pay a very price for the domain name.

 

[Yeshe]

same here

 

[S8Power]

All I can say is watch out, the same story over here. Their website looks very fancy and builds trust. I noticed the website they referred to was only a few weeks old and therefore I did not trust it.
They e-mail x domainowners and hope some percentage will go for the appraisal x 150 bucks ....

 

[London555]

This is more than likely a scam. Do not even answer this guys emails UNLESS he/she puts 50% of the money into Escrow.com non refundable. It's not up to you to prove anything re TM etc to this buyer. this has SCAM written all over it. Any questions PM if you need some help. Good luck and remember-don't even answer the emails.

 

[Md.Monuruzzaman Milon]

Thanks a lot today I've got a same email 1st I have trusted this mailed.

 

[SES]

Thank for this guys, I just got an email from one myself.

 

[Sepia Marketing]

Well, I feel I have officially arrived because I just got one of these emails as well. I knew it was bogus but like that I can confirm with these NP posts. Too bad, sure would have loved the 15,000 to 20,000 dollars for my domain!

 

[sloansy]

Just got the email last week for the first time ever...glad this post is here, saved me!

 

[DnEbook]

An oldy but a goodie .........avoid

 

[Olayinka Oladele]

Put it in the trash quickly