domain I need advice on handling an offer

[function0]

hi namepros,

I had an offer made via email on my old domain I recently had put up for auction last week. I didn't have any watchers or any visitors to my auction page but a couple days later someone wrote that he was interested in buying the domain.

my auction was starting at $4,500 for "need4lightspeed.com" . . .

I was kinda surprised and replied asking him to make an offer and also where he found out it was for sale. He didn't respond right away so today I wrote back asking him if he was still interested.

I noticed a few hours later he had replied with an offer of no more than $10,000!!!

He seemed sincere and stated he wanted to have the domain name appraised first so that he doesn't rip himself off. He gave me some reasons for why he must have it independently evaluated and also some options for payment including escrow and paypal.

Okay, I'm excited because I was offering the domain on auction for $4,500 once and then $450 the second time. So, ten grand is a good offer as far I'm concerned.

How should I go about reaching a final price closer to $10,000 than $4,500?

If the appraiser says $2,000 I'm making a profit but I think he would be getting a steal.

Should I spend $$$ on an independent appraiser just to get a lower estimated value?

As of right now I'm just pondering possibilities but I want to start finding a way to get this appraised for more rather than less than he is offering. I know it seems strange to be asking this here but I haven't come across any offers like this before. I can't wait to see what you think.

thanks

 

[Ipdster]

Whatever you do, do not pay for an appraisal.... Under any circumstance. Good luck!

 

[El Bandolero]

You sure this is not one of those appraisal scams?

 

[enki]

Sounds to me, based on what you said, like a typical appraisal scam. I'm sure the buyer is going to recommend a few different sites, some of which you've heard of, and one or two that you haven't. Then over the course of a few emails, he will slowly reject the known and valid ones for various stupid reasons, until finally he gets you to agree to use the fake ones. After you pay the fees, you will never hear from him again*.









*until you win the Nigerian Lottery.

 

[wot]

If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, looks like a duck- chances are it's a duck. :gl:

APPRAISAL SCAM

 

[koelkast]

Obviously a scam , sorry mate
I have received a couple of emails like yours , so i can tell you that this is a scam for sure.
Next step is that he would like the domain to be appraised at an appraisal service of HIS choice.
Send him an email back that your domain is on auction and that he must get his own appraisal (normally the buyer pays for an appraisal , not the seller , except if he wants to make a fair price) and that the costs he makes for your domain will be subtracted on your price. If its a "real buyer" then he can make an offer at your auction , but im sure you will get no replies

For what its worth the name itself is worth reg fee imo , so x,xxx or xx,xxx is way too much.....

Good luck

 

[ssamriga]

I feel bad for people who haven't heard of the appraisal scam and are really happy to receive a high offer

 

[gilescoley]

Its definately a scam, ignore the email

The name is not worth $5, so its pretty obvious this is a joke

 

[shig]

Tell him you will sell it to him for 50 dollars if he forgets the appraisal...
also can you list the appraisal services he recommends?

 

[enki]

Tell him you will sell it to him for 50 dollars if he forgets the appraisal...
also can you list the appraisal services he recommends?

Yeah good idea. So they can be listed on a NEVER USE list.

 

[Larry Fling]

Welcome to NP!
I'd go through with the deal, lol
The domain is losable..

 

[exsedo]

If you manage to sell at more than reg fee, I would be grateful if you would choose my lottery numbers for me.
Best of luck.

By the way I am 99.9% sure this is an appraisal scam.

 

[function0]

Thanks for your advice namepros.

I have decided it is a scam. I know it is not worth $5 and every tool I used said it was valued at over $1500. I like the consistent poll results though. I was the Over $10,000 vote. I will look for the recommended appraisers he mentioned and put them up in a new post.

thanks again

 

[gilescoley]

Never use those appraisal tools, they are rubbish, rather use namepros to get some idea of the domain value

good luck