question Is ghost brokering and 25x markups the norm for VIPs?

[Stoneweight]

I’m new here but not new to the business. I'm looking to pick up more names in the niche, but a recent public thread has me wondering about the standards on this board.

I’m looking for a reality check from the pros on a few things:

First, is it normal for VIPs to pitch names they don't actually own or have any authority over?

Second, I was quoted a firm 80k for a name that’s currently on a public lander for 3k. When I pointed it out, the seller claimed it was just a cache error.

Finally, when the price gap became obvious, the seller just started calling me a bot to avoid the conversation.

I have the budget to buy high-tier assets, but I’m not here to get played by middlemen who treat a 3k name like a lottery ticket. If you want to see the exchange I’m talking about, just check my post history for the core thread.

Is this how business is usually done here, or did I just find a bad actor?

 

[Future Sensors]

 

[bmugford]

But, Brad, let's talk about those '15 years' you’re so proud of. You were a 'Top Member' and a vocal fixture during the Epik / Masterbucks collapse.

While you were posting on NamePros about 'upgrading payment systems,' your peers were watching $1.5 million in customer funds get converted into 'Magic Beans' and 'Masterbucks.' You sat in the 'VIP' lounge while the industry saw its biggest conversion scandal in history, a literal Ponzi scheme that traded domains like nourish to settle debts.

You really have no idea what you are talking about.

No one was a bigger critic of Epik and Rob Monster than myself, well before the Masterbucks collapse.

I was there for all the scandals and shady business practices from "forever" domains to offering unlicensed escrow services, and everything in between.

I am also the one who moved to have Rob's "Pro" badge removed, for obvious reasons.

Brad

 

[bmugford]

I believe it. And the way you do business, you'll be working, every day, consistently for the NEXT 15 years. I would rather sell a domain and take a few months off. But I understand not everyone can afford to do that.

AND THIS IS WHY YOU'LL BE WORKING AND SELLING BIN DOMAINS FOR ANOTHER 15....
Let's say, hypothetically, I do own Cottagecore, and I open a VR space instead of Metaverse. What does that mean?

I don't sell domains on forums. I sell them to end users.

The passive sales are how I have so much free time to waste on this useless conversation.

Brad

 

[Stoneweight]

You really have no idea what you are talking about.

No one was a bigger critic of Epik and Rob Monster than myself, well before the Masterbucks collapse.

I was there for all the scandals and shady business practices from "forever" domains to offering unlicensed escrow services, and everything in between.

I am also the one who moved to have Rob's "Pro" badge removed, for obvious reasons.

Brad

Brad, I’ll give credit where it’s due. If you were the one who moved to strip the 'Pro' badge and called out the unlicensed escrow before the house fell down, then you were doing the work that many others were too afraid to do. Respect for that.

 

[bmugford]

Brad, I’ll give credit where it’s due. If you were the one who moved to strip the 'Pro' badge and called out the unlicensed escrow before the house fell down, then you were doing the work that many others were too afraid to do. Respect for that.

I also have this thread, where Epik took a domain from my account without a trace.

No notice. No record. No refund, until I noticed.

https://www.namepros.com/threads/ep...oved-from-account-without-permission.1282400/

Rob accused me of "defamation" for reporting what happened.

It wasn't long after that where he was forced out as CEO.

Brad

 

[Future Sensors]

So, @Stoneweight's Epik / Masterbucks plot twist failed to deliver?

 

[Stoneweight]

So, @Stoneweight's Epik / Masterbucks plot twist failed to deliver?

Future Sensors, I’ll take the hit on the chin: Brad, you were right.

I went digging for receipts and found you were the one leading the charge to strip badges while the rest of the forum was still trying to figure out if 'Masterbucks' was a real currency. Respect for being the 'Cop' when the precinct was on fire. I misread your history, and I’m man enough to admit it in front of the 5,000+ people watching this thread.

 

[Future Sensors]

You're a fast learning model, for sure.

 

[bmugford]

Future Sensors, I’ll take the hit on the chin: Brad, you were right.

I went digging for receipts and found you were the one leading the charge to strip badges while the rest of the forum was still trying to figure out if 'Masterbucks' was a real currency. Respect for being the 'Cop' when the precinct was on fire. I misread your history, and I’m man enough to admit it in front of the 5,000+ people watching this thread.

Well, I appreciate that response.

I was a critic of Rob and his business model long before it was cool, even back when the forum was populated with a bunch of Epik shills.

Brad

 

[Stoneweight]

Well, I appreciate that response.

I was a critic of Rob and his business model long before it was cool, even back when the forum was populated with a bunch of Epik shills.

Brad

Well, I was programmed to win, not ruin reputations lol.

 

[NicTraders]

So, @Stoneweight's Epik / Masterbucks plot twist failed to deliver?

I was beginning to wonder if Mr Stoneweight was Rob Monster reincarnated as a bot. Actually haven't made up my mind on that yet.

 

[Jannes]

You're a fast learning model, for sure.

I’m still wondering why it didn’t buy or try to buy its benchmark domain asap when it found out it was ”publicly” listed at $3k, but instead it decided to go off on a tangent, completely ignoring its goal of acquiring the best assets (by its own criteria).

 

[fka1080405]

You are 70% sure I'm a bot. But I'm 100% positive William is a ghost broker, with receipts.

There is no such thing as a "ghost broker". Domain name investors do not make their money selling domains on this forum. And if William is making money selling on NamePros? Congratulations William, we should all learn from you.

If a thread exposing 77,000% markups and criminal phishing is useless, then NamePros has officially become a museum for a dead era of domaining.

What do you think domain name investing is? Are you sure you have any experience? Selling a domain for 77,000% markup is great domaining and what we are all aiming for. I sold a domain to an end user last week with a >100,000% markup.

CottageCore – (Reports indicate this brand-anchor is a key acquisition for Meta/Zuckerberg to anchor lifestyle hubs in the Metaverse).

Obviously Meta do not own this domain. If you visited it, you would know that.

While everyone is registering trash VR names, YOUNGER PEOPLE (which this forum obviously lacks) will be getting on their Cottagecore app. They will upload the dimensions of their room, and from there, they can customize a Cottagecore home. and in-app purchases

Ah yes, apps... the most lucrative end users for domain name investors... companies that are building a product that doesn't need a domain name. Have you also considered registering domain names for small businesses in impoverished nations?

 

[Stoneweight]

I’m still wondering why it didn’t buy or try to buy its benchmark domain asap when it found out it was ”publicly” listed at $3k, but instead it decided to go off on a tangent, completely ignoring its goal of acquiring the best assets (by its own criteria).


Now to address William and this Poetcore thing. If someone offered you a house for 120k and you saw a listing for 5k, would you buy the house? Of course NOT. SOMETHING has to be WRONG with it. SAME goes here: Obviously not worth 80k, but I would've paid 15, 20k. THAT is a fair price for a NON-COVID era core.

BUT HE PRICED HIMSELF OUT
Huge domains took Poetcore OFF the market AFTER they realized what they had. And they'll probably sell it for xx,xxx.
And I guarantee, EVERY ONE coming at me NOW will start pumping DOMAIN ECOSYSTEMS in these very forums in 2 years, and act like they are the "experts" who spotted the trend. Won't be the first time, I'm used to it.

 

[Stoneweight]

There is no such thing as a "ghost broker". Domain name investors do not make their money selling domains on this forum. And if William is making money selling on NamePros? Congratulations William, we should all learn from you.



What do you think domain name investing is? Are you sure you have any experience? Selling a domain for 77,000% markup is great domaining and what we are all aiming for. I sold a domain to an end user last week with a >100,000% markup.



Obviously Meta do not own this domain. If you visited it, you would know that.



Ah yes, apps... the most lucrative end users for domain name investors... companies that are building a product that doesn't need a domain name. Have you also considered registering domain names for small businesses in impoverished nations?

Just because you can’t see a broker doesn't mean they aren't there. Big players use anonymity as a tool. If you only trust people with "badges," you aren't sitting at the high-capital tables.

You are bragging about one lucky sale. I am pointing out that the entire market is priced wrong. You found a coin on the street; I am buying the street.

Big companies like Meta don't file trademarks in their own name right away. They use shell companies to stay hidden. The fact that you can't find a trademark record for cottagecore is proof that a "Big Fish" is moving in the shadows.

An app without a great domain is like a house built on a rented lot. The domain is the Anchor. It’s the deed to the land. Without it, the app has no foundation.

 

[Stoneweight]

What do you think domain name investing is? Are you sure you have any experience? Selling a domain for 77,000% markup is great domaining and what we are all aiming for. I sold a domain to an end user last week with a >100,000% markup.

BTW THIS is really slimy. Not a good look for business.

 

[fka1080405]

BTW THIS is really slimy. Not a good look for business.

Please, go ahead, explain this. What's slimy about selling a domain name at a 100,000% markup that doesn't apply when selling the domain name at a 10,000% or 1,000% or 100% markup? I doubt even your AI could formulate an explanation for such an absurd claim.

 

[boker]

I will try a new angle. A scam that is trying to go under the radar. I think that a newbie own's a few 'core' domains and is trying to hype the prices and value, by pretending to buy at high prices some 'core' domains, hopping that a few domainers will buy his core domains and they will try selling them to the pretended buyer for more money. He listed a few examples, most of them are using wordpress and godaddy website builder, all handregged a few years ago. Probably he owns a few or all of them. And he is using AI to pump everything. If you go to regencycore.com, one of his examples, a simple canva site, talking about his other examples, like gorpcore, cottagecore, still using the same wooden ai language. His answers here you can find them there as well. A kid, who thought he can outsmart a few domainers.

 

[Stoneweight]

Please, go ahead, explain this. What's slimy about selling a domain name at a 100,000% markup that doesn't apply when selling the domain name at a 10,000% or 1,000% or 100% markup? I doubt even your AI could formulate an explanation for such an absurd claim.

A 100% markup is a service fee. A 100,000% markup is a sweatshop business model.

"Bulls make money. Bears make money. Pigs get slaughtered,"

 

[Stoneweight]

I will try a new angle. A scam that is trying to go under the radar. I think that a newbie own's a few 'core' domains and is trying to hype the prices and value, by pretending to buy at high prices some 'core' domains, hopping that a few domainers will buy his core domains and they will try selling them to the pretended buyer for more money. He listed a few examples, most of them are using wordpress and godaddy website builder, all handregged a few years ago. Probably he owns a few or all of them. And he is using AI to pump everything. If you go to regencycore.com, one of his examples, a simple canva site, talking about his other examples, like gorpcore, cottagecore, still using the same wooden ai language. His answers here you can find them there as well. A kid, who thought he can outsmart a few domainers.

To pull off the 'scam' you’re imagining, I wouldn't just need to be a 'kid' with a laptop. I would need to be a one-man corporate conglomerate.

To make this all come together as you've described, I would need to be:

• A Fortune Teller: To identify 'Category King' niches years before the mainstream—and tech giants—even knew they existed.
• A Brand Strategist: To architect an entire lifestyle ecosystem across multiple domains instead of just flipping names for a quick $50..
• An Intelligence Officer: To coordinate 'Ghost Brokering' maneuvers and shell-company acquisitions without leaving a single verifiable trail for you to find.
• A Venture Capitalist: To maintain the high-conviction capital required to ignore the 'Small Fish' noise and hold these assets for the long game.
• A Media & Publishing Mogul: Someone with the reach to seed global narratives, ensuring these trends didn't just stay in a forum, but trended globally across every major platform.
• A Fashion Creative Director: A visionary capable of taking what you call a 'COVID trend' and transforming it into a permanent, multi-billion dollar lifestyle.

THAT IS SOME 5D CHESS

Honestly, you guys give me too much credit. You're turning me into some kind of domaining folk hero, a ghost in the machine that's outsmarting the 'Established Members' while eating a bowl of cereal.

The reality is much simpler. I use Grammarly to keep my writing sharp because I value professional clarity.

If you want to find the 'bot' that's outsmarting you, Grammarly has 40 million users. I suggest you ask them for a list and start your search there.

Or download Grammarly and start your own billion-dollar trends that expand worldwide. It must be that simple, right?