Is this a Scam?

[PowerUp]

This domain is registered in my name. Currently housed at GoDaddy.
I received an email from "[email protected]"
Is this a scam? If not, then what is the fee to me? How do I get paid?

Content is like this.
"A third party (the Buyer) using our Certified Offer Service® has made an offer to buy XXXXXXXXXX.COM. The Buyer has entered into a binding agreement with Network Solutions to use our Certified Offer Service and funds to purchase the domain name have been pre-authorized on the Buyer's credit card.



Domain Name: XXXXXXXXXX.COM
Offer Amount: $XX.00 USD
Offer Expires: May-XX-11 00:00 EDT

To accept, reject, or propose a minimum acceptable price, go to:

certifiedofferservice.com/CertifiedOffer/offer/initialOffer.do?transactionKey=XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Secured Link. Do Not Forward.

From this page, you can opt-out of receiving future offers for this or any domain name registration associated with your email address.

Certified Offer Service is a Network Solutions® service that enables customers to make an offer to buy a domain name that has already been registered.

If the offer has already expired, for a certain period of time you may ask the Buyer to reopen the offer.

Network Solutions is the first and one of the largest registrars of domain name services. Additional information about Network Solutions is available at networksolutions.com.

 

[mwzd]

Make sure the offer email comes from NetSol and don't transfer the domain before payment.

But this looks like a genuine netsol certified offer and yes, it is a legitimate program.

Good Luck

 

[TheBaldOne]

By the looks of the offer, $XX stated, the offer could be substantially increased under negotiation, remember that the buyer is paying for their service. Just how it struck me.

Good luck.

 

[PowerUp]

Thanks for letting me know. This is the first time I get this kind of offer from Netsol. I was skeptical because the link leads to another domain instead of networksolutions.com. I've made a counteroffer and will wait and see how this goes. Thanks again.

Make sure the offer email comes from NetSol and don't transfer the domain before payment.

But this looks like a genuine netsol certified offer and yes, it is a legitimate program.

Good Luck

By the looks of the offer, $XX stated, the offer could be substantially increased under negotiation, remember that the buyer is paying for their service. Just how it struck me.

Good luck.

 

[Kate]

If it comes from netsol, it's legit. I once sold a name for 3K through this service. I believe netsol use tracking links (to see if you received the mail and clicked the link).
Be aware that unlike Sedo, there is no room for back and forth negotiation, it's pretty much like this:

• initial offer
• counter-offer
• accept/deny

Also... be aware that Netsol will send you a check in the mail, for the full amount. If you are not a US resident, verify your bank can clear those US checks without levying outlandish fees.
Good luck.

 

[PowerUp]

Thanks for letting me know how it works.
Wouldn't the buyer be able to re-initiate a new offer if he doesn't like my counter offer?

If it comes from netsol, it's legit. I once sold a name for 3K through this service. I believe netsol use tracking links (to see if you received the mail and clicked the link).
Be aware that unlike Sedo, there is no room for back and forth negotiation, it's pretty much like this:

• initial offer
• counter-offer
• accept/deny

Also... be aware that Netsol will send you a check in the mail, for the full amount. If you are not a US resident, verify your bank can clear those US checks without levying outlandish fees.
Good luck.

 

[tricolorro]

Thanks for letting me know how it works.
Wouldn't the buyer be able to re-initiate a new offer if he doesn't like my counter offer?

Yes but the buyer would have to pay NetSol's fee again to make a new offer.

The fee is $19 for offers under $25,000.

 

[DOTT]

I suggest you use sedo to handle

 

[tricolorro]

I suggest you use sedo to handle

DOTT

You can't use SEDO to handle an offer coming thru NetSol's Certified Offer Service.

NetSol is making an offer to the domain owner on behalf of the buyer.

The domain owner does not know who the buyer is.

 

[PowerUp]

Thank you everybody for your advice. I have accepted the Buyers offer. Low $xxx.

I've got a question now. Netsol advised me to change the registrant name as this will be the Payee's name on the cheque. So I updated my registrant's info. Now this domain is housed at GoDaddy. And GD prohibits transfer of Domain within 60 days of update. So,... will this cause a problem in the transfer from GD to Netsol?

 

[Kate]

Indeed you have three days to make sure the registrant info is accurate and up to date.
Perhaps you or Netsol will have to call GD and ask for the 'lock' to be lifted then. I believe it depends on which kind of info is updated, if you didn't touch the admin E-mail maybe it will be okay but I would leave a note to Netsol just in case.