Is this for real?

[redtophank]

I got an email from someone "interested" in one of my domains. Seemed for real, but I remembered hearing something about not trusting a certain kind of email where they ask for a certified appraisal from certain companies, or something like that. Anyways, this is the first email I received:



FROM: TG Software ([email protected])
SUBJECT: sexseek.us
-------------------------------------------------------

Hello,

We are interested in your domain for sale.

Please submit your price for consideration.

Our company is involved in software development/support business.

Now domain invetsing/reselling is just an additional direction of our investment strategy.

Looking forward to do business with you.

Regards,
Brian Meredith
President
TG Software

--------------------------END OF FIRST EMAIL------------------


I replied basically saying I had an offer already for $1,700 (with a couple of other lower ones) and that I'd let him make his own judgment with an offer.

Just got the next reply from him, and it says:


FROM: Meredith ([email protected])
-------------------------------------------------------

Justin,

Sorry for delay with reply. I was celebrating newborn child of my sister.

Now let's discuss our deal.

Can you accept 2,800 USD?

Do you sell domain with a web site or just name?

If just name it's ok. Web site is not necessary.

Have you had your domains appraised already? Can you show me your valuation certificates? As fas I know it's a common practice to show appraisal of domain name (even without traffic and web site) before doing business.

Without appraisal I risk to overpay. In other words I won't be able to make a profit on reselling this name. It's very important for you and me to know the current market value of your domains.

Of course, we must be sure that you are engaging an appraisal company with REAL manual service. I heard many appraisal companies often made inaccurate auto-generated appraisals. I will only accept appraisals from independent sources I trust. To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies in a forum

http://domaintalk.ourplace.com/Archive/857391.htm

Just check this posting.

If the appraisal comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. I also hope you can give me 10% - 15% discount of the appraised value.

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

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

Hope we can come to an agreement fast.

Looking forward to your reply.
--------------------------------------END

Can anyone help me? Is this for real?

Thanks,
Justin

 

[cassius]

scam

 

[mkylut]

Definitely a scam!

 

[xXDanteXx]

^^ second that

 

[italiandragon]

already from the first message, I can tell you is a scam, I got one last week similar.

When they say something like:

"Now domain invetsing/reselling is just an additional direction of our investment strategy."

Then 99 % is a scam.

 

[-NC-]

definitely a scam.

Tip:

google the domain in the from address:
http://www.google.com/search?q=toughguy.net

1st result: NamePros thread in "warnings and alerts" :bingo:

 

[redtophank]

Alright, thanks so much. This is what's bothering me, though.... HOW is it a scam? Like, what are they trying to do? What benefits them from this?

Just really curious. Thanks!

 

[Kenny]

They own the appraisal service or are an affiliate.
After the appraisal you never hear from them again.

Cy

 

[redtophank]

Haha. That's insane. And sad.

Thanks so much for the heads up. I couldn't survive in this business without you all.

 

[Silhouette]

"they" like to attack newly regg'ed names.
got one of those too earlier

scam

 

[DnEbook]

they get a comission of getting you to get an apprasial ........scam yes

 

[redtophank]

Oh I didn't do the appraisal. Thank God.

 

[Krossat]

100% scam.
Absolutely No Doubt.

 

[htmlindex]

Typical appraisal scam

 

[lzy]

Did you congratulate him on his sister's newborn child? :hehe:

 

[shemaine]

Did you congratulate him on his sister's newborn child? :hehe:

:hehe: :hehe: :hehe:

 

[DomainMayhem.com]

I really, really, really wish they would make one of these appraisal scam threads a sticky!

 

[SpongyBob]

Tells you all you need to know when they offer you more than you've asked. :D

Either an automated reply, or the replier never bothered to read your message very well, which shows he/she is sending out alot of them.

 

[bricio]

tell him to pay for the appraisal and when u sell the name u give him a discount (the price of the appraisal) :hehe: :hehe: :hehe:

unfortunately it is a scam appriasal
these scam appraisals r killing
this must stop :td:

 

[cache]

toughguy.net scam