Just received the first inquiry about one of my names.

[DomainMayhem.com]

Hey guys,

I just received the very first inquiry EVER on one of my names! I'm excited, but since this is the very first one, I would love some advice. I posted in the appraisals section, got some responses, but so far no appraisals! So I'm posting here because the people in this part of the forum I've come to know and respect a great deal, and it's advice from you guys that I really want.

First, the name is 5Year(dot)com. I picked it up from a droplist a few months back. I'm a developer, so I know that I can bring even more worth to the name by giving it a really resourceful site on investing and financial planning. I haven't earned any revenue from clicks to date, but I'm still toying with keywords. Estibot appraises between $5,600-$6,200 (it fluctuates). I like it because it's one number and a short four letter dictionary word .com and involves investing and/or financial planning. I could use some money to further invest in more names and pay some bills. However, I would rather hold on to it than sell it for much less than what it's worth. I'm not desperate for the cash at this time.

Here is the email that was sent:

Hello,

We 've found your name listed for sale.

If you are still interested in seling please send your quote and I will consider it with my partners.

Main direction of our business is software development and technical support.

Domain names is not our business but a new way to earn on reselling. We are going to buy domains to resell them at higher prices since we have a large database of clients interested in good domains.

Looking forward to do business with you.

Regards,
BRIAN RIVARD
CEO
BNT Consulting

So this communication looks legit and not part of an appraisal scam. What would some of you seasoned pros do at this point? I think I would like them to make the first offer, so I can get some kind of idea as to what they might be willing to pay. Can you give an example of the response you would send if you were in my shoes? And finally, what do you think this name is worth?

Ovt is 156, frequency of search is 32,800,000, and it has 3 backlinks.

TIA for any help you can give. I may not reply right away as I've got to run an errand.

-Jenn

 

[ipodxpert]

hi DomainMayhem,

just check this link -

http://www.namepros.com/domain-name-discussion/362371-i-got-offer-one-my-domain.html

There is fellow domainer who recieved the smae email as you have recieved.

Just compare the texts of the emails. You will come to know that it is nothing but some scam.

I hope this helps.

 

[jacal1]

Sorry...it is the scam. I hope good karma strikes and you get a legit offer for 10x what they offered!

 

[TheBulldog]

It's a scam. Total scam. Sorry.

 

[DomainMayhem.com]

OK, thank you guys, much appreciated! Rep points to everyone.

 

[Michael]

Lol, sounds like the appraisal scam... look at this thread, someone else got an identical letter:

http://www.namepros.com/domain-name-discussion/362371-i-got-offer-one-my-domain.html

Good luck.

[Edit: WOW that was fast, everyone beat me to it, lol.]

 

[italiandragon]

you`re not the only one to get those mails.

I got some last year and after I replied with some "nice" words, they never sent me anything again.

 

[Kate]

It's always the same wording, just the names are different... and it's always from CEO or PhD

 

[DomainMayhem.com]

Out of morbid curiosity, I decided to email this guy and tell him I wouldn't sell the name for below $7,500. I also mentioned that the forums were onto this type of email, and that there were scammers using this method to generate appraisal sales. Here is what he wrote back:

<email>

7,500 USD. Ok.


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/681294.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.

</email>

Just thought I would post this reply for the further education of newbie domainers that haven't seen this yet.

 

[Dotmainer]

i find it genius how they respond

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

that suggests like they are really interested

 

[bricio]

i find it genius how they respond



that suggests like they are really interested

no, they arent...

it is an "appraisal scam"... they want u to appraisal ur domain where he told u to and u spend ur money and after that the "buyer" disappears

check this thread (especially post #4 - it is great)

best regards,
bricio

 

[Smiler]

I received similar letter on August 6 after I parked it at Sedo. I was actually surprised that someone inquired about my domain which I parked in less than 12 hours. I was excited about it but after checking their website I realized that it was a scam. Read the letter below and check BNTechnologies.com. Tell me what you think.


Reply
Reply to all Reply to allForward Forward Print Add BN to Contacts list Delete this message Report phishing Show original Message text garbled?
BN Technologies <[email protected]>
to me

show details
Aug 6

Hello,

We 've found your name listed for sale..

If you are still interested in seling please send your quote and I will consider it with my partners.

Main direction of our business is software development and technical support.

Domain names is not our business but a new way to earn on reselling. We are going to buy domains to resell them at higher prices since we have a large database of clients interested in good domains.

Looking forward to do business with you.

Regards,
James Driscoll
CEO
BN Technologies

============================================================================
NOTICE - This communication may contain confidential and privileged
information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by
unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message
and deleting it from your computer.

===========================================================================

 

[bricio]

I received similar letter on August 6 after I parked it at Sedo. I was actually surprised that someone inquired about my domain which I parked in less than 12 hours. I was excited about it but after checking their website I realized that it was a scam. Read the letter below and check BNTechnologies.com. Tell me what you think.


Reply
Reply to all Reply to allForward Forward Print Add BN to Contacts list Delete this message Report phishing Show original Message text garbled?
BN Technologies <[email protected]>
to me

show details
Aug 6

Hello,

We 've found your name listed for sale..

If you are still interested in seling please send your quote and I will consider it with my partners.

Main direction of our business is software development and technical support.

Domain names is not our business but a new way to earn on reselling. We are going to buy domains to resell them at higher prices since we have a large database of clients interested in good domains.

Looking forward to do business with you.

Regards,
James Driscoll
CEO
BN Technologies

============================================================================
NOTICE - This communication may contain confidential and privileged
information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by
unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message
and deleting it from your computer.

===========================================================================

hi Smiler,

the site BNTechnologies.com is a parked page (at least now GMT -3 11:15 pm im seeing like this)
the letter u received is similar to all the others that many members of NP have received and they r shown in many threads here... take a look at the link i posted above
one very good point to be observed is that these people always sign as a CEO or PhD

good luck,
regards,
bricio

 

[DomainMayhem.com]

I'm already quite aware of the scam. Just publishing the subsequent email from the scammer so that new domainers are aware of what to look for. Thanks for the input, however.

 

[italiandragon]

Just tell him to go to the HELL and stop beeing a loser. That is much more nicer that what I reply usually.

 

[del.icio.us]

Out of morbid curiosity, I decided to email this guy and tell him I wouldn't sell the name for below $7,500. I also mentioned that the forums were onto this type of email, and that there were scammers using this method to generate appraisal sales. Here is what he wrote back:

<email>

7,500 USD. Ok.


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/681294.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.

</email>

Just thought I would post this reply for the further education of newbie domainers that haven't seen this yet.

Well,
You have received an email from AllforDomains.com appraisal scammer! If you continue your correspondence in a favorable manner, then the person (scammer) will ask you to get an appraisal from AllforDomains.com.

I have filed three different cases at FBI, IC3 and BBB about AllforDomains.com Appraisal Scam.

Just Read these:
http://www.AcornDomains/domain-name-scams/6190-appraisal-scam-part-2-a.html
http://www.sedo.de/forum/index.php4?task=showthread&thread=2681&tmp=&tracked=&partnerid=&language=e

Reps appreciated!

 

[htmlindex]

Typical appraisal scam, lots of people are getting these emails these days

 

[softprog]

Well,
You have received an email from AllforDomains.com appraisal scammer! If you continue your correspondence in a favorable manner, then the person (scammer) will ask you to get an appraisal from AllforDomains.com.

I have filed three different cases at FBI, IC3 and BBB about AllforDomains.com Appraisal Scam.

Just Read these:
http://www.AcornDomains/domain-name-scams/6190-appraisal-scam-part-2-a.html
http://www.sedo.de/forum/index.php4?task=showthread&thread=2681&tmp=&tracked=&partnerid=&language=e

Reps appreciated!

Funny enough there is a page about scams there
http://www.allfordomains.com/scam.htm

 

[DomainMayhem.com]

Maybe it would be a good idea for a thread on one of these scams be made into a sticky?

 

[del.icio.us]

Hmm, Interesting ....

I've noticed that the scammers created an another niche website just like AllforDomains.com.

The new scam site is: www.SecureNameSale.com

Old website, still functioning: www.allfordomains.com

Open each website in two different tabs/browser windows to see the resemblance.


WHOIS Data for Allfordomains.com:

Domain Name: ALLFORDOMAINS.COM

Administrative Contact, Technical Contact:
Forces, Soft [email protected]
SForces
3641 Ocean Street
Hampton, NH 03842
US
509-271-0875 fax: 509-271-0875


The owner of these scam websites is screwing people everyday. All I request you to complain about these illegal sites at http://www.ic3.gov and http://www.bbb.org

Mods, could you please make this thread a sticky so that this thread would help new domainers?