.tv Letter from Russia... wind-up, scam, or what?

[GoneWalkabout]

I received a letter this week which went as follows...

I live in Russia. I want to make a web-project to address pro.tv. For Russians, the domain name "pro.tv" sounds like "about television." Please sell me this domain name for my project - this project is very important to me.

I can not pay you now, some big money, but I can pay you after the start of the project for 500 USD each month for 5 years (60 months).


Naturally, I am quite sceptical so thought I would see if anyone here had ever had a similar letter or what peopel thought might be the angle.

Also, should the letter be genuine, can anyone suggest a successful method in which I could still retain the name, but allow this person to use it..

Thanks all.

 

[Kate]

Another 'desperate' end user. I don't see anything wrong with that.
Perhaps he can try DomainCapital if funding is a problem.

 

[SKG]

Have a domain attorney create a lease agreement whereby the attorney holds the domain in escrow or whatever best method the attorney may suggest. You can work with the attorney to stipulate the uses and terms of use for the domain and any penalties or forfeiture associated with nonpayment or breach of contract. Of course all this costs monies and not knowing if the buyer/leaser's intention to follow through is a mighty risk.

 

[mwzd]

Just change the nameservers to his hosting. After five years when you have been paid in full, transfer the domain to them.

If they expect you to trust them to pay $500 / mo, they can surely trust you to transfer the domain after said period.

Alternative is to have an attorney create an escrow trust account and go that route, but the startup costs would be substantial and not worth risking if this person defaults after a couple of months.

 

[freedom30]

I received a letter this week which went as follows...

I live in Russia. I want to make a web-project to address pro.tv. For Russians, the domain name "pro.tv" sounds like "about television." Please sell me this domain name for my project - this project is very important to me.

I can not pay you now, some big money, but I can pay you after the start of the project for 500 USD each month for 5 years (60 months).


Naturally, I am quite sceptical so thought I would see if anyone here had ever had a similar letter or what peopel thought might be the angle.

Also, should the letter be genuine, can anyone suggest a successful method in which I could still retain the name, but allow this person to use it..

Thanks all.

Do you know who this person is? Does his/her name appear anywhere on the internet? Has this person done other "projects" on the internet?

Or is this person really a Nigerian with a fresh, new angle to bilk you?

More questions need to be answered before I would even bother with counting my unhatched chickens. Get to work and do some investigating.

 

[twomoon]

Changing NSs is the best suggestion.
I'm from the former USSR and I will never believe any person from my region, when this person suggesting to pay after

 

[noy.com]

the way a website is run can cause problems for the owner of the domain (e.g. if there are copyright etc. violations). Since it is "about TV" and it is from Russia, I'd assume there will be some videos etc. So, don't agree with just NS transfer as well.

 

[Makis.TV]

i wouldnt do it, ask for his best offer

 

[.Netizen]

Yes, in russian it sounds good - "about.TV".
But I don't believe, someone from Russia will offer 30k for this name without bargaining...
Likely it is scam.
Use a Leasing and transfer domain after you get full sum.
Good luck.

 

[maxeaus]

They have banks in Russia last time i checked, ask him to take out a loan and buy it.

I wouldnt waste any money or time doing a leasing deal or whatever, either he pays now or not.

If not ,move on.

 

[garptrader]

Sounds like a scam attempt - I would just respond not interested...

 

[Robin]

Never seen this before but must be a scam. $500 pm..hmmm.

 

[*AllThings.tv*]

I received a letter this week which went as follows...

I live in Russia. I want to make a web-project to address pro.tv. For Russians, the domain name "pro.tv" sounds like "about television." Please sell me this domain name for my project - this project is very important to me.

I can not pay you now, some big money, but I can pay you after the start of the project for 500 USD each month for 5 years (60 months).


Naturally, I am quite sceptical so thought I would see if anyone here had ever had a similar letter or what peopel thought might be the angle.

Also, should the letter be genuine, can anyone suggest a successful method in which I could still retain the name, but allow this person to use it..

Thanks all.

Jimbo,

I just did this for one of my premium names dot tv names. The proper format is an installment sale contract. Like others said, the agreement should provide that the domain's legal ownership does not transfer unless and until the last payment is made on the due date.

 

[GoneWalkabout]

Thanks everyone for you advice and input - I have not been here for a good few weeks so it is much appreciated.

The sender did provide details as to who he was but I thought it prudent to leave them out of this discussion.

I have little interest in a lease deal of this nature at this price, especially as the name itself is one of the few three-letter names that is not a premium AND already has around 4000 type-ins a month. However, I am always up for listening to the ideas of others and the notion of a lease deal did get me wondering what the best method to make it successful would be.

I recall JohnTV leasing E.tv and know that didn't get beyond a year. The legal paperwork alone must ensure that the deal is solid, workable, and viable.

My thinking is that for the amount of effort it would take in setting up the deal is not worth it
- add to this the fact that if a person doesn't have the means to buy it now then they may never be likely to at any time
- if they were truly committed they would secure the finance separately and BUY outright to secure their own tenure of the name
- it is just too speculative a project
- also it is a deal between people from countries that do not have the greatest of reciprocal legal respect (UK/Russia)

BUT for future use the idea of working out the best lease agreement (or more likely lease to buy agreement) between parties from more stable legal set-ups is of considerable interest.

Thanks once again for all your help

 

[domainacrobat]

So its too much trouble for $30,000 USD


Am I missing something?

 

[noy.com]

30K for over 60 months is not quite the same as 30K today.

If you do discounting, it is more like 15K.

There also would be some costs associated with legal framework and administering the transaction.

 

[snoop]

So its too much trouble for $30,000 USD


Am I missing something?

Agree, if genuine this sounds like a very good deal.

---------- Post added at 04:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:08 AM ----------

AND already has around 4000 type-ins a month.

How much actual revenue is it making?

My thinking is that for the amount of effort it would take in setting up the deal is not worth it
- add to this the fact that if a person doesn't have the means to buy it now then they may never be likely to at any time
- if they were truly committed they would secure the finance separately and BUY outright to secure their own tenure of the name
- it is just too speculative a project
- also it is a deal between people from countries that do not have the greatest of reciprocal legal respect (UK/Russia)

BUT for future use the idea of working out the best lease agreement (or more likely lease to buy agreement) between parties from more stable legal set-ups is of considerable interest.

Thanks once again for all your help

Imagine if that is how people saw it when someone wants to buy a car or house?

"If this guy doesn't have the cash for the whole purchase price now",
"Surely he'd get finance from a bank if he were serious",
"His idea for developing the land sounds risky".

You are talking yourself out of a potentially very good deal I think.

For the others saying don't bother in this thread how many have a .tv domain making $6000/per year?

 

[Inmarko]

Changing NSs is the best suggestion.
I'm from the former USSR and I will never believe any person from my region, when this person suggesting to pay after

I agree with you

 

[code_geass]

it sounds like antonio banderas for me.... haha, i suggest you not to reply anymore to him! i also received one once but offered me an adult site.. but not from russia, its from US... spam usually starts with those "I cant pay you...."

 

[GoneWalkabout]

Thanks for the advice everyone - much appreciated.

I decided NOT to take any interest.