Package deal offer - Advice needed!

[cmason]

Hey everyone,

I'm running a little high on adrenaline, but it may be unfounded. I had an email earlier today regarding interest in one of my domains and a list of others I had to offer. I just received another reply with an offer of $15K USD for 5 domains.

The bad part, from what I have learned so far, is that the email contained this:

"Have you had your domain names evaluated in the past? I mean domain appraisals. Without valuation we cannot be sure in the sale price. It's very important for me in terms of reselling too. But we must engage a valuation company with REAL manual service. So I will only accept valuations from independent sources I and my partners trust.

To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies.


If, for example, the valuation comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. It will be fair. I also hope you can give me 12% - 15% discount."

Now, I have read that this may signal something bad, but I am unsure. What should be my next step? I am prepared to counter offer, but what is the deal with the appraisal need? If they were spending this much you would think they would have already appraised the domains themselves.

PLEASE ADVISE!!

Thank you,

Cole

 

[DN BROKER]

its a domain appraisal scam!

 

[cmason]

Thanks for the quick response!

That sucks...live and learn I suppose. Should I respond to their email saying that I won't do the appraisal or just leave it without replying?

 

[MT Domains]

I led the scumbag who does these appraisal scams on for about 3 weeks... So, if you have some free time... I'd recommend messing with the guy a bit to make him think you are falling for his scam.

Towards the end of the time I was messing with him, I was telling him I was trying to do the appraisal, but his site was broken. I included some screenshots of various webserver errors to make look like I was actually having trouble.

Unfortunately I didn't get the info out of him I was trying to get (his paypal email address, and some other info), but I did get his IP address (he's from Russia), wasted a ton of his time, and I'm pretty sure I made his blood pressure rise quite a bit

 

[cmason]

That's epic! I will definitely have to have a little fun with this. I suppose that there a couple of good things I can take from this experience, (1) someone knew my site was for sale and (2) I have learned not to get too excited!

 

[Burano]

I wouldn't waste your own time with wasting his...just delete it. I think egging him on just makes him continue...

 

[cmason]

I ended up sending a pretty polite email saying that I would not pay out for an appraisal but they could feel free to do so themselves and visit my auctions if they so wish.