What's your take on this email?

[allinternet]

I have a bunch of names parked at Sedo. Just got an email from a self-described "domain investor" who's interested in one of them, but says he prefers not to go through domain brokers. Wants me to email him my asking price.

Since it wouldn't cost him anything to buy through Sedo, I don't know why he'd be avoiding that. Makes me suspect he's less than up-and-up, but maybe he's just expressing a dislike for brokers that's more prevalent than I realize.

He did ask if I have a PayPal account.

What's your take on this kind of email?

Thanks,
Tom

Added: because of another email I got I did a search here for "domain name scams" and this guy's name turned up in one of the threads! What a great resource this board is!

 

[arpmn]

You should post who he is so no one gets burned. A deadbeat list.

 

[pelican]

Scam.
His next letter will ask you to appraise your domain.

I think this time his name is Andrew Chapman.
Previously, Anthony Griffin. And several more.

 

[Wanda]

Reply to his email with an asking price & give him his payment options. Play it out, and see what happens.. ya never know, it may be legit. If it is NOT.. then you'll know right quick, after he replies, that is.. if he requests that you "Jump through more hoops" in order to close the deal.

Keep us informed..

 

[Chosen]

I also got emails from the same guy. I sent an offer.
Lets see what happend

 

[allinternet]

http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5474&highlight=domain+name+scams

 

[Chosen]

oh yeah they are working to get me
now I got e-mail from everydayincome.com

claiming that people are looking for domainsname willing to pay up to 20000 $

 

[bensontwenty]

Originally posted by Badabom

claiming that people are looking for domainsname willing to pay up to 20000 $

offer to sell it to him right now as a one time only deal for $15000 - then he can go on and sell it for the $20k - that should show whether he is serious or not. If he asks you to get an appraisal, then tell him

''no need - you said you already have a buyer for $20k!!''

:hehe:

but under no ciscumstances pay for an appraisal.

looking forward to hearing his answer to your offer

 

[Chosen]

hehe
Thats a good one...

 

[Terry]

Read the thread that was posted above. I just read it. This sounds like the guy with the [email protected] address. If I get any from this guy, I'll just send a note back explaining that I have heard of his "business" on the forums and would appreciate it if he would not contact me again.

 

[RJ]

Righto, it's part of the scam. The response you'll get back will be a letter expressing how interested he is in the name, but he wants to see an appraisal on the name first.

 

[pelican]

This guy send me again.
And ask for appraisal again.
And of cause, i reply him to pay for the appraisal again.

 

[Chosen]

Here it goes:

I don't want to overpay. Do you have an appraisal certificate for your name? I need an independent and professional valuation. Please note that I don't trust free or unprofessional appraisals. I don't want to overpay. It can be an appraisal certificate from www.greatdomains.com or www.domainsultan.com or hollywooddomains.com. It does not matter because I trust all these companies.

After I receive your appraisal I can send you money via PayPal then.
Escrow.com provide a good escrow service we can use.

Looking forward to your reply.

Best Regards,

Andrew Chapman


His email: [email protected]

 

[pelican]

Exactly, the same mail.

 

[identity_00]

Make it the buyers responsibility.
Or dont even waste your time.

No matter what - tell him what a scam this is and everyone knows it.

 

[NickRac]

good thing you did your research, congrats

 

[GTech]

I've received these same emails. I got my first one after (like a dummy) listing a domain for auction on ebay. Hadn't even been to a domain seller site prior to that, so I'm sure he got it from there.

Same names. I sent him back links to some sites that talked about him trying to convince unsuspecting people to get appraisals at one of his sites. Never heard back from him. Got the one from everydayincome too.

 

[RJ]

This company needs to have a lawsuit filed against them for deceptive practicies. How about reporting the scam to the FTC?

 

[armstrong]

Why don't you go for it, Ron? You're in a very good position to provide evidence, being head NP and all.

 

[g0ldy]

So the guy owns the apprasal services? and gets people scammed into paying them?