Is this a scam?

You have a domain with a common string of two words, so that’s not an usual price, especially if the buyer intends to use it immediately.

With that said, demanding a appraisal from only one source seems unusual.

I’m not a lawyer, and have no desire to implicated as one, so I’ll keep this as brief as possible.

If I were in your position, I’d consider the offer, but I’d propose a written/signed contract guaranteeing payment upon receiving an appraisal from domain-words.net.

Make sure that you have everything you need to track them down if they violate the terms of the contract.

And, above all, *consult a legal professional first*.

It’s so hard to say. It seems unusual for the one and only service though. I almost feel like he works for that site trying to get people to use it for appraisals because it is so expensive, and the site seems kind of sketchy, but once again I do not know much of this stuff. I will request contract and see what he says. Thank you so much for your help, and quick response.

You’re welcome!

If anyone else has any opinions please do not hesitate to post! Thanks!

-Eric

Write back and say that you’ll accept $14,800 for the domain, and the remaining $200 of their offering price can be used by them to purchase their own certificate form the company. ??

If they agree, work with them and a reputable escrow agency. If they don’t agree, forget it. Remember, they approached you with an offer, so under normal circumstances it’s up to them to determine what the domain is worth to them.

Good idea lol. He offered between $15,000-$20,000 though, so it could be more based on appraisal. He said tell the company I have an offer of $15,000, and if they say they can’t appraise it that high, then to not pay for the service.

What would you recommend for escrow services? Apparently escrow.com is awful. And paypal is not safe because of buyer security bias. Which service would you say to avoid completely?This post could be a thread on it’s own lol.

so it could be more based on appraisal.

Appraisal by a company that you’ve never heard off that’s “required” by another entity that you’ve never heard of that’s come in with a decnet amount of $$$ to sweeten the deal and get you thinking “yes, this is real”.

And seriously, if any domain appraisal service was going to appraise the worth of a domain based on an “offer” made for it, they are using 100% incorrect metrics in the first place.

Very good point. I am using a trusted one flippa. To see what they appraise. They say within 24 hours as well, but for free.

I’ve never really had to use a domain escrow service before, but you might be getting a head of yourself.

Before anything else, you’ll have to confirm that the offer is legit.

Suggesting they purchase the appraisal (which will be pennies compared to the $20k they’re offering) while offering to take that cost out of your price, or getting a signed contract with all possible angles to fight a breach of contract covered, are great ways to at least form a better opinion of whether or not the offer is legit.

And, I can’t stress this enough, consult a legal professional first

Yeah, I am going to consult one on Monday. Hard to get in contact with people on a Sunday! I don’t think it is legit, but it is so hard to tell. I won’t lose sleep over it, and I’m happy to wait for the right buyer. Tbh I was willing to sell between $100-$500 USD lol

Delete the email and forget about it. It is not worth entering into a dialog with these people. This is just another email scam – like the lottery you won despite not buying a ticket, where you are told you will need to pay a charge before receiving the cheque.

The domain of the appraisal service was registered just one month ago. There is no contact information on the site and the BBB link is fake – it goes to a blank entry. It is obvious that it is not a genuine service and has been set up by the person that emailed you.

There is no buyer. This a ploy to get $179 in return for a meaningless and worthless domain appraisal.

Nice sleuthing, @cubecolour!

Yeah that’s what I was thinking, thanks! @cubecolour

Hello.

This [Link redacted] is scam.

they send email from [removed], when you go to the [Link redacted] you are redirected to [Link redacted] witch is legit company.

If you whois [removed] then you can see the domain was registered 18. january 2016… and the original [Link redacted] was registered 2004 and they use their own DNS servers for [Link redacted] the .info domain use some free DNS and are registered to some person.

The original email they sent is this:
————————————
Hello!

I represent a professional investor from Scotland who wants to buy [Link redacted] for a new project.
Are you still interested in selling?
If you have more names I can help you to sell them.

Best Regards,
Herbert Prelman
Lawyer
Intellectual Property Specialist
XiliSoft
————————————
I answered this:

Hello

I am interested to sell the domain [Link redacted] what do you offer for the domain?

Regards
————————————
And got this back from “xilisoft”:

The buyer will pay you the appraised value. It will be fair since he does not want to pay something over the real market value.

Based on my experience, I think your name is in $15,000 – $20,000 range.

Do you have a certificate of the appraised value?

If you don’t have it’s not a problem. You can order it online.

He needs it from a source he knows and trusts.

I’m also interested in a good estimate of the market price because he pays me % on each sale.

The process is very easy:

1. Go to the certificate agency site (see instructions below) and submit your domain for the certification. Please let them know you have a buyer with $XX,XXX offer. It will help you to get a better valuation. In the comment field please ask them to guarantee that the appraised value will be higher than the appraisal service fee. In this case you will not risk to pay and get a low appraisal. I suggest you this company because they protect you as the seller from getting a low appraised value. They will send you the payment instruction only if your domain is worth $1000 or higher. Otherwise your request will be declined and you will not pay hem anything. Other companies does not offer this option.

2. If your request will be approved, please pay them the fee and wait for 24 hours. Then send me the results via email and we will start the sale process. As soon as he receives your certificate, he will buy your domain via an escrow service. Any escrow service will be able to pay you via Paypal, Wire, Western Union or any other method you prefer.

He wants to ensure the safe delivery of the funds to you. Furthermore, since this is our first time conducting any business, I believe that using a third-party escrow service can provide a safe, well defined sale process.

The certificate must include only 2 things to be accepted by my buyer:

1. Independent valuation of the market price. Only manual valuation is accepted. No valuations generated by scripts.

2. Trademark infringement verification. It proves your domain has no trademark problems. He would like this verification to be included in the appraisal report. It’s not a problem because some companies include the TM verification for free.

You can read about the recommended certification agency at Google Answers: [Link redacted] (“Domain Broker” is my nickname there).

If you are new to certifications, I can send you step by step instructions.
————————————
I answered this:

Hello.

Please send me what certification service you would recommend.
Also if you have instructions that would be appreciated.

Regards
————————————
I got this back from “xilisoft”:

Since you are new I can help you with step by step instructions how to obtain the certificate my client needs. Please go to Domain Words Certificate Order Form

Just submit your domains and let them know you have a buyer with $XX,XXX offer. It will increase the final appraised value of your domain. If everything is ok with your domain, they will send you the payment instructions. So there is no risk for you.

They also verify trademarks and my client accept their verifications. It’s very important for us to finish the sale without delays.

It will take only 2 minutes to submit your domains. If they approve your request, please proceed with the payment.

After you make the payment, they will send you the results within 24 hours. Simply resend me the certificate via email.

After we receive your certificate we will proceed with the sale. I may help you with the transfer process. Please don’t worry. I will be with you during the whole sale/transfer process. You can count on my help.
————————————
I answered this:

Hello again.

I am not willing to pay almost 200 USD for some service I do not know.

The domain price is $XX.000. If your client want to buy it he can do it trough [Link redacted]

Regards
————————————
I got this back from “xilisoft”:

I understand your concerns and doubts. I talked to him and he confirmed his intentions. I give you 100% guarantee he will buy after you order the certification. I worked with him before. He is a reliable buyer.

I’m also interested in finishing this deal because my service are paid by my buyers as % upon every domain sale.

All my sellers who ordered certificates, sold their domains for very good money.

Of course, you must be sure you will sell it for at least $15,000. To avoid any risks just contact the certification agency at Domain Words Contact Page

Please let them know you have a buyer with $15,000 offer and need a valuation near this value. Ask them if it’s possible to certify the domain near this value or not. If it’s possible, please ask them to send you the payment instructions. If it’s not possible you will not proceed with the payment. This way you will not lose anything.
————————————
I answered this (And I got no reply back)

Hello.

I do not trust some random service that I cannot find anything on Google, and guarantee contract trough the internet is just an toilet paper that neither you or me cannot use, unless you take a dump.

I think you are a scammer that are trying to get people to buy some appraisal and you will get the 200 USD and I will get some kind of a crap appraisal from your company.

If you have any interest to buy this domain you can do it trough [Link redacted]