I wanted to post this so others can be aware and not fall for this scam. I received an email offering to buy one of my domains. As I have actually sold several domains exactly this way, I didn't think much of it. The emailer offered me a price if I would get my domain appraised. They listed three companies which they would accept. The first appraisal company I know, it was a big company and very well known. It was also much more expensive than the other two listed, that I had never heard of. I went with the appraisal company I knew. They, in turn, wrote and asked me if I had received an email offering to buy my domain name. We sent emails back and forth and I finally determined that the original offer was a scam. They goal is to get you to use the less expensive, unknown appraisal companies...that they own...and they charge your card AND get your credit card information. After doing a little research, this was exactly what these people were doing. The trouble is that you CAN get legitimate offers to buy your domain. If you get an email, reply back and see if they answer. The scammers haven't so far. Then only use an appraisal company you know and respect, and last always use an escrow service to actually sell the domain. I was lucky. I hope this helps others.
You know what, I think this happened to me a few years back. Thanks for posting to inform others. I have had scammers like you describe contact me, and I have had legitimate domain offers via email that led to sales. A big red flag for me is any buyer who contacts me out of the blue asking me to have a domain name appraised for a fee saying then they will buy it.
I got an email 2 days ago and did some research into the onlinebrokerage company he said he was from, and the first thing it took me to was a forum about his emails and his cons!
He contacted me for a domain sale. The moment I got the mail I knew it was scam because the domain under question was registered less than 10 days ago and had little or no traffic. The amount promised was $15000. Well anyone in their right sense can sense it
it's a well know scam, if someone is interested in your domain, he will write you either asking for a price or offering something (even a lowballer). It's very unlikely that asks for an appraisal. It happened to me several time during the past months and always "replied" with an instant trash action for those messages
pretty old trick Yah they do offer my domain for high 4 digit, my offer back is 1 dollar cheaper then the appraiser prices and they disappear forever