Domain Aftermarket Scammers, what a great business model.
I have a domain (well I have a bunch of domains but this is about one in particular) for a softball team I help with. When I bought the domain, the .com and .net versions were taken so I bought the .org version. We use it for a team website, predominantly to communicate schedules and such.
Last week the .com version was expiring (I think it expired on the 10th). Starting on the 8th I started hearing from the scammers. One in particular hit me with 8 or 10 emails between the 8th and yesterday. Then 2 other companies joined in yesterday morning. Each of these claimed to have the .com version of the domain for sale.
On the 8th, on the parked page, the .com version was being offered for $975.
On the 16th, I was offered the .com version, via email, for $657. But it also offered a discount for up to $300. (Woo Hoo)
On the 17th, the other 2 companies offered me the .com version for $99.00 and $99.97.
I went into godaddy yesterday morning and registered it for $9.99
Is this really the way these guys make their money? Fooling someone into thinking that they control the domain?
As PT Barnum would say... "This way to the egress."
Here is the email chain:
Quote:
----- Original Message -----
From: Pat Kenedy
Sent: Sunday, March 08, 2009 8:45 AM
Subject: XXXXXXXXXXX.com
Pending sale notification:
In a few days we plan to offer the domain name XXXXXXXXXXX.COM for sale.
Because you own the similar domain name XXXXXXXXXXX.org, we thought you my be interested in acquiring the preferred DotCom version of this domain.
We plan to offer this domain for sale in three days and believe there is likely to be strong interest in this domain name by multiple parties, but since you own a similar version of the domain we wanted to give you the first right of refusal.
If You`re interested in this domain:
.........Yadda Yadda Yadda Yadda............
[email protected]
tel: 303.997.1703
LeaderByChoice, INc
600 17th Street, Ste 2800 South
Denver, CO 80202-5428
----- Original Message -----
From: Patrick Kenedy
Sent: Saturday, March 14, 2009 8:50 AM
Subject: XXXXXXXXXXX.com
Urgent Notice:
XXXXXXXXXXX.COM, is now available for sale.
This domain had previously been unavailable, but for a limited time, you have the opportunity to acquire it if you choose.
Since you own the XXXXXXXXXXX.org version of this domain name, we wanted to provide you with the opportunity to own the preferred dotcom version.
............Yadda Yadda Yadda ..............
Pat Kenedy
----- Original Message -----
From: Patrick Kenedy
Sent: Saturday, March 14, 2009 11:15 AM
Subject: XXXXXXXXXXX.com
Earlier today I emailed you about the domain name XXXXXXXXXXX.COM,but I forgot to mention something at the time...
.........Yadda Yadda Yadda ................
Pat Kenedy
----- Original Message -----
From: Patrick Kenedy
Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2009 8:40 AM
Subject: XXXXXXXXXXX.com
A couple of days ago I emailed you about the domain name XXXXXXXXXXX.COM. Since you own the XXXXXXXXXXX.org version of the domain, I thought you'd want the preferred XXXXXXXXXXX.COM version.
.......... Yadda Yadda Yadda ..................
Pat Kenedy
----- Original Message -----
From: Patrick Kenedy
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 8:34 AM
Subject: one day sale for XXXXXXXXXXX.com
XXXXXXXXXXX.COM was previously priced at $657, but as part of a very limited marketing test, I've decided to discount our inventory of domain names for just 24 hours.
How big of a discount?
Up to $300.
.....Yadda Yadda Yadda .................
Pat Kenedy
----- Original Message -----
From: "Zip Domains" <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 6:30 AM
Subject: XXXXXXXXXXX.COM Available For Purchase
> Our company specializes in acquiring expired domain names to help individuals and businesses protect their brand online.
>
> The domain name XXXXXXXXXXX.COM expired recently and we were able to secure it.
>
> We noticed that you own XXXXXXXXXXX.ORG and felt that you may be interested in acquiring the .COM version of your existing domain name.
>
> It is available for a one-time fee of only $99.00 USD.
>
.......... Yadda Yadda Yadda ...................
> Zip Domains, LLC
> [email protected]
>
----- Original Message -----
From: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 8:22 AM
Subject: XXXXXXXXXXX.com
> We are selling the domain name XXXXXXXXXXX.com. Since you own XXXXXXXXXXX.org if you would also like the more desirable .com we are making it available. The cost is $99.97. That includes a year of registration and transfer of ownership to you. To purchase or to learn more go to:
>
............ Yadda Yadda Yadda ..................
> For questions contact us or go to:
>
> http://www.dcinchq.com/faq.html
----- Original Message -----
From: Patrick Kenedy
Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 8:50 AM
Subject: make an offer for XXXXXXXXXXX.com
Over the last week, I've contacted you a few times about XXXXXXXXXXX.COM. Based upon the fact you've looked at the order page, it seems like you are interested in this domain.
What's holding you back?
Is it the price?
If you want XXXXXXXXXXX.COM but just don't think it's worth what we're asking, I'd like to invite you to submit an offer. You tell me what you think is a fair price. If we can meet your price, we will and you can finally secure this domain.
.........Yadda Yadda Yadda .............
Pat Kenedy
----- Original Message -----
From: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 9:22 AM
Subject: GoDaddy.com Order Confirmation
================================================== =================
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ORDER!
================================================== =================
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 7:22:02 AM
Dear XXXXXXXXXXX,
Thank you for ordering from GoDaddy.com! This email contains important information regarding your recent purchase -- please save it for reference.
.................................................. ............
CUSTOMER NUMBER: XXXXXXXXXX
LOGIN NAME: XXXXXXXXXXXX
RECEIPT NUMBER: XXXXXXXXXXX
ORDER TOTAL: $XXXXXXX
CUSTOMER SERVICE: (480) 505-8877
.................................................. ............
QTY ITEM PRICE
--------------------------------------------------------------
1 .COM Domain Name Registration - 1 Year $10.19
XXXXXXXXXXX.COM
1 .NET Domain Name Registration - 1 Year $13.19
XXXXXXXXXXX.NET
--------------------------------------------------------------
----- Original Message -----
From: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 9:34 AM
Subject: Information regarding the registration of XXXXXXXXXXX.NET
================================================== =================
DOMAIN REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION
================================================== =================
Congratulations! Your registration request for the domain name(s) below was successful:
XXXXXXXXXXX.NET
XXXXXXXXXXX.COM
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