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Weird request for a site sale on flippa

by ErnieB
18 replies
I have a site for sale on Flippa. I have 100% feedback of 5, 100% trust and telephone verified. I also have uploaded a flippa verified analytics of the site and also verified ownership of the site via the flippa txt document.

I got a request from a potential buyer to upload one of THEIR txt files so they can verify ownership. He gave a long winded speal about not trusting and past happenings or whatver and that although i have already done this with flippa that their company requires this for websites that they are interested in purchasing.

My question is can any harm come to me if i were to follow through with it? Can a txt file somehow be malicious?

I replied that i would gladly create my own txt file and name it whatever they wanted and include any info inside of it that they wanted and upload it but that i was leary of an unknown third parties file. I havent heard back from them yet.

Am i being too cautious and possibly losing a sale or did i do the right thing? This would be a high dollar sale ( my first sale like this ) so im not sure if this is the norm for "premium" sites.
#flippa #request #sale #site #weird
  • Profile picture of the author Sheryl Polomka
    Ernie I would be just as cautious as you are being, I would be worried that they could put a virus or something on the file. Sure, they might be trying to verify, but that is just silly if you have verified the site with Flippa already what more can his own verification do that Flippa's doesn't.

    Personally, I don't think I'd do it, you offered to upload a file of your own for him and if he doesn't accept that then his loss!
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  • Profile picture of the author George Wright
    For what it's worth. You can rename an exe file with extension .txt and it looks like a text file and acts strange. I don't know if one could be written to do harm but I'd stay away from it.

    George Wright
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    "The first chapter sells the book; the last chapter sells the next book." Mickey Spillane
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  • Profile picture of the author rbecgolf
    I agree. Run from these guys.
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  • Profile picture of the author BinderGang
    Tell him you'll upload a text file with text he requests, but not a file he sends.

    For example, ask him to say a phrase. He'll reply "Slow as molasses". You upload a text file with the phrase he requested.

    If that doesn't verify it for him, move on, he's not a real buyer.
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  • Profile picture of the author ErnieB
    Thanks for the replies everyone. Im glad i went with my gut instinct. I just wasnt sure if that was a normal practice for a high dollar transaction.

    Originally Posted by BinderGang View Post

    Tell him you'll upload a text file with text he requests, but not a file he sends.
    Yeah thats basically what i told them.
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  • Profile picture of the author MarkWrites
    I think the solution you offered was the perfect way to handle it.
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  • Profile picture of the author yommys01
    He is not the only buyer in the market place. The site will sell if it is good.
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  • Profile picture of the author ErnieB
    I got a reply email and he gave me details for doing it myself....

    file name = epndomain.net

    file content= SAh2WaTmcZsWFXiQVbIZEQ==


    No harm in that is there? ( im becoming paranoid lol )
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  • Profile picture of the author AmyBrown
    My opinion: he's trying to use your domain to get accepted by eBay's EPN program. He's not a buyer.
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    "Test fast, fail fast, adjust fast."
     Tom Peters

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    • Profile picture of the author Noah Fleming
      Originally Posted by AmyBrown View Post

      He's trying to use your domain to get accepted by eBay's EPN program. He's not a buyer.
      Wow. Nice catch.
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    • Profile picture of the author ErnieB
      Originally Posted by AmyBrown View Post

      My opinion: he's trying to use your domain to get accepted by eBay's EPN program. He's not a buyer.
      Ahhhh ok THANKS. Thats one of my main revenue sources for the site and i didnt even catch that ,lol.
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      • Profile picture of the author Eric Lorence
        He may be trying to "verify" the site for another scam sale elsewhere, they can go to other sites - use your name, and even refer "questions" to you on Flippa.

        Considering the dozens of auction sites out there, the scam is easy to pull , and often tried when the site isn't for sale at all.

        By the time the buyer discovers, the scammer is long gone, and the "buyer" is after you.

        Don't deal with this person.
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      • Profile picture of the author AmyBrown
        Originally Posted by ErnieB View Post

        Ahhhh ok THANKS. Thats one of my main revenue sources for the site and i didnt even catch that ,lol.
        lol, best of luck to you on your site
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        "Test fast, fail fast, adjust fast."
         Tom Peters

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      • Profile picture of the author Eric Lorence
        Originally Posted by ErnieB View Post

        Ahhhh ok THANKS. Thats one of my main revenue sources for the site and i didnt even catch that ,lol.
        He would have had to hacked your EPN account as well, since the revenue is still paid to you ... Could be, but doubtful.

        Though probably a good idea to start changing some passwords.
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  • Profile picture of the author PLRwithAlex
    Oh, yeah! He's trying to trick his way into eBay's EPN program. Good catch to feel a bit paranoid. It sounds like you provided enough verification on Flippa that asking more sounds a bit fishy.
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  • Profile picture of the author LegitBlogger
    Freaky, I'd say. As these good warriors have advised,
    they are obviousdly NOT good news!
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  • Profile picture of the author Lisa Gergets
    Wow...crazy! I had someone email me through Flippa a couple weeks ago asking if I could tell them how to verify their auction. I gave them a link to the "how to sell" pages.
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