Flippa.com - Too good to be true? How safe & legit is it?

by jpf566
25 replies
Hey guys, I'm curious about Flippa.com. I know it's very well known but some of the sites for sale seem to be wayy to good to be true. Have you guys had any experience getting shafted? If so, were you able to do anything about it through Flippa?

It's just odd to see a site that says something like MADE 800 DOLLARS IN 15 DAYS selling for 300 dollars. The math doesen't add up, why are all these people selling these "wonderful" money makers for so cheap?
#flippacom #good #legit #safe #true
  • Profile picture of the author ltrain_riders
    There are gems and then there are duds. Buying websites is a lot like buying stock. You really have to do your homework to see if it is a good investment or a hyped up penny stock.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6634361].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author dklab756
    I have positive and negative experience with Flippa. Some sites I got was winners, some sites were flops. Some sellers walked out on me when I try to buy their site at bid price, some buyers canceled their bids and walked away.

    It is auction site like eBay. Flippa support help you out , but only to a degree. You have to be carefull, don't buy from sellers with no reputation, research, research, research before commiting to anything. Most important don't just buy because of the good deal, have some idea in mind what you planning to do with it, better yet try to compliment your existing business, rather then trying to get in into a new niche or business model. (i.e. if you in adsense don't go into ecommerce)....
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6634375].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author tmoby
    You're right to be cautious - these sites are usually scams. Earnings are usually easily faked and what not. If a site was truly that profitable with no work after just 15 or 20 days (whatever they say) no one in the right mind would sell it so low.

    However, there are some gems in there, but they usually have a track record to show. Always do your due diligence and background check on the sellers reputation.

    There have been allot of these sites popping up at flippa, and 95% of them are scams taking advantage of peoples desire for quick and easy cash.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6634439].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author icoachu
    The PROBLEM I see with that site is not the site or service itself but the TYPES of sites that people advertise there. Most are cookie-cutter sites. There are very FEW original concept sites or even DEEP and well-developed sites, from my standpoint.

    When buying a site, you are buying a BUSINESS not hopping on a bandwagon.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6634449].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Alexyew
    Originally Posted by jpf566 View Post

    Hey guys, I'm curious about Flippa.com. I know it's very well known but some of the sites for sale seem to be wayy to good to be true. Have you guys had any experience getting shafted? If so, were you able to do anything about it through Flippa?

    It's just odd to see a site that says something like MADE 800 DOLLARS IN 15 DAYS selling for 300 dollars. The math doesen't add up, why are all these people selling these "wonderful" money makers for so cheap?
    Hi,

    Flippa is absolutely true.

    Flippa is a platform for website sellers and buyers to close the deal.

    The website must be a goodor quality website so that it can be sold at a good value.
    Signature
    CPA is all about testing, tracking, determining.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6635649].message }}
  • Though I haven't worked in Flippa but from different online resources and from the comment of dklab756
    I have positive and negative experience with Flippa. Some sites I got was winners, some sites were flops. Some sellers walked out on me when I try to buy their site at bid price, some buyers canceled their bids and walked away.

    It is auction site like eBay. Flippa support help you out , but only to a degree. You have to be carefull, don't buy from sellers with no reputation, research, research, research before commiting to anything. Most important don't just buy because of the good deal, have some idea in mind what you planning to do with it, better yet try to compliment your existing business, rather then trying to get in into a new niche or business model.
    I just came to know a lot about flippa. There are some cons in every eanring system. These are called as professional hazards and they exists in every profession. We should not be afraid of them first.

    The fact is flippa is real and you can earn huge money from it. Learn more about it to get started.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6635989].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author FrankMiller
    I dunno about buying from there. You'll have to look at where they are getting their traffic from. And can that traffic be taken away. Make sure you do your homework.
    Signature

    ...

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6636019].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author marketinguk
    I have had a lot of experience using flippa as both a buyer and seller and will share a bit of my feedback from using it. To give Flippa credit first of all, they have tried to really crack down on fraudulent bidders and false claims. Indeed they have suspended and banned many people lately for these kinds of issues. They have also constantly tried to look at ways to improve their platform and have added many good features over time, like instant Adsense verification for sellers, premium listings that get many more views overall, making buyer's and seller's more aware of the need to carry out due diligence etc.

    However, nothing is perfect and I have had occasionally people not paying even when it is clear from the auction they shouldn't bid unless they can pay. In addition as a seller I have found that a number of people there are not going to offer you what your sites really merit, some buyer's there are on the look out and have a mentality of getting things on the cheap. Also, like you say with your paypal example, many people have put up false claims which it's very easy to do, so never trust someone without carrying out your due diligence first. The old saying goes "if it's too good to be true, it probably isn't".

    Joel
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6636150].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    Originally Posted by jpf566 View Post

    Hey guys, I'm curious about Flippa.com. I know it's very well known but some of the sites for sale seem to be wayy to good to be true. Have you guys had any experience getting shafted? If so, were you able to do anything about it through Flippa?

    It's just odd to see a site that says something like MADE 800 DOLLARS IN 15 DAYS selling for 300 dollars. The math doesen't add up, why are all these people selling these "wonderful" money makers for so cheap?

    Does it say made $800 in 15 days or Potential to make .... blah blah blah?

    A lot of the worthless turnkey sites on Flippa say $xxxxxxx/mnth potential and of course, the number is pure fiction.

    Of course you can get taken on Flippa and it's up to you to do due diligence before buying. I did a guest post for Flippa on due diligence that might be helpful

    http://flippa.com/blog/guest-post-th...due-diligence/

    But if you do get taken, Flippa will not help you except for banning the scammer. That's really all they can do, so if it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. You're not really going to get a site for $300 that makes $800 in 15 days.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6636763].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Cecil Dee
      I echo just what everyone has said thus far, but what you must keep in mind is that some people make a living 100% by building successful/semi-successful websites and selling them. That is their business. Just like you might buy a system here on WF or elsewhere that claims to be the greatest thing since slice bread. Now one might think, if this is the greatest system for making money, why in the world is this person selling it? Why not keep it for him/herself? Good question, and in most instances most of the best kept secrets are still secrets but some are available for sale or free sometimes. Same thing with Flippa. I haven't personally purchased any website via Flippa but I am familiar with them and used them to list a website for sale before. Someone mentioned about not buying from a seller with no history or track record. I guess in a way that makes a certain amount of sense but remember everyone at some point had no history or track record so don't let that stop you from a promising deal.

      Happy bidding.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6637411].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Aussie_Al
        I also think at times their are trolls on there that will deliberately ask annoying questions or try to disrupt your sale - for what reason not sure ? Perhaps they get a kick out of it - very strange...
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6637665].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Dan J
    It's a marketplace like every other.

    You have some gold sites, and you have a lot of crap sites. It's just up to the person conducting the right research to extract the decent ones out.

    Despite this, I have heard more negative things than positive things about Flippa nowadays.

    Hmm.. =/
    Signature
    Email Copywriter For Established Info Marketers
    I write emails people look forward to reading, clicking and buying from. To learn more, click here.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6637496].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Tim3
    Originally Posted by jpf566 View Post

    Hey guys, I'm curious about Flippa.com. I know it's very well known but some of the sites for sale seem to be wayy to good to be true. Have you guys had any experience getting shafted? If so, were you able to do anything about it through Flippa?

    It's just odd to see a site that says something like MADE 800 DOLLARS IN 15 DAYS selling for 300 dollars. The math doesen't add up, why are all these people selling these "wonderful" money makers for so cheap?

    Flippa.com are a completely legitimate site, it is the people selling (and buying) on there that are the problem.

    Don't believe the sales copy, make sure you thoroughly check things out for yourself before parting with your cash.If it seems to good to be true it is.

    Sellers that have valuable sites can back it up with verifiable proof of earnings and traffic numbers over time, they do not need hyped-up sales copy.
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6637552].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author TomYevsikov
    Flippa itself is trusted by all means. however the problem isn't about flippa it's about the sellers..

    Not too long ago(about 8 months) I purchased a site for 115$ that has not traffic or revenue but it's a traffic reseller website, I thought it had good potential and I had the tools to generate good targeted buyer to this site.

    The site was fine, I generated about 1000$ from it and resold it.

    BUT!

    I paid for the website through paypal, turns out later that the scumbag I bought the website from is an egyptian hacker that now charges my credit card for 97$ each month for some viper marketing, my card company STILL trying to reach the CREDIT CARD company of the hacker, for 7 months now and no response..I get my money back anyway..

    So, flippa is trusted ONLY if you buy through ESCROW(some sellers do not accept escrow)
    beware of that marketplace, that dude sold me a nice website with kick-butt design but in the meantine he hacked into my credit card, be careful in that marketplace..
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6637926].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author blillard
      Originally Posted by TomYevsikov View Post

      Flippa itself is trusted by all means. however the problem isn't about flippa it's about the sellers..

      Not too long ago(about 8 months) I purchased a site for 115$ that has not traffic or revenue but it's a traffic reseller website, I thought it had good potential and I had the tools to generate good targeted buyer to this site.

      The site was fine, I generated about 1000$ from it and resold it.

      BUT!

      I paid for the website through paypal, turns out later that the scumbag I bought the website from is an egyptian hacker that now charges my credit card for 97$ each month for some viper marketing, my card company STILL trying to reach the CREDIT CARD company of the hacker, for 7 months now and no response..I get my money back anyway..

      So, flippa is trusted ONLY if you buy through ESCROW(some sellers do not accept escrow)
      beware of that marketplace, that dude sold me a nice website with kick-butt design but in the meantine he hacked into my credit card, be careful in that marketplace..
      Damn bro that sucks really bad. I hate that had to happen to you, on the flip side kudos for actually being able to profit with one of those services sites sold there congrats on that tip.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6638265].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author blillard
    Like Suzanne said above it all falls under one word "due diligence". You must and I mean must do this or chances are you be had EVERY TIME. If it walks and talks like a duck chances are it is one. Ask the right questions, often the right one will trigger the proper or wrong response, then you'll know based on your own judgment. But take Suzanne's advise for sure she know her Flippa.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6638261].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jasonallvall
    I just sold a gem on flippa for $375! When its sold its sold and im a man of my word. Just make sure you do your research first
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6638268].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jasonallvall
    I love filppa haha
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6638278].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author marketinguk
    Hi everyone, Flippa has just announced a couple of changes to their auctions.
    1. BIN bids will now be rejected after 3 days unless the seller approves them.
    2. "As more sellers requested that buyer certification be applied to more bidders, the baseline has been further reduced to $200 to cover a greater proportion of the market activity" and sellers generally.
    I don't know about others here but I think the second change could potentially be quite a significant one for sellers depending on how it's implemented in practice by flippa.
    Here's the link to find out more about it - Minor Changes to Bidding on Flippa | Flippa Blog | Buy & Sell Websites

    Joel
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6638571].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author DubDubDubDot
    Flippa is a minefield of pump & dump scams.

    There are two ways to get caught up in this:

    A) The site owner legitimately operated the site for years, but stopped or is planning to stop. You see his nice traffic stats and earnings history and assume this will carry over into your ownership of the site. What you failed to find out is where that traffic was coming from and if it will cost you any money to sustain the traffic responsible for the earnings. It's also possible they are feeding traffic into the site from other sites they own, and that would of course come to an end.

    B) They throw traffic at the site for a short period of time, show you the traffic and earnings history, sell it to you and then cut the traffic off.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6638846].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author DubDubDubDot
    Also, check where the seller is from. Limit your purchases to those located in North America, Western Europe and Australia. That will rule out some otherwise good sellers, but you are eliminating most of the problem by doing that.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6638926].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author OLechat
    Call me biased, but I think Flippa's awesome

    To echo everyone else's comments, there are definitely gems to be found, but no miracles. If something looks too good to be true, it probably is.

    Titles like "$800 in 4 days!!!!1!!" and mentions of short-term revenue claims are now forbidden on Flippa unless the site has been making money for over two months. This is to ensure that brand new sites, which can make money from a limited-time product or offer, aren't then sold off to an unsuspecting buyer.

    Look for established, revenue-making sites that are at least a few months old. Read up on due diligence: we have a lot of information on our blog at flippa.com/blog, including sbucciarel's guest post mentioned above. There's also tons of information here on WF and on other forums.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6638934].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author craigslistleedz
    The key with Flippa is to find the gems. The sites that have been doing well for at least a year. If you are buying the stuff that's made $1200 in 21 days, you're probably buying a PPC business.

    Buying a PPC business is not bad, but you will really need to protect yourself from the shady sellers. One way of doing this is looking at the sellers history. If you notice he has several accounts linked to him he is probably trying to shield himself from his buyers so that if one account starts getting bad reviews he can just keep selling on the other account.

    Originally Posted by jpf566 View Post

    Hey guys, I'm curious about Flippa.com. I know it's very well known but some of the sites for sale seem to be wayy to good to be true. Have you guys had any experience getting shafted? If so, were you able to do anything about it through Flippa?

    It's just odd to see a site that says something like MADE 800 DOLLARS IN 15 DAYS selling for 300 dollars. The math doesen't add up, why are all these people selling these "wonderful" money makers for so cheap?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6646954].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jpf566
    Thank's everyone, this is an incredibly helpful forum. You've all helped me quite a bit.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6704944].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Ben Clemons
    I only buy sites that share detailed "Google Analytics" rather than other analytic software. Many of them are misleading and can be bot traffic etc... I got burned on one site, but wasn't that much money. Just look into all aspects of the website, and don't be afraid to ask questions.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6705110].message }}

Trending Topics