15 Year Web Expert and Scam Assassin Helps You!
Posts tagged flippa.com
The Website Flipping Epidemic (and Flippa)
Apr 14th
As you know, much of this site has focused on Flippa.com thus far; Flippa has established itself as the leader in website marketplaces. If you want to buy a pre-built website, go to Flippa.
While Flippa does offer a nice marketplace for buying and selling websites, the problem is their focus on “Website Flipping”…Â Flippa promotes website flipping, as the name “Flippa” implies.
WHAT DOES FLIPPING WEBSITES MEAN?
Flipping a website basically means building a website for the sole purpose of reselling it. As opposed to building one for the purpose of growing it and building income from it. It can also mean buying a website and then reselling it for more than you purchased it for… Much like the old “real estate flipping” that was very popular before the infamous “real estate bubble burst”.
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH WEBSITE FLIPPING?
At the core, there really is no problem with flipping a website. If you build a nice unique website and someone wants to buy it — there is no problem with that. The reason I declare the trend of website flipping an epidemic is because of the TYPES of websites often being flipped.
We live in a culture that loves the idea of little work and big payouts. And, it is easy to see why that would be appealing. So, since “little effort, big potential” is a big selling point, many westie flippers will build sites around this very concept. The websites they build tend to have a simple formula.
- Use WordPress or Another Content Management System (Management)
- Use a Stock Theme and Simply Customize the Graphics (Design)
- Fill the Site with Google Adwords, Amazon Links, and other Affiliate Programs (Monitization)
- Use AutoBlogging Software to Fill the Sites with Articles and NewsFeeds (Content)
This simple formula is used in roughly 90% of the sites you see being flipped on websites such as Flippa. Here is the problem…
While this simple formula allows those who are flipping websites what they want — a simple to build website that looks great and offers several profit streams…
AND
While this simple formula gives the website buyer what they want — the offer of little work and big potential…
THE PROBLEM IS IT DOESN’T WORK!
There is as close to ZERO chance of these websites making any money at all. The sites use RECYCLED content and stock themes to give the appearance of a nice, established, niche site. But, in fact, they are just useless placeholders littering the internet with junk. For a good example of this, just check out the sites listed on Flippa under the tag “autoblog”. Here you can see the ugly epidemic in action, site after site with nothing more than nice-looking recycled content.
These sites get ignored for the most part by the search engines. Search engines, like Google, don’t want their results to be filled with the same information. Variety is the key to a good search engine. So, this recycled content is exactly what they are NOT looking for… They do, in fact, ignore it. And, the poor suckers who buy these sites wonder how their beautiful niche sites fail to earn any profit.
Not only do these sites not work, but as sites like Google see more and more of it popping up, they look for a trend. This means that the “trend” of pop-up sites built on easy CMS (Content Management Systems) will cause Google, and other search engines, to start to reject these sites over time — even the LEGITIMATE ONES! The mighty GoogleBot looks and says “most of these sites a junk, therefore I must not give too much credit to any site built this way — it is probably junk too”.
These “website flipping fiends” are rapidly destroying the opportunity that is available on the internet!! They make it harder and harder each day to establish a new website and the bring the day when BIG MONEY will rule the internet closer-and-closer.
Don’t believe me? This is exactly what has happened time and time again on Google. A few years ago, someone could make a good living on Google just by advertising affiliate links… But what happened?? Copycat after copycat filled Google’s AdWords with affiliate links and flooded all the most popular terms. The result? Google banned this form of promotion and ended the direct-affiliate-promotion gold rush forever!
So, I ask of you — DO NOT SUPPORT THE PROBLEM — do not buy or build (or buy-into) any website that promises “AUTOMATED CONTENT” where you can make money on “AUTOPILOT”. Be part of the SOLUTION, not part of the PROBLEM. If you are a website flipper, then buy and flip websites that are UNIQUE and offer quality ORIGINAL content. Sure, some news feeds are a good thing… But not a site that fills up with articles from other sites and is just full of recycled junk! If you buy websites or are looking to buy a website, ONLY buy one that offers a unique property to the worldwide web. Something that is full of original content and original ideas. Save yourself from losing money and save the future entrepreneurs from loosing the opportunity that exists on the internet! Please…
flippingethics.com, chris avell As it turns out, He IS a scammer…
Apr 1st
On April 1, 2010 this email went out to my clients…its look like April Fool joke but you have to keep read everything and see how small joke can turn into reality :
Hello, You are receiving this message if you have done business with "Christopher Avell" (aka "Christopher B. Avell", "Chris Avell") in the past 36 months. The investigation team at 9MG.NET has been investigating Mr. Avell for the past 18 months and has lawfully attained contact records which indicate that you have been involved in either a business investment or online transaction with Mr. Avell in the past 36 months. Please be advised that even if you have not made a financial transaction with Mr. Avell your information could be used for the purposes of identity theft or interstate fraud. We hope that you will assist in our investigation by visiting the case form at http://www.9mg.net/cases/use/CAINvestigation2010/form1.html and following the instructions. Thanks *Nine Milligrams is an independent investigation firm committed to protecting individuals from online fraud and scams. Nine Milligrams is not a government agency nor is Nine Milligrams employed by any government agency.Â
This is what Chri Avell from flippingethics.com have to say on April Fool but ITS TURN OUT HE DIDN’T JOKE he told us a store of his life i found out he own the site flippingethics.com and you can see all about this guy on our site just click on the link Chris Avell or you can read all about his company BEFORE TV LLC he use to “report” to flippa.commmmmm by saying used i ment he still reporting to flippa about other seller that may selling site similar to his site so flippa will suspend the seller account and he cn sell his own websites.
he own 120 domains half of them are actuallywebsites he made so much money out of them and he also have more then 1 flippa account actually he have more then 10 account each one under different name and different IP number.
Scammed on Flippa? From: Davide
Mar 22nd
UPDATE: The seller has contacted me and expressed that he is trying to work with the buyer to refund the accidental 2x charge. I will post any follow up in the COMMENTS section below as they arrive.
Here is an email I received about a possible Flippa scammer.
From: Davide
Subject: http://stores.homestead.com/mpribojan/StoreFront.bokURL: http://stores.homestead.com/mpribojan/StoreFront.bok
IS A: Flippa Website Sale
Message Body:
I bought a little site from Michael [last name removed] and pay 127 USD in 12/21/2009 with my prepaid card.
In date 03/03/2010 he steal from the same prepaid card again 127 USD.I contacted him many times but he only try to takes time, almost a month has passed since the first time I have contacted him and I still waiting for my money.
I’m afraid that he can do the same thing with other flippa sales so be aware!
This scammer is Michael [last name removed]
***
Thanks for the heads-up. WHAT IS THIS GUY’S FLIPPA ACCOUNT NAME? WHAT IS THE SITE YOU BOUGHT?
Note: This is an email I received. I have not verified the claims made by the person who submitted this complaint.
bigboss3 Selling cricketlivestreaming.com on Flippa
Mar 12th
I got the following email requesting I review a site…
This looks too good to be true. I am interested to buy this site. Can you use your expertise and let me know if this site is having potential to earn this much (2000USD per month). Is the pictures of adsense revenue and traffic true?
http://flippa.com/auctions/87079/No-Work-and-2000USD-Earning-Per-Month
http://flippa.com/auctions/86396/No-Work-and-2000USD-Earning-Per-Month
Just a quick glance is enough to raise tons of RED FLAGS.
First of all, both the content and design are listed as “NOT UNIQUE”. So what you are buying is not unique. And, the site itself is just a mess! Would anyone REALLY consider paying thousands of dollars for a site that so clearly looks like it was just “thrown together”.
It is also just a matter of time before it is BANNED from Google adwords. The site is clearly made to mislead you into clicking an ad while thinking your clicking to start some free video streaming.
This is just an awful site. I wouldn’t pay more than $500 for it no matter what the seller is claiming. Yes, it is ranked high for Live Cricket Streaming but I can assure you, the seller is well aware with the problems that exist with owning a site like this. And THAT is why he is selling…
SPAMMED by SEONIK on Flippa…
Feb 26th
Well, another spammer has decided to spam me — lol! Here is the SPAM they sent…
Hello Hi,
I am SEOnik, I have noticed your interest on the bids for few sites on Flippa. Here I would like to take this opportunity to showcase my SEO services too.
I am into Online Marketing business, since the last 6 years. Have worked on sites which have PageRank’s of 8/10 and Page views of 20 Million and have also worked on Start-up sites too.
My SEO, PPC, Link Building and Web designing services have helped many Companies/Websites in improving their ROI.Don’t want to take much of your time, if you are interested to know more about my Services/Websites that I have worked on then please mail me at seonik@in.com
If you are interested I can also provide the Client Websites & References.
Our Link Building/Social Bookmarking, Press Release/Article Submissions, Blogs/Forums commenting or posting, Image Marketing services are very economical.
Thanks,
SEOnik
So, they have been reported here. Never do business with a spammer.
downloadmsnlivemessenger.com Sold by yogz on Flippa
Feb 24th
Well, here is another blatant SCAM that has people bidding on Flippa.
This guy is claiming that this website can easily make $300+ per DAY using Google Adwords PPC. In fact, he is claiming it has already brought him in steady profit. YIKES!
Folks, this is a SCAM. Please, PLEASE, PLEASE think every detail through before you bid on a website. Do you really think this guy has found a key to making $300+ per day and is selling this “amazing site” for much less than it is worth?? What a nice guy. 
BUYER BEWARE!
PPC Scammer Gets SCAMMED on Flippa!
Feb 24th
It seems that even the scammers themselves have to watch out on Flippa! As you know, I have posted about a seller who I believe is deceiving people by selling useless PPC search engines on Flippa under the ID Invictus7. However, today I see someone has copied his EXACT method and is competing on Flippa — using Invictus7′s own words!!
Check out this link and see the Flippa user “Entrepreneur” selling the same junk.
In his auction he even mentions “SearchAlien.com” which is a site that Invictus7 just recently sold…Â BUSTED!
I guess it’s true, what goes around comes around!
Flippa Scammers Gone Wild
Feb 23rd
If you have seen the Flippa website marketplace (flippa.com) you know it can be a great place to buy/sell a website. However, it is being overrun by scams and charlatans who are just out to make a quick buck.
If you are interested in buying a website on Flippa you ask me to do a scam check and I will let you know my opinion on it. I will be open and honest but, of course, in the end the decision is up to you.
However, here are some bullet points you can use quickly to predict if the website you are buying on Flippa is a possible scam:
- Look at the seller’s history. Does the seller sell a bunch of similar sites? If so, this may be a sign that the seller is creating worthless popup sites.
- Check that all profit claims MAKE SENSE! If a seller is claiming profit, even if they show video proof, make sure that everything works out. Does the video proof contain the correct dates? Does the seller unequivocally prove that the profit shown is from the site being sold or could it be from any site?
- Does the seller make claims of “secrets” that are the key to his/her success?
- Does the seller have many questions (comments) that have been deleted or unanswered?
- Is the site selling for much less than it is worth — usually the gauge would be 10 – 20x the site’s monthly net profit. Anything less is suspicious.
- Does the seller’s reason for selling the site make sense? For example, if the seller claims the site takes 2-hours per week and makes $500/wk then in reality who wouldn’t keep that site. The seller may claim they don’t have time, but they could easily outsource the work and still make large income.
Here are just a few bullet points. Remember, you can also contact me and I can run a scam check for you… FREE!
Thanks — and be careful out there!
tarunkumar_model Selling Websites on Flippa
Feb 18th
I was recently talking to a nice gentleman in the UK when I learned he had been SCAMMED on Flippa. I asked him to share his story and here is what he sent:
I have recently bought two Web Directories on Flippa.com from a seller called tarunkumar_model. The directories names are googlephone24.com & ttgcharity.com. The auction (http://flippa.com/auctions/84864/TWO-50K-ALEXA-PR3-PR2–HIGH-TRAFFIC-MONEY-MAKING-WEB-DIRECTORIES) claimed high traffic and huge profit opportunities. After a few days when the site’s been bought, I found out that 95% of traffic was bot-generated and therefore fake. When I was buying that site, I hoped I would be able to monetize the subscribers’ list + do some affiliate offers on the sites. However, most of my “subscribers†turned to be spam traps. Those sites cannot produce any income and in reality are scams used by other scammers.
Thanks,
Viacheslav.
Scammers continue to be a big problem on Flippa. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true… Any site with that much “traffic” would be very expensive if it were “real”.
invictus7 Selling PPC “Search Engines” on Flippa (GigaMusicCenter.com)
Feb 13th
Over the past few weeks I have seen a seller, invictus7 selling a bunch of PPC sites on Flippa. These sites are nice looking and their description makes them sound VERY appealing.
PPC sites are not only good for making money but also for generating a lot of traffic at no cost. With your own PPC search engine you will have an easier way to generate traffic then with most other type of websites, if you follow the system your site can generate thousands of visitors per day quickly and for free with little work, so you will have no expenses on advertising if you don’t want to. Also the site will help you generate and feed traffic to your other sites (if you own any other websites).  Just for the traffic generating possibilities alone it’s good to own your own PPC website.
Ah. The promise of little to no work and yet tons of traffic. How will it generate this traffic? The content on the site is not unique, so where will these people come from? Also, read this..
I’m selling GigaMusicCenter.com because now I’m in a different business, I’ve decided to sell all my websites and this is one of my remaining PPC sites from my network. New domain was registered for this site, old domain and members were sold separately, so the site can be considered a new turnkey site ready for business.
This is one of the remaining PPC sites in the network but it is NEW at the same time? The old domain and members were sold separately, so this was just created for sale on Flippa, right?
I asked this seller some basic questions:
Can you provide some examples of these PPC sites you have or have sold that are making money and have traffic? Is the site running on custom software or out-of-the-box software? How many of these sites does the seller have since he has already sold many?
The seller responded with a threatening letter. Go figure! I would call this seller and his web offerings a SCAM! I would stay away from them as in my 15 years of experience I have never seen one of these work. I challenge the seller to provide evidence of the contrary!