IDK what's up.
The only explanation I could come up with is that the price was never even close to $1 million and he somehow conned the seller/agent to go along with that PR story.
I don't know much about domain markets, but for example the mineral.com domain was quoted at $70k I think and sold for $25k. So if btc.com was discounted from $1m to e.g. $100k down payment + $25k for 12 months ($400k total) then Garza would have nearly paid it off (with GAW's funds) and could now be renting it out for $5k.
You and others have claimed this a couple of times (sometimes claiming to have evidence) but never produced any.
Why is it that you repeatedly ask for proof of things when the proof has already been presented multiple times? Shill is as shill does. The deal for BTC.com was detailed in the Email dump, and the price paid for Mineral was listed by the Domain reseller, and then later exposed by Homero himself as having been $25k rather than what was quoted. The contract for the Mineral purchase was revealed by Homero after he repeatedly claimed to have nothing to do with Mineral, and then started to claim that it had been stolen from him by Phil Vadala.
Here are some emails between Josh and the domain reseller:
Hey Mike,
I am interested.
To be clear on a few points, as you know domains are like btc itself, its
only worth what someone will pay. Additionally, being able to pay by btc
mutually benefits both us and the seller.
Having said that. I would offer the following:
Wire 100k in cash same day as the deal (could happen today). 25k a month
for 36 months.
15k paid in btc, 10k in a wire. (I can do the whole amount in BTC if they
want that)
Let me know. I am a real buyer.
*Josh Garza*
*CEO*
GAW
280 North Main Street, Suite 2
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Toll Free: 888-978-4143
Direct Line: 413-206-2500
Fax: 413-206-7101
Josh@gaw.comwww. <http://www.gaw.com/>GAW.com <http://www.gaw.com/>
On Fri, Aug 1, 2014 at 9:10 AM, Mike Robertson <
mike@domainguardians.com>
wrote:
> Thanks for the prompt reply Josh.
>
>
>
> The owner has set price expectations as follows:
>
>
>
> *Buy It Now:* US$1.5M
>
>
>
> OR
>
>
>
> *Payment plan:*
>
> Initial deposit: US$200,000 ($50K can be paid in BTC)
>
> Monthly instalments: US$38,000 (1/4 of monthly payments can be made in BTC
> at the prevailing conversion rate)
>
> Number of months: 36
>
>
>
> If you have any questions or require any further information, please don’t
> hesitate in contacting me.
>
>
>
> Would you like to submit an offer or proposal?
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
>
>
> Mike
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:*
josh@geniusesatwork.com [mailto:josh@geniusesatwork.com] *On
> Behalf Of *Josh Garza
> *Sent:* Friday, 1 August 2014 10:58 PM
> *To:* Mike Robertson
> *Subject:* Re: Domain name - BTC.com
>
>
>
> How much?
>
> On Aug 1, 2014 8:56 AM, "Mike Robertson" <
mike@domainguardians.com> wrote:
>
> Hi Josh,
>
> I hope this email finds you well.
>
> I'm reaching out to you, as I am currently representing the owners of the
> premium domain name BTC.com.
>
>
>
> As a result of a high-level of interest in their start-up plans and domain
> name, the company I represent is exploring a possible divestment of this
> domain name asset.
>
> Given the nature of your business, I thought you would be able to leverage
> the domain quite well; helping you gain more visitors and assist with your
> online branding/positioning.
>
>
>
> If you have any interest in BTC.com and would like to discuss further,
> please let me know.
>
>
>
> I look forward to hearing from you.
>
>
>
> Kind regards,
>
>
>
> Mike
>
>
>
>
> *Mike Robertson, Co-Founder**Domain Guardians*
> <http://www.domainguardians.com/>
>
mike@domainguardians.com>
> +61 7-3103-3312
> LinkedIn <http://au.linkedin.com/in/mikeyrobertson/>
>
>
>
> This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the
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> protected by law from unauthorized disclosure. Any unauthorized review,
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> recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies
> of the original message.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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> you are not the intended recipient any use, distribution, disclosure or
> copying of this information is prohibited. If you receive this email in
> error, please tell us by return email and destroy this communication and
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>
So he offered a million. This is the first offer he made on btc.com.
Then there's a response:
Hi Josh,
I’ve just had a lengthy discussion with the owner.
We want to make this work and strike a deal, here’s what he’s come back with:
Option 1 (cash only):
Initial deposit: US$100,000
Monthly instalments: US$25,000
Number of months: 36
Option 2 (cash + bitcoin):
Initial deposit: US$200,000
Monthly instalments: US$38,000 (1/4 of monthly payments can be made in BTC at the prevailing conversion rate)
Number of months: 36
Note: How do you want to work out the USD>BTC exchange rate?
On a side note, the owner wishes to issue a press release once the sale has completed, making the sale public - the terms will not be disclosed, but they would like to include the sale price. We would send you the draft for your feedback and a quote, before distributing it. This will provide extra branding and marketing value to you and your company. It’s worth noting that Bloomberg also wants to do a story on this! Let me know your thoughts and if you have any questions regarding this.
If you would like to discuss further, I’m available for the rest of the day (I’m based in Brisbane, Australia – so it’s the start of the day here) on phone or Skype.
Regards,
Mike
Then
Deal, I will take the cash deal. What's next?
Then a bit more just confirming, exchanging info, etc. Then
Please find attached.
Can you confirm to let me know you received it ok.
The following is attached
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwzdZTHqha9tcm5HSXFraVdLcVE/view?usp=sharingSome excerpt from that file:
BUYER:
Company Name: GAW Miners, Inc.
Authorized Agent of the Company: Josh Garza
Agent's Title: CEO
State of Incorporation: MA
Postal Mailing Address: 34 E. Dudley Town Rd., Bloomfield, CT 06002
Telephone Number: 802.579.8360
Email Address:
josh@gaw.comand
SELLER:
Company Name: Strong, Inc.
Authorized Agent of Company: Adam Strong
Agent's Title: President
State of Incorporation: Illinois
Postal Mailing Address: 2010 Wiggins Ave, Springfield, IL 62704
Telephone Number: 217.522.7714
Email Address:
adam@idealhosting.com(Don't think the seller was known before.)
3.3 Purchase Price. In consideration of the sale of the Domain Name, and in
further consideration of the Seller granting the Buyer its exclusive use of the
Domain Name during the Payment Period, in accordance with the domain
usage guidelines (defined below as, the Domain Usage Guidelines), Buyer
agrees to pay Seller a total purchase price ("Purchase Price") of one million
dollars, United State’s Currency ($1,000,000.00) paid in periodic installments
as outlined within the Payment Schedule, a copy of which is attached hereto
and marked as Exhibit A. Buyer shall remit each payment via bank wire,
PAYPAL, or check directly to the Seller. All payments are to be deemed as
non-refundable.
Here's the returned document with Josh's signature:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwzdZTHqha9tcXZPLVhpbFNLSUU/view?usp=sharingHere's the document with both parties' signatures:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwzdZTHqha9tWkRKLUVLWGVJWE0/view?usp=sharingThen there was some problems with escrow (Josh "didn't realize" that no escrow would mean he wouldn't have full control of the domain until after he finished paying, wanted the other side to pay half the escrow fees, whatever.)
Mike sends him a new contract:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwzdZTHqha9tUWNrQjZ6R3pDUzg/view?usp=sharingJosh sends it to a lawyer, Jay Johnson
jay@brownfoxlaw.com, with some questions.
Please review ASAP
If your not able to get to is, please let me know.
Specifically, I want to make sure they have no way of backing out. That
they have no rights over the domain as long as we keep our payment
schedule. What happens if we miss a payment (have no plans to), but was the
recourse. ETC
His lawyer okays it, another back and forth with Mike, then Josh sends the signed contract:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwzdZTHqha9teFFPSmZsZVJhVHc/view?usp=sharingMillion dollar price is still in.
Then:
Hi Josh,
Please find attached the fully executed agreement.
I’m going to go in and setup the Escrow.com transaction now. You should receive an email once it has been created.
Any questions, please let me know.
Regards,
Mike
With this attached:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwzdZTHqha9tWVRZTFZKLXg2Q0U/view?usp=sharingAgain, signed by both parties, still says 1 million.
Then there's a bunch of talk about press release, setting up escrow, other stuff.
That definitely sounds like they did NOT agree on a lower price, even if some emails were removed from the dump or something.
A bunch more stuff on press releases, escrow payment, then
So the total amount to be wired is $105,170.00.
Then monthly instalments/payments of $25,000 will then need to be made for the next 36 months.
Then
Hi Keith,
Please find attached the signed purchase agreement.
>From our Legal Counsel:
Paragraph 3 of the Escrow Agreement says that Escrow.com includes an Exhibit
A that has the schedule of payments. That's why I didn't include a payment
schedule on the Sales Agreement that I sent to you... I assumed that was
something that you guys would fill out when you set up the account at
Escrow.com.
The Effective Date of the Agreement is August 5th. That means that his
payment is due tomorrow, and you are supposed to transfer the name to
Escrow.com tomorrow. I gave you guys today to get things lined up. The
payment table that I sent you last week had August 1st as the effective
date, and all subsequent payments due on the first day of every month
thereafter. If you cut and paste the payment table I sent you last week,
you'll need to change the dates to the 5th day of the month.
EXHIBIT A - Payment Schedule
Payment Number Payment Due Date Payment Amount
1. August 1, 2014 $100,000.00
2. September 1, 2014 $ 25,000.00
3. October 1, 2014 $ 25,000.00
4. November 1, 2014 $ 25,000.00
5. December 1, 2014 $ 25,000.00
6. January 1, 2015 $ 25,000.00
7. February 1, 2015 $ 25,000.00
8. March 1, 2015 $ 25,000.00
9. April 1, 2015 $ 25,000.00
10. May 1, 2015 $ 25,000.00
11. June 1, 2015 $ 25,000.00
12. July 1, 2015 $ 25,000.00
13. August 1, 2015 $ 25,000.00
14. September 1, 2015 $ 25,000.00
15. October 1, 2015 $ 25,000.00
16. November 1, 2015 $ 25,000.00
17. December 1, 2015 $ 25,000.00
18. January 1, 2016 $ 25,000.00
19. February 1, 2016 $ 25,000.00
20. March 1, 2016 $ 25,000.00
21. April 1, 2016 $ 25,000.00
22. May 1, 2016 $ 25,000.00
23. June 1, 2016 $ 25,000.00
24. July 1, 2016 $ 25,000.00
25. August 1, 2016 $ 25,000.00
26. September 1, 2016 $ 25,000.00
27. October 1, 2016 $ 25,000.00
28. November 1, 2016 $ 25,000.00
29. December 1, 2016 $ 25,000.00
30. January 1, 2017 $ 25,000.00
31. February 1, 2017 $ 25,000.00
32. March 1, 2017 $ 25,000.00
33. April 1, 2017 $ 25,000.00
34. May 1, 2017 $ 25,000.00
35. June 1, 2017 $ 25,000.00
36. July 1, 2017 $ 25,000.00
37. August 1, 2017 $ 25,000.00
Regards,
Mike
Mike Robertson, Co-Founder
<http://www.domainguardians.com/> Domain Guardians
mike@domainguardians.com+61 7-3103-3312
LinkedIn <http://au.linkedin.com/in/mikeyrobertson/>
This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the
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protected by law from unauthorized disclosure. Any unauthorized review, use,
disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended
recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies
of the original message.
From: Keith Gettle [mailto:kgettle@escrow.com]
Sent: Tuesday, 5 August 2014 12:13 AM
To: '
adam@idealhosting.com'; '
josh@gaw.com'
Cc: '
escrow@domainguardians.com';
dnholding@escrow.comSubject: 716776-504605 BTC.com
Dear Buyer and Seller,
You have agreed to a Domain Name Holding transaction at Escrow.com.
We will create a domain holding agreement and send it to both parties to
sign and send back. Once we receive both parties' signatures, we will
counter sign the document and then request the first payment from the Buyer.
Upon receipt of the funds, we will request the domain name from the Seller.
Please provide any purchase agreement(s) and payment schedule. If there is
no purchase agreement, please reply stating that there will not be one
included.
If you have any questions, please let us know.
Thank you,
Keith Gettle
Customer Service Manager
Escrow.com and Internet Escrow Services, Inc.
30318 Esperanza
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Customer Service - 888-511-8600
International - 949-635-3800
Direct - 949-635-3898
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I read all the way to the 25th, and there's nothing up to there that would suggest the price was less than what was in all the contracts.
