Fishy (and funny) email??

[dlparisi]

I got this weird email last night looking for work and price quotes. To me it all smells a bit fishy, some thing's just not right with it. What's a 1000 pixel animation? What's the difference between a "Flash Virtual Reality" and "Virtual Reality Program"? No company name, no project descriptions, etc. Also, it was from a Gmail account which further adds to the bogus nature of it. I personally think the guy is just trying to get a handle on what others charge but I might be wrong. Maybe he's just a complete idiot when it comes to these kinds of things and thinks this is proper. Anyone else get a similar email by chance or have an opinion on this?

Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 5:14 PM
To: info@dpict3d.com
Subject: services request


Dear dPict Visualization Inc.,

We are a new real estate developer and are looking for a design firm to produce 2D, 3D and animation work with the following qualifications:

1. Must be disciplined, willing to work long hours to make timely deliverables.
2. Proficiency in the latest software.

3. Should know how to create architectural walk-throughs, special effects, green screen.

4. Acute attention to detail and ability to translate client drawings, sketches, photos and specs into stunning visuals.

Please include a fee and time structure and/or estimates for stills and animation sequences (per second). You may use your own way or follow all or some of the items below.

1. Colored Plans

2. Colored Elevations

3. 5000 Still Rendering Street

4. 5000 Still Rendering Aerial

5. 1000 Pixels Animation (per second)

6. Interactive Presentation

7. Flash Virtual Reality

8. Virtual Reality Program

Please reply not later than this Friday.


Thank you.

I've omitted his email address and name for privacy sake in case it's legit. I planned on responding that I'm interested in speaking with him further but I'd like to discuss project size, their development plan, etc, etc. I'd also point out some of the weird descriptions from above (i.e. the animations, virtual reality, etc). What do you think?

[werticus]

you'd expect a competitor to know what things are called.

email back and get a contact phone number to discuss perhaps.

if someone really wants to find out your prices they will - with a serious looking proposal and plans for you to quote off... dont really see how that is a problem anyway

anyone can 'buy' a job to win the contract but if they find out your price and undercut you by 3 dollars then they dont damage the industry prices whilst they are getting that job :0

[dlparisi]

you'd expect a competitor to know what things are called...

if someone really wants to find out your prices they will - with a serious looking proposal and plans for you to quote off...

Yeah, hadn't thought it that way. It still sounds strange though, probably not a competitor but I'm not sure just how legit this guy is as a developer. I'll try and talk to him and see just how serious he is...and get a 50% deposit up front!.

Thanks.

[percydaman]

hmmm....ya.... sorry about that. I was drunk and looking for prices.




of course I'm kidding and didn't send the email. should definitely try and string them along some.

[dlparisi]

Cut it out!

[Sawyer]

OMG !!! I got the exact same e-mail yesterday, a Mr Horsely. I thought it was a scam of some sort I get a few e-mails fishing for info but this one was so vague. Yeah usually you say " we are a new real estate developer in Northern Cali" or wherever.

My favorite was a few years ago I got a company from "NY, USA" saying they have a "huge project" they want to give me and if I could give them a response saying how much I would charge in "US dollars".

Whenever I get these I respond the same, "Thank you for your interest but in order to give an accurate bid I need more information" or "Please call me to discuss the specifics".

It sounded more like the way a production company would bill itself than how a developer would go about interviewing a client.

[dlparisi]

Yeah, that's him - a Mr. Jeff Horsely. @$$hole !!

[Sawyer]

I am glad someone else got this, I think my wife thinks I am paranoid and she saw this and it didn't set off her spider sense they way it did with me. This just sounded off. But really if "Mr. Horsely" did a bit more work to clean it up I think it would have sounded legit.

[werticus]

i wouldnt be worried unless you were required to pay a 'bidding fee' for a big contract