Acquiring a Domain Name from Someone
Discussion
There's a domain name I'd like for a little project which someone bought and is just sitting on it.
Whilst it's a catchy little name, it's not going to be of much worth to anyone but me.
Any advice on approaching the person who owns it. Do I approach anonymously and make an offer or just put my cards on the table and make a one time, take-it-or-leave it offer? I'm happy to pay a few hundred quid for it but no more than that.
Whilst it's a catchy little name, it's not going to be of much worth to anyone but me.
Any advice on approaching the person who owns it. Do I approach anonymously and make an offer or just put my cards on the table and make a one time, take-it-or-leave it offer? I'm happy to pay a few hundred quid for it but no more than that.
Ted
Are there no alternatives (.net .tv .org etc)
If you really want it then make him an offer, or see how long it is until it comes up for renewal and hope he forgets it, bung a domain reminder thing on it so you know when it comes on the market (I think it is possible to have a domain auto registered as soon as it becomes available but I'm not sure which domains you can do this with).
D.
Are there no alternatives (.net .tv .org etc)
If you really want it then make him an offer, or see how long it is until it comes up for renewal and hope he forgets it, bung a domain reminder thing on it so you know when it comes on the market (I think it is possible to have a domain auto registered as soon as it becomes available but I'm not sure which domains you can do this with).
D.
I've been in the same situation.
If the domain is hosted and provides an email address then obviously you're sorted.
If the WHOIS provides any form of contact details then try those.
Finally, if all else fails, try contacting the registrar of the domain name and ask them niceley if they will forward your request to the owner.
I tried the last option via email and it was completely ignored. However if I had been more serious about it I would probably have phoned or faxed the registrar and not given up so easily.
If the domain is hosted and provides an email address then obviously you're sorted.
If the WHOIS provides any form of contact details then try those.
Finally, if all else fails, try contacting the registrar of the domain name and ask them niceley if they will forward your request to the owner.
I tried the last option via email and it was completely ignored. However if I had been more serious about it I would probably have phoned or faxed the registrar and not given up so easily.
PetrolTed said:
I was more curious about what approach to take with the chap than how to get hold of him. Would doing it using a personal address strengthen my case or weaken it? One time offer or start low and see what he says?
Maybe you could make it look as though you do this sort of thing all the time, like Elite do with car registrations, and you're approaching him along with thousands of others for no special reason. The moment you express significant interest the price is sure to rise.
contact from a hotmail account or summin disposable..
then once you have a feel for him, either accept, or tell him where to go, nastily.. and thats FAR too much, you would ave been willing to spend £100 etc.. but he is taking the piss.
leave it a week or so
then contact from a different addy, personal maybe, or another disposable which doesnt look disposable (can help you out if needed here) and ask what hes after, hopefully the first experience will have knocked some sense into him
have to make sure your v.proper nasty at the end tho..
htf could you be soo greedy, blah blah, you coudda had a deal if you wernt so silly blah blah..
make him regret it
then once you have a feel for him, either accept, or tell him where to go, nastily.. and thats FAR too much, you would ave been willing to spend £100 etc.. but he is taking the piss.
leave it a week or so
then contact from a different addy, personal maybe, or another disposable which doesnt look disposable (can help you out if needed here) and ask what hes after, hopefully the first experience will have knocked some sense into him
have to make sure your v.proper nasty at the end tho..
htf could you be soo greedy, blah blah, you coudda had a deal if you wernt so silly blah blah..
make him regret it
Would be useful if you could get some background info on the guy.
How many other domain names does he have? If he's got a lot...then he's obviously hoping to sell them on for a profit....if only the 2 then he's probably got plans for them himself.
Can you find out how much he paid for them originally?
I'd go with Simpo's advice - and ask him if he holds any other names you might be interested in...even though you're not
How many other domain names does he have? If he's got a lot...then he's obviously hoping to sell them on for a profit....if only the 2 then he's probably got plans for them himself.
Can you find out how much he paid for them originally?
I'd go with Simpo's advice - and ask him if he holds any other names you might be interested in...even though you're not
Hi Ted,
From what I've read....
Domains are generally rated according to:
Domain type
Number of characters
Memorability
Global impact (So generic words are valuble)
It used to be that if a .COM is worth 10 dollars
the .net would be worth 7
the .co.uk would be worth 1 or 2 dollars.
Most domain owners would consider a reasonable offer.
Its just like selling a car (time-wasters are everywhere).
Also the chap who owns the domain may have been using it as his main email account for years.
So you may like to offer him the possibility of keeping one email address
(ask the legal guys about disclaimers at the bottom !)
and forward all incoming mail to another account.
Theres no point posing as different buyers
(I mean if no one asks about his domain(s) and then all of a sudden theres three guys who sound the same interested ..... :-)
Ramesh
From what I've read....
Domains are generally rated according to:
Domain type
Number of characters
Memorability
Global impact (So generic words are valuble)
It used to be that if a .COM is worth 10 dollars
the .net would be worth 7
the .co.uk would be worth 1 or 2 dollars.
Most domain owners would consider a reasonable offer.
Its just like selling a car (time-wasters are everywhere).
Also the chap who owns the domain may have been using it as his main email account for years.
So you may like to offer him the possibility of keeping one email address
(ask the legal guys about disclaimers at the bottom !)
and forward all incoming mail to another account.
Theres no point posing as different buyers
(I mean if no one asks about his domain(s) and then all of a sudden theres three guys who sound the same interested ..... :-)
Ramesh
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