Help! Someone wants to buy my (currently unused) .co.uk domain

[Tez]

Folks.

I need some help. I'm no domain trader, but I bought a .co.uk domain a few years ago for a project my wife was working on at the time. Nothing came of the project, but I kept the domain just in case. It's a two word domain, fairly obscure term (I'd never heard of it, my wife just liked it), although it's now the name of one of the ranges of a large UK fashion retailer.

A few weeks ago I received a 3 figure GBP offer on it which I declined. Yesterday I received a very modest 4 figure GBP offer. I have no reason to believe it's a scam from reading other posts - no mention of certificates, looks like a genuine fashion business consultancy I'm talking to that have been established for a long while. They've also stated they'll cover all transfer costs.

Question is, is there any real way to determine what a domain is worth to someone? Given that the post-pandemic retail sector will likely look pretty different in terms of physical/internet footprint, I'd imagine this particular domain could be worth a fair whack to the potential buyer (possibly either the retailer or the designer). I don't want to scare them off, as they could easily hyphenate or find other alternatives, but at the same time, I obviously want to maximise any returns.

Any advice from you sagely folks would be more than welcome!

Cheers

 

[sircc]

*This is just my opinion and not professional advice. Use at your own risk.

Where are the emails coming from? A generic email or company email? Did you have it for sale anywhere and is it in use (what shows up when you visit the site)?

Tell them what you told us, the truth. It's your wife's unfinished project (as long as it has nothing to do with the fashion industry).

Do you need to sell this domain? The bottom line is, what is the domain worth to you? If you're not in any hurry to sell and had intentions of keeping it long-term, let them know.

If you're feeling bold, ask them who they are (unless you already know) and what their budget to acquire is.

best of luck

 

[carob]

How have they contacted you - is your name visible in the whois?

For comparative values, not at all the full story, see namebio.com or Godaddy Valuation Tool.
Transferring owner of .uk domain costs just £12 - that is not significant, but using some form of escrow would give you better security - you can ask buyer to cover any escrow costs.

If they are the only possible buyer, and you don't need the domain or could use another, I would be minded to sell - chance may not come again.

 

[bulkdomainz]

If you are happy with the current offer and want to sell, seeing as you are new to selling names, I'd say create an account with Epik or Dan, list the name at the price you have agreed to (or plus the commission that you will be charged) , and email buyer to buy via the marketplace.

Buyer pays the marketplace. Once marketplace let's you know payment has been received and that you should transfer name to the buyer, do so. They get domain, you get paid.

If you want more for the name, tell buyer you would be happy to sell at your desired price. If they agree to your counter-offer, then follow the steps as the previous paragraphs.

Good luck!

 

[Tez]

Thanks for your replies guys.

Sircc:
They're coming from company emails. Initially an e-commerce firm with the low offer, then from the fashion business consultancy, referring to the initial e-commerce contact. Sounds like they were subcontracting some aspect of a larger project (assumption).

It's not up for sale anywhere & not really in use, it redirects to a Facebook page at the moment.

I don't need to sell but also not really using it. I can make a very educated guess who the end client is, I reckon I'm 90% sure and they'd have a significant budget if I'm right - whether they'd be willing to use it is another matter!

Carob:
They initially contacted my wife via Facebook messenger - the domain currently redirects to her project page on there so likely their only means of contact. Emails were exchanged after the initial conversation.

Bulkdomainz - thanks for the advice I'll look into it!

I've tried GoDaddy which came back with a woeful value - likely only has value to a very small audience.

 

[sircc]

Thanks for your replies guys.

Sircc:
They're coming from company emails. Initially an e-commerce firm with the low offer, then from the fashion business consultancy, referring to the initial e-commerce contact. Sounds like they were subcontracting some aspect of a larger project (assumption).

It's not up for sale anywhere & not really in use, it redirects to a Facebook page at the moment.

I don't need to sell but also not really using it. I can make a very educated guess who the end client is, I reckon I'm 90% sure and they'd have a significant budget if I'm right - whether they'd be willing to use it is another matter!

You have the upper hand at the moment. They contacted you out of the blue. The domain redirects to a Facebook page and is not offered for sale anywhere.

This can go two ways, you can set a price you'd be happy to sell at or you can do as I hinted at earlier. If you do quote a price, expect a counter offer.

Whatever you do, do not mention the domain name here or elsewhere, at least for the moment.

 

[carob]

Whatever you do, do not mention the domain name here or elsewhere, at least for the moment.

Yes that is important, and don't say publicly it is for sale.

 

[Tez]

Whatever you do, do not mention the domain name here or elsewhere, at least for the moment.

Yes that is important, and don't say publicly it is for sale.

Thanks guys. I've had a couple of DMs from people saying they can help, asking for the domain & offer details, but I think I'll hold off at this stage!

I'll try a professional, courteous, honest, but bold approach initially and see where I get to. Fingers crossed!

 

[lovely4ever]

Ask for 5000 GBP and if they accept just sell it and enjoy the money .

 

[Furquan]

Thanks guys. I've had a couple of DMs from people saying they can help, asking for the domain & offer details, but I think I'll hold off at this stage!

I'll try a professional, courteous, honest, but bold approach initially and see where I get to. Fingers crossed!

That's a good move. Be professional ask whatever you think the domain deserves. Use domain escrow services when closing the deals. You may end up paying some fee but I recommend it.