@DomainGuy86 Thanks for the input. Well... it looked serious. It was a back and forth via the marketplace. The domain was listed for more than $25K. Think about it from the buyer's perspective and put yourself in his shoes- you make a $25K offer for a domain that's being offered for more so at 25K you think you're getting a good price. Then you go to archive.org and see that 3 years ago the domain was offered for low $XXXX. If I were the buyer, saw that and didn't understand domains, I'd also think that someone was trying to take me for a ride and sell me something that's way overpriced. And I would then very likely reconsider even if initially the domain seemed perfect. Nobody wants to feel like a sucker. The question is- what's the perfect response that can speak to an end user in a way that would be convincing and that could counter that feeling.
Everyone does not view domain names the way domain investors do. Even people with very deep pockets. My background is in stock and bond investments. Worked for a big firm, I remember when the Internet came about and I was out of that business and investing in domain names for my company at the time, I mentioned Stockbrokers.com to the head of a firm I knew well. He asked me why would anyone want that? Now this was early 1998, but he told me he wouldn't pay $5,000 for it. I was like you are crazy, you will see. Again that was probably more about timing.
When people think they are being duped (I know you were not duping them) they will back away from things, even things they want or need.
I was in a department store once when a woman started throwing punches at a salesperson when someone in line told her, "That was $30 last week" She was now paying $49, she lost her mind, started screaming, when told to calm down, just started throwing lefts and rights.
When you know who you are dealing with, or as well as you can possibly know them, it's easier to negotiate. I one time sold a name years later through direct email, the buyer let me know he made an offer years before on Sedo, but did not understand or like the communication system.
A domain name is worth what two parties agree it's worth, the buyer and the seller, other opinions are fine, but basically meaningless. If I wanted to buy a name for $5,000 and my best friend said it's worth paying $10,000 that would mean absolutely nothing to me, now I will admit I am on the extreme side that I am never looking for opinions, some do and some need. I think if you need you probably should not be putting money at risk.
So you could say, I did not own the domain name years ago, I am not pulling a bait and switch. The previous owner was someone in desperate need of money and put this valuable asset up for sale at a lower price.
The domain name is now in stronger hands, I would like your business but I am not desperate to sell this domain name, I know it's value.