Advice Please ...

[grovenet]

Hi.

I provide webhosting services to a local company.

I've just found that a fantastic domain is for sale by a completely unknown (to me) person. So basically, I'll broker a deal and add my fee.

Is there a generally accepted procedure for buying a domain from a total stranger (ie, I've never seen them in here or other forums, I think they just happen to have the domain and stuck a 'for sale' notice on it)

I'm guessing something like:

I pay the seller 50%
they push the domain to me
I pay them the other 50%

I know they could say the same -- they don't know me at all so why should they trust me etc. etc.

I've just realised .. I suppose this is all looking like an ideal candidate for an escrow sale isn't it .. which has probably just answered my questions.

Thanks for any other info / advice though .. like which are the most reputable escrow providers? I've never used one before.

Dave.

 

[fonzie_007]

If you are talking thousands of dollars, definately use escrow.com or another reputable escrow service (sedo.com and afternic.com would also be viable options, but I believe their fees may be higher). If you are talking tens or hundreds of dollars, you are probably fine using paypal.

Send an email, ask if the person is interested in selling the domain and ask what their price is. Don't seem overly interested or the seller may set an unreasonably high price. Sign the email with your name, email address, and phone number.

Before sending the email, I would suggest you do some research on who owns the domain right now. Run a whois search to find out the person's info, then google him.