Buying a registered domain name

[Barrybomb]

Well,I'm new here and have come to this site to get some advice on a question.If this has been answered directly already,please let me know.I have opened a new business,in construction,and wish to coordinate my new logo,toll free number and domain name.Two of the three are complete,now I need to register the domain name.There is one domain name I wish I had but I have done a search and found that the name has already been registered.I did a whois search to find out who has the name,so I know that much.However there is no active website for this domain.The person with domain is listed as having the domain name since 1998 and it seems to be a play on his personal name. The whois search lists his email as John Doe @jdoe.com (understand?) but there is no jdoe.com website. Could someone give me a step by step way to go about buying the domain from this person,as in best way to contact,how to negotiate price,how to pay,how to make a binding agreement,how to tranfer everything. The domain name,probably would have limited appeal,it is a shortened version of my company's name. I have a plan B but this would be my first choice.

 

[Sinfully Wicked]

Hi,
Welcome to NamePros. Ok, email the contact info as stated in the whois, regardless if there is a site or not and if there is a phone number, even better, call them and tell them your enquiring about the domain in question. Once contact has been established talk about prices, you might be lucky and the current owner might just say he wants the reg fee back for every year he has held the domain, especially if its just sitting there doing nothing. If that dosent work offer a reasonable amount, half your budget say, but seeing as this domain has been regged since 1998, it could cost you. Three things could happen 1) The domain might not be for sale at any price, 2) your offer could be too low, but he should counter offer with what he/she wants for the name, 3) It could just be way out of your budget. I dont know how much you have to spend, but expect to pay $xxxx + for a domain of that age. IF you are successful and you do come to an agreement, use Escrow.com for high domain sales, they have "built in" protection for buyers and sellers so no one gets screwed. Once the domain has been pushed and money has been recived, your the new proud owner.

Good luck.

Thank you

Sin

 

[Barrybomb]

First impressions

The whois lists an email,a physical address and a phone.Which one do you think is best for the initial contact? I would feel funny making a cold call for this one,as I would probably feel funny receiving a phone call like that myself.

 

[Sinfully Wicked]

Email first, if not reply in a week then call and just say your enquiring about the domain name.

Thank you

Sin

 

[biggie]

The whois lists an email,a physical address and a phone.Which one do you think is best for the initial contact? I would feel funny making a cold call for this one,as I would probably feel funny receiving a phone call like that myself.

i've received cold calls from buyers, that didn't know how to get the domain and or how to pay for it.

once we've established a price, i can send them a link to sedo or afternic, with the confirmed price over the phone, as the "buy it now price".

they can now complete the deal, thru the link.

maybe the seller already has the name listed, or can list it.

you could discuss that over the phone.

just an example

 

[fonzie_007]

Email first, then follow up with a call. I have negotiated domain deals for others in the past. I am happy to answer any questions you have, just drop me a PM.

 

[Barrybomb]

Negotiations

I've searched in a couple of places to see if the domain is for sale anywhere and I don't see it.Like I said, the name is a play off the man's own personal name, so I'm guessing that he is not dealing domain names.If that is the case,what approach do you reccomend?Do you think I can throw out a figure with email? Should I say I have a limited amount of time (the truth) to complete a deal before I go with plan B? If the man lists his email as John [email protected] and there is no jdoe.com site,what does that tell me?