Contacting a domainer for purchase.

[BorderPatrol]

So I'm building a website, and it's a video sharing site.
The dot com was taken, so I went with the dot TV, which is fine with me.

At some point I'd like to own the .com, so I figured I should contact the owner for the dot com for purchase before I fully develop, so the current owner can't use a developed site to his advantage for traffic or for leveraging a higher price.

How's the best way I can approach this person? Should I just ask for a price straight out, or should I approach more slowly?

 

[copper]

See how many domains this person has.
Typically...
More domains mean harder to buy at lower price.
More domains mean "do NOT lowball".

 

[weblord]

some domain sales letter example
http://www.namepros.com/marketing-techniques/1757-domain-sales-letter-examples.html

research on the owner a little bit first before approaching. I think "less" will go a long long way here, just tell him/her you're interested in the domain in your first email not even mentioning the obvious "how much for it?" if he's/she's interested to sell or not they reply.

 

[BorderPatrol]

See how many domains this person has.
Typically...
More domains mean harder to buy at lower price.
More domains mean "do NOT lowball".

Domain Tools is telling me he has about 300 domains, but I can't find a website for him or anywhere else displaying his email or address (name is only "K C")

 

[copper]

Domain Tools is telling me he has about 300 domains, but I can't find a website for him or anywhere else displaying his email or address (name is only "K C")

Is it privacy protected?
If you wish, PM me the domain name and I can look for whois history.
I have acct at domaintools.com

 

[BorderPatrol]

Is it privacy protected?
If you wish, PM me the domain name and I can look for whois history.
I have acct at domaintools.com

PM sent

Well, did some snooping on the web, found his portfolio page. He's a web designer, owns a few good one-word .TV names. Sent a real simple email, wish me luck!

 

[BorderPatrol]

Got a response:

I am a web developer so I am familiar with current market values for video related domains. I am in no rush to develop or sell as my projects are taking off and its costs pennies to keep registered. If you would like to make a serious offer, then please let me know.

I can see his eyes lighting up "Enduser!", :lol:

Not sure what offer I would counter with. It's a nicheTube.com domain, what's the current climate for those?

 

[DotUSDomains]

Try using namebio.com

Here are some sales,

SurfersTube.com $4000
GoodTube.com $10,500
ShowTube.com $500
RealEstateTube.com $1000

There are lots more ??????Tube.com sales listed.

Good luck.