End-user offer received. $0...

[Phronesis]

Got an email from Namedrive that a UK end-user wants my domain. His offer is $0 but he wants me to call him. I'm thinking no. I know he's an end user b/c the email address he provided basically contains my domain (a local city "autos"). I googled the city (UK) and auto sales and there it is. The site looks low end so I'm not sure he'll pay too much.

If I get him on the phone, I'm more likely to work out a deal, but I think its tougher to do than by email. How would you proceed?

 

[deu12000]

I would call him and see what he has to say. A call to the UK is relatively cheap (free if you have Vonage like me) and you can make a lot more if he gives you a decent offer and you have a chance to fight it out. If you really want to play hardball give him your number and have him call you.

 

[mkylut]

I suggest you call him. That's the rule imho.

 

[fonzie_007]

Email him first and give him your phone #. If he's really interested, he'll call you.

 

[Spade]

Your better off making a deal via phone. First off it validates he is not just a "Looky Lou", secondly is it gives you a strong indication of where he is comming from. I would probably even make some inquiries about his business before you judge. Lots of places have terrible websites even though they have money.

Figure out what you value the domain name at. Get a high asking price in your mind and be prepared to cut that in half. Look - its the end user, he is who you dream about selling names to. Let him know your expected sales price, but also let him know your happy to see if some middle ground can be agreed upon. Believe me, if they think your willing to work with them, you'll keep them at the bargaining table. And depending on what you value the domain name at, I think its worth a phone call to the UK.

Just my thoughts
Justin

 

[Robert Allen]

1. What was the domain?
2. What do you think your domain is worth?

Call him, you never know, he may of typoed, or he is a freeloader.

Rob

 

[Midano]

Keep in mind - he's a car salesman. Car salesman's default mindset is "BULLSH*T & NEGOTIATE". Play his own game - ask him what his answer would be if you walked into the door and offered $0 for that new Jaguar.
Good luck.

 

[RogueWriter]

Heck, offer him development services in addition to selling the domain. If he needs a good developer, perhaps you could make more off of the sale than what the actual domain brings...........

 

[Phronesis]

Thank all, I'll ring him tomorrow and we'll see what happens. Btw, I know he's the real deal. I googled his email and found his website. It's a 3 word, two-hypen, .co.uk variant of my 2 word .com. It's no wonder he wants my domain.

 

[fonzie_007]

Before you call, make sure you know your domain isn't TMed in Britain.

 

[good_looking]

Before you call, make sure you know your domain isn't TMed in Britain.

what is TMed ? Sorry Im new ..Thanks

 

[vslevin]

what is TMed ? Sorry Im new ..Thanks

Trademarked.

 

[domainer50]

Email him first and give him your phone #. If he's really interested, he'll call you.

^What the fonz said^
Protect yourself, make sure he is really interested, if he is you'll get a phone call.

 

[matt_bodis]

The real negotiation is always on the phone.

Unless you are bad at it....then it has the opposite effect.

 

[Phronesis]

Before you call, make sure you know your domain isn't TMed in Britain.

Thanks. No TM. Turns out it's the guys last name + autos.com. The singular version is regged by a dealership in SC + there's a dealership about a mile from me with the same name. Pretty common I guess.

 

[dongan]

The real negotiation is always on the phone.

Unless you are bad at it....then it has the opposite effect.

Yeah. true.

Call him.

 

[Lasher]

As for the current site being poor quality, maybe he has decided to redesign it and wants a better name to go with it. Don't assume, just set your price and go with it. If you can't reach agreement on the actual sales price, you could always offer to lease it to him, develop it for him for referral fees, lots of opportunities.