Inquiry received, People do not understand domains

[domainer50]

About a week ago I purchased a name via TDNAM. The name was upstage.ws. Generally .ws are weak but i figured this one had some expired traffic and was a nice generic word. This morning I received this email.

Dear PJ Foti

you currently the registered 'owner' of upstage.ws, parked at godaddy.com. I have been trying for a month to renew this name but I can't get anywhere as I don't have the original customer number. The domain was owned by a school theatre company and the person involved is no longer available to help with it. I have the passwords but not the customer number.

A customer service advisor at godaddy told me to complete the 'change accounts' form - which I did, last week, but I've heard nothing.

Could you please tell me how to get access back?

thanks in advance
(Her Name)

I think she is expecting me to just give it back to her :lol: Anyway I sent her an email back telling her that I was the new rightful owner but I am willing to negotiate a price What do you guys think?

 

[Keith]

I think offering to sell it back is a fair thing to do. However, I would only
sell it if you think the price is right.

 

[TheBulldog]

Depends.

I would guess it is probably a teacher getting something for her class. I would ask her who she is and what her connection to it is. IF she can prove it is something for a school or beneficial for kids, I think I might give it back at cost.

On the other hand, if it is for something other then that, then you set the price and it's her problem she didn't work harder to get it fixed.

 

[domainer50]

Im not going to bleed her of money, but she made it sound like she wants me to give it to her for free.

 

[Fundraiser]

The story sounds legit knowing how GoDaddy works and my own frustration with proving information to a registrar's satisfaction. A Google search on the name and an inquiry at archive.org seem to support the story as well.

I would give the domain back at cost as the decent thing to do. I have done this many times myself. You can usually tell the real stories from the BS. As you say, the domain really has little value to you.

What were you thinking registering a dot WS anyways? :hehe: (OK - I admit I do have one or two still )

 

[allis]

Obviously you are under no obligation to give it to her, it would be more of a moral thing, if you thought it appropriate. I don't think the domain is worth very much in the "marketplace", it doesn't look like it was developed or has any traffic.
If the kids had worked hard on it or it had a lot of their content there, I'd probability give them a break, but it doesn't look like that's the case. I don't see any activity in 2007. Maybe ask for $30.

 

[Ross]

Obviously you are under no obligation to give it to her, it would be more of a moral thing, if you thought it appropriate. I don't think the domain is worth very much in the "marketplace", it doesn't look like it was developed or has any traffic. I am a little suspicious about her comment RE: "change accounts' form" and if she is not being honest, forget it. Just wanting it isn't enough, most of us have lost domains. If the kids had worked hard on it or it had a lot of their content there, I'd probabily give them a break, but it doesn't look like that's the case.

It was a site that this lady perfectly describes by the way. www.upstage.ws Archive

Seems legit its up to you. I mean the site hasnt been up for about a year. So who knows what her future plans are.

 

[domainer50]

It was a site that this lady perfectly describes by the way. www.upstage.ws Archive

Seems legit its up to you. I mean the site hasnt been up for about a year. So who knows what her future plans are.

I have no problem giving it back to her. But their will be a cost. It will not be astronomical but their will be a cost. And whoever said no traffic is incorrect. The reason I bought the name was becuase of the expired traffic that it was receiving.

 

[irishmat]

yep does look like a school theatre site from the archives

perhaps sell back for a cost + time fee

 

[Ross]

I have no problem giving it back to her. But their will be a cost. It will not be astronomical but their will be a cost. And whoever said no traffic is incorrect. The reason I bought the name was becuase of the expired traffic that it was receiving.

I totally agree. I would deffinetly give back at cost for sure. If i were you i would let her know the whole situation from your perspective so she can understand why you are wanting the cost of the domain. :imho:

 

[irishmat]

I have no problem giving it back to her. But their will be a cost. It will not be astronomical but their will be a cost. And whoever said no traffic is incorrect. The reason I bought the name was becuase of the expired traffic that it was receiving.

how much traffic has it got? any revenue?

 

[Sleepys]

I almost always respond to these messages with the same offer (so long as I think that their story is legit, that the person is genuine, and especially if the name is not making me any money). Explain to her domain redemption periods, and explain the Godaddy policy of sending names to public auction afterwards. Explain to her that she had a full 30 days to reclaim the name even after she let it expire, and that then she had about 2 weeks once it went to auction that she could reclaim (this is for her future benefit). Then explain that Godaddy charges $80 to get the name back once it expires. This $80 is cheap compared to other registrars. Then say I will accept half of the $80, that way you save $40 and I get to make $20. Or say, "Godaddy would have charged you $80, lets split that and what I paid, so you save some money and I make some money". Win-Win scenario.

Only apply the above method if the person is genuine and if you agree with their cause.

 

[deleted984054565403]

I almost always respond to these messages with the same offer (so long as I think that their story is legit, that the person is genuine, and especially if the name is not making me any money). Explain to her domain redemption periods, and explain the Godaddy policy of sending names to public auction afterwards. Explain to her that she had a full 30 days to reclaim the name even after she let it expire, and that then she had about 2 weeks once it went to auction that she could reclaim (this is for her future benefit). Then explain that Godaddy charges $80 to get the name back once it expires. This $80 is cheap compared to other registrars. Then say I will accept half of the $80, that way you save $40 and I get to make $20. Or say, "Godaddy would have charged you $80, lets split that and what I paid, so you save some money and I make some money". Win-Win scenario.

Only apply the above method if the person is genuine and if you agree with their cause.

That's the best advice, :imho:

Since you're dealing with a school, they won't be able to afford to pay what you'd ideally want, obviously. Letting it go at cost (plus a little for time) is the most fair.

But I understand what you're saying; I've gotten similar inquiries before of people expecting free domains.

 

[domainer50]

how much traffic has it got? any revenue?

5-10 visits per day. No clicks as of yet (Has only been in my acct for 3 days)

 

[Steven]

It's really up to you, but if I was in your position, I would resell it to her at a reasonable price (around $40).

Keep us updated

 

[domainer50]

It's really up to you, but if I was in your position, I would resell it to her at a reasonable price (around $40).

Keep us updated

Will do. I got the email around 9 am today and still no response. But I will be sure to let everyone know how it turns out.

 

[Jeff]

yep does look like a school theatre site from the archives

perhaps sell back for a cost + time fee

Agree. :music:

How much did it cost in total ... for the purchase and fees from Tdnam? :blink:
-Jeff

 

[domainer50]

Agree. :music:

How much did it cost in total ... for the purchase and fees from Tdnam? :blink:
-Jeff

It was a closeout, $5+Reg Fee.

 

[Jeff]

It was a closeout, $5+Reg Fee.

Okie, $5 + $7.99 Reg. fee = $12.99 total investment (seven days ago)? :blink:

-Jeff

 

[npcomplete]

Overall, the above advice in this thread sounds perfect. Being a "nice guy" always comes back to you... trust me on that.

Marc