Quietly acquiring an expiring domain

[humanengr]

I'm interested in a domain that is set to expire in 2 days. The owner had it for 2 years and used it only to redirect traffic to their regular business domain. They recently stopped using it to redirect traffic, so I suspect they are giving it up.

I don't think there will be big interest in this domain, though there may be some. GoDaddy is the registrar. My question is how to go about getting it without causing my interest in it to prompt an auction. I did put in one backorder on it through Name Intelligence.

Should I place another backorder through GoDaddy? Will this be a signal to GoDaddy to hold on to it and put it up for auction themselves? Would it be better to contact the current owner directly with an offer?

Thanks in advance

 

[whitebark]

Always contact the owner if you can - as any name with any value is going to attract interest. That's just the way it is.

 

[Kate]

Yes, if the name could be valuable I would contact the owner.

 

[humanengr]

Thanks -- what would you recommend as a mechanism for a private exchange?

 

[Rich_H]

If the name is in "pending delete" stage, the previous owner can't do anything, the name will be deleted on (or about) the date it's set to delete.

If it's regd @ Godaddy, the best bet is to backorder it there. If it's not a dictionary term (1,2,3 word), you'll probably get it with no problem.

If you don't (Godaddy hasn't been doing very well for me lately), don't give up. Watch for it at snap names and pool to see if anyone else is trying to grab it. If they are you may have to bid against them. If not, and it's snatched by a taster , they'll probably drop it in 4 or 5 days (especially if it doesn't get any traffic).

If you backorder @ Godaddy (and don't get it) just leave it backordered and it will be monitored. If it's released by a taster, Godaddy will notify you then try to grab it. Watch your email closely, if you receive notice from Godaddy that it's available again and they will be trying to secure it, you can try to snag it before Godaddy regs it thru your backorder. Just go to another registrar like 1&1 or Yahoo (Yahoo had $1.99 domain for your first domain regd thru them) and try to reg it. You may be able to reg it cheaper than the $18.99 Godaddy backorder and you'll still have the backorder to put on another name.

FYI, in the future, if you see a name that's in "redemption period" and you really want it. Contact the owner and work out a deal where you will pay the fee to bring it out of "redemption period" (about $80) and pay them something for the name. It's worked for me, they are going to let it go anyway so they are happy to make a few bucks.

Hope that helped

Rich

 

[briman1970]

Just go to another registrar like 1&1 or Yahoo (Yahoo had $1.99 domain for your first domain regd thru them) and try to reg it.

Everything about your post is good except the suggestion to go with 1&1 or Yahoo for domain registration. STAY AWAY from 1&1! Ask just about anyone at NP who's been in the biz for a year or more and they will tell you the same thing. Yahoo sucks a lot less than 1&1, but they still suck. Go with a great registrar like Moniker or a good registrar like GoDaddy or Enom. You get what you pay for.

 

[RJ]

Since it's at GoDaddy it's going to end up on the auction block at www.tdnam.com Be sure to check it frequently there.

If a couple months go by and it doesn't show up and GoDaddy's name appears in the WHOIS, send them an email to the admin contact. I had this happen with a domain I forgot to renew. I contacted them anonymously and they agreed to list it at TDNAM with a $25.00 buy it now.

 

[Fundraiser]

Since it's at GoDaddy it's going to end up on the auction block at www.tdnam.com Be sure to check it frequently there.

If a couple months go by and it doesn't show up and GoDaddy's name appears in the WHOIS, send them an email to the admin contact. I had this happen with a domain I forgot to renew. I contacted them anonymously and they agreed to list it at TDNAM with a $25.00 buy it now.

Smart play -RJ-.

 

[Rich_H]

Everything about your post is good except the suggestion to go with 1&1 or Yahoo for domain registration. STAY AWAY from 1&1! Ask just about anyone at NP who's been in the biz for a year or more and they will tell you the same thing. Yahoo sucks a lot less than 1&1, but they still suck. Go with a great registrar like Moniker or a good registrar like GoDaddy or Enom. You get what you pay for.

True. I haven't had any problems with 1&1 but I've heard the horror stories. I mentioned Yahoo because you can (or at least could) get your first name for $1.99. Personally, I use Godaddy for 99% of my regs.

 

[markfromslo]

True. I haven't had any problems with 1&1 but I've heard the horror stories. I mentioned Yahoo because you can (or at least could) get your first name for $1.99. Personally, I use Godaddy for 99% of my regs.

Yes, stay far far away from 1&1. Godaddy rules in customer service.

 

[humanengr]

Thanks to all for your replies. (Rep points given to whitebark and Rich_H.)

 

[Erdy]

If a domain was registered at godaddy I think godaddy puts it automatically on auction at tdnam.com.

I think you have zero chance with any other backorder and %100 it will be on tdnam aucton no matter what you do.

The tdnam.com auction will start 24 days after the domain has expired.

 

[hitchhiker]

ALWAYS use all 4 drop catching services

pool.com
snapname.com
clubdrop.com
godaddy.com

you never know who is going to end up with the domain . . .