Ready to sell my first domain but I'm stuck!

[Cataclysmic]

A few newbie questions...

I’ve registered a few brand new domain names, but never bought or sold any from someone else. I’d like to buy and sell a cheap name just to go through the motions and take the mystery out of it, and I have a friend who is willing to buy a name from me and then sell it back, but neither of us have any clue how to make the transaction happen… so I have a few questions:

How do you transfer the money? How do you transfer the domain? How do you ensure that after you send the money, the seller doesn’t decide not to transfer the name (and vice versa)?

Is there a website(s) through which it is possible to make the transfer?

Do you need a lawyer? (I could see using a lawyer if the name was worth $100,000.00, but not if it was worth $10.00)

Do I need to do anything differently if there is a website attached to the domain VS just a plain domain with no site attached?

If I don’t want seller of a domain to know my real name because it might enable him to determine my motivation, is there any way to hide that from him? Could I transfer it to a fake name and then transfer it from there to myself?

Anything else I need to know?

If anyone can respond with some answers I’d appreciate it – thanks.

 

[webfreak]

PayPal works for many as a way to both send and receive funds.

Most registrars and resellers allow you to easily push the domain to a buyer, once funds have been received.

You do have somewhat of a risk buying from forum members. I'd say that more than 95% of the time forum sales go smoothly.

If you have a high value domain, you can use escrow.com or Moniker escrow. You do not need a lawyer for small value transactions.

When selling a site, depending on complexity, you can have your buyer take over the hosting account or transfer it over to them.

You could use a privacy service for your domain name, but a PayPal buyer will know who they are paying. I'm not really sure how someone could know your motivation through your name alone.

When selling domains over forums, you should provide exceptional customer service.

Good luck.

 

[doggyowner]

... How do you transfer the money? How do you transfer the domain? How do you ensure that after you send the money, the seller doesn’t decide not to transfer the name (and vice versa)?

Is there a website(s) through which it is possible to make the transfer?

Do you need a lawyer? (I could see using a lawyer if the name was worth $100,000.00, but not if it was worth $10.00)

As an alternative to PayPal, I would suggest you use Escrow.com for domain transfers. They make the transfer easy and secure. Have a look at their web site for more info and pricing. You don't need a lawyer.

Good luck!

 

[Finer - Tommy]

I would suggest using paypal as a funding source. All you have to do is push the name to there accoubt after you are finished

 

[bgmv]

i agree with paypal but the only problem is that they take a percentage of the selling price add that to the registrar commission fee and it could add up.

 

[Interpixel]

How do you transfer the money?
PayPal, ePassporte, Escrow.com, Google Checkout.

How do you transfer the domain?
Do an account change or push from your registar.

How do you ensure that after you send the money, the seller doesn’t decide not to transfer the name (and vice versa)?
Use a service like Escrow.com to protect yourself.

Do you need a lawyer?
If it is a high priced domain you may want to have a lawyer involved to right up an agreement to protect yourself and the buyer down the road.

Do I need to do anything differently if there is a website attached to the domain VS just a plain domain with no site attached?
Just do the same thing as if it was just a domain being sold. Just zip files and/or database and provide a link to the buyer. Or just sign over the hosting account if it is easier and the only site on the account.

If I don’t want seller of a domain to know my real name because it might enable him to determine my motivation, is there any way to hide that from him? Could I transfer it to a fake name and then transfer it from there to myself?
Why? Thats just kind of shady... Honesty is the best policy with selling anything online.

 

[Cataclysmic]

Thanks very much for all the answers so far!

If I don’t want seller of a domain to know my real name because it might enable him to determine my motivation, is there any way to hide that from him? Could I transfer it to a fake name and then transfer it from there to myself?
Why? Thats just kind of shady... Honesty is the best policy with selling anything online.

Well I have a situation that is something like this: I own the .net version of a domain name and have a fully functional website there. I want to buy the .com version of my website name, which is currently a site with only ads on it. I want to buy it based on revenue like anyone else would, because if the seller knew that I owned the .net version which is a full website, he might realize that I'd be willing to pay 10x the price anyone else would pay..... and I wouldn't want that!

 

[ehoez.com]

if they are in the same town, CASH .

go there with a notebook, and transfer it in there face.

 

[djmadfx]

if they are in the same town, CASH .

go there with a notebook, and transfer it in there face.

I was thinking the same thing. Cash = no paper trail = no taxes.

 

[zand_stein]

I was thinking the same thing. Cash = no paper trail = no taxes.

i also accept that idea............

 

[ApeXX]

You do have somewhat of a risk buying from forum members. I'd say that more than 95% of the time forum sales go smoothly.

I think it all comes down to common sense. I have never had a problem with domain or website transactions, and I've completed too many to count.

Once you have enough positive ratings on a forum, people will offer to complete their side of the transaction first because they trust you.