Received Inquiry: advice?

[kenfeyl]

A couple years ago I picked up an expired name on TDNAM -- call it X.com. The name has made regfee in annual DomainSponsor income, but nothing more. In the last few months a site named Xblog.com has become quite popular. I just got the following inquiry about X.com:

Ken:

I am dropping you a note to see if you have any plans for the X.com website. Please drop me a note and let me know if you are planning to renew it or?

[Personal comment here related to my Whois address listing, how he grew up nearby, etc.]

His name here
Business name here
Business Development

Phone number here
Skype phone here
AIM name here
Alternate e-mail here

How should I respond to this? My domaining experience is very limited. I have sold a few domains before and parked many more, but that's it. Obviously I don't have any real plans for X.com, other than to sit on it until I get an offer.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Ken

 

[leftfielder]

I would say not to do any business through email. I received a scammer email through my whois info. You know, the scam about how I needed to buy an appraisal first. I basically told him an appraisal isn't my responsibility.

Write down everything you've learned about your domain name online and in the forums, ask for their phone number, and call the person with a calling card. Be as professional as you can. This method allowed me to maintain my anonymity and still control the conversation and situation.

Serious people with speak with you like business people. Also over the phone, I don't negotiate, I don't come off as desperate and when I don't know the answer I tell them I'll look it up.

 

[kenfeyl]

Hey Patrick,

Thanks for the info. I should've mentioned that I deleted it. Oh well! Good catch!

I have some news to report. The buyer has sent me $150 via Paypal, and the money has appeared in my account. Is it now safe to push the name to him?

Ken

Hi,

No offense meant!

Please realize that you didn't make mention that you deleted it from TDNAM.

If you do the deal via TDNAM, it will cost you 5% and you will not get paid for about 31 days even if you transfer the domain immediately.

Since the amount is small ($150), I would use PayPal and tell the Buyer that $150 is net and he has to add the PayPal fees.

You can use the free calculator at PPCalc.com to find the amount to add.

There is the risk the buyer could seek a chargeback if you use PayPal
but based on what you've posted I think the risk is small.

Patrick