NameSilo

The Art of Inquiry/Response

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I wanted to share an "inquiry" that I recieved and my response with everyone as an example, and to see if anyone has any suggestions or thoughts about my actions...

Here is the Inquiry recieved:

Hellp,

I understand that you are the owner of the domain name: www.example.com. I am writing to inquire if you might be interested in selling it and if so, for what price.

Best Regards,
(First Name)

Ok. Now, before I respond back, there is a little homework that needs to be done. Here is my checklist:

1. Check TLD's to see if anyone registered .net,.org, ect
2. Review history of domain name. (archive, ect, pr, links, traffic)
3. Search email address of the individual inquiring
4. Search the name of the individual inquiring
5. Review how offer was submitted (Broker, Auction, Forum, Parking, Whois)
6. Check the email for any additional "clues"

Alright... so, lets go down the list.

1. I own the .com of this domain name, the .net and .org are previously registered. This domain was picked up as a fresh registration when it dropped. The .net version of this name dates back to 2002 and is developed with Asian language on it. The .org is also a simple one page site with information about some music.

2. The site has an Archive history that dates back to 2001, and at the time was some kind of Dance instruction site. The site doesnt have any real major traffic.

3. A search of the email addy returned no results

4. A search of the individuals name (a unique name) revealed some search results, found this person held a high position in a small organization.

5. The offer was submitted through email. Which means the person looked up the whois, and chose to submit it that way.

6. Although this could be simply a typo, the word "hello" was spelled "hellp", more than likely a typo, but this could potentially indicate the individual is outside an english speaking languge.

Conclusion:

This is more the likely a saavy end-user. The email was well written as to force me to repsond with a price, as oppose to making an offer. The inquirer has not picked up any of the other TLD's, but this is likely because the others are already taken. This may but the original owner, but this seems unlikely. Although we recieved some results as to the name of the individual, there is no way to confirm this is that person, this information is almost useless at this time. More than likely the Hello was a typo and this is an english speaker.

The email was well written. It expressed interest, but did not want to give up the advantage of presenting an initial offer. If I was inquiring to a domain name, I would use a very similar email.

Here is my response:

First Name,

Thank you for your inquiry. The domain name example.com was in fact
acquired initially for development after it expired this year. That
project has since been put on hold indefinitely. At this time we are
more than willing to consider any serious offer that is presented.

Sincerely,
Justin Allen

My response does several things. First, it is a timely response, showing some interest. It explains that although I am willing to sell, I do have other interests for the domain name. It also asks that the peson inquiring, makes a "serious" offer. It is my belief that the first person to settle on an asking/offering price is already at a disadvantage. I will update the thread with more details as the unfold.
 
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Conclusion

The sale has been completed and the money deposited in my account. The entire process started on Sunday and Completed early Friday morning. Relatively easily, with a few back and fourth negotiations..

Thanks everyone for reading this thread, if you have any thoughts, advise, or even questions, Im more than open to them.

Thanks,
Justin
 
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you obviously have done well but I`d point to the fact that some people do not like this game like in my case with Mr Zouzas and other people that I heard about too.

This industry is pretty crazy and rule is: there are no rules, each person is different and each domain is different. How do you know that the buyer wanted so badly that name that even if you asked 10K he was going to meet you at 5K ? You`ll never know it, it`s all crazy, and this thread may teach something to some people but to some other may teach to never be happy with a buyer`s offer which sometimes will turn in a no sale.
Many newbies think to have very expensive domains so they go broken by reg fees because they never lower their prices. There much about luck in this industry.
 
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italiandragon said:
How do you know that the buyer wanted so badly that name that even if you asked 10K he was going to meet you at 5K ? You`ll never know it

Agreed. Im not suggesting I acted flawlessly. I took some risk, I did my best to "feel" the buyer out, and who is to say I got the most money possible? Will this strategy work everytime? Absolutely not...

I did my best to read the buyer, and made decisions based on his moves, and on what I would be happy with. Each move, I analyzed and showed my thought process in this thread (which was the entire focus).

Does my strategy always work? Absolutely not... Ive had several similar situations fall through, for many reasons.. Buyers werent as serious as I thought, I pushed too high, ect....

My focus through this thread was to really consider every move the buyer makes, and really try to read them as best as you can, making smart counters and replies.

Justin
 
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domainspade said:
Agreed. Im not suggesting I acted flawlessly. I took some risk, I did my best to "feel" the buyer out, and who is to say I got the most money possible? Will this strategy work everytime? Absolutely not...

I did my best to read the buyer, and made decisions based on his moves, and on what I would be happy with. Each move, I analyzed and showed my thought process in this thread (which was the entire focus).

Does my strategy always work? Absolutely not... Ive had several similar situations fall through, for many reasons.. Buyers werent as serious as I thought, I pushed too high, ect....

My focus through this thread was to really consider every move the buyer makes, and really try to read them as best as you can, making smart counters and replies.

Justin


and you did very well from this, but my aim is to let newbies understand that unfortunately (at least from my little experience) it does not happen often to have a so smooth transactions, actually it`s more the bad times than the good times.
Anyway you did well this time, congrats!
 
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italiandragon said:
and you did very well from this, but my aim is to let newbies understand that unfortunately (at least from my little experience) it does not happen often to have a so smooth transactions, actually it`s more the bad times than the good times.
Anyway you did well this time, congrats!

I do agree with you, New Domainers need to tread carefully, and visit this forum for help and assistance. Often times they get over excited and think their domains are worth endless sums of money, and cant close the deal...

But thank you, I am happy with this sale.

Justin
 
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What's the name?
 
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Aggro said:
What's the name?

Although I initially opted not to say it, I will now...

Beyondo <dot> com
 
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Nice name. Great brandablilty.

Skinny
 
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domainspade said:
I do agree with you, New Domainers need to tread carefully, and visit this forum for help and assistance. Often times they get over excited and think their domains are worth endless sums of money, and cant close the deal...

But thank you, I am happy with this sale.

Justin

it's just simple, there are always some newbies that think they can do it, and have to great expectations.
I'm just remembering when i was 15 and going to fight/karate training,
there were always some ppl thinking after a week of training you can jump 7m high ;)

BTW: Domainspade: are your mails copyrighted, or can i use them ;) ? Your english is better ;)
 
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Your welcome to use anything Ive posted in this thread. Thats why I shared it.

Justin
 
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domainspade said:
Although I initially opted not to say it, I will now...

Beyondo <dot> com

hmmm, a virtual world ! - nice name for that eh ;)

The name is now parked and says

"We are creating new ways for people to integrate immersive, fun and rich virtual-worlds into the World Wide Web.

We will be making announcements soon, so please visit our site from time to time to learn more about our plans."


.
 
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gazzip said:
The name is now parked

You'll notice its forwarding to BeyondoNetworks <dot> com
 
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domainspade said:
You'll notice its forwarding to BeyondoNetworks <dot> com

yeah, I did notice, that was registered on 2007-04-26, I'm always curious to see what happens to domains when they are sold. I think I'm just nosy :red:

Nice name for that purpose.

.
 
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I'm always curious to see what happens to domains when they are sold

I think we're all like that. You want to see your name that you've sold put to good use.

Skinny
 
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Actually, I look back to see if I undersold it.... lol
 
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domainspade said:
Actually, I look back to see if I undersold it.... lol

... dont look back ;)
 
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zoki said:
... dont look back ;)

LoL...

But how will I know if I did a good job or not?
 
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Great success story, congratulations on your sale! I think I often cave in a great deal too easily when negotiating. :sick:

Do you mind sharing a little more about the domain so I can learn a little more about selecting names? ;) Such as ... the extension, type of domain (3 Letter, Gambling, Technology, etc.).
 
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Was this a fresh reg, something you saw on a drop list, etc?? Just wondering what your initial motivations were for picking this one up. I like it, don't get me wrong, but it's probably not something I would have thought up on my own to register :)
 
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domainspade said:
LoL...

But how will I know if I did a good job or not?

i tell you : "you have done good job" ;)

ok, i think thats a part that you never find out:
maybe if you call them and ask how much they were ready to spent ;)

+- you would not know how much they were ready to spent
+- you would never know does they had alternative names !!
(i'm sure that you know this, but here just listed as suggestion for other domainers)

slipxaway said:
Was this a fresh reg, something you saw on a drop list, etc?? Just wondering what your initial motivations were for picking this one up. I like it, don't get me wrong, but it's probably not something I would have thought up on my own to register :)

Slipx: answer to first part of your question is in first post ! ;)
 
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