Best way to get domain you want from someone...?
What is the best way to get a domain from someone (how to approach them, what to say) when they aren't using the domain without encouraging them to quote you a high price for it?
4 comments
I imagine this is the kind of question that HN sees a lot. I don't spend tons of time here, but considering the responses so far, I think my input is will be not be redundant. I am a domainer with ~$500,000 in purchases under my belt, which means I am experienced but not one of the "big guys."
First of all, there is no single best way to get a domain that you want. There are techniques that tend to work better in some situations than others, but it's good to think of these as tools in your toolbelt rather than the ultimate domain-buying dogma. Unfortunately, confirmation bias can skew less experienced hackers toward confusing the story of how they got their domain with real advice.
Like any negotiation, the first place to start is by assessing all info about both parties. Can you answer the following?
- Does the seller have true WHOIS visible or is the WHOIS obfuscated by a privacy service? a. If visible, what can you figure out about the seller?
- Do the domain's nameservers point to anything that could help you identify the owner?
- Is the domain name a generic dictionary word .com or .net? That is, is your gut feeling that it's worth >$10,000?
- Is the domain listed for sale at any major venues (sedo, godaddy, afternic, snapnames, ect)?
- Do you have alternatives or do you absolutely need to have this domain?
- What is your timeline to acquire either this domain or one of your alternatives?
If you feel comfortable emailing me the domain, I can give you a report of the WHOIS history from http://whois.domaintools.com/ along with my personal opinion.
Lastly, I would specifically recommend you ignore advice from tuscon and johnmurch. Absolutely no domainer takes estibot seriously and feigning legal threats will not help your situation at all.
First of all, there is no single best way to get a domain that you want. There are techniques that tend to work better in some situations than others, but it's good to think of these as tools in your toolbelt rather than the ultimate domain-buying dogma. Unfortunately, confirmation bias can skew less experienced hackers toward confusing the story of how they got their domain with real advice.
Like any negotiation, the first place to start is by assessing all info about both parties. Can you answer the following?
- Does the seller have true WHOIS visible or is the WHOIS obfuscated by a privacy service? a. If visible, what can you figure out about the seller?
- Do the domain's nameservers point to anything that could help you identify the owner?
- Is the domain name a generic dictionary word .com or .net? That is, is your gut feeling that it's worth >$10,000?
- Is the domain listed for sale at any major venues (sedo, godaddy, afternic, snapnames, ect)?
- Do you have alternatives or do you absolutely need to have this domain?
- What is your timeline to acquire either this domain or one of your alternatives?
If you feel comfortable emailing me the domain, I can give you a report of the WHOIS history from http://whois.domaintools.com/ along with my personal opinion.
Lastly, I would specifically recommend you ignore advice from tuscon and johnmurch. Absolutely no domainer takes estibot seriously and feigning legal threats will not help your situation at all.
Mostly agree with your input.
Though "Absolutely no domainer takes estibot seriously" is a bit of an exaggeration, I think.
Estibot is regularly mentioned on TheDomains.com (widely seen as the authority on domain name market news).
Mentioned here for example: http://www.thedomains.com/2008/05/11/using-estibotcom-what-a...
http://www.thedomains.com/2011/11/03/ira-com-sells-for-seven...
Of course it's an automated tool and is not perfect. But it can be used as a reference point.
Though "Absolutely no domainer takes estibot seriously" is a bit of an exaggeration, I think.
Estibot is regularly mentioned on TheDomains.com (widely seen as the authority on domain name market news).
Mentioned here for example: http://www.thedomains.com/2008/05/11/using-estibotcom-what-a...
http://www.thedomains.com/2011/11/03/ira-com-sells-for-seven...
Of course it's an automated tool and is not perfect. But it can be used as a reference point.
Thank you for this in depth answer. I would really appreciate your input since you know quite a bit. What is your email so I can send you some specific information?
Hey, sorry I thought I put it in there. It is cyruslohrasbpour AT gmail dot com. I have no idea if I can help getting you the domain but I can try to give you some perspective.
Hey,
First off be sure to email them and say you are contacting them on behalf of a client, be just a proxy in this negotiation. Secondly, focus on getting a price from them first. Even if it's something crazy like 1MM, respond back with I understand the value, but my client can really only go upto XXXX, I wish we could pay that, but this is their offer...
Lastly, if you really want to go after them and it's a name that's branded in a way. Just set a price like, sent an email saying look we don't want to contact our lawyers but be willing to buy for XXX.
Good Luck!
First off be sure to email them and say you are contacting them on behalf of a client, be just a proxy in this negotiation. Secondly, focus on getting a price from them first. Even if it's something crazy like 1MM, respond back with I understand the value, but my client can really only go upto XXXX, I wish we could pay that, but this is their offer...
Lastly, if you really want to go after them and it's a name that's branded in a way. Just set a price like, sent an email saying look we don't want to contact our lawyers but be willing to buy for XXX.
Good Luck!
Thank you so much for your response/advice. I tried doing what you mentioned as I have a PR firm and said I was trying to acquire it for a client but they set a ridiculous amount for a domain that is really not worth anything (not a special name, etc) and when I said my client can only pay XXX they said no. Anything else I can do or just let it go? I gave them a value pretty high (higher than I have seen on auctions for much better/more valuable domains) and they have had the domain for 10 years and done absolutely nothing with it so I am not sure why they think they can get such a high price for it.
You're recommending he start with fraud and then move to extortion? Seriously?
Email the whois contact.
Use an email address that does not show you have a huge wallet (if you do).
Propose a price. Not too low. Not too high. Get a good estimate from estibot.com (or valuate.com, same engine). The estimates are sometimes off but it's the best thing around, and professional "domainers" use it.
If you don't propose a price, you might look like a tire-kicker, and not get an answer. If you do propose a price that is way below the market (ref. estibot), then you might upset the person.
Use an email address that does not show you have a huge wallet (if you do).
Propose a price. Not too low. Not too high. Get a good estimate from estibot.com (or valuate.com, same engine). The estimates are sometimes off but it's the best thing around, and professional "domainers" use it.
If you don't propose a price, you might look like a tire-kicker, and not get an answer. If you do propose a price that is way below the market (ref. estibot), then you might upset the person.
Thank you for the input!
Not the original poster, but wanted to follow up...
I want a domain that expires on Nov. 11... What's the best service to use to "reserve" the domain as it's going through the expiration process?
I want a domain that expires on Nov. 11... What's the best service to use to "reserve" the domain as it's going through the expiration process?
From the research we have done places say to backorder on the three biggest sites and you only get charged when one of them gets it so you don't lose anything by doing it on all three but it gives you the biggest chances. The sites are namejet, snapnames and pool
Awesome, thanks for letting me know! :)