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As a domain owner and frequent recipient of such requests, here are a few tips: First of all, don't assume the domains are unused. You have no way of knowing t
by qjz 16y ago
As a domain owner and frequent recipient of such requests, here are a few tips:
First of all, don't assume the domains are unused. You have no way of knowing this. I have domains that are critical to my infrastructure but don't necessarily have a web site (or even public DNS records). I'll never sell them. I have others that are look-alike domains that aren't activated in order to prevent conflict with my other domains. I'm unlikely to sell these, either.
Secondly, and this is really important, make your offer as professional and informative as possible. I never reply to offers from freemail addresses that amount to something like, "Hey, I'm interested in buying a domain that you don't appear to be using for an awesome project I'm working on. Please reply ASAP. George". You don't have to divulge your business model, but at least include the name of the domain you're interested in, your FULL name, a phone number, and preferably a company name and/or related URL. Consider including your offer in the email, since it's more likely to get a response if it's at all worth considering. Serious offers are much more likely to get a reply, even if it's to say, "Sorry, not interested."
If you call and leave a message, include the same information. But keep in mind that I probably won't return a long distance call, so consider saying that you'll call back at a certain time, and do it. This will help to show that you're seriously interested.
Whatever you do, don't file a complaint with the registrar or try to initiate an unauthorized transfer. This will only annoy the domain owner and could destroy your credibility.
Finally, understand that the domain owner has no obligation to respond to your offer in any way. If you really want a response, follow up a couple of weeks later, and be prepared to make a serious offer. If you don't want to be considered a pest, stop after 3 attempts and give it a reasonable long rest before trying again (6 months to a year).
- Poiesis 16y agoFirst of all, don't assume the domains are unused. You have no way of knowing this. I have domains that are critical to my infrastructure but don't necessarily have a web site (or even public DNS records). I'll never sell them. How does this work? I'm not following you. It would seem that the less people/systems that know about a name, the less critical it is.
- billybob 16y agoMy question is: if there are no public DNS records, how is the domain name being used? Not doubting, I just don't get it.
- niels_olson 16y agoHe could be using a public-facing DNS server that only responds to queries from certain hosts.
- ig1 16y agoIt could be being used for java package names.
- duck 16y agoResponding to billybob (I guess the thread is too deep): I've used domain names with no public DNS for corporate Active Directory domains. They might have a different domain for their website, but by registering it you are covered.
- ohashi 16y agoYou forgot the most important piece of advice. A number not just showing interest but an exact dollar (or euro or whatever) interest. You will almost certainly negotiate more and try not to offend the current owner with a lowball. If you want it, someone else probably did before you.