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Ask HN: what unwanted domain names are you sitting on?

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Ask HN: what unwanted domain names are you sitting on?

#1
While thinking of ever more imaginative ways to punish domain squatters following yet another abandoned hunt for a domain-cum-product name, I finally became aware of the irony that I am sitting on a few decent domain names that I'm not using.

Then, I wondered, if one of the parked domains I've come across recently is held just by someone like me, not maliciously or out for profit, but just as a by-product of a non-startup startup, an abandoned weekend hackery project or whatever really.

So, rather than set up www.domainnameswap.com (partly because the name is parked ;o) ), how about a thread where we have a rummage down the back of the sofa and throw in any parked domains we'd be willing to give/swap away. If there's a match up, the relevant poster is contactable via their HN profile.

[Note: this idea may tank, but it's got to be worth a try. My fingers are being worn shorter with each fruitless domain search]

Re: Ask HN: what unwanted domain names are you sitting on?

#3
Good idea.

Although I've also had luck just emailing the contact for a domain, and finding they were willing to give it up. Worst case scenario is some squatter overvalues it and won't sell for a reasonable price. But it is always worth asking.

I even had one person randomly email me offering $500 for one of my domains. I didn't reply right away, and two hours later, he upped the offer to $1000. I had the cash in hand by the end of the day. Easiest money ever.

Re: Ask HN: what unwanted domain names are you sitting on?

#7

why not try portmanteus like tradomains.com? (trade + domains) its available EDIT: I could have bought it, but I figured steve could use it, so what say everyone give it at least an hour for steve to buy it before someone snaps it up?

I was being a bit tongue in cheek re registering domainnameswap.com.

But as for the domain/name I do need, I've been trying all kinds of mashing together, while being constrained by the agreed critera (number of syllables, etc). No joy. Yet.

[EDIT: thanks for the thought, tho, knightinblue]

Re: Ask HN: what unwanted domain names are you sitting on?

#10
post #3

Good idea. Although I've also had luck just emailing the contact for a domain, and finding they were willing to give it up. Worst case scenario is some squatter overvalues it and won't sell for a reasonable price. But it is always worth asking. I even had one person randomly email me offering $500 for one of my domains. I didn't reply right away, and two hours later, he upped the offer to $1000. I had the cash in han…

Yeah, I bought lancelist.com from a very nice vendor after approaching him out of the blue. Shame I never got to use it.

Shakes fist at UK employment laws (but that's a different story)

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