Ask HN: What's the best way to buy a claimed domain name?

#1

Post by gautamnarula » Thu, Nov 13, 2014, 6:54 PM UTC

I've found a domain name I like that somebody else owns. There is no website (just a completely blank page), and the WHOIS contact information is protected by a proxy company.

Domain registars (GoDaddy, NameCheap, etc.) offer domain agency services where, for a price between $20-$60, they'll attempt to contact the domain owner and present a bid for the domain.

What's the best way to bid on the domain? Contact the proxy company and try to go through them? Or are the registrar affiliated domain agents worth the money?

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to buy a claimed domain name?

#2

Post by Aldo_MX » Thu, Nov 13, 2014, 7:24 PM UTC

Usually contacting the proxy company is a bad idea, since you will be dealing with robots and not real humans.

Also, use a disposable email address, since it's very likely your email will get sold to spam lists.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to buy a claimed domain name?

#3

Post by MalcolmDiggs » Thu, Nov 13, 2014, 7:26 PM UTC

Well, remember that the proxy is really just a relay. If you email the proxied email address the registrant will likely get your email in their inbox. They might ignore it, but it's worth a shot as a first step. That proxy also might just be a honeypot for spammers, but it's usually worth the risk.

Also, check sedo.com, flippa, and other domain marketplaces to make sure that domain isn't listed for sale already.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to buy a claimed domain name?

#4

Post by ep103 » Thu, Nov 13, 2014, 7:29 PM UTC

godaddy offers a service where they try and contact the person behind the proxy on your behalf, and charge upon success. I tried them once to no success, the person who told me about it said it worked for them.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to buy a claimed domain name?

#5

Post by vblord » Thu, Nov 13, 2014, 7:31 PM UTC

Another thought is that you can check http://who.is. When you search there for the whois information, they have a history tab. Maybe the person that has the domain now has not always had the privacy protection on it. You might be able to get the phone number or original email address from that.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to buy a claimed domain name?

#6

Post by bjourne » Thu, Nov 13, 2014, 7:32 PM UTC

The best way is don't because the domain owner is likely to demand a retarded price now that s/he knows someone is interested in it. They are hoping for an outrageous bid from a large corporation or government institution. IME, they are just not worth the trouble from a bidders perspective.

Many squatters register domains when registrars offer have specials like "50 domains for $10!" Those domains never gets renewed by the squatter and instead they are just hoping for one profitable sale. So it's entirely possible that the domain you're interested in will expire naturally and then you can pick it up.

Also, don't visit the squatters domain in a browser. The blank page is there to measure how many hits the domain gets to estimate popularity and therefore also value.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to buy a claimed domain name?

#7

Post by rbcgerard » Thu, Nov 13, 2014, 7:33 PM UTC

my brother recently emailed a guy about a random domain name (nothing exciting, four random letters - figured he could buy it for $500-$100 which seemed fair) the guy countered with 1.5m EUROS! and the email of contact@###.com in perpetuity!

Why you ask? wikipedia's list of most expensive domain names...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_expensive_domain_n...

you have to give credit to the guy for asking!

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to buy a claimed domain name?

#8

Post by javery » Thu, Nov 13, 2014, 7:36 PM UTC

I routinely buy domains I don't use - not to be a squatter but my imagination gets away from me. I imagine most HNers have dozens of domains they don't use. Someone emailed me recently for a pretty good one and offered $500, I countered at 3k and we settled at $1,500.

Most people will be sensible about it.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to buy a claimed domain name?

#9

Post by josefresco » Thu, Nov 13, 2014, 7:36 PM UTC

Also checkout backorder services in case the domain is forgotten and comes up for expiration.

This is a good list: http://www.domainsherpa.com/domain-name-backorder-services

Note: I'm in no way affiliated with the linked site or any of the services listed.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to buy a claimed domain name?

#10

Post by geekam » Thu, Nov 13, 2014, 7:37 PM UTC

bjourne wrote: post #6

The best way is don't because the domain owner is likely to demand a retarded price now that s/he knows someone is interested in it. They are hoping for an outrageous bid from a large corporation or government institution. IME, they are just not worth the trouble from a bidders perspective. Many squatters register domains when registrars offer have specials like "50 domains for $10!" Those domains never gets renewed…

Actually, some owners are OK if you tell them the domain is of personal importance. I lost my domain name a few years ago and after a year or so tried to email the guy. He was kind enough to give it back to me for mere $90. I guess it depends if the domain is not as hot for them they might consider doing a favor.