Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

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

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

21–30 of 37 posts

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

#21

Post by HeyLaughingBoy »

ianlevesque wrote: post #15
javery wrote: post #8

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.

Yes, $1500 for something you paid almost nothing for, and were doing nothing with, is sensible. I get that this is the world we live in, but it's madness.

A few years ago I purchased a really nice old music box in great condition at a garage sale for about $4. I didn't know anything about them, it just looked nice. Some time later, I noticed a maker's name on the bottom and I googled it. Similar boxes were selling on eBay in worse condition than mine for around $1,000.

I will not part with the music box for less than $500. If someone actually offered, I'd probably hold out for more than that.

Is this madness?

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

#22

Post by thatoneguy »

FWIW, a "ludicrous" offer might not be that much, depending. I had a guy buy a domain from me a couple months ago for $5k.

If you go through a broker like DomainAgents (who contacted me and helped negotiate the sale via escrow.com) the process is quite painless - I got my money within a week and the buyer had his site up soon after.

FWIW, I likely could've pushed for more money because his business only had ccTLDs and not the .com that he wanted from me, but $5k for a domain that was expiring was totally a fair price.

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

#23

Post by logfromblammo »

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…

You can save yourself a lot of money and a lot of detective work by simply registering a similar name that is not already taken. If you really want exactly that name, check the expiration date and set up a reminder on your calendar.

If the current owner were really in a selling mood, the squatting/parking page would have instructions on how to make an offer.

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

#24

Post by case »

Here's an HN thread and blog post about this topic, from a few years ago: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3613095

http://blog.domai.nr/post/17910329952/buy-a-domain-that-some...

(full disclosure: I help run Domainr)

You could also get a brokerage like https://domainagents.com/ to help you with the process.

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

#25

Post by organsnyder »

geekam wrote: post #10
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.

You got lucky. With most domain owners, your personal connection will just cause them to up their asking price.

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

#27

Post by geekam »

organsnyder wrote: post #25
geekam wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

You got lucky. With most domain owners, your personal connection will just cause them to up their asking price.

So, the solution is to just not even ask? Honestly, if you are going to lose the domain anyway, what's the harm in asking once?

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

#28

Post by gautamnarula »

thistleco wrote: post #20

This is a great post, particularly the top comment http://avc.com/2011/04/finding-and-buying-a-domain-name/ Art Of Negotiating A Domain Name Purchase This is the step that 99% of people SCREW UP. I see so much bad advice about how to approach someone to buy their domain... "contact them and say I see you're not using xxxxx.com, I have a little project I'd like to use it for... would you be willing to let it go?" etc.…

This is fantastic advice, thanks. Unfortunately, I can't really afford a "bargain" deal of even a few thousand dollars. Still, I'll keep this in mind.

Also, a lesson for everyone out there: I was about to buy the .co of the domain name but hesitated for a day to ask this question, and it was purchased by somebody else today! Don't hesitate if there's a domain you want.

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

#30

Post by outericky »

thistleco wrote: post #20

This is a great post, particularly the top comment http://avc.com/2011/04/finding-and-buying-a-domain-name/ Art Of Negotiating A Domain Name Purchase This is the step that 99% of people SCREW UP. I see so much bad advice about how to approach someone to buy their domain... "contact them and say I see you're not using xxxxx.com, I have a little project I'd like to use it for... would you be willing to let it go?" etc.…

I've approached a domain purchase similarly, offering right around $2500. They came back with $500,000. Bought something else. Seems to have worked out just fine.
Post reply on HN