[Entrepreneur22]

What is the best way to approach someone that has a domain name that you are interested in. I checked the domain name for a little over 6 months and the owner has done nothing with it.

Any ideas?

[kwontemtek]

If it was me I would do a Whois lookup on the domain name and contact the owner to make an offer or agreement. Use http://www.dnsstuff.com/ for a reliable whois checker. It will retrieve the information from the domain name server.

[The Stealthy One]

And make sure that you are not too eager. I've had folks approach me before wanting to purchase domains, and their desperation definitely allows me to charge more...just tuck that away in your mind.

[pbradish]

Originally Posted by The Stealthy One

And make sure that you are not too eager. I've had folks approach me before wanting to purchase domains, and their desperation definitely allows me to charge more...just tuck that away in your mind.

Yup ... play it cool. They have what you want, and have the leverage in the deal.

[Entrepreneur22]

I have already looked up the whois and have some basic contact info and tried to backorder it on godaddy.com but it says unavailable. Which my understanding means someone else already has it on backordered.

Stealthy or anyone else, what would be the best wording for my initial e-mail? Should I mention this is one (of a few) domains I am interested in? That way the person thinks there are multiple domains that I am looking at?

Thanks everyone.

[The Stealthy One]

Here's what I would write:

"Hello,

I'm looking at purchasing domain names, and I came across yours as a potential target. It may interest me to purchase the name from you. What is your price?"

Something the that effect should work. Don't even mention that you've noticed it hasn't been used, as this will make you sound desperate to get it. Just sound nonchalant, as though you happened upon the domain a few minutes ago, and are inquiring to see whether it would be for sale.

If the person answers back that the domain is either not for sale, or counters by asking you what you would offer, just respond with something to the effect of, "Sorry we couldn't work something out. I'm looking to move fast on my purchases, and wanted to help you maximize the value of your domain. If you ever find you're interested in selling, I'd be most anxious to hear from you."

This makes it sound as if you're moving on, and will make the seller second guess themselves. More than likely, they'll get back in touch with you, especially if they're just squatting on the name.

Of course, this method may not always work, but it's one of the best ways to catch them off guard.

[sunsei21]

Originally Posted by Entrepreneur22

I have already looked up the whois and have some basic contact info and tried to backorder it on godaddy.com but it says unavailable. Which my understanding means someone else already has it on backordered.

Stealthy or anyone else, what would be the best wording for my initial e-mail? Should I mention this is one (of a few) domains I am interested in? That way the person thinks there are multiple domains that I am looking at?

Thanks everyone.

Originally Posted by The Stealthy One

Here's what I would write:

"Hello,

I'm looking at purchasing domain names, and I came across yours as a potential target. It may interest me to purchase the name from you. What is your price?"

Something the that effect should work. Don't even mention that you've noticed it hasn't been used, as this will make you sound desperate to get it. Just sound nonchalant, as though you happened upon the domain a few minutes ago, and are inquiring to see whether it would be for sale.

If the person answers back that the domain is either not for sale, or counters by asking you what you would offer, just respond with something to the effect of, "Sorry we couldn't work something out. I'm looking to move fast on my purchases, and wanted to help you maximize the value of your domain. If you ever find you're interested in selling, I'd be most anxious to hear from you."

This makes it sound as if you're moving on, and will make the seller second guess themselves. More than likely, they'll get back in touch with you, especially if they're just squatting on the name.

Of course, this method may not always work, but it's one of the best ways to catch them off guard.

backorder wont help it the name is not dropping if you really want the name if i were you i would figure out what you think the name is worth and what u are willing to pay max and then see what he will sell it for then make your offer if the name is good and a domainer owns it price could be kinda high. so be prepared to walk away what the expiration date? dont say squatter we take offense to that .

[The Stealthy One]

Sorry, I am a squatter myself, and I don't take offense to the title.

[vishenda]

Hmm,

I was wondering that also. I have contacted few times owners but never got a reply. Maybe because I send them messages from WhoIs.

But nice and polite way is a good start.

[The Stealthy One]

It could be your approach - I don't think that it's because the WHOIS info is bad; you are required to keep that accurate, or you risk losing your domain. Granted, this rule is not strictly enforced, but if the person is a serious domainer, they will make sure the info is correct, just the same.

[LightHouse]

Ive contacted and got back responses before but , in their eyes your the one that needs it. Just depends on how much you want to spend. One guy told me a domain i was looking for was $1000 and it wasnt even a hot name. But in his eyes he cant keep it forever renewing the $8 a year and eventually whne the whole database of webnames is taken then someone will buy it for that or more.