How to "Steal" a Domain Name

[Cognition]

I was brainstorming one day last week and thought of this great domain name for a new project I was interested in starting. However, when I looked up the availability of the domain name, it was already taken. Crap! However, the individual who registered the domain name wasn't using it for anything - there's no website for the domain name.

I want this name. I need to have this domain name.

I contacted the individual who registered it, and they are not even willing to sell it.

I see that the domain name expires in April 2009, and I was interested in knowing if there's a way to "steal" this domain name when it expires in April.

I really don't think the individual who owns the domain is very "web-savvy", so I thought about taking advantage of those loop holes when domains expire and purchasing it for myself.

Any tips on how to acquire this domain name without buying it?

[Mega B]

If the owner of the domain is aware that someone is interested in it and wont sell it to you they could be holding out for a possible higher bid from yourself and regarding grabbing the domain next april i would think that wont happen either as they will be sure to renew it as you have highlighted the fact that the domain is possibly valuable.

[requena79]

Try to get it if it ever gets free, but don't steal it as such think of another name? there are lots of domain extensions available out there also.

[DennisChang]

The owner bought the domain name with the obvious intention to sell it at a higher price. Thus, there is very little chance that you can "steal" it.

In my opinion, there is really no point to pay exorbitant price to buy the domain since you have not done any branding yet. Think of another nice name. Or use other extensions like .net or .com.xx or .biz.

[stand856]

Looking at what you did ie contact him can be a good thing and bad.
Bad - He will renew and continue waiting
Good - No one else in the next 6 months will not contact him, he will forget about it out and either not renew.
I dont know how long you want to hold out for, but if you already have something set in your mind for the project, get another domain name and then if it expires get it and just forward it to the other domain.

[DennisChang]

One thing I am curious about is, you are willing to wait for 6 months for the domain to expire? If you get an unregistered domain, you can start your project much earlier. The link building process takes time too.

[cybergift]

It is better for you to come up with another name or still with the same name but use - to separate the domain name.

You are now in the right momentum to act, do not delay because you might fall prey to the law of diminishing intent. You do not want to be a victim of that kind of law, do you?

[fineUK]

I think that very risky way of running business.

[saurabhbhide]

If the domain is set to auto-renew, you cannot get it, since it will be renewed before it expires.
If it han't been set to auto-renew, a domain company can help you snatch it before he renews it manually. Contact a domain name company such as Godaddy for this job.

It's called squatting (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cybersquatting), not stealing.

[dcfauno]

I really don't think the individual who owns the domain is very "web-savvy", so I thought about taking advantage of those loop holes when domains expire and purchasing it for myself.

I wouldn't call that a "loop hole", if someone doesn't renew their domain then it goes back on the market; that's just how it works. But domain registrars let their customers know well in advance when their domains are expiring, and usually have an auto-renew feature. Just be aware of a few things:

1. They might be using it for a different purpose than you realize. I have a friend who uses his domain solely for email. The domain itself is parked.

2. Just because the domain expires in April 2009 doesn't mean the owner doesn't have it set to renew.

3. Even if the owner lets the domain expire, that doesn't mean you'll be able to purchase it right away. Expired domains usually have a 90 day redemption period.

[Cornelian]

Any tips on how to acquire this domain name without buying it?

No, none without paying a lot of money or that get you in to a lot of trouble.

Your best option is to explain to the owner who you are, what your situation is, and the best offer you are willing to pay for the domain.

[bud_dy]

Paying for a domain is the main thing to get them.