How to buy a domain name currently owned if I can't pay too much?

[noelius]

Hello everybody!

Although I already have some domains, about 25, I have never met someone outside a domain names forum or buying service in order to buy a domain.

The problem is that I've found a domain name I want is offered at Sedo and Afternic, at a price of $500. Maybe it's good enough, but I don't have so much money to invest on that domain, and I think I could pay upto $250, but if I make a bid on afternic/sedo, someone can overbid me easily, and as long as I don't have enoguh money, I will lose the domain.

The only option I think I have to buy the domain, is to contact with the owners. What do you think I should do? Call them by phone, although English is not my main language_; or send them an email? Should I try even to offer less than $250 and then, give them my last offer for $250?

I'm worried because it's a domain name I will be interested if I found a small business I'm setting up, however, I can live without it. So I think with $250 it's expensive for my previous domains, but cheaper than what they ask and a fair price. I suppose they are trying to get the most of their domain, and I suppose they will listen to offers, however I don't want to make a mistake with it, so Iwill like to hear your tips.

Thanks!!!!!!!

 

[bhartzer]

Make the owner an offer for the domain, you might want to approach them directly if their whois info is correct.

 

[jasdon11]

In your situation, I would email them via their whois details - in the email state your position, and offer to phone them if they prefer to deal that way.

If on their whois details, it shows that they own hundereds or thousands of names, it is unlikely they are going to let the name go cheap, but you never know...

Finally, the name; it may be listed at $500 start price, but in your opinion, is that the most it is worth? If it's a LLL.com, or a great generic worth $thousands - you may just waste your time.

 

[Tia Wood]

I'm worried because it's a domain name I will be interested if I found a small business I'm setting up, however, I can live without it. So I think with $250 it's expensive for my previous domains, but cheaper than what they ask and a fair price.

Move on and find another domain. Or buy one unregistered. What you're about to do is lowball the person, which doesn't make many people happy.

 

[acronym007]

Make a mistake, take a risk. Don't be afraid of loss, offer lower see if you can get it at your price. If you don't get it, no big deal, move on but you never know unless you try. I have lost many names I thought I could not live without but in the end I found other names, sometimes better names so without the risk there is no reward. Best of luck.

 

[Theo]

Why agonize over something that - in your own words - "can live without"?

 

[noelius]

Thanks for your replies. Well, I can live without almost every domain I own, and I already have the most important domains for my startup, but this one is about one of the future services I would like to launch with my business. That's what happens.

So in one side, I would like to reserve it, but I think $500 is over my budget (which is really about 256$), cause I have separate accounts for businesses and for my personal expenses.

About the fair price... I think it can be more or less depending of the evolution of the domain name industry, of course, however If I had the money, I would be able to go upto it, however it's not my case.

About the lowball (which I had to find over the net to understand), I think it's not the same to offer 10$ than offer upto 250$, and when you ask for a price on a property or a domain, you make a selling offer, and usually they are overpriced because you think you can then lower the price.

 

[Theo]

Noel, $250 is nothing in today's economy and domain industry.
Either wait until your budget is higher, or find an alternative. Usually end users know by now the worth of their domains and expect much more.

 

[jasdon11]

Noel, $250 is nothing in today's economy and domain industry.
Either wait until your budget is higher, or find an alternative. Usually end users know by now the worth of their domains and expect much more.

I know what you're saying, but a $250 offer against a $500 asking price, isn't out of the way.

And....this isn't an end user - the name is up at Sedo.

 

[Theo]

True, only if it's at a fixed price. Most likely, it's the minimum offer, in which case the seller can counter-offer or even take the domain to auction directly.

 

[jasdon11]

Ok, so if you list a $10k name at $500 start, just to get the "x# bids", it serves you right to get the odd lowball - can't have your cake if you already ate it at lunch time...

 

[Theo]

I disagree. For lots of reasons, it's not necessary to set a minimum price on a platform that functions without a reserve system (unlike, say, eBay). I've sold domains on Sedo that went up tremendously from the initial lowball offer.

 

[jasdon11]

Not doubting that, but if you were selling something that doesn't have a cast-in-stone market value, then a cash offer of 50% of the asking price, cannot be insulting. If it is - then the seller has the problem, not the buyer.

 

[Theo]

I'm not saying the seller gets insulted, I'm saying he can do as he wishes; even have fun at the expense of the potential buyer. Sometimes, Sedo leaves comments open or does not scrutinize them enough At one point, an anonymous buyer told me that I am crazy and that I need to screw myself - in French

 

[jasdon11]

I'm not saying the seller gets insulted, I'm saying he can do as he wishes; even have fun at the expense of the potential buyer. Sometimes, Sedo leaves comments open or does not scrutinize them enough At one point, an anonymous buyer told me that I am crazy and that I need to screw myself - in French

Boring if the buyer was French - pretty classy if he wasn't :lol:

 

[ezimedia]

HI

If you can offer $250... then Yes offer $150 and then wait for the reply from the seller and if they counter offer at like $400 offer $250 and say that is all you can afford , you may get the name for that price.

Tom

 

[Tia Wood]

Or why not just save for the remainder?

 

[JMJ]

Contact them via email. They'll be more willing to work with a lower price without having to pay $50+ in broker fees

 

[Raider]

A few times I allowed the buyer to make payments on domains I sold, Why don't you ask him to carry it for 3 months? If he can sell it near the asking price, I'm sure he/she will work with you. All you need is to agree on a contract.

 

[Onward]

Noel, $250 is nothing in today's economy and domain industry.
Either wait until your budget is higher, or find an alternative. Usually end users know by now the worth of their domains and expect much more.

Take this advice...It it good advice. I would buy it at $500 no doubt...it is nothing for a good domain that I want...even if it stretched my budget.