closed Inquiry for State Name....INFO

[DryHeat]

Just received this:

"Dear Sir:

You are listed as the owner of the domain (State Name).info as the winner of the Afilias redistribution lottery conducted earlier this year. Our organization also bid on this domain for our use as a state agency promoting economic development in (State Name).

I noticed you have not yet developed a site at this domain, and I was just curious about your plans to do so. If you wouldn’t mind, please drop me a note at your earliest convenience. Thank you in advance for your reply.

XXXXXXX
Manager of Business Development
(State Name) Department of Commerce"


What would be an appropriate/careful response? Thanks for the advice. How about estimated value of a small size US state name in .INFO?

 

[bidawinner]

You were also planning on promoting "state"- as a visitors destination.

 

[beatz]

Appropriate reply:

"Mind your own bizness,sucker !"

Or if you think they might be interested in it:

" May i ask why it is of interest for you what my plans are with this domain?
Sorry but it's not our policy to reveal business plans to inquiries just done out of curiosity."

Or sumfin like that.

 

[TexasFilly]

Congrats on the state.info catch!!

.Info is a great extension when it's coupled with the 'right' prefix..

Looks like the interested party has deep pockets..

Keep us posted & goodluck!

 

[beatz]

Originally posted by TexasFilly

Looks like the interested party has deep pockets..

That's the wrong approach right from the very start.

 

[TexasFilly]

Originally posted by beatz


That's the wrong approach right from the very start.

I believe you misunderstood my post.. it wasn't an 'approach'.. but rather.. a 'statement'..
ie: it's always helpful too have the inside business scoop, of any interested buyer.

it's a great .info

 

[RMF]

You might want to ask in the legal issues forum. I would say something along the lines of what "beatz" said...(His second suggestion! )

RMF

 

[beatz]

Originally posted by TexasFilly



ie: it's always helpful too have the inside business scoop, of any interested buyer.

it's a great .info

And my point is:
It's not of any use to know if your potential buyer has "deep pockets" or not.
The opposite is the case:
Most sellers tend to think they can ask for more if they believe the buyer is rich or something.Wrong.
What happens in most cases is the byuer backs out.
It's just so NOT like wealthy buyers would pay a single penny more - and why should they?

 

[TexasFilly]

Originally posted by DryHeat
Just received this:

"Dear Sir:

You are listed as the owner of the domain (State Name).info as the winner of the Afilias redistribution lottery conducted earlier this year. Our organization also bid on this domain for our use as a state agency promoting economic development in (State Name).

I noticed you have not yet developed a site at this domain, and I was just curious about your plans to do so. If you wouldn’t mind, please drop me a note at your earliest convenience. Thank you in advance for your reply.

XXXXXXX
Manager of Business Development
(State Name) Department of Commerce"


What would be an appropriate/careful response? Thanks for the advice. How about estimated value of a small size US state name in .INFO?

It's always a great feeling, to be 'approached' by an interested party.. I find their original msg. to you appropriate and in good business taste..

If it were me, in your shoes.. I'de polietly reply

something such as:

"Thankyou for your interest in our STATE.info domain name".... Plans are in order to develop this into a visitor/tourist info site, however being a 'domain trader' we sell 'domain names' and 'live websites'.. so, this name & the future site (upon completion) is available for immediate acquisition.

Feel free to submit a fair offer and we will certainly consider it!

Best Regards
BLA BLA BLA.. owner.. STATE.info

 

[Ed30]

I don't think they'd care about buying it with a website attached - looks like they have their own ideas about content.

 

[beatz]

Geez...

Why you wanna tell a complete stranger about your business plans?
They even stated "just curious.." which should switch on the alarm.
Do you have an idea how easily a too early offering "for sale" could be used against you in a UDRP ?
I always wait til they openly make me an offer or ask if they can buy that name.
Apart from that it's bad negotiation tactics to talk about willing to sell the name if they haven't even asked if the name was for sale.
It gives the impression you're in a hurry to sell.

 

[izopod]

NorthDakota.info - $1 - 2 k

 

[DryHeat]

The tricky thing is what beatz noted as:

"Do you have an idea how easily a too early offering "for sale" could be used against you in a UDRP ?"

Obviously, as a domain developer/trader you wana sell the name if the price is decent but one has to be tactful when dealing with inquiries that don't clearly indicate a desire to purchase and/or ask for a selling price. Anyway, thanks again and I'd keep you posted of any positive development.

 

[dvdrip]

They never said they want to BUY it in their email.
Don't mention sell or buy in your reply.
Just say you are developing it.
Let them take it from there.
If they are interested they will ask you to buy it or make an offer.

 

[DryHeat]

This is how I replied (with helpful input from another forum member):

"Thank you for you e-mail inquiring about my
development plans for (State Name).info. I have not yet
finalized the conceptual plan for site design, but am
thinking of following roughly the same format as
California.com or Minnesota.info (another new state
level .info site) and would like to have it online in
early 2003 if possible. I welcome any suggestions you
may have concerning the structure or content of the
site and be open to consider any other propositions."


This is their response:

"Thank you for your reply. We wish you the best of luck in developing your site. If at any point your plans change or you no longer want the (State Name).info domain, please contact me. Our department would be interested in acquiring the domain as part of our promotion campaign.

Thank you once again for your consideration. Feel free to contact me anytime."




They've now indicated their interest in purchasing/acquiring the domain. Would welcome suggestions re. my next move/response and particularly about valuation of the name. Thanks.

 

[mole]

Like a fly to a spider's web...:embarrass

Ask them to clarify what they mean exactly and why they invaded your privacy by emailing you unsolicited. Remember, .info has NO restrictions on registration of State names. Affilias/ICANN knows that that is an untenable proposition when .info applies to the world with thousands of "states, and not just those in the US.