[jaredandrews]

There is a domain I really want right now that is being squatted. Any advice HN? I already own the '.net' version so I don't really _need_ the '.com' version but I want it. I doubt it is a high value name and I am considering just sending the the admin listed in the WHOIS an email like "Hey, I will give you $50 for .com, let me know." Is this a good approach or should I try to go thru an 'appraiser' or something like that.

[TaylorGood]

Fred Wilson's blog post, but more specifically the top comment is gold. There is a template in there which may work for you: http://avc.com/2011/04/finding-and-buying-a-domain-name/

Subject Line: Whatever.com ($2,500?)

Hi,

I see you are the owner of Whatever.com. I'm in the process of trying to find a domain name for a client I am building a web site for and think your name could be a good fit. I am contacting different domain owners as we have it in the budget to buy a cool name and Whatever.com is on the list we came up with.

Would you be interested in selling it for $2,500?

Let me know and I can have the funds wired to you next day or PayPal'd to you. Just let me know your PayPal address.

Thanks for your time.

-YOUR NAME

[hackerboos]

What happens when you wire the money and get no domain?

Might be worth mentioning Escrow.com/Sedo upfront.

[TaylorGood]

Yes. I always have..

[pkfrank]

I think that you have two decent options:

1) Have a friend send an e-mail asking if it's for sale. If they respond with a reasonable price, buy it.

2) Assuming the owner/squatter is remotely intelligent, they'll do their diligence and realize that the .NET is being actively used. In that case, you'll have to decide how bad you want it and/or if you would ever consider re-branding. You could try the: "This is the best offer you're ever going to get, so take it or leave it." But the owner could always call your bluff, and just hold onto the name knowing that it's getting ever more valuable to you as you grow.

I'd try option 1, wait a few months (depending on what they say), and then try some blend of option 2.

[jotux]

Here's an email exchange I had with someone who bought a domain from me:

    Buyer
    Hi there,
    Is the domain-name.com domain for sale?
    Cheers

    Jotux
    I have future plans for the domain but I'd considering selling it. Make me an offer.

    Buyer
    Hi Joe
    How about $500?
    Cheers
    
    Jotux
    That works for me. You can paypal or dwolla money to me, I'll give you the auth code to transfer the domain.

Never hurts to just ask.

[adventured]

If it's not already listed for sale somewhere for ~$50, it's very unlikely you're going to get it for a relatively low figure.

Once someone gets contacted about their domain, their estimation of the domain's worth automatically jumps. So if they're thinking it's not all that valuable, your contact will make them think it's worth something. Even a layperson will think it's worth hundreds or thousands of dollars.

[JoblessWonder]

I'd also check out the whois info and see how long it has been registered. Assuming it is a .com address multiply the number of years by $10 to get an idea of how much they have been paying to keep it registered.

They are going to want to at least recoup their cost in a sale (sunk cost fallacy?) so I'd offer them at least that plus 10% so they aren't insulted.

[giarc]

I did the same thing (sent an email to the WHOIS) to a name I wanted. The guy responded and we went back and forth a bit. He had just registered the name a few months prior from godaddy and had just paid the $12 or whatever. He however thought the value had skyrocketed since he bought it and wanted a lot more. I just found another domain that hadn't been registered and bought it.

[big_maybe]

Use the To: field of your request to your advantage. Send him an email along with 20 other webmaster@domains asking all of them if their domains are for sale and for how much. You can even throw in a line that you're looking for a quick deal and whoever can respond with a reasonable price, say $50 or so, will get the buy.