What's The Best Strategy For Buying A Parked Domain?...

[petertdavis]

There are some problems involved in dealing with the domainer crowd. I don't know if it's unique, but in my experience, they are more difficult to do business with than normal people.

1. If you don't approach them in the right way, they may be offended. Like the Soup Nazi, even if you're willing to pay more than their ask price, you may not get the chance to negotiate with them. And, they all have their own set "rules" on how negotiations for domains should commence. You might be able to find out some details about them by using the methods others have used.

2. There is no real standard means of valuing domains. You think it's difficult to value a website? Websites are as easy as cake compared to domains. The problem is, each domain is unique by nature, and you can try to compare it to recent sales but there is a significant percentage of domainers who have their own valuation ideas and if your ideas of valuation are not in sync with theirs, then it's "No Soup For You!"

3. Sometimes it's easier to use a marketplace like Sedo.com for the negotiations. I'd check to see if the domain is listed anywhere first, and if it is listed I'd put in an offer through their system. It's not perfect, but often a seller will set a minimum offer for you so you'll at least get a hint at where they think the sale price should end up. I've used Sedo for quite a few of my buys.

4. Always have an alternative. The most powerful tool in your tool chest in a negotiations is the ability to walk away from the table if the terms aren't to your liking. This domain may be your first choice, but you should do your best to have a strong second choice in case things aren't going the way you like. As in all negotiations, if the other party thinks they have you over a barrel, then you're either going to get screwed or you're going to walk away. Occasionally, walking away can shake loose a better deal for you.

good luck!

[DomainMagnate]

First check out who it belongs to, if it's a big player with ton's of premium domains it'll usually be much harder, more expensive to get.

Ask if it's for sale and if they happen to have a price range, most won't quote a price, but if they do it's always good for you.

Make a reasonable first offer, something that wouldn't look like you're lowballing, but also still far from your maximum price.

Negotiate a bit, don't seem too eager, you know, show them that you have other options and that it's somewhat urgent.

Close on a price, start the transaction and try to complete it quickly.

[Magnus]

Thanks Clinton, peterdavis and DomainMagnate.

Yes, I get the impression that even if I do manage to make contact - that could just be the start (or the end) of it.

I never received a response after a couple of days to the email address I found.

So yeserday I sent an email directly through the privacy address for the domain in question. See how that goes.

I'm going to start going through a few of the suggestions mentioned in the last few posts to hopefully find another contact method.

Thanks.

[crabfoot]

Here's another guy's ideas of how to do it -
http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog...f-phonetagcom/

Some things in there are useful, some are re-statements of ideas we've already discussed.

[Magnus]

That the right link you got there crabfoot?... same as the one in the opening post.

Funny this thread received a reply right now as I have (just minutes ago) been corresponding with someone regarding another domain.

Well, I say correspond, but the email ended with him saying that he'd be interested if I "added a few more zeros" to the end of my offer.

Funny thing is... he's had it for 15 years and so deems it to have increased in value.

The way I see it... it's been 15 years and no one has been interested in it enough. I can see how a domain can have SEO value if aged - but, if it has no keyword value, then it seems like a negative to me.

Also, had no success with the domain on which I started this thread. There is a phone number the I can try - so will most likely give a call soon as a last-ditch attempt.

It's a funny world this whole domain buying business... I've only made a few offers for domains - and it's already wearing be down. I can picture myself just buying something from the list of a domain broker - there is a lot of good names, the price is on it (usually) and so none of this messing about.

[DomainMagnate]

Magnus, you're right there, but it's no surprise - people always tend to considerably overvalue their domains. Domainers are no exception

[crabfoot]

That the right link you got there crabfoot?... same as the one in the opening post.

Er, um, no ... actually I've had a couple of embarrassing moments this week, don't know what is causing it but I've been having trouble actually making posts on here, system freezes up etc. . I didn't think that post had "gone through" ...

I intended to link to a YouTube video. Good job I didn't. I went back to find it. When I tried the URL given in the video footer, I was redirected to a parked page on GoDaddy which appeared to be selling wellies. Nokia wellies, to boot!

There's another post I've left somewhere that is complete drivel. Once things start locking up, I can't get back and edit stuff before the hour is up.

Apologies to anyone who thought I was going nuts. Sorry, not quite ... but there's time enough to spare ...

[Fish]

Domain prices will vary even with the same seller. If he is in need of cash, as domainers often are, he may be very receptive to dealing. If his cash is solid, he may still look to reduce inventory some day to raise funds for a new project.

I have several domains being watched, and I use Google alerts for each one just in case they are posted for sale somewhere.

A domainer may be completely unwilling to come below several thousand dollars, yet drop the name a year later. I've seen it happen. If you're in no rush, waiting will often bring you the name at a good price - especially if it's not paying its way through parking revenue and is undeveloped.