Domain Names

Question: Advice on selling a domain name?

(Posted by: invitro on 2008-03-31 17:56:24)

I have had a domain name for around 10 years. I only use it for email now. Because of privacy, I won't say exactly what it is, but it is of the form word.com where "word " is a common English word (around the 700th most common, fwiw). I have received a few offers for the domain in the last 2 years ranging up to around $8000, which I have rejected. Now someone has made me an offer of 50, 000 euros, which I would accept. I am extremely nervous about this, and would greatly appreciate any advice anyone could give me. I am assuming that an escrow service could allay my fears of the buyer not being legit. I certainly don't want to give up my domain for nothing, which is what I'm most afraid of. I've just never been in this situation, although I anticipated that someday I would be. Any ideas?

Posted by: dominp on 2008-04-06, 16:27:29

If you are registered thru godaddy.com they offer a domain buy service that will handle it for you. If you are not with them then I believe you can still use it but they will of course charge you a percentage.

Posted by: Unknown on 2008-03-31, 18:03:43

I would contact a lawyer and get some sort of a contract or something binding the company or person offering that amount to pay it. You don't necessarily have to pay for a lawyer just if know one ask them next time you talk to them or call one up to give you advice. Also I am not sure if you have done this or not but make a nice looking web page and ask for advertisers if it is a site that is that popular of a word advertisers are bound to pay for it I would assume.

Posted by: grahamlocklin on 2008-03-31, 18:25:44

Using a lawyer as a middle party is the first thing to come to mind. If they are legit then they are just as afraid of you ripping them off. You could also go through eBay, and make them pay with paypal. Seems a bit much to pay ~78000 USD for a domain, but business is business. If you are feeling like you might want to be in this for the long hull you could always 'lease' the domain. Meaning you hold the owner ship but for a price you will point it to their hosting and you could set a price. This isn't uncommon. I hope this helps.