Purchasing Already Owned Domain Name

[Reborn_Horn]

Looking to my HornFan brethren for some guidance.

I'm looking to setup a website for my daughters sports team. The cool name that I want is already owned by a party who apparently buys domain names and then resells. When you go to the website, it basically says that no site technically exists and you can purchase said domain name. However, when I inquired as to the purchase price, a representative replied that I needed to make an offer.

Now, I'm a fairly technically inclined guy and a finance guy...so I get that he wants to make some coin to sell me this domain name. But, despite my techy background, I have no clue what a 'reasonable offer' would be to this fine, upstanding gentleman.

Can anyone shed some light as to what a domain name should cost?

- Reborn_Horn

 

[halsteadfrost]

I used to have a domain name that I lost, and was snatched up by someone else. The guy wanted $1200 for it, and I told him good luck with that. I don't know what a reasonable offer is, but just a warning that they probably want some good change for it.

 

[spidey69]

Before you offer, check a registration service. Godaddy.com for instance will let you know if other options are available. Perhaps .net or another extension can be had for the standard registration fees.

Good luck.

 

[zzzz]

A "reasonable offer" offer will vary depending on the domain.
Some variables:

short in length - pricey
dictionary word - pricey
"geo" (location) - pricey

Recent high dollar sales:

TripleCreditReport.com - $260K
Daytona.com - $151K
TarponSprings.com - $60K
HomeAccessories.com - $32K

The Link

Top sale this year:

Fund.com - $9,999,950

The Link

Plan B: Given your use seems limited, if it's a dotcom you're after, you might be better off registering the dotnet version or the country code (.us) or dotinfo or some other option instead.

I suggest you bid an amount you're comfortable with --leave a little room for negotiation -- and fall back to Plan B if need be.

 

[Reborn_Horn]

I think you guys have confirmed what I expected....$100, ok...but anything over that would be nonsense considering what I'm using it for.

Maybe I'll go .org or something.

Thanks!

 

[homer]

if its an org that owns 1000s of domains, $60 is the min bid -- which may suffice for most of the domains they own.

Make a bid of $60, if they say no, up it to $100.

 

[NCAAFBALLROX]

There is also the option of tweaking the name just a bit.

If you're looking for "TigerSoccer" or something like that, how about "TigerTexasSoccer" or "AustinTigerSoccer".

Make some sort of a change that still gets the point across but might not be taken by s squatting reseller.

Let us know what the name is / was when you get it done.

 

[kmac30]

have you sent the current owners an offer yet? i'm curious to know how this worked out for you.

sometimes domain owners think their crappy domain is worth a lot more than it is, or they have some grand idea of how it should be used and won't part with it until they get confirmation that's how it's going to be used.

 

[Reborn_Horn]

I haven't had time to respond to the guy but I'll make time this evening so that I can get some closure.