I own a website with a .co.uk domain. I approached the person who hold the .com version and asked if he would be willing to sell. Although the price was higher than I thought, I have agreed with the fee. I feel the .com is much better for my commercial site.
Anyway, I have no experience buying domains privately. This person sent me the following email in reply to agreement over price:
"We will accept your offer of US$*** for this domain. I am forwarding you a form to fill out (credit card info) and fax back to us.
Also, what information would you like to appear as new owner of domain?
Company:
Person:
Email:
Address:
City, State, Zip:
Tel:
Fax (optional):
Email:
After received and payment received, you will receive user name and password giving you complete control of domain in your name (you can then change password so only you will have it).
This offer good for seven days (we can't hold domains longer without payment as we get several offers daily for many of our domains).
"
Does this seem right? My hesitation comes from the fact that after intial email communication I thought it was an individual who was selling. But now it seems it is a company. I looked at the company website and it seems they are a good (legitimate b2b) company but I see no mention of selling domains. This was the only thing to puzzle me.
The thing is i really want this domain so don't want to offend them and then not get it.
Any advice would be apprecitaed.
Regards,
Tim
If you're paying by credit card i'd say go for it; based on the tone of what you've said above it sounds legit.
They will simply alter the whois record to the information you provide and then supply you with the password to the domain admin system of whatever registrar the domain is currently with.
You could then do whatever you want (including move it to another registrar).
If it all goes pear shaped you can take it up with your card issuer.
nice and simple, if they are serious about selling, then they should agree...
Shak
<added>
heh! shak beat me.
I just used Escrow.com and everything went great. I had to pay a lot to ATT to get a korean translater to talk with this guy.
I have always spoken in English to Escrow.com - much easier than Korean.
Shak
Escrow is really a process for very high value transactions (several thousands of dollars) in which a cash transaction (i.e. a direct transfer of funds) is the only way for the parties to trade.
I would also consider Escrow for lower value transactions where paying by credit card is not an option.
However, I assume we're only talking a few hundred pounds here; and given that the credit card company can be held liable if the merchant does not come up with the goods I don't see what Escrow is going to bring to this transaction.
Cheers,
Tim
I dont know if NY never sleeps...but WW never sleeps :)
wtg WW!
Paypal is good at $200-300.
Wire transfer if $2000+ and you are dealing with a known entity. I purchased a number of domains from Greg McL of WebMagic, UltS, BuyD. Big players tend to be trustworthy. Word spreads.
Personal check if $200-$500 and the WhoIs is accurate, the phone number works, the address is a real address - preferably related to a business that really exists, and the person lives "in your country". Most people realize they could face criminal prosecution so the vast majority of people are perfectly okay with personal checks - yours - once they clear.
When in doubt Escrow.com.
When nothing in the WhoIs hangs together cut and run.
My acid test is usually a phone call.
When buying a domain from me send gold bullion to my Nigerian bank account where I keep the $60,000,000 I am holding for the son of the ex-ambassador from Lagos. It is a very secure account. Trust me.
Anyone interested in a 20% cut of my Nigerian gold bullion? Please send your bank account details so I can wire you money to confirm that your account exists. I will need to know your average daily balance so I don't withdraw , I mean deposit too much money.
