Contacting a Domain Owner

[leadegroot]

I haven't played with domaining much, beyond buying new domains for projects, but a client has asked me to get him a particular domain for a project. Lets say his main keyword is widget.
I note that Widget Technologies has widget.com, but it is parked at verizon and the wikipedia page about them says they are a defunct microprocessor company in the Valley.
I've sent an email asking if the domain is for sale to the single [e-mail] address in the whois, but there is no answer - I realise there is a strong probability its either fallen in the very full spam folder or it simply isn't monitored.

What other ways are there to contact a domain owner for a seemingly unmonitored domain?

[Webwork]

Try email again.

Subject: "Offer $$$$$ for transfer of Widget.info"

It was the only way I was able to get some people's attention.

I was able to engage some very private people in dialogue with that opening line. ;)

Other approaches: Phone (WhoIs, business, personal), letters containing endorsed checks with specific amounts with the payee blank (arriving on my legal letterhead).

The number of ways of connecting is only limited by your imagination and conviction/courage/craziness/etc.

[leadegroot]

Hmmm, ta :)
I'll have to speak to the client some more.
I'm not confident he understand that he may have to pay several thousand for this domain (its a *4-letter* name!) so I should probably see just what he will pay so I can be explicit
:)