Can I rent a domain at no cost?

Exploiting a loophole?

[The_Ralph]

I've used the escrow service at escrow.com before to sell but not to buy domains.

I am wondering if their 30-day inspection period will allow me to "test drive" a website before I buy it.

Here's a plan:

1) Make offer to owner of website. Offer will be much higher than I actually think the site is worth - I am just putting in a high number so he will say "yes"

2) Put money in escrow at escrow.com. Buyer puts domain in escrow and emails me site files.

3) I set up site on my server. I operate it for a month, see how much money it makes me, find all inbound links, etc.

4) I never release the funds from escrow.

5) At the end of the one-month inspection period, I cancel the deal. Owner gets the domain back. I have got some money from operating the site for a month and some deep knowledge about this competitor's site. I have spent no money.

6) If I want, I can then offer the owner what I think the site is really worth.


This scheme is not ethical and I would not do it. But I wonder if it is possible using escrow.com.

[lucy24]

This scheme is not ethical and I would not do it.

:: mopping brow in relief ::

But I wonder if it is possible using escrow.com.

It depends on whether anyone from escrow.com reads this site, doesn't it? If you receive an email informing you that your account has been canceled, no reasons given, that's one answer.

The other sticking point is item #2, which involves the other party. Are there many site owners who would hand over their site files before getting their hands on the money? It seems analogous to letting a prospective buyer physically move into your house before the money has arrived in your own bank account.

[robzilla]

This sounds a lot more like fraud than "exploiting a loophole".

If you're worried about this happening to you, make sure you first set up a contract of sale.