Domain question

[killadoob]

Hi

Sorry i don't know where to post this but anyways the story:

I want a domain for a client but it is not used and has never been used but it is owned by someone who uses sedo. The minimum is 500 dollars, there is no guarantee that would be accepted. it is a .co.za and he owns the .co.uk as well both unused.

I am going to ask a question i already know the answer to. I offer him the minimum of 500 dollars, he then says he wants a 1000 dollars basically i am screwed correct? There is no way to get this domain unless he fails to pay it? I know he would take the 500 dollar offer but he may ask for more.

Then i worry if i do pay it will he transfer it, i could obviously claim fraud so i doubt that can happen but i did pay willingly so the CC may take a different view.

Suggestions?

 

[paul5186]

Does your client trade under the same name as the domain? Maybe ask zadna for some guides

 

[House]

Yep, unless they are offending any trademark, the chances of getting the domain through any legal or mediation process is between about 0.01 and 0.05%. The chances of you spending tens of thousands of Rands and not getting the domain is the most possible outcome.

Yes, generally these guys asking for offers on Sedo are under no obligation to sell. You can make an offer of a million dollar and they can still refuse. However, the top agencies selling on Sedo will generally accept offers that are not too far away from the value of the .com version. I had one example where the .com version had been registered almost 15 years ago. It was a dictionary word domain and never was sold on the market before. The .com version is probably valued at around 250,000 Dollars.

Although bids on Sedo started at $1000, we made an offer of $15,000. After some negotiations the company said they would really entertain offers from $180,000 onwards.

This did not happen with only one or two domains before, there are many of them.

Unfortunately this is allowed here in SA and the majority of premium domains, as well as 1-3 digit domains and dictionary domains are in the hands of International investors / domain squatters who are not interested in Rands, but rather top dollars.

Best is to contact them directly and tell them you are not interested in negotiating and want to know what their 'Buy it Now' price is. This is the best way to find out if you will be wasting your time.