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besson3c · Mar 17, 2009, 05:23 PM

Any advice on bargaining with a domain squatter? This squatter wants a "five digit figure" for this particular domain... Any tips for haggling with him, how to appeal to his needs and weaknesses? This particular domain has been squatted for years, something tells me he is going to have a hard time getting five digits in this economy.

Laminar · Mar 17, 2009, 05:34 PM

Maybe you could irritate him to death with some inane comments.

mattyb · Mar 17, 2009, 05:40 PM

Does he use Linux?

design219 · Mar 17, 2009, 05:47 PM

Make one reasonable offer and stop. He will contact you after a while.

I had this happen with a client website a couple of years ago. The squatter wanted $1,500. I offered $300 and he quickly said OK. I imagine he had sat on it for a few years.

besson3c · Mar 17, 2009, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by design219

Make one reasonable offer and stop. He will contact you after a while.

I had this happen with a client website a couple of years ago. The squatter wanted $1,500. I offered $300 and he quickly said OK. I imagine he had sat on it for a few years.

Interesting suggestion! I might do just that... How much would you offer to somebody that was looking for a "five digit figure"? It would take a lot for me to conjure up the interest to pay a four digit figure, let alone five.

Eug · Mar 17, 2009, 05:53 PM

Offer what you think is reasonable. If he doesn't bite or negotiate, then just forget it and think of another name. There is no point in overpaying. It's not as if he owns the www.apple.com domain name or anything.

besson3c · Mar 17, 2009, 05:55 PM

I already own the .org and .net, I don't really need the .com that badly, it would just be nice to have.

Eug · Mar 17, 2009, 05:58 PM

By the way, one company I deal with is www.waterboys.ca.

Whatever you do, don't go to the .com version of that website URL.

Chuckit · Mar 17, 2009, 05:58 PM

Just offer what it's worth to you. Unless it's a really SEO-friendly name, he's probably not making that much off the parking page, and it's unlikely somebody else will pay him five figures if you already have the .org and .net. That's what I figure.

Mac Write · Mar 17, 2009, 10:02 PM

I am sitting on about 36 domains, but they are all for projects that haven't begun yet (8 years later). Sigh.

MM-o4 · Mar 17, 2009, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by Eug

By the way, one company I deal with is www.waterboys.ca.

Whatever you do, don't go to the .com version of that website URL.

I almost did (at work) until my brain caught up to what it could be

brassplayersrock² · Mar 17, 2009, 11:42 PM

the wallpaper of the website is yellow...

reader50 · Mar 18, 2009, 01:10 AM

From the title, I was expecting a more "interesting" thread. Suggestions on how to bargain with a physical squatter in your home.

Dork. · Mar 18, 2009, 07:20 AM

besson3c, we've been over this before, I think my request is very reasonable, just pay me what I want and you can have the domain already! And no paying me back with money, either... I want five actual digits! (preferably a few from both hands....)

Maflynn · Mar 18, 2009, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by besson3c

I already own the .org and .net, I don't really need the .com that badly, it would just be nice to have.

Given the fact that you already own the .org and .net, I'd not pay a lot of money for the .com and I'd tell him that as well. Squatters look to cash in on people's desire to pay anything for a certain domain. If he's held the domain for a while and you provide a reasonable offer you may get it. I'd walk away if not

besson3c · Mar 18, 2009, 09:30 AM

Dork.: my wife is becoming a Civ IV master, including on the expansion packs, maybe we can barter for her giving you some lessons? I was watching her, and some longbowman shot down a helicopter!

ShortcutToMoncton · Mar 18, 2009, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by Eug

By the way, one company I deal with is www.waterboys.ca.

Whatever you do, don't go to the .com version of that website URL.

I just had to do it

arrrrrgh

blackstar · Mar 18, 2009, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by design219

Make one reasonable offer and stop. He will contact you after a while.

I had this happen with a client website a couple of years ago. The squatter wanted $1,500. I offered $300 and he quickly said OK. I imagine he had sat on it for a few years.

Seconded. If his asking price is ridiculous than nobody else will buy it either. Just make sure he gets your offer and wait it out.

starman · Mar 18, 2009, 12:09 PM

There's a dilemma here: you ask, they know you want it. What did was ask, got a quote (ha!) of $999 for the domain. I passed. A few weeks later, the domain EXPIRED and I got it for $8 on godaddy.

HA!

turtle777 · Mar 18, 2009, 01:30 PM

Go and poop on the squatter's kitchen floor. That'll teach him.

-t

besson3c · Mar 18, 2009, 06:10 PM

I think turtle777 is poop obsessed!

Thanks for the great advice guys, I've offered this dude $500, I'm waiting on a response from him.

Andy8 · Mar 18, 2009, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

I've offered this dude $500, I'm waiting on a response from him.

Or you could just wait until 12 April 2009 when the domain is set to expire and see if it comes up for grabs?

besson3c · Mar 18, 2009, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by Andy8

Or you could just wait until 12 April 2009 when the domain is set to expire and see if it comes up for grabs?

Yeah, but he always re-registers either the day of or a few days later, it drives me nuts!

Railroader · Mar 19, 2009, 08:18 PM

I thought that's what the steering wheel in your pants was for.