: What should I look out for when buying a domain name? (For the purposes of this message, let's assume that my company is named Squirrel Consulting LLC.) I received an email today from someone

@Angie530

Adding to the comments regarding escrow - you should pick the escrow agent or company if you can't find any info on the one they're suggesting. (there are plenty of reputable options just a search away)

Vote Up Vote Down

@Lengel546

Consider including something tangible as part of the sale (even something simple like a printed and signed statement that they are selling you the domain) that they would have to send you in the mail as an alternative to escrow. By making that part of the transaction, you may gain valuable protections that are afforded to those who transact business with the USPS.

Vote Up Vote Down

@Welton855

Depending how badly you want the name, counter offer. I was recently offered a domain I wanted pretty badly. They offered it at 0. I countered at . They accepted.

These companies want to make money. While making 00 is more than 0, 0 is more than no sale at all. And your company is an obvious choice for the sale.

Of course, be aware they might just say "no".

Vote Up Vote Down

@Bryan171

IMO I would never pay almost 1000$ for a domain cosidering that a domain normally costs less than 10$.
If your business is running well with the domain you have now, why changing it. If your business is not doing good now, I don't think a 1000$ domain is gonna make your businnes do any better.

Anyway I would ask it to a hosting company that do registers/transfers hundreds of domains. Obviously telling them you are gonna use their DNS and transfer the doimain to them.
They could probably help you.

Anothe thing is asking the current domain owner to prove they are the real owner, for instance tell them to change some filed in the whois domain data by entering something like "Hello babe" and check out they did it (whois data are public available unless they restircted it, but still you could ask them to make them public so you culd see).

Vote Up Vote Down

@Pope3001725

At the very least use escrow to handle the payment. That way if they are a scam they either will balk at it immediately and thus save you a hassle or, if they are trying to scam you somehow, you'll never have to pay them as they won't ever successfully deliver the product (the domain).

Vote Up Vote Down