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Advice on buying expired domain names

by PeckhamPirate
4 replies
Hi warriors,
Just a quick one about buying expired domain names cheap.

I've had my eye on an underperforming domain for years. It's just been sitting there with a holding page sionce about 2006, but earlier this year it disappeared and now appears for sale.

It's nothing special, but it is something I want - so normally the fee would be dirt cheap - like in the $9.99-$14.99 bracket.
however, when I follow the links I see it's available for thousands of dollars, which is nuts.

So my question is, after how long will the price drop back down to reality.
Or will it be stuck at that price forever?
#advice #buying #domain #expired #names
  • Profile picture of the author DNChamp
    There is no time frame for a price on a domain name. Did you check the whois? is it reg to a single person or company? Do they own more then say 50 domains?

    If you are looking to pay "reg fee" for a domain then I suggest to move on from this one and look for something else.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    Originally Posted by PeckhamPirate View Post

    So my question is, after how long will the price drop back down to reality. Or will it be stuck at that price forever?

    Peckham,

    It really depends upon the expectations of the seller. As you know, many people fall in love with their own domains and believe (wrongly) that the domain is worth a great deal of money. It's really only worth what you can sell it for and no more.

    Often domain "investors" (squatters) hoard names with the idea that sooner or later, as names become more scarce, someone will step forward and buy what they are offering. They see paying the annual renewal as a cost of doing business and the profitable sale of one good domain paying for all the others that never sell.

    If you really want the name, I would approach the owner directly (if you can via Whois), offer what it's worth to you, and see if he accepts. If not, move on because obviously he has higher expectations.

    I would find a very similar name and register it for a few dollars before I would fork over mega bucks for the "ultimate" name because the domain name itself doesn't carry any intrinsic value per se.

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
      Check the whois first. If it expires within the next year DO NOT approach the buyer unless you intend on making an offer substantially above registration. All you are doing by approaching the owner is telling them the domains has value. In many cases a squatter will let a domain expire if there is no interest (unless its an obviously valuable name). show interest and they will renew it
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  • Profile picture of the author Tom Addams
    You have a few good options.

    Option 1

    Let the domain expire. You've waited since 2006, after all. Check WHOIS to verify how long it has left. Snap the sucker up if you can.

    Option 2

    Is it substantially undervalued? If so, approach and make a sensible offer. Never offer ticket price, but if you're confident of a flip, or if you can substantially profit from development, then get it. (If you're unwilling to wait, of course.)

    Option 3

    Can you register a similar domain? If you can, this may be your best option. Take a look at the metrics, make an accurate value assessment, ensure substantial and easy profitability, and then attempt to register another domain with the exact same benefits.

    GRM
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