Domain Brokerage - Worth Bothering?

[BusterBloodvessel]

So, did a quick check on GoDaddy if a domain I want is available - it's not. However they say "we might be able to help you get it" for a broker service fee of £80.

Has anyone any idea whatsoever if this is even worth entertaining? The domain currently directs to a web design agency with a live website but their socials haven't posted anything since 2018 and the Ltd company was dissolved in 2023.

Is it likely that GoDaddy really do have any insight, ways or means of getting hold of this or would I just be spaffing £80 up the wall?

I'm clueless with this sort of stuff so any insight welcome!

 

[MOIC]

Dynadot usually provide a domain cost, if others have the domain and want to sell it.

I wouldn't part with any money (especially to Godaddy), unless you know the likely purchase cost of the domain.

 

[Ozzy]

Have you checked the 'whois' of the domain name, and tried emailing it or viewing it online? Sometimes these could lead you direct to the domain owner, this is all services like that broker service will do.

 

[AlanJ1]

Have you checked the 'whois' of the domain name, and tried emailing it or viewing it online? Sometimes these could lead you direct to the domain owner, this is all services like that broker service will do.

Almost all Whois info is now not avaliable by default these days.

 

[Ozzy]

Almost all Whois info is now not avaliable by default these days.

Agreed, but sometimes they have a redirect privacy email address you can try to use

 

[WaveJumper]

Worth trying the above I quite often get emails from my domain holder where people are trying to get in touch with me directly regarding the various domains I hold its then up to me obviously if i want to follow up

 

[fisicx]

I get lots of emails from a legit broker offering me the Chinese domains.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

You can also see when the domain expires and calculate when it might go into free circulation again.

 

[Nathanto]

the Ltd company was dissolved in 2023.

Is it likely that GoDaddy really do have any insight, ways or means of getting hold of this or would I just be spaffing £80 up the wall?

You'd almost certainly be wasting £80 unless GoDaddy happens to be the registrar for the domain and even then it's unlikely they have any special insight.

There are two problems with a Ltd company domain registrant: 1) you have to find someone who has the authority to sell you the domain (and technically that may be impossible with a dissolved company) and 2) even if you find someone who wants to take money off you in return for the domain you then need to find someone who has the technical knowledge to actually action the domain transfer...

Have you Googled the addresses of the dissolved company and/or of its ex-directors? You may get lucky and find a residential address that you can write to for the price of a stamp...

 

[TCH]

your requirements are very specific, it seems - I have never bought a domain-name, but just invented one

bit of a stab in the dark, but an email to

sales@

support@

info@

contact@

hello@

might reach the domain owner

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

but just invented one

What does that mean?

 

[webhostuk]

There are two steps you can take: First, identify the domain's registrar and check whether it’s listed for sale through their platform. Alternatively, you may reach out directly to the design company to inquire if they’re open to selling the domain. Please note that purchasing through GoDaddy for £80 does not guarantee ownership or availability. If you’re unsure, feel free to send me a direct message. I’d be happy to look into it for you.

 

[BusterBloodvessel]

Hi all, thanks for the replies (apologies for the slow reply my side!). I did check the Whois but there's no info. The registrar coincidentally is GoDaddy.

Based on the comments above I don't think it's worth shelling out the £80 for what would be, to be honest, a "nice to have"! It's the .co.uk domain for a brand we're looking at launching but for the target market "brandname-online" or "brandname-productname" would suffice I think. Both of which are available

 

[fisicx]

Or get the .uk