Offered a domain

[1977]

I've been offered the .com version of a domain I own which would be perfect due to the fact that I intend to take the brand in question into America in the next 2 years.

The company that have randomly approached me are apparently from https://uniregistry.com/. I've already told them I don't need it and I'd only be buying it for the sake of it and they've cut the cost from 1k to 500$.

How do I tell if this is legit?

 

[arnydnxluk]

You could ask them to initiate the sale through an escrow service or service such as sedo.com.

 

[Rickeo]

You could ask them to initiate the sale through an escrow service or service such as sedo.com.

Exactly this, use a middle man no matter what, SEDO is perfect for this.

Whatever you do ensure that the money and domain is released to a middle party first.

They may ask you to cover the fees but this is the only secure way to do this.

You could also do 50% before and 50% after but $250 is still a lot to scam off someone so I'd just go with using an escrow service if you can.

 

[DarrenL]

I have done this before via Sedo, id google there domain see what comes up.
Sedo are good ive brought and sold using them.

 

[1977]

Thanks guys, I’ll check out Sedo.

When I google the .com it goes to go daddy but as I’ve never encountered this before and don’t know anything about transferring domains. I’m assuming the owners of the domain (go daddy?) simply get someone to search for a likely buyer?

 

[Chris Ashdown]

Look up the registered owner of the domain with the registry

 

[Calvin Crane]

I wouldn't bother. .com is not just for the US. Check .co which I think is great.
I detest name squatters so I love it when they speculate buy up domains then loose their money on them yearly. Also check .net etc...

 

[ico1234567]

Agree here .co appears to be same preference on google search engine. Don't pay name squatters, the same as we don't pay kidnappers.

 

[fisicx]

I wouldn't bother. .com is not just for the US. Check .co which I think is great.

Agree here .co appears to be same preference on google search engine.

Why do you want a columbian TLD?

 

[1977]

Agree here .co appears to be same preference on google search engine. Don't pay name squatters, the same as we don't pay kidnappers.

Gotta be honest, I personally see it as a decent move to get the domain as Americans see .com as normal and for a few hundred quid I’d be a little dumb not to. Especially as I’m sure I can grab it for around £150 which is f all when you consider the value of the American market.

.co makes no sense to me.

 

[1977]

Ok, so Uniregistry is obviously a reputable company that trades domains so I can assume this is them working on godaddies behalf and this is legitimate?

 

[1977]

Ok so there’s more. It’s just now available for sale on godaddy for £1900.

I was aware it was expiring yesterday and unigeristary have been pestering me for a few weeks now. Is it normal for a domain to be touted around for massively under the godaddy listed value?

Are they simply looking for a “guaranteed” sale?

 

[ico1234567]

a .com, co or .xxx is not going to make a difference generally speaking. Keeping costs down in the first year is important. Its fine to spend £2k if your have a start up budget of £100k. Its not ok to blow 2k if your start up budget is 5k !. A .com if available at the right price is preferable, but if there is not one that is available then an alternative needs to be considered.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

I would say that to sell in america, where they have a massive "Made in America" requirement for many individuals the .com is essential to at least make a break through to show your wares

In the United Kingdom and Europe, we don't fully understand the patriotic feeling the USA residents have

 

[GURUCLOUD]

You've already mentioned a business case for buying the name however - what if you don't buy it? Although it's not a small amount of money its certainly not a crazy amount for 'brand protection' and prevent possible issues in the future.

 

[1977]

Just a little bump for anyone who’s interested.

The domain I wanted was listed for just under £1900 and ended up getting it (including registering it for 10 years) for under £475. Very happy as now own the .com .co.uk & .eu

To me it’s crucial to have the .com to sell in the America’s

 

[GURUCLOUD]

Ah fantastic, glad it worked out well