How to contact domain owner?

[Desi]

Hello Domainers,


Can you guys share some tips on how to approach owner of domain that you are interested to buy? What are Do's and Don't while emailing him/her?

[radioz]

I guess if its a high profile name, you can hire an intermediary such as sedo. I have had that happen though and about all that happens is that the sedo person sends and email to ask you whether you want to sell it or not or just sends an offer sometimes telling you that 'if you don't sell now, you may never sell it'. ie - The service is nothing special. If you are Disney and are trying to low ball a name, it might be useful for the anonymity. Personally if someone just honestly contacts me to ask if I want to sell a name, the results are usually the best. I'd just be open and ask. Don't be offended if they don't want to sell it or want too much. And do thank them for the reply. That leaves a good taste even if you don't do anything the first time. Maybe something will happen later. Oh, and don't send a $50 offer for a good name and, in fact, just ask if they want to sell at all in the first communication don't mention a price.

[simon johnson]

If you don't get a response by email then try picking up the telephone and calling the owner directly.

[KING dot NET]

And ready to make a good offer.

[tekz999]

Be polite, and be serious.

[Onward]

Is it a domainer, non-domainer owner who may own 1-10 names, or an established company - that owns the name you are interested in?

I have different methods depending on who I am approaching.

[denny007]

This will not work
I see you are not using this domain, would you sell it ?
I am a student/it is for charity/I am poor
Or any other SOB story

This might work:
Offer $100,000 for this domain, Moniker escrow I will pay the fees

[urlurl]

do a little research - see if they have it listed for sale and a what price (GD, sedo, Bido etc)

[charlescarreon]

Play the role-reversal game.
What is the owner currently doing with the domain?
What would the owner be thinking if they were approached?
What would they think of your inquiry?
If you reveal your development plan, would they be tempted to steal it?
If you have no development plan, why are you asking?

[Warrior]

If its a quality domain they get hardship emails all the time, I'm a student blah blah blah

If your serious about the domain, make the call.