Offer for domain turned ugly ...

**Adam Dicker** · 01-10-2011, 03:48 PM

Just had some guy call me and give me a sob story about how he wanted one of my domains for a startup that didn't have much cash... the usual line.

I responded with the name isn't for sale. ( that usually makes them offer more ).

Then he responded with well, we own the trademark, blah blah blah.

I told him that we have had this domain long before his fake trademark and hung up because he aggravated me.

Checked TESS and what a surprise there is not trademark.

Recently I received a lowball offer probably from the same person.

He can now pony up or he can ride off into the sunset without my domain.

-=DCG=-

**Gerry** · 01-10-2011, 03:56 PM

YEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAW. Get em, Cowboy!

Pony up or...

Get along, lil doggy!

**draggar** · 01-10-2011, 03:56 PM

That was you I called? Shoot, I thought it was someone else.

**bigboydog_0** · 01-10-2011, 04:08 PM

i get those calls also and emails , bunch of chesse balls !!!! i just got an email from switzerland telling me to hand over my domain name or they wiill file with wipo ... PLease!!!!! PLease !!!!! if you want to see the letter pm me ! im glad you shut him down. DTG

**Adam Dicker** · 01-10-2011, 04:15 PM

The problem is, it pisses you off and puts you in a bad mood when it shouldn't.

-=DCG=-

**Onward** · 01-10-2011, 04:21 PM

I do try to work with the person if their sob story checks out. In many cases I have traded for cash and services...Once it was a bicycle maker and I had him include a killer mountain bike. But it also gets ugly sometimes...I usually give them time to get over their temper tantrum and think rationally...sometimes they do and sometimes they don't.

**Adam Dicker** · 01-10-2011, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by Onward

I do try to work with the person if their sob story checks out. In many cases I have traded for cash and services...Once it was a bicycle maker and I had him include a killer mountain bike. But it also gets ugly sometimes...I usually give them time to get over their temper tantrum and think rationally...sometimes they do and sometimes they don't.

I did once give a guy a domain for almost nothing because his sob story was true and he presented it well. He still has the domain and uses it as a family business.

He was a good guy, the domain was bottletree.com that I gave him for cheap. It's a neat concept.

-=DCG=-

**Melly** · 01-10-2011, 04:29 PM

I get some strange emails sometimes. Any story that someone can either dream up or make up I think I have heard. When I remember to I stick them on dnfunnies.com

I have came across a couple that were touching such as real charities that lost their domains because of being screwed over by whoever registered it for them or something similar. I normally try to help them out.

One of the worst things I have ever experienced when being contacted about was a suicide domain on DM. The person thought they were contacting someone to talk to and of course it was just on a parked page on DM. I was handling live chat at the time. It was absolutely horrible. I know this is off subject but most of the emails or phone calls you receive as a domainer or broker is how they don't have money and need the domain back yadda yadda, but this was a first for me.

**JuniperPark** · 01-10-2011, 04:31 PM

I've had what appears to be TWO different people try to sell me my own domain today. That's worth a laugh.

**Melly** · 01-10-2011, 04:35 PM

Sorry Juniper thought you already sold that one and was just trying to sell it back to you : ) lol jk

**Adam Dicker** · 01-10-2011, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by JuniperPark

I've had what appears to be TWO different people try to sell me my own domain today. That's worth a laugh.

That one certainly is odd.

-=DCG=-

**Acro** · 01-10-2011, 05:15 PM

Adam, be very afraid!
These guys have now formed an alliance.

**Gerry** · 01-10-2011, 05:28 PM

Someone trying to tell me they own the TM is nothing new. Or just trying to tell me they have "rights" to the name, whatever the hell that means.

If there happens to be a legitimate TM claim, then I will work with the person or demonstrate that I am not infringing on their TM or product/service line. Typically, that is sufficient. I've had legitimate TM holders inquire as to what my "intentions" were.

Adam, I know you're a Cowboys fan so I found great humor in your Yippie-Ki-Yay, Ki-Yo, MotherF*cker ranch hand tone of language

**RobM** · 01-10-2011, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by DotComGod

The problem is, it pisses you off and puts you in a bad mood when it shouldn't.

-=DCG=-

Not me. I actually get a good feeling when I *don't* sell a domain to people like this. I guess you're just too nice a guy Adam.

**Acro** · 01-10-2011, 07:03 PM

The most common excuse I've received recently: I want this domain (cheaply) as it will be used for my [insert relative]'s personal site.

**Gerry** · 01-10-2011, 07:14 PM

I'm tired of the we're a small non-profit agency.

Yes, this is true in many cases. But check the email address...one supposed small non-profit contacting me was a mega-mammoth property developer in Seattle. Their holdings were perhaps in the billions with developed property and land holdings.

True, some may be non-profits but the cost of domain and site building is tax deductible.

**electronic** · 01-10-2011, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by Doc Com

I'm tired of the we're a small non-profit agency.

Yes, it is as if they are all reading from the same script.

The only true non-profit organization is one in which NO ONE takes a salary, and derives NO other personal benefit from the organizational coffers. I have yet to see a true non-profit.

Moreover, they pay all their OTHER bills, and pay salaries, and buy real estate, vehicles, airplanes, office furniture, and all the other requirements and supplies for operating an organization. Yet, they pull out the handkerchief, the tears, and the sob story when buying a higher-quality domain.

I am not moved.

**hugegrowth** · 01-10-2011, 11:47 PM

I think a lot of people still have trouble with high domain prices when they see they can be regged for $10. They expect that because the domain suits their business, and they just thought of getting it, that the domain should be sitting there unregged, just waiting for them. Doesn't matter that it's a good generic keyword string and domains have been available to reg for 15 years now. If I or you didn't own that domain now, someone else likely would anyway.

When they mention TM, ask them for specifically what product or service. Most of the time your use of the domain is nothing close to their tm, if they even have one.

I really wonder what people and businesses are going to have available to them in the way of domains in a few years. What is the kid who is 12 years old today going to use for a domain for his start-up company in 6 or 7 years? It will either be a crappy name, or he'll be buying in the aftermarket.

**electronic** · 01-11-2011, 12:14 AM

Originally Posted by hugegrowth

I really wonder what people and businesses are going to have available to them in the way of domains in a few years.

It seems to me that, by about 2020, the domain aftermarket, or an inheritance, will be about the ONLY means to get a domain of even minimally-acceptable quality. There may be exceptions, but, in the future, a business plan will routinely include budgeting for a domain name.

Domain resellers will lose their status as villains when EVERYBODY is selling their domains, and NOBODY is letting them drop.

**JuniperPark** · 01-11-2011, 12:26 AM

You guys are WAY behind the times.

Businesses now invest their online marketing time on facebook promotions and twitter accounts. A lot of them have ALREADY stopped bothering to building websites and don't care about domains. By 2020 domains will be as irrelevent as a 300 baud dialup modem.