Sort of a dilemma based on a potential offer...

[PeterMan]

I received an email the other day about one of my parked domains. It was a lowball offer but the person attached a note asking if we could discuss the name... I took this as a sign of someone who really did not how the process works so I responded with a note back specifying my asking price.

The number I sent back was not a huge amount, but it is not trivial, it is in the $x,xxx range...

I received an email back from the person saying that they were sending the information along to the legal dept. of a specific company, and the person actually told me what company it was in her note...

So, now I know who I am potentially dealing with and I am now wondering how to handle this if they do come back with an offer...

I do not think that I am bound by a number mentioned in an email to a middleman but I certainly don't want to waste an opportunity...

I suppose all of this is moot if they decide not to proceed but I have a feeling that I will hear from them again...

Thoughts??

Thanks!

 

[Theo]

So you received an "offer" from a middleman that will now bear no risk and will potentially pass that risk onto you, should you decline their offer for whatever reason as the actual buyer has legal interest in the domain. I'd say, have them sign a contract or tell them to piss off.

 

[PeterMan]

So you received an "offer" from a middleman that will now bear no risk and will potentially pass that risk onto you, should you decline their offer for whatever reason as the actual buyer has legal interest in the domain. I'd say, have them sign a contract or tell them to piss off.

I am not exactly sure what you mean by risk?

There is no TM issues or anything like that with the domain...

I have no idea why the process has started out this way but it sounds like the next contact would be from the actual interested buyer and obviously nothing would be completed with them without a contract...

 

[Theo]

Ok, maybe I misunderstood what happened

Since you haven't agreed on a price, feel free to negotiate with the actual buyer; the risk is that you might not have a sale but unless you ask (for a higher amount) you won't get

 

[theinvestor]

I am so lost...What the heck are you talking about elivate?

What is the issue here? So you received an offer...from someone negotiating for someone else? Okay...you gave them an $x,xxx offer. Okay...Now whoever contacts you will give you their offer. What is the issue? You either accept or decline.

There is no contract here. They have submitted an offer that was lowball which you already rejected with your counter offer. They either accept or counter another offer.

 

[PeterMan]

I am so lost...What the heck are you talking about elivate?

What is the issue here? So you received an offer...from someone negotiating for someone else? Okay...you gave them an $x,xxx offer. Okay...Now whoever contacts you will give you their offer. What is the issue? You either accept or decline.

There is no contract here. They have submitted an offer that was lowball which you already rejected with your counter offer. They either accept or counter another offer.

I guess the issue is that now I know that the interested party is a large business and I am pretty sure they can afford to pay more... Not that I want to be too greedy :smilewinkgrin:

If they respond with a lower offer than the number that I had mentioned to the middleman (which I expect they will) I won't be in a great position to ask for more than my original number... Obviously if they really really want the name then maybe I can play hardball, but I guess one never knows...

Ok, maybe I misunderstood what happened

Since you haven't agreed on a price, feel free to negotiate with the actual buyer; the risk is that you might not have a sale but unless you ask (for a higher amount) you won't get

Yes, I guess that s correct...

 

[theinvestor]

Elivate,

I thought that was what you were asking...please do not be a dirty business man. An email is not a binding contract. That does not mean that now that you know they are a big company you can start negotiating at $xxx,xxx. The only way you can get out of this is if they counter offer and you tell them sorry you are no longer interested in selling.

 

[PeterMan]

Elivate,

I thought that was what you were asking...please do not be a dirty business man. An email is not a binding contract. That does not mean that now that you know they are a big company you can start negotiating at $xxx,xxx. The only way you can get out of this is if they counter offer and you tell them sorry you are no longer interested in selling.

ha a dirty business man...

I will try to keep my nose clean...

 

[theinvestor]

just trying to shine some light on the issue...don't be greedy..it can backfire.

Always price your domains at points where you can live without it even if it was sold to a massive company.

 

[PeterMan]

just trying to shine some light on the issue...don't be greedy..it can backfire.

Always price your domains at points where you can live without it even if it was sold to a massive company.

oh I agree, I have to admit if I get the original asking price I will be happy... but... money talks

 

[theinvestor]

.ca or .com ? That's what i wanna know!

 

[PeterMan]

.ca or .com ? That's what i wanna know!

It's one of those ;-)

 

[copper]

Big business or Big Pocket doesn't necessarily mean you get $million for $1K domain.
They don't grow big by being stupid, you know
However, you may get multiple deals with them if you have other domains that may
interest them after first deal is completed since they may have deep pocket.

 

[financialtraffic]

I guess the way I see it, if someone sends you an email inquiry you should always assume it could be an enduser with deep pockets.

While it's your choice of course, I don't think that not knowing who you're dealing gives you the right to step out of the price you offered unless you feel they were trying to trick you.

If it really matters to you, then asking if they represent anyone before providing a price would be smart. Or, just swing for the fences right out of the box and if they really want it they'll accept or make you a good counter offer. But with that you always risk shocking them away too.

I realize it's a delicate process. I've been there before too. Good luck.