Trying to buy a domain but no response

[Blitzburgh]

I have a domain that I am interested in reaquiring (I let the registration lapse and it was bought by another register)

The domain is about as "invented" as you can get meaning we used 3 names and combined them into one abbreviation.

The person that owns it now has hidden all contact info on betterwhois to include phone, address, etc.

I would like to get this domain back if for no other reason sentimental purposes.

I am turning here for some advice, if there is any, and would welcome any input.

Thanks, Mike

[texxs]

godaddy.com has a "domain buy" service that may be of some help to you.

[texxs]

Be warned though, if it's a domain name broker that has the domain, he's going to hold it until after he dies unless he gets a ridiculous prices for it.

Domain Name brokers suck!

[deepsand]

What is the DN in question?

[allinfree]

Been here, done this, here's what I learned...

Assuming that the domain is not related to any specific market niche or a particularly brandable domain and would only be of interest to you,.

Unless you have lot's of cash and absolutely need to own or develop the domain:
- Do not contact the the new owner (any more).
- Do not keep visiting/checking the domain or it's whois.
- Wait until the next expiration and hope it drops.
- Rinse & Repeat

This is the strategy that has worked best for a few personal domains I've had to retrieve for some of my clients. (I'm waiting for one to expire in two months)

Once the new owner definitely knows the the domain is wanted -- either by contacting them or by multiple whois queries showing up in the logs -- odds are they will hold the dn for "ransom" and ask for big bucks. If you're not willing to pay, they will just keep renewing it until you - or someone else - is!

You need to decide both how important & how much the dn is worth to you and then decide if this is the best course of action accordingly.

If you do want the domain and are willing to pay anywhere from $500 to +$X,XXX, then just keep trying to email them through the "Whois Privacy". Unless they have development plans, they will eventually respond. If by chance they have died or have forgotten about the email account that they registered the domain under, the dn will drop and you will hopefully be able to pick it up at reg fee.

Good luck which ever direction you go!

[Blitzburgh]

Thanks for all the replies. For the most part, I knew all of the above but was hoping for a small chance that there was an ICANN backdoor - kick the dope off of the domain name they have no intention of using - clause.

I can always go the .NET route, so it is not a huge loss. Just AGGRAVATING as he!!

Thanks again, Mike

[qh4dotcom]

You might also want to try entering your domain name into the Google Search box...sometimes you might find the current owner's info that way.

I do agree that it's better to grab back the domain the second after it's next expiration.

[azeemi]

Been here, done this, here's what I learned...

Assuming that the domain is not related to any specific market niche or a particularly brandable domain and would only be of interest to you,.

Unless you have lot's of cash and absolutely need to own or develop the domain:
- Do not contact the the new owner (any more).
- Do not keep visiting/checking the domain or it's whois.
- Wait until the next expiration and hope it drops.
- Rinse & Repeat

This is the strategy that has worked best for a few personal domains I've had to retrieve for some of my clients. (I'm waiting for one to expire in two months)

Once the new owner definitely knows the the domain is wanted -- either by contacting them or by multiple whois queries showing up in the logs -- odds are they will hold the dn for "ransom" and ask for big bucks. If you're not willing to pay, they will just keep renewing it until you - or someone else - is!

You need to decide both how important & how much the dn is worth to you and then decide if this is the best course of action accordingly.

If you do want the domain and are willing to pay anywhere from $500 to +$X,XXX, then just keep trying to email them through the "Whois Privacy". Unless they have development plans, they will eventually respond. If by chance they have died or have forgotten about the email account that they registered the domain under, the dn will drop and you will hopefully be able to pick it up at reg fee.

Good luck which ever direction you go!

I totally agreed........