Advice?

[donton]

I have been debating whether or not to post this, but figured why not - if I can't get an answer on here, I won't get one anywhere.

I approached a company about a .co.uk domain name via their solicitor in early summer. We exchanged a few emails (the solicitor and I) and telephone calls, and I put in a mid five figure offer. The offer was quickly rebuffed, they told me they wanted a minimum of six figures.

I took a few days to consider it, then told their solicitor if they could clarify the VAT situation and whether the direct .uk name was also included, I would get back in touch ASAP and potentially make the six figure offer they were holding out for. I was keen to bring it to a swift conclusion, I thought they might be too.

I haven't heard anything since. I have called 10+ times since September and been told the guy I was dealing with is out of the office/in a seminar/busy/with a client/on holiday/bla bla. I have left at least five messages with his PA, asking him to call me back, to no avail. I have emailed him at least five times, with no reply.

I have a postal address for him, so I will probably send a letter this week by registered delivery, as a last resort.

Sorry I cannot go into specifics about the name etc, if that means that no one can help then please feel free to remove the thread.

If anyone does have any words of wisdom, I am all ears... feeling pretty frustrated at the moment! Even if they say no, or gave me a reason for ignoring me, at least I would have closure. As it stands, I don't think asking for clarification of the VAT implications and whether the direct .uk is included, is particularly unreasonable for a potential six figure sale.

 

[Sound]

@donton Would it be possible to arrange to meet face to face? this maybe your best bet as it sounds like they have you on ignore.

 

[martin-s]

They know you're keen and are playing hard to get. This'll force the price go up as you become more and more desperate.

 

[donton]

@donton Would it be possible to arrange to meet face to face? this maybe your best bet as it sounds like they have you on ignore.

I was going to go down the letter route, then as a last resort just turn up at their office. The problem is if they're ignoring me, I can't book an appointment and it's a very (very) long way to drive. Not too bothered that it's a long way, but I can't do the journey multiple times if it doesn't work on the first few occasions.

I do agree, however, that face to face is probably the way to go.

 

[donton]

They know you're keen and are playing hard to get. This'll force the price go up as you become more and more desperate.

I understand your thinking, but it won't drive my offer up by a penny until they can answer my VAT question and the direct .uk question.

I just don't understand why these points have become a stumbling block, they are not unreasonable questions to ask in my opinion.

 

[martin-s]

If you're paying £100k+ then VAT would surely have to apply?

 

[Edwin]

Why not put your improved offer in writing, but explicitly add the conditions that apply to it (VAT is handled in xyz way, .uk is included, whatever you like) and make it clear that the offer is automatically null and void if the conditions aren't met.

Include a deadline - long enough to let them make a decision, short enough so that you're not hung out to dry for months and months.

Stick to talking about the deal to be reached - this is not the time to dispute their silence!

Send one copy on high quality paper (neatly hand-addressed envelope), one via email and one via fax (if they still have a fax number)

Should give you the best chance.

(You could even send it via your lawyer if you want to add an extra layer of "officiality" to it)

 

[donton]

If you're paying £100k+ then VAT would surely have to apply?

I'm not 100% sure they are even a UK entity (hence why I need to clarify), or whether they're off shore for tax purposes. If they aren't, then VAT may not apply. It's kind of important though, because 20% of six figures is quite a chunk of money.

I also know someone who sold a site and domain a few years ago for mid six figures, he applied to HMRC to waive VAT registration as it was a one off.

That's why I am just a little uncertain about the VAT situation. I didn't realise it would be so difficult for them to answer what is quite a simple question...

 

[donton]

Why not put your improved offer in writing, but explicitly add the conditions that apply to it (VAT is handled in xyz way, .uk is included, whatever you like) and make it clear that the offer is automatically null and void if the conditions aren't met.

Include a deadline - long enough to let them make a decision, short enough so that you're not hung out to dry for months and months.

Stick to talking about the deal to be reached - this is not the time to dispute their silence!

Send one copy on high quality paper (neatly hand-addressed envelope), one via email and one via fax (if they still have a fax number)

Should give you the best chance.

(You could even send it via your lawyer if you want to add an extra layer of "officiality" to it)

Thanks Edwin - I think that sounds sensible, and it goes beyond what I was planning to do.

I will most likely go down this route at some point next week, now I just need to find some nice paper to print it on.

It might be a while before I have any kind of progress, but I will keep the thread updated.

 

[Murray]

I took a few days to consider it, then told their solicitor if they could clarify the VAT situation and whether the direct .uk name was also included, I would get back in touch ASAP and potentially make the six figure offer they were holding out for. I was keen to bring it to a swift conclusion, I thought they might be too.

It may not be the case, but from how you worded this, maybe they think since you offered mid xx,xxx and they wanted xxx,xxx (which could be who knows how much, maybe closer to £999,999 than 100k), they don't think you're a serious buyer?

Did they actually say they would think about accepting low xxx,xxx like £100,000 or could they be wanting a lot more?

Maybe they think you're just too far apart and it's a waste of time dealing with you

Send a written offer with the previsions about tax and .uk and then forget about it is probably best

... Then you will probably see them let the domain drop at some point in the future

 

[keys]

If you are sure that the decisionmaker is aware of your interest and ballpark price, there are two possible reasons for them to ignore your calls.

1) They may have no wish to sell, and were only curious to see how much you would offer. I think this is the most likely scenario.

2) Your repeated efforts to continue discussions are a sure sign that you will eventually make a final and best offer, bypassing the need for negotiation.

Either way, they are not overly concerned about the outcome. I would do nothing for a month. Any response in that time should be conclusive. Conversely, silence will tell you that there is no real prospect of a sale.

 

[aZooZa]

This can be very frustrating. My only question is as to why you approached their legal first, and not the MD/CEO of the company? Is he on LinkedIn? LI is the easiest route. The legal bods will probably have no sense of urgency. Just my 2p from experience.

 

[martin-s]

I was just thinking, if it's £100k worth, maybe it'd be worth getting in the car and pay a face-to-face visit to hammer out terms?

 

[Admin]

I'm surprised nobody else has said this, I think they have decided not to sell and wish to avoid saying so after having led you down the path. Some people just do this because they find it hard to say no I've changed my mind. I'd look for another domain. They probably hoped you would have got the message by now, no offence. Of course, my radar could be off but that's how it reads to me, good luck whatever.

 

[martin-s]

I'm surprised nobody else has said this, I think they have decided not to sell and wish to avoid saying so after having led you down the path. Some people just do this because they find it hard to say no I've changed my mind.

That's definitely possible, but equally I've bought names where it has taken years to negotiate a deal. Persistence does pay off!

 

[domainseller200]

My advice is this : nobody's advice on here is going to help you; if they wanted to sell it to you, they would have made contact by now.

Silence always speaks volumes. Forget about it and move on, and spend your "six figures" elsewhere.

 

[Edwin]

Forgot to mention: send the snail mail letter first class signed for. Then they know that you know they got it...

 

[donton]

Thank you for all of your replies. I'm going to go down the letter route, as per Edwin's post, this week or next.

I'm not particularly hopeful, but as martin-s said - persistence pays off!

If anything happens in my favour or otherwise, I will update this thread.

 

[mat]

Forgot to mention: send the snail mail letter first class signed for. Then they know that you know they got it...

AND pack the letter in a MASSIVE box wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper and massive bow addressed to the MD. He will make sure to collect it personaly.

 

[baldidiot]

AND pack the letter in a MASSIVE box wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper and massive bow addressed to the MD. He will make sure to collect it personaly.

ha ha ha, awesome idea