Got the co.uk - Need the .com

[workshy]

Spent two days playing with words to find the perfect name for my other-halfs new business venture.

Result the .co.uk was ftr, no UK companies with even a remotely similar name and no UK copyright.
It's a made up word (Part English, part other!)

But, an American company has previously copyrighted and traded under the name. They no longer seem to be in existance and Oversee now own the .com domain.

Any tips on how to secure the .com?

 

[Edwin]

Any tips on how to secure the .com?

Easy: buy it off Oversee. After all, they legitimately "got there first" so there's no other approach to take.

 

[Skinner]

I read somewhere a last summer that oversee was pushing their names more in some kinda sale, so assuming they still need the funds and the fact the recession is still hitting hard, maybe you'll get a steal now

 

[Bailey]

Duplicate

 

[Bailey]

Easy: buy it off Oversee. After all, they legitimately "got there first" so there's no other approach to take.

Indeed. And now just ask oversee their price (forget any flannel). You use the words "No longer seem to be existance" Either theTM classes are live or they're Not -Equally No problem if your not operating within the same live class

 

[workshy]

Easy: buy it off Oversee. After all, they legitimately "got there first" so there's no other approach to take.

Yep ...But wonderering if anyone here's had any diirect dealings with Oversee - do they behave amicably, etc.

Unfortunately I've only a low £xxx budget for the name so didn't want to jump in feet first.

 

[Edwin]

Yep ...But wonderering if anyone here's had any diirect dealings with Oversee - do they behave amicably, etc.

By "amicably" do you mean "sell names for low, low prices?" Because if so, you're probably out of luck. They're professionals, a huge company with massive domain holdings, so they will behave professionally.

 

[workshy]

Cheers guys.

I just fired off an email to them.

Not expecting a low price from a company with over a million names - I'm just hoping my gut feeling that it'll be ridiculously inflated is totally wrong!

 

[Ashton]

Its strange how there is no proper scale when it comes to domains - I have NO idea what you mean by 'ridiculously' over inflated.

For example, in one of my sale emails, one response was effectively 'that's a ridiculously over inflated price!' with another saying 'That's a great price, we will take it!'

One man's rubbish is another man's treasure - lets hope oversee don't see the domain as treasure!

Best of luck with your purchase.

 

[namealot]

I’d look at acquiring the rights as the owner you’d have a good claim no matter who owns the domain (V high win rate with the yanks.. )

 

[workshy]

Its strange how there is no proper scale when it comes to domains - I have NO idea what you mean by 'ridiculously' over inflated.

I belive that most people in this business can recognise the extremes of domain value - A reg fee name, or an absolute gem worth thousands.

Obviously there's a huge grey area between and there can't possibly be hard and fast rules (one mans rubbish, etc.) but suppose you were selling a name that is, in your opinion, 'reg fee' value. When you're approached by a potential buyer, do you ask him to pay what you belive to be a reasonable price?... Or do you try your luck for a few grand?

The name I'm hoping to buy... It's a 'made up' word and would be (to probably 99% of domainers) reg fee value.
The .co.uk was free to reg as are all the other extensions I checked. It has no SEO value and the previous owners let it expire. In fact, the only reason it has any value is because I want it!
The seller has no idea why, or just how much I want it.
Maybe he thinks I want it enough to pay say, 5k? He won't know unless he asks that for it!

I'll find out soon...

 

[Ashton]

I belive that most people in this business can recognise the extremes of domain value - A reg fee name, or an absolute gem worth thousands.

In the business, yes, to an end user - which is where it counts to me, I have no idea how they are going to react to my pricing. Unless I go for absolutely absurd numbers, which could cost me a sale.

The name I'm hoping to buy... It's a 'made up' word and would be (to probably 99% of domainers) reg fee value.

Thats a good start, though the brandable sector for us domains seems to be pretty big.

I'll find out soon...

Let us know if you dont mind!

 

[Edwin]

The seller has no idea why, or just how much I want it. Maybe he thinks I want it enough to pay say, 5k? He won't know unless he asks that for it!

Don't make the mistake of thinking of a person sitting alone behind their computer. Oversee is a huge outfit, with hundreds (thousands?) of employees.

 

[wb]

Have a look at DNEX.com to see if it's one of the few thousand fixed price domains they have added there. Also, check Sedo if it's for sale there at a fixed price if you haven't already too as their domains seem to be listed there. If it's for sale at a fixed price then you may be able to secure it for a non-inflated price as there will have been presumable no interest in it up to now.

Looking at the fixed prices of their other 'made up' word and 'brandable' domains, it looks like they will probably be happy with an $xxx offer.

Good luck.

 

[workshy]

Let us know if you dont mind!

Took a while, but they got back to me with an asking price of $2,000.
Later the same day (without me having to respond) a second email asked $1,500.

I had in mind a max budget of $500... So, back on with the thinking cap

 

[grantw]

If it's priced at $1.5k and you're not buying it then I'd say you either don't really need it or the project aint that serious. Personally I'd be thanking the stars that they didn't come back asking for $100k!!

Grant

 

[Edwin]

If it's priced at $1.5k and you're not buying it then I'd say you either don't really need it or the project aint that serious. Personally I'd be thanking the stars that they didn't come back asking for $100k!!

x2. $1,500 is absolutely nothing at all as an asking price from one of the large institutional portfolio holders.

 

[KarlM]

Tell them you will give them $500 with instant payment you never know u might get lucky.

Took a while, but they got back to me with an asking price of $2,000.
Later the same day (without me having to respond) a second email asked $1,500.

I had in mind a max budget of $500... So, back on with the thinking cap

 

[woopwoop]

Tell them you will give them $500 with instant payment you never know u might get lucky.

x2.

If you are on a budget this is the best way to go. If they say no my advice would be to stick with the .co.uk alone.

Too many people think you need both the .com and .co.uk to be a success. The fact is for the UK market .co.uk is best so be happy you have that and put the $1500 towards website development or marketing.

If it is a made up word with little chance of anyone else wanting it, then if Oversee first decline your offer of $500, they will keep you on the prospect list for the domain and will probably email you a month or so later offering it to you for $1000 and you will counter at $750, they'll accept and everyone will live happily ever after

 

[Pred]

If it's priced at $1.5k and you're not buying it then I'd say you either don't really need it or the project aint that serious. Personally I'd be thanking the stars that they didn't come back asking for $100k!!

Grant

agreed

everyones time answering this thread is probably more than $1500 lol
buy the domain!
say you can pay $1200 today as you have that in paypal account now or something
or if they can wait a month you can pay $1500