Drops - Previous Domain Owners

[acheeva]

The tone of some communications amuses me at times; got this today

I'm writing on behalf on xxxxx Pty Ltd, which has been trading 2008

I noticed you have taken our domain recently without our awareness

Can you please release the parked domain so we can register as the rightful owner?

Maybe the author was the one who did not process the renewal

I always try to restore the domains to the previous owners in these cases for a fair price but at times like this I feel like giving them the 1 finger salute

 

[zhenjie]

If they want they can pay a fair price for it.

 

[acheeva]

That was my instant response; but the emails are from an arrogant intermediary
(probably the guy who let the domain lapse)

 

[Chris.C]

Yeah I have had a few of those... I wouldn't burn the bridge though - sometimes they come around after awhile and they realise that domains aren't worth nothing and that it's still in their interest to spend a few pennies to get it back.

 

[Joel]

I like how they insinuated you stole the domain

Yeah I have had a few of those... I wouldn't burn the bridge though....

I agree. I'd keep the communication professional at all times

 

[neddy]

The tone of some communications amuses me at times; got this today

I'm writing on behalf on xxxxx Pty Ltd, which has been trading 2008

I noticed you have taken our domain recently without our awareness

Can you please release the parked domain so we can register as the rightful owner?

Greg, I've had a few of those type of emails, and this is the response I have always given (bear in mind this was prior to 6 month rule lapsing, so the last para is not really applicable - though you could still leave it in). It has almost always worked for me.

Feel free to use it / modify it if it suits.

Hi Phil,

Thanks for your email. I'm sorry to hear of the circumstances surrounding the loss of this domain name.

I bid on this at auction in early May when it appeared on the expired domain auctions, and paid a premium to acquire it. I own a number of health related domains including XXXXXXXX.com.au - so this domain is a "fit" for that portfolio.

Until yesterday, I had no knowledge of your previous ownership of the domain. I have since researched it, and notice that the website came into existence in 2003, and was last edited in October 2009. Nothing has happened since.

However, because of your email, I’m happy to try and come to an arrangement for you to purchase this name back from me. I have no intention of holding you to ransom, but if you make me a fair and reasonable offer I will consider it.

auDA does have provisions for domain names to be transferred back in circumstances like these, particularly where both parties are doing so amicably.

Please call me if you want to discuss.

Kind regards, Ned
XXXXXXXXXXX Pty Ltd
04xxxxxxxx

 

[acheeva]

Ned; my response was similar however the guy has referred the matter to AUDA

As I said I am pretty sure he is the one who let he name lapse & is trying to save face for having done so

 

[neddy]

Ned; my response was similar however the guy has referred the matter to AUDA

As I said I am pretty sure he is the one who let he name lapse & is trying to save face for having done so

auDA should give it "short shrift".

A letter like this is good for a couple of reasons (imho):

1. It's not antagonistic - and ultimately will allow the guy to come back to you.
   
   
2. If auDA did ever ask you to show cause (unlikely), you have something on the record.

Good luck Greg.

 

[acheeva]

Thanks Ned

I have had 2-3 resolve amicably for small prices through email

I usually look $175-$250; which covers time costs etc

 

[DavidL]

Yes that's a nice email although not sure whether best to mention the auctions is it?

When I get approaches like this, if the owner is nice and the domain is really only a reg-fee-ish name, I often just tell them they can have it back.

It return I've been asked out to dinner (repeatedly by this one guy - bordering on stalking), offered a place to stay fishing in NT and have a 'Swing Band' I can call on for a free performance one day!

The other thing i do, especially if it's a domain with backlink value, is say sure you can have it back no problem, If you want to show your appreciation, just throw a link to my relevant site in the footer. To have the only OBL on a genuine aged, independent cared-for site for a few years for the cost of a rego it's pretty good.

I do feel sorry for people who let them lapse by mistake, realise what they've done and make contact without blaming or threatenening. The other type though - the ones who imply you have 'hijacked' their domain and threaten to sue - well they need to pay market price or find something else.

There's a third type too - those who have no idea what has happened and send an email 'Hi - noticed my website seems to be down. My hosting company said I should contact you so can you please liaise with my web developer to get it back up asap. Many thanks'

 

[neddy]

Yes that's a nice email although not sure whether best to mention the auctions is it?

I mention the auctions because it is the truth - and it shows them that you picked the name up fair and square. Nothing nefarious.

I do feel sorry for people who let them lapse by mistake, realise what they've done and make contact without blaming or threatenening. The other type though - the ones who imply you have 'hijacked' their domain and threaten to sue - well they need to pay market price or find something else.

Totally agree - it's all about attitude. Same with anything in life.

 

[DavidL]

I mention the auctions because it is the truth - and it shows them that you picked the name up fair and square. Nothing nefarious.

To you and I maybe. But to the ignorant, they might see it as a bunch of capitalist cybersquatters waiting to pounce on poor website owners' misfortune.

It's also the truth to say 'I registered the domain as it had expired and was available to be re-registered by anyone'.

 

[neddy]

But to the ignorant, they might see it as a bunch of capitalist cybersquatters waiting to pounce on poor website owners' misfortune.

It's also the truth to say 'I registered the domain as it had expired and was available to be re-registered by anyone'.

But I'm a socialist, so that's ok.

 

[acheeva]

Appreciate the feedback