Domain offer - should I respond?

[ttfan]

I'm getting daily Emails about a domain name, which is the .com version of one of my .com.au domains. They're telling me it's about to become available, and asking me to contact them if I'm interested.
What does it more likely mean if they say it will become available? You think they already have it, or it's about to drop?
Although I have some interest in the domain (I'd probably park it simply point it to the .com.au), I'm not interested enough to pay more than $100 for it.
Should I simply ignore the Email and keep an eye on the domain to see if it will become available, or should I respond and make a low offer?
Thanks guys!

 

[Shane]

It's probably about to drop. I get bombarded with these from time to time. I ignored one recently and managed to hand reg it a month or two later!

 

[ttfan]

Thanks Shane!

I ignored one recently and managed to hand reg it a month or two later!

Yes I'm hoping for the same

 

[helloworld]

Recommend you keep an eye on the godaddy auctions to be on the safe side if you actually want it

 

[ttfan]

One concern is that whatever site I use to search for this domain, they'll know that someone is interested in it, so this may be enough reason for these registrars to register it themselves.

 

[eBranding.com.au]

One concern is that whatever site I use to search for this domain, they'll know that someone is interested in it, so this may be enough reason for these registrars to register it themselves.

Incredibly unlikely. If you're really paranoid (put on your tin-foil hat ) you could use the icann whois: http://whois.icann.org

 

[eBranding.com.au]

I'm getting daily Emails about a domain name, which is the .com version of one of my .com.au domains. They're telling me it's about to become available, and asking me to contact them if I'm interested.
What does it more likely mean if they say it will become available? You think they already have it, or it's about to drop?
Although I have some interest in the domain (I'd probably park it simply point it to the .com.au), I'm not interested enough to pay more than $100 for it.
Should I simply ignore the Email and keep an eye on the domain to see if it will become available, or should I respond and make a low offer?
Thanks guys!

I get hundreds of these (including on domains that I'm dropping myself).
Their aim is to make money by getting a few suckers to register the domain through them at a super inflated price (they register the domain once it's available again). That's the ones that aren't simply scammers that will take your money and run.
If you really want the domain, it's the same as any other expiring domain - use the applicable drop-catching sites (Namejet, SnapNames etc). Some have exclusive access to expiring inventory from particular registrars - so do some research to work out which ones are applicable for the domain you're looking at.
If it's not a domain that will attract much interest, you could also wait till it expires and save yourself a few bucks.
The emails are annoying, but at the same time I've been alerted to some nice domains over the years, so on balance it's not so bad I guess.

 

[elbranch]

Yes as above it usually means the name is expired and dropping so if you want it you probably should go to a dropping name catcher such as SnapNames I picked up a couple this way in the past and was grateful someone notified me about it when offering it for sale as there is no way I would have otherwise known.

These days the the domain names being offered just have some connection with a domain name I own such as having "link" in the name or something.

 

[ttfan]

Thanks for the advice everyone!

I looked up the domain using icann whois, but they've got privacy protection, so I can't see much, except:
Registrar: EPIK, INC

The domain status is: Domain Status: pendingDelete
Does this mean it will drop soon?

 

[Data Glasses]

Thanks for the advice everyone!

I looked up the domain using icann whois, but they've got privacy protection, so I can't see much, except:
Registrar: EPIK, INC

The domain status is: Domain Status: pendingDelete
Does this mean it will drop soon?

Wow avoid Epik at all costs, don't trust them to backorder it for you! Place your backorder elsewhere

 

[eBranding.com.au]

The domain status is: Domain Status: pendingDelete
Does this mean it will drop soon?

Yes it does

 

[ttfan]

Wow avoid Epik at all costs, don't trust them to backorder it for you! Place your backorder elsewhere

Thank for the tip!
So would you recommend I'd use to backorder if I wanted to get it?
How much would it cost all up, assuming no one else bid for it?

 

[Data Glasses]

To be honest I don' really do the name catching thing but i think namejet is one of the leaders in this field, or you can try snapnames, even godaddy, basically the more backorders you have the more chance of getting the name
~
http://www.snoopnames.com/blog/the-best-domain-drop-catcher-in-the-world-is/

 

[findtim]

as above, i get them all the time, keep an eye on it and handreg if desired, otherwise just let it go into the universe.
tim

 

[ttfan]

Thanks spacy, a handy link!
Is there a way of finding out when a domain will become available?

 

[ttfan]

I've checked auctions are the major sites, none have it listed...

 

[Data Glasses]

Doesn't hurt to have a backorder in place, funny to say but i read somewhere that sex.com has 75 backorders, i think if the domain is showing up as under registrar control now is the time to backorder it, maybe someone with more experience in the .com drops can help answer this for you

 

[ttfan]

Thank you spacey!
Anyone else have experience in this area?

 

[James]

I get many of these emails and I now only own less then 150 domains (I am cutting down names all the time). Most of the jokers want $250 to register the domain on your behalf. A few times I just have ignored them and hand regged the domains for like $9 =)
That been said some other ones went for decent $$$ at GD/ Name Jet auction.

 

[findtim]

i'm with you james, its just BS, let it drop an pick it up and if that doesn'r work then move on.

tim