I found a domain name that would be great for my new business. The domain is taken but the website hasn't been updated in 10 years and the site is totally defunct. I contacted the owner who has no need for the domain anymore but said he is unwilling to sell (or the price would be extremely high) because he still uses his email address [first_Name]@domain.com As I have no need for that email address I am wondering if there is a win-win whereby I buy the domain but allow him to keep the email address. Any reason this wouldn't work? Has anyone heard of a domain transaction structured like this?
I get emails saying "you hardly bother to update your blog, sell me the domain". I've offer one guy some emails and subdomains because he seemed really insistent but he turned that down. My domain ties into my Twitter, Instagram, email and even "in game names" so I have it all over the place. It would be really odd to suddenly not have it anymore. Would I sell to you on the promise that I can keep my email... nope, but I'd probably make the same offer. So, in your case, have you considered leasing the domain and a number of emails but letting him retain ownership? If you're both in the same country there is some legal protection and you might even be able to have a face to face meeting. If not, things get trickier because either of you could renege on the agreement leaving the other significantly disadvantaged.
Thanks for your reply. Leasing is an interesting idea but the thing that scares me about leasing is if the business gets some traction or raises some money by the time the lease expires he has all the power to charge an exorbitant amount for a renewal knowing that we'd incur a significant cost if we were forced to rebrand at that point. We are not in the same country - he is in the US and we are in Canada but I don't imagine there would be a jurisdiction issue if one party had to enforce the contract.
I did it once. I let the person keep their email for a year. That way he could gradually transition and I wouldn't be stuck with their email forever. I also put in a No Spam clause to protect myself. It worked out fine.