Well I bought a domain name from someone here on DP last week because it had PR + DMOZ listed. Now I just got an email from the previous owner claiming that he didn't know it expired and wants to know if I'll sell it to him. What should I do, and I should make him pay at least what I paid to buy it, shouldn't I?
You should sell at a price which you feel comfortable in, you are not obliged to sell to him, you can sell it as a profit if you wish to. I would if I were you.
If you bought it, you obviously wanted it. You have no obligation to sell it. If you do want to sell, I would make a profit off it. There are reminders sent out several times when a name expires, his neglect is not yoru problem.
Well, legality is out of the question, so it is up to your own morals. Everyone is trying to make money online, and it would be wise to charge more for the domain if he really wants it.
What's a good price to charge? I paid around $80-90 for it. I wouldn't want him to pass and say "Nevermind, just keep it" or something like that.
Did you just buy it to resell? If not you must have had a plan for it. I would say at least make $30-$40 off of it.
I bought it because I wanted to develop the domain name, and it having PR and DMOZ listing already was a plus. I had no intention of buying it to resell at all. There's no way I could have known the original owner forgot about the domain and still wanted it.
Welcome to America, the land of opportunity We are in this business to make money. They get PLENTY of notice before a domain is about to be dropped. Sure he may have a valid reason but that's not your fault. Legal and Morals are out the window, you bought the domain from the person that picked up the dropped name. You are free and clear to make money. I would sell it for at least $500 but try for $1000. Plus depending on the content maybe some free banner space for you.
If you didn't originally intend to sell it, don't. As far as morales go you should feel no obligation to this person. Hell, he may even be trying to scam you. Could be anyone who had knowledge of the transaction trying to pull at your heartstrings to get the domain out from under you. Keep it and do as you originally planned, unless you can get $500+ for it, in that case a quick sale might be worth considering.
Tell the owner that you bought the domain with future plans for it but if the offer made would be enough to compensate you for your time & planning for the domain, then you'd consider selling it. Leave it up to him/her to come back to you with an offer.
You have to ask yourself... Why does he want it back? Don't sell it, invest in it and see where it goes, looks like he wants it back for a reason! Keep it and develop it yourself! Good luck!
If you want to be nice, $500. If you want to be realistic, $1000 (assuming you think you can make more with the domain). $80-90 isn't "reg fee" so you should def. ask for something to make it worth your while...
He didn't renew despite many renewal notices. He didn't buy in the grace period after it expired. He didn't notice that his great website was no longer active. He didn't buy during the Redemption Grace Period. He didn't use a back order service. He didn't buy it from the new owner (the person you bought it from). If it is so valuable he would have noticed it missing... and now months later he is coming after you? Keep it, slap a high price on it, and follow thru with your original plans. (How do you know he is the origional owner?)
WWOW, welcome to the Global Domain Game. This happens to us allof the time, because we own a few names and buy names daily. Owners or people who claim to be the owner contact you. My advise if you would like to develop it then you should, so long as the name is not a trademark in a country the honors brand trademarks. We have never sold a name and you should not either. We have been buying for over 10 years and these names are going to be a long term hold, develop and grow if you have a passion about what you bought and you want to build it out as a dream you are having keep it? Why because the old "maybe" owner did not care enough to hold onto the name.
very well said. I think we are here to make profit in a legal way, so you are the rightful owner of it and its upto you for what price you want to sell it. Its his fault that he forgot to renew the domain or whatever, so he should pay for it.
you can develop and monetize that domain. If you want to sell it to the previous owner, sell it at good price.
Cruel.. I prefer this but just say BIN $500 would be nice enough. See his website before this at archive.org. If its a great profitable site then get all the money you can get.. LOL but lower the money if its a nice service site. Also ask him to prove previous ownership first.. Cheers