if u 500$ yes u will get a reply if u ask "is this domain is for sale" , "how much is your domain" wont gets any reply because there are lot of things domainers cares such as fake tm , idiots trying to scam etc
Yes I agree I do not like dealing with a middle man. There are other things worth trading, other that money sometimes, could be hosting or other marketing services that could come into play in the purchase of a domain.. But Cash is still King in any purchase
That is probably the worst thing you can do with a valuable domain. Good luck with your strategy though!