Hello,

In April, I made an offer for a word+word.com domain through Sedo. The minimum bid was listed as $1,000 and I offered this amount. The seller has come back to me, about six weeks later, with a counteroffer of $16,000, but did not provide any additional commentary.

Estibot appraises the domain at less than $100, and in my personal opinion, it is worth about $2,000. While the plural .com is registered, it is not resolving to a host, the term is not commonly searched, and most ccTLDs are available. Nevertheless, I have become somewhat attached to the domain and would be willing to pay up to $4,000.

I am unsure what the appropriate way to negotiate is. The jump from $1,000 to $16,000 is significant, and I am unsure if the seller is genuinely interested in selling given the time taken to respond. I do not wish to overpay or waste anyone's time.

Would it be rude to offer something substantially lower, like $2,000? Should I look for another domain at this point? Is it too late to hire someone to negotiate on my behalf since we have only communicated through the notes attached to the offers?

Thank you. I am somewhat new to this, so please be gentle.

Why have you become emotionally attached to the domain name? Sometimes, things that are beyond our reach become more desirable to us, even if it becomes almost unwise to continue pursuing them.

It seems to me that the seller is inexperienced in terms of valuation, or they do not take the matter seriously. Meanwhile, you do. In my opinion, you should take control of the situation and make a final offer that you feel comfortable with. It might be best to move on from here.

By the way, it is definitely not impolite to counter with a substantially lower (or higher) amount if both parties are genuinely interested in negotiating. Sometimes, a negotiation gone wrong can educate one or both parties for future discussions. The seller may realize that they just turned down a $2,000 offer they may never receive again.

Lastly, I find it interesting that the plural version of the domain name is registered.

Given that you mentioned being willing to increase your budget up to $4,000, why not counter with that offer and make it clear to the seller that they need not reply if they are not willing to sell at that price?

This would allow both parties to determine their next course of action. If the seller responds, it indicates their willingness to sell at that price. If they do not respond, then you can begin exploring other options.

Here is a strategy I would recommend in your situation:

1. Do not rush to respond to the seller's $16,000 counteroffer. Take the time to carefully consider the situation and gather more information.

2. Conduct a thorough market analysis of domain sales. Look for recently sold domains that are similar in terms of the word combination, extension, and traffic/search volume potential. This will help you better assess the fair market value of this particular domain.

3. Reach out to the seller again and propose an offer of $4,000, providing a detailed justification for this price. Explain that this is the maximum you can offer based on your research and your own valuation of the domain. Emphasize that you are willing to compromise, but cannot justify a significantly higher price.

4. Be prepared for further negotiations. The seller may not immediately agree to $4,000, so you could consider a counterproposal, for example, $5,000 as a compromise.

5. If the seller remains firm on the $16,000 price, politely decline the deal. The time and money you would invest in this domain might be better spent searching for a more suitable option that aligns with your budget and business goals.

6. If you are truly determined to acquire this specific domain, you could consider hiring a negotiation specialist to represent you. However, make sure the potential savings justify the cost of their services. It's important to maintain control over your budget and avoid overpaying.

The key is to approach this negotiation patiently, gather comprehensive data to support your position, and be willing to walk away if the seller's demands exceed your reasonable valuation. The domain market is dynamic, and you will likely find a suitable alternative that meets your needs and budget.