Tips on Negotiating for Domain Names?

I've identified a few domain names that I want, but are currently registered by other people.

I was wondering if anyone had any tips on contacting the owners and offering to buy the domains from them?

Also, what are some important things to research about the domains to use as leverage in bartering for better prices?

Any help would be really appreciated, thanks!

Try to see how long it's been for sale (if it's been a long time, it's unlikely they've had a lot of interest). Tell them you're an end-user and have several options, so you're not looking to pay over $x amount. Make this amount much lower than what you're willing to pay, so that when you negotiate there is room for you to move upward.

Go to namepros.com, they're more specialized in this type of advice actually.

You can contact the owner via their whois. My success rate is much higher when speaking to a seller on the phone as opposed to emailing back and forth. Don't bother with agents - they can't do anything you can't do yourself.

If it's just a domain w/ no site, it's pretty easy to negotiate a fair price. Most owners of unused domains aren't savvy domainers, and I find the key to buying them cheap is to de-value the domain during your conversation as much as possible without insulting them. How old is it? Does it have PR or incoming links?

Most owners will head off to the first crappy domain valuation tool they find and take the number it gives them as fact. Be sure to visit a few of these tools yourself so you are prepared to neutralize their perception of what it's worth.

1. Insist on a contract. I can hook you up with the one I use if you get to that point. Don't transfer any money or property without one.

2. Pay with an escrow service. If it's less than $100 I personally don't use escrow, but it's never a bad idea to protect yourself.

Good luck.