Think Regarding This Ahead of You Help a Friend with Domains

Don’t offer to help a friend with domain names unless you qualify it first.

I’m often asked by friends for my assistance with buying a domain name. Following providing advice or making an initial contact over a dozen times, I’ve learned a few lessons:

1. Make sure your friend is willing to pay up for the domain.

Often times I’ve reach out on behalf of a friend and the other party asked for something reasonable, such as $5,000. My friend would ask me to counter with $500. To the seller, this was like someone offering to buy your house for a fraction of its value. It’s insulting. Don’t put yourself in the position of presenting a low ball offer on behalf of your friend.

2. Make sure they won’t resort to legal remedies if they can’t buy the domain.

One time I helped a friend make an inquiry on a domain, only to find the owner wanting much more than what my friend’s firm was willing to pay. Since the amount was out of the question, they passed. But then later the firm sent a threatening letter to the domain owner suggesting that the owner was infringing on their mark.

Don’t let this happen. It puts you in the position of looking like an ass.

What other suggestions to you have regarding helping friends with domain name issues?