Member Avatar for dramos

I want to buy a particular .com domain from a domain squatter.
How do i verify that the person is the owner of the website
How do i ensure that the person wont fleece me of my money after the sale
what are the recommended ways to buy a domain from a domain squatter
their asking price is usd6000

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Short summary and quick stance tied to the thread: asked about buying a .com from a squatter for USD 6,000 and rightly suggested considering alternatives. If the exact .com is mission‑critical, follow a strict verification + escrow workflow; otherwise a close alternative or branded variant usually costs far less and avoids risk. (dnjournal.com)

Ownership verification (what to check and how to prove control): confirm registrar and the public registration record with ICANN’s lookup/RDAP first. If the registrant is masked by privacy, require provable control — common methods are (A) an email from the registrant contact shown in RDAP, (B) a specific DNS TXT token placed at the domain apex, or (C) an account-to-account push into a registrar account controlled by the buyer. DNS/TXT verification is a standard, well‑accepted proof method used by many services. (lookup.icann.org)

Payment and transfer mechanics (how to avoid being fleeced): use a reputable domain escrow that explicitly verifies the transfer before releasing funds (Escrow.com is the industry standard and documents this flow). The seller must unlock the domain and provide the Auth/EPP code so the buyer (or buyer’s registrar) can initiate the inter‑registrar transfer; ICANN rules cover locks, auth codes and the approval flow. Never release funds based on screenshots or emailed “confirmations” alone — confirm ownership change in the registrar dashboard or via RDAP. (escrow.com)

Valuation and legal notes: benchmark the USD 6,000 ask against reported sales and marketplaces (reported sales databases and market reports can help). Automated appraisals are only rough guides. If the name is clearly trademarked by an existing brand, a UDRP path exists but is a legal route that costs time and money and should be considered only when a legitimate trademark claim exists. Also watch for fake escrow sites or escrow phishing — always navigate to the escrow service directly and confirm accounts. (dnjournal.com)

Recommended immediate checklist (concise): confirm RDAP; require DNS TXT or registrant‑email proof; insist on reputable escrow with explicit domain‑transfer verification; ensure domain is unlocked and Auth/EPP provided; verify final WHOIS/RDAP show the buyer before escrow release.

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Member Avatar for Ewald Horn

That is an absurb amount of money for a domain!

The first question you have to ask : do you REALLY need that domain? Is there no other domain that will work for you, at all? I often get this with new businesses, who want to buy a very specific domain, yet they can easily get a workable domain for a lot less money.

Dealing with domain squatters can be pesky, in some instances, the hosting company might be of assistance, if you can prove that you are basically being held ransom for a particular domain. My first port of call would be the registrar of the domain and to ask them if there's something that can be done. The person in question might be a known squatter, and that could count in your favour.

The only way to ensure your money is not stolen, is to use an escrow company, a trusted third party that will, for a fee, accept payment and only release the money once the domain has been transferred. I do however urge you to first try to find alternate domain names what will work for you, before going this route.

Member Avatar for dramos

thank you, will try finding an alternative domain. thank you for the heads up.

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