Why I Gave a Domain Name Back to Its Former Owner
With the economy being the way it is right now, with everyone fighting for every last dollar, every last cent, trying to make just a little bit more money for yourself and your family, I seems as if everyone is out for themselves–and not thinking of others. Every so often, an opportunity comes up when you can do something good. Yesterday, I had that opportunity. I gave a domain name back to its former owner.
Why?
The former owner called me on the phone, told me that the domain name I bought several years ago at a Godaddy TDNAM domain name auction, was their former family-owned website. They had started it back in 1996. He had written a bunch of short stories and put it up on the site. I still owned the domain name and he was wondering if there’s anything he could do.
Without hesitation, I told David, the former owner of the domain, that if was serious and wanted the domain back, I would transfer it back to him. Needless to say, he sounded estatic on the phone. I could literally see him jumping for joy, right at that moment. He offered to pay me a very reasonable amount for the domain name (which I am going to donate to a local charity or local animal shelter), which he promptly did: I think it took about a total of an hour to receive the money, transfer the domain name to him, and confirm everything on the phone.
At a time where there Domainers (that’s what we call people who buy/sell domain names for a living) are more interested in making a buck by sniping a domain name at an auction, grabbing all domain names that might have any sort of value to them, by parking them to get the money from the clicks on domain name parking ads, Domainers need to consider the fact that “doing the right thing” from time to time goes a long way.
Sure, I could have not answered the phone yesterday. I could have talked to this former domain owner and told him that I owned the domain now and it would cost him $1000 to get it back. Or $5,000. Or I could just continue to keep the domain name, continue to park it, and earn money from now on. Or I could give it back to the former owner if he asked for it back. I chose the latter.
If you’re a domainer, it’s time to consider the fact that sure, we’re all out here to “make a buck”. And sure, in this economy, every extra dollar, every extra click counts. But you also need to realize that the internet is not just made up of a bunch of PCs and bots.
There are real people out there clicking on those domain parking ads making you revenue. There are real people out there who are running businesses, struggling for every dollar just like you and I am. Those are advertisers. They are paying to advertise their business. If they make money from quality traffic that your parked domain sends them, they’ll continue to pay for those ads.
There are real people out there who forget to renew their domain names. Or they change their email address and don’t “get notification” that it’s time to renew. They’re human, they make mistakes just like you and I do. So, if someone calls you asking for their domain name back, you might actually reconsider.
I’m not saying that if you buy a domain name that’s generic in nature (e.g. a domain name that includes a keyword that people search at a search engine) and the former owner asks for the domain name back, you reconsider giving that domain name back to them. Business is business, and domain names that have a lot of value that are not trademarked names are highly sought after: and the market is going to ultimately determine the value of those through auctions or third party or private sales.
Tropical Birds.com has a lot of value: myfamilyname.com only has value for one person: the former owner.
As a part-time domainer myself, I’m calling on other domainers to start focusing on domain names that really have value and stop trying to ’screw to little guy’ so to speak, and gouge them by putting outrageous price tags on domains that just don’t warrant high prices. There are other ways to make a buck.
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Apr 16th 2009
That’s an awesome story. Good to know that even in an “every man for himself” economy, people are still extending a hand to help out others.
Keep it up!
Apr 16th 2009
A pleasant post Bill. Amazing how many domainers will sit on domains with little to no value. If too many .com’s are unavailable, other TLDs will become more popular over time, causing even your high value unused .com domains to lose value.
Apr 16th 2009
A pleasant post Bill. Amazing how many domainers will sit on domains with little to no value. If too many .com’s are unavailable, other TLDs will become more popular over time, causing even your high value unused .com domains to lose value.
Apr 16th 2009
Nice post! It’s great to see that some people still value their domain names. Thanks for posting this, very interesting!
Apr 17th 2009
Glad to see there are still some people who aren’t always about the almighty dollar. Kudos to you for not putting it to the little guy! You’re building up good karma doing stuff like that, keep it up!:)
Apr 18th 2009
Owning loads of domain names is a luxury and personally I don’t think that there is a crisis in this market. I might be wrong, but on sedo, etc I see domains still going for top dollars.
Apr 19th 2009
That was a good thing to do, nice to hear that there are still people out there with a good heart. The story will just continue because more and more domainers are trying to make a buck, so even family names represent a value.
Apr 21st 2009
Only a few people would consider doing what you did. It was so kind of you and imagine giving the money to charity! Good for you! Goes to show that you are a good person.
Apr 21st 2009
That is a great story, I’m glad to hear that there is some kindness left here and there. They had to be pumped.
Nate
Apr 23rd 2009
It’s often said, “What goes around, comes around”…and I hope it does for you but, in case it doesn’t, well done anyway.
Apr 24th 2009
Obviously the loss of the domain name is the most expensive part of this ordeal, but it’s hard to put a dollar figure on it.
Apr 24th 2009
Charity is alsways needed in our society and of course your help will get back to you. Only a few people would consider behaving like you. It was so good of you ! Great for you!I It shows that you are a good person.
Apr 24th 2009
This was truely an inspirational story…That was a really good thing that you did, Bill
Apr 24th 2009
great read. its nice to know that there are people that still care for other people. But you forgot to mention why he sold off the domain in the first place? if it was that valuable to him.. why sell it off?
Apr 24th 2009
I’ve given away lots of domains actually. Unless I’m buying them for a pretty penny they usually are given away.
Apr 25th 2009
I could give it back to the former owner if he asked for it back.
Apr 26th 2009
Great act Bill. Worth far more in business karma than anything you would get out of the domain. Kudos.
Apr 26th 2009
You know what you do now come back around. Karma can be great and it will show up when you need it the most and least expect it. I always try and help people when I can. Good on you.
Jason
Apr 27th 2009
Amazing how many domainers will sit on domains with little to no value. If too many .com’s are unavailable, other TLDs will become more popular over time, causing even your high value unused .com domains to lose value.
Apr 27th 2009
Wow, sounds like you just made someone very happy with that decision
Apr 27th 2009
The great advantage of this approach is that there will be great content available through these domains which are otherwise only for display with price tags. Bill you have done a great job by setting such an example & i request to all the domain registrars & communities to release domains rather than blocking it for high prices.
Apr 27th 2009
That was a great thing that you did. It is true, right now we are so wrapped up in our own problems that we tend to forget to help others. What does go around comes right back around with a strong force.
Apr 28th 2009
This made my heart happy to read. It’s so nice to hear about someone doing the right thing.
Apr 28th 2009
With all the bad things going on in the world, this was a breath of fresh air.
Apr 29th 2009
Bill Hartzer,
You have done a good thing by giving it domain name back to its previous owner. You are doing an extra good thing by donating the money you made to charity. I am sure you will feel happy for this thing in the coming years. The recession is time when we can be good donors as well as helpers. Let charity be our Motto.
Regards,
Cijo Abraham
Apr 29th 2009
Nice blog. I am happy to know that there are many people who are caring for other. But you forgot to mention why he sold off the domain in the first place? If it was that valuable to him.. why sell it off?
Apr 29th 2009
It’s often said, “What goes around, comes around”…and I hope it does for you but, in case it doesn’t, well done anyway. Thanks.
Apr 29th 2009
Very nice story! I’m glad there’s still a domainer with a golden heart somewhere on the Net. I hope there are many of you.
Apr 29th 2009
I just love your gesture. Everything is not about money at times. It’s heart warming to know that people like you do exist.
Apr 30th 2009
it’s quite a amazing thing that people are getting generous and kind even in the recession and in this low economy in some of the countries
this really inspires others to make a donation also
Apr 30th 2009
I would like to know what the domain is so I can check it out. Great blog I like the unique set up.
Apr 30th 2009
Good job. There are several good ways to be an honest domainer. This story more than points out the fact that good deeds do still exist, even if it’s in this virtual online world we create.
May 4th 2009
This is a nice post. You have shown me that there is still a lot of hope in this world. Keep it up!
May 4th 2009
Wow, sounds like you just made someone very happy with that decision
May 6th 2009
Sometimes you just have to do the right thing. You will be re-paid in other ways down the road.
May 8th 2009
A guy tried to sell me a .com version of my old domain a while ago when the .com name became available. I ran the .org for a while talking about random things. Anyhow, the guy approached me and wanted to sell the .com for $500. I told him “nope” and a few days later…tada it became available again.
May 9th 2009
Kudos to you, Bill! Sitting on domain names is like buying real estate investment property, I think. Nothing wrong with having it…but an honest owner sees when someone needs their property back!
May 11th 2009
Very good story. Plus this just shows you that it never hurts to ask. I’ve lost domain names because I forgot to renew them and I’ve never thought to pick up the phone and talk to the new owner. What do you have to lose though, right?
Nate
May 11th 2009
I salute you for this decision & even more for donating what you got on a charitable institution or animal welfare.I know you will be rewarded by this in some other way.Keep it up!
May 12th 2009
Very good story. Plus this just shows you that it never hurts to ask. This is a nice post. You have shown me that there is still a lot of hope in this world. Keep it up!
May 15th 2009
Wow, it’s really inspiring. If the “karma” theory (or “thing”) was proven in some way I think everyone would be like that
Aug 1st 2009
If you’re a domainer, it’s time to consider the fact that sure, we’re all out here to “make a buck”. And sure, in this economy, every extra dollar, every extra click counts. But you also need to realize that the internet is not just made up of a bunch of PCs and bots.