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How to Deal with a Domain Name Broker

I have a client who wants to buy a currently owned domain name. In making contact via the WhoIs info, I got a response from an outfit called DomainBrokers.com stating they are the exclusive agent for the owner of the domain name and that all bids for the domain name must go through them.

As another data point, the website of the domain is a single page with a bunch of links to other websites in the same general business (real estate). It has no contact info and no real description of its business.

(1) In general is this brokerage thing a typical arrangement and in particular is DomainBrokers.com a legit outfit?
(2) Is it possible this site is largely fake, existing to increase the apparent value of its domain name to potential buyers?

Thanks,
Wyatt

dhobale

Hi there,
You can buy domains without going through the broker. This involves trust between buyer and seller as there is no process to trigger transfer upon receiving payment.

A broker however collects money from buyer, issues transfer validation code to buyer and issues payment to seller upon confirmation from buyer.

So going through broker is more reliable than buying domain transfer directly from owner. You can find cheap brokers online who take less than $10 commission. So if you could contact a seller and opt to go through mutually agreed broker, the process can be quick and reliable.

WyattRidesAgain

ASKER

dhobale,

Thanks. Regarding my question (2) do you know if fake sites are created or auto-generated somehow to give the appearance of the domain having some value? I ask because the site is strange without a single bit of contact info or "real" content. It's just a bunch of links to other sites.

Wyatt

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dhobale

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WyattRidesAgain

ASKER

Thanks for the good input!
Wyatt