How does it work selling/transfering a domain?

Jaiem's picture

They have: 1,191 posts

Joined: Apr 1999

I'm fuzzy on how a domain I own gets sold and transfered to someone else.

For example: Suppose I own xyz.com and Joe Buyer agrees to buy it from me. How do I transfer ownership and registration to Joe? Or does Joe initiate the transfer?

If Joe initiates the transfer doesn't the registrar need my authorization to transfer ownership and registration to Joe? Otherwise, what's there to stop anyone from grabbing any domain name.

Thanks for the insights.

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ArtsNFlies.com
Original art, hand tied flies, unique books and gifts, free sweepstakes and MORE!
NEW! - Tying materials & tools, and flyfishing accessories (lines, waders, etc.)!!
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They have: 74 posts

Joined: Apr 2000

Well, ideally, you can just change the registrant, dns info, etc. from a control panel and your finished. If your registrar does not have that available, ask them how to go about transfering ownership.

What I am still unclear about, is, how do you make sure you get your money for the sale. I would never sell a domain without using an escrow service, but other that Great Domains, which charges ALOT for an escrow service... I know of none.

They have: 488 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

Hi Jaiem,

I would suggest that once the price is agreed between seller/buyer then the seller can collect payment in many ways such as money order, Banker's draft, etc payable to seller.

When the seller have received payment, the seller then disclose the username and password to enter control panel of Domain registrar to make the required changes as Ted mentioned to the new owner.

Please also ensure the an agreement be made and agreed by both parties to clear any future dispute e.g. the new owner does not change the "Billing Contact" and the Domain Registrar will bill the previous owner for renewal and the previous owner will have no way to change it as the new owner will have already change the password.

Using an escrow service as Ted mentioned is the safest method if you are unsure how to go about it on your own.
Url of an escrow service: http://www.iescrow.com/

Hope this helps.

[This message has been edited by NSS (edited 17 May 2000).]

They have: 74 posts

Joined: Apr 2000

Wow NSS Thanks! I read your post and was just about to say "no, iEscrow does not handle domain names". But I figured I better re-check their site. You are right. They now say

quote:The Service may be used to facilitate the transfer of ownership of domain names. i-Escrow will use the data in Network Solutions' WHOIS database (InterNIC) in order to determine when transfer of ownership has occurred. Payment to the Seller will occur only after Network Solution's WHOIS database reflects the Buyer as the registered owner.
As William Shatner says, This is big... this is really big.

They have: 488 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

Glad to know the info is of help to you Ted.

Regards

Jaiem's picture

They have: 1,191 posts

Joined: Apr 1999

NSS - Thanks for the tips.

But I'm still confused.

In your part about the agreement, after the sale who continues to pay the registrar renewal fee? I thought the sale was final? That is, I sell a domain to Joe and he takes it over completely, contact info, tech support, billing, rewnewal registrar fees etc.

Am I missing something?

------------------
ArtsNFlies.com
Original art, hand tied flies, unique books and gifts, free sweepstakes and MORE!
NEW! - Tying materials & tools, and flyfishing accessories (lines, waders, etc.)!!
Come see what everyone is talking about!

They have: 488 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

Hi Jaiem,

In normal cases, the new owner will have to pay for the renewal of the Domain to the Domain Registrar for rental/lease of the Domain but it you were to do it on your own without 3 party transaction, then it's important to ensure that the "Billing Contact" has been change to the new owner or the Domain Registrar will bill according to whoever is named as the "Billing Contact"

Afer the Sale, please check that all transfers pertainng to the said domain has been completed and in order at Network Solutions Whois.

Regards

[This message has been edited by NSS (edited 18 May 2000).]

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