name game

They have: 2 posts

Joined: Aug 2003

Here's the situation. We recently decided to change the name of our company to Feisty Dog Web Hosting. We immediately grabbed Feistydog.com, but we realized shortly after that someone (a design firm in fact) had acquired the often misspelled version (fiestydog.com). So, we quickly contacted them and, luckily, they offered to sell us the domain . . . for $1500. Well, we really can't afford that kind of purchase at this point, but we do realize that many people may look for us at the misspelled address. So, what do you think? Should we consider purchasing the domain? Is it worth it in your opinion?

Thanks in advance,

Chris

Feisty Dog
http://feistydog.com
[email protected]
LOOKING FOR A HOSTING PLAN WITH BYTE?

Suzanne's picture

She has: 5,507 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

How common a misspelling is it? And man, that's quite steep for another firm - they aren't using it?

They have: 2 posts

Joined: Aug 2003

It's parked at GoDADDY . . . was purchased in early 2002. Bet they're just sitting on it to get some cash.

Suzanne's picture

She has: 5,507 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

Hmmm. Then I'd really think about whether people will arrive through typed in urls or through search engines, other links. How long have you been kicking around? Check your referrers to see how people are arriving.

If none or few are arriving through a typed in url, you're probably safe to let them wait it out, see if the price drops or they forget to renew it. Unlikely with it being at GoDaddy, but you can take advantage of GoDaddy's system and "pre-purchase" it in the event they give it up willingly.

They have: 447 posts

Joined: Oct 1999

offer them $250 (while pointing out the misspelling and the fact that you're offering 25x the market value and probably 100x+ what they paid for it if theyre a re-seller) and if they won't take it call a lawyer and see what you can do about it. Last i heard parking a domain was beatable in court especially if you have a legitimate business use for it and they don't.

JeevesBond's picture

He has: 3,956 posts

Joined: Jun 2002

But is that the case if they have a mis-spelling?
They haven't parked your company name, so would that still be an offense?

Busy's picture

He has: 6,151 posts

Joined: May 2001

why not buy feisty-dog.com and Fiesty-dog.com and offer the domain you just brought to the other crowd for $1000.00 Laughing out loud

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