# Buying a domain name **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 18, 2001, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-domain-name/50773 "2001-01-18T23:41:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sdimbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sdimbert/32/20204_2.png) [@sdimbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sdimbert)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-domain-name/50773/1 "2001-01-18T23:41:03Z")
Here’s the story - I want a domain name that someone else owns. Neither he nor I have ever bought or sold a domain name. It’s not a big, fancy, popular name… it just happens to be my business name and his last name. So… what’s a fair price? What do domain names cost? ---
**Author:** ![Tretiak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a88e57/32.png) [@Tretiak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tretiak)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2001, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-domain-name/50773/2 "2001-01-19T00:06:53Z")
Is he using it for something or just holding on to it? How much is it worth to you? (What are you going to do with it?) No matter what the domain, I wouldn’t offer too much, he may be harboring hopes of making a boondoggle, but just let him know you have options (i.e. slightly modified forms of the name you want). Without knowing anything about this particular case, I would say a grand max, and probably not even that high. Keep in mind, I think there is a transfer fee involved, so that should be part of the negotiation. Check out [http://greatdomains.com](http://greatdomains.com) for information about selling and buying domains. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2001, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-domain-name/50773/3 "2001-01-19T00:21:18Z")
domain names cost nothing. registering them is about 35 bucks a year now, might be less, you can shop around. Want one someone owns? [domainmover.com](http://domainmover.com) ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2001, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-domain-name/50773/4 "2001-01-19T01:31:15Z")
Go to [http://www.networksolutions.com](http://www.networksolutions.com). See if your name is taken. If not, sign up. It costs $35 a year. Now, you will have to find an ISP to host the domain. They will probably charge you something additional for the service. You can talk to your current ISP; they should be able to give you something. If you just want to reserve the domain, it’s $40 a year. ---
**Author:** ![sdimbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sdimbert/32/20204_2.png) [@sdimbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sdimbert)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2001, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-domain-name/50773/5 "2001-01-19T02:12:31Z")
**Tretiak** , **handy** , thanks for the advice. Ummm… **RC** , did you _read_ my question? :shrugs: I guess you were just being helpful. Thank you, too! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![OneChance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/74df32/32.png) [@OneChance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneChance)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2001, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-domain-name/50773/6 "2001-01-19T05:28:11Z")
This reminds me of a story I read recently. Party A wanted to buy a domain name from party B. The domain name was with Network Solutions (NS). In order to transfer ownership of a domain with NS, party B has to tell NS to cancel the domain name; basically, unregister it and put it back out on the open market. But before the rest of the world sees that that domain name is available, party A will have a chance to register it. Well, in this case, party A pays party B for the domain name. Then Party B cancels the domain with NS. But as soon as he does, _everyone_ can see that the domain name is available. So party C registers the domain, party A is SOL, and NS denies any wrongdoing even though they were at fault for not holding the domain for party A. So, if you’re going to transfer ownership of a domain with NS, be aware that it is not a quick and easy process and there is a very real possibility that someone, somewhere will screw it up. Disclaimer: The term “ownership” is used here for clearer understanding. IIRC, NS “leases” domains, it does not “sell” them.