Zero force point: Don’t bend your own arm into buying that domain name

Every domain inquiry begins with the best intentions, as buyer and seller negotiate.

It’s not just the price that affects the outcome of a negotiation on a domain name, but it’s the most important element of the exchange. If there is no agreement on the price, there will be no sale. When negotiations hit a wall, it’s primarily a disagreement on the price: the seller wants more money for their domain investment, it’s as simple as that.

Being told your offer wasn’t good enough, or that it won’t cut it, is a triggering point for most buyers. The moment that you’re seeing zero flexibility from the seller, it’s natural to respond in ways that might break the basic rules of conduct.

This is the point that a domain buyer should take a breather and think of the domain acquisition process as a zero force point event.

Essentially, nobody is forcing the buyer to get that domain name at the asking price; in fact, the best reaction would be to walk away with no emotional involvement whatsoever.

You might wonder how does this help a brand developer acquire a domain, or a business owner claim a generic for their upcoming brand launch.

Missing the opportunity to get a domain due to the asking price does not mean the seller is one “greedy bastard.” It means that the prospective buyer is chasing an asset that lies beyond their means, outside of their practical ability to budget such an acquisition.

Here’s a practical juxtaposition in real life:

When you walk into a car dealership selling expensive, exotic sports cars, the price tag is the deciding factor. Being told that your finances won’t get you the car triggers a “normal” reaction: It’s ok, I cannot afford the (damn) car now, but maybe I will in the future, once I am financially able to pay for it.

Now, use the same response to domain names: As a domain buyer, think of the asking price as the product’s set of keys to acquisition. If your wallet isn’t big enough, accept that fact and move on.

Recognizing these zero force points in life provides domain buyers, as well as domain investors, with an attitude that ensures better sleep at night. It also adds up to your motivation quota: setting a goal to get that domain means working towards that goal, even if the outcome of the initial encounter was to slam hard on that wall.