How a $4,500 Offer Could Lead to a $45,000 Sale
I was speaking with one of our clients recently about our platform, future plans, and the domain industry as a whole. Midway through our conversation, he hit me with a question I’ve heard in many forms over the years:
“Jeff, I’ve got a domain priced at $45,000. A buyer just came in and offered me $4,500. What should I do? Should I blow them off? Be rude? Ignore it?”
Why Every Lowball Offer Deserves a Second Look
Here’s the thing: every big tree starts as a seed.
If someone is willing to offer you thousands of dollars for a domain—and it’s a legitimate inquiry—that lead is already more valuable than 99.9999% of the inbound messages you’ll get.
You don’t know who this person is. Maybe they’re closing funding. Maybe they’re preparing a product launch. Or maybe they’re just starting out. The point is, they see value in your domain—and they want it.
That alone should tell you this isn’t the time to ghost them or burn the bridge.
How to Turn a Low Offer Into a Real Opportunity
Instead, start a conversation. Ask where they are in their journey. What’s their timeline? Are they testing the waters or getting ready to go live?
A buyer making a $4,500 offer could be the early stage of a much bigger opportunity.
Even a small team—5, 10, 15 people—often has or can access capital. Maybe they just need a little time or flexibility. That’s where you come in. You don’t just have to be a seller—you can become the bank.
Here’s something I often say in situations like this:
“Barry Buyer, thank you for your offer. $4,500 is a lot of money, and I appreciate you reaching out. That said, domains of this quality typically sell for significantly more. I’d be open to working with you and applying your $4,500 as a down payment to get started.”
You’re not locking anyone into rigid terms. You’re just opening the door and giving the buyer the space to propose something that works for them. That kind of flexibility keeps the dialogue alive—and gives them a sense of ownership in the process.
What If They Walk Away?
Maybe they say, “We’re not ready right now.” That’s fine. You’ve still left them with three key takeaways:
- The domain is available
- The seller is flexible
- This person is easy to work with
What happens next can surprise you.
Because now the domain feels attainable, they might pause their search for alternatives. Instead, they might align their budget or business goals around securing your domain.
Maybe the sale doesn’t happen this month. Maybe not even this year. But when that company grows, the product launches, and the timing is finally right—they’ll come back to you.
The Long Game Wins in Domain Sales
We’ve closed plenty of deals years after the first inquiry. Why? Because we treated that initial low offer like a seed. And with some patience and engagement, it grew into a real sale.
Now think about the alternative.
Saying “no” outright—or worse, going silent—doesn’t make you look strong. It shuts down opportunity before it has a chance to develop.
It assumes the buyer has no potential and no budget, which might be the farthest thing from the truth.
Final Thought: A Low Offer Is Still an Opportunity
So the next time you get a lowball offer, don’t roll your eyes. Don’t delete the email. Don’t assume it’s a waste of your time.
See it for what it really is: the start of something.
A conversation. A future sale.
A seed that, with the right follow-up, just might grow into the deal you’ve been waiting for.
