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While I’m not a very religious person, I’ve browsed through the Bible, but cannot tell you who wrote it, there are many words of wisdom in it. I define words of wisdom as “Ideas that make sense”, or “Fundamental Wisdom”. One of my favorites bible quotes is “Give And You Shall Receive”. It does not say “Receive And You Shall Give”. If you want a better salary, if you want to be loved, if you want others to be kind to you, act before you ask. Acts of kindness in my opinion are acts that are done completely unselfishly, without consideration of receiving. Call it Karma, good luck, fortune, or whatever, but for me, it always happen that good things happen when helping others.
Around 2003, when domain value was sky high and every other person was searching for the next big purchase, I too was browsing lists, sites, in the search of the great one. While eBay always was mostly low quality domains, from time to time, if you search hard enough and long enough, you may get lucky. One of those days, during a routine browsing day on eBay, I came across a major one word .com domain name, with a “buy now” price of US$ 5,000.00, completely unrealistic to say the least. This one word domain would have gone then for millions, and today as well. To give you an idea, it gets no less than 2.7 billions search results on Google today. Not many keywords in the English language do.
So if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck.. you know the rest. I had my doubts from the very first second I saw the listing. To add to my doubts, the seller seems to not have any major feedback rating.
One thing my partner Jeff and I were strongly against from the very beginning was to deal with stolen domain names. If we bought domain names in the aftermarket we would go many extra miles to verify ownership, knowing the domains are not stolen, and they were “kosher”. There are many reasons not to deal with stolen domain names, from legal standpoint to moral and ethical points. At the end of the day, I would not do to others what I don’t want done to me. In any event, since the seller specified payment via Escrow.com we felt comfortable enough to go ahead with the deal. Our thinking was that, knowing how Escrow.com operates, domain transfer happens before funds are release to the seller, and in that case, once domain is transferred to us we can demand proof of ownership before releasing payment to seller. Not waiting for the last minute I immediately started investigating the domain, looking up its history, calling a number of places around the world in order to find the rightful owner. After hours of investigation I was able to locate “David”, the last owner of the domain name I could find. While David was driving down a highway in Southern California, this is how the conversation went like:
Me: Hi, may I speak with “David” please?
David: Speaking, how may I help you?
Me: This is Sahar speaking, we haven’t met however a friend of yours gave me your number and said you are the owner of XYZ.Com.
David: Yes, it is our domain. How may I help you?
Me: Well, it happen that someone posted it on eBay for US$ 5,000 “Buy Now” and I happen to buy it. Looking at my escrow.com account right now and my emails, I happen to have it in my account.
David: Wow, are you serious?
Me: Yes, very serious, but no worries David. I had my doubts about this purchase and thought it may be stolen, and you can have it back if you want it. I can get my money back from Escrow.com.
David: Great Sahar, can’t believe you are doing this!
Me: No worries David, it’s just the right thing to do. By the way, if you are still interested in selling the domain for that price I’m very interested as it will fit our business model.
David: (laughing, hard!). I’m sure you are Sahar, we bought it few years ago for US$ 300K!
Me: Really? Well, I’m still interested if you can sell it to me for the price I mentioned, like I said, it would be good for our business.
David: I like what you have done here Sahar, let me get back to you on this tomorrow. Thanks A LOT!
Me: Great David, thanks, and looking forward to chatting tomorrow.
A day after David called me back saying he liked what I’ve done and is willing to sell it to me for 5K. Few months later I mentioned the story to a good friend and surprisingly, he mentioned they sold the domain to that person for US$ 300K few years ago.
During the events I went back to the person who listed it on eBay, asking for proof of ownership. Once confronted, that person simply disappeared.
The second story involves another category killer .com domain name. Not on the same level as the first one but still, in today’s market this domain would easily fetch 200K++. After reading an article about a lady who recovered a stolen domain name and her experience I picked up the phone and called to say Hello. I was interested in what happened, offering to help her track down the hijackers free of charge, explaining that stopping those thieves protects our business, not to mention it was really just the right thing to do. After we talked for a while I asked her if she is willing to sell the domain, mentioning that I may know someone who may be interested in purchasing it. She said she have not thought of it but for US$ 8,000 she is willing to let it go. I replied that I haven’t thought of buying it but I do like the domain and impressed by her, I’m willing to give her US$ 10K. The deal was sealed on the spot and rest is history. The domain is doing well on PPC and is one of our strong properties. Since purchasing, we’ve declined two six figures offers for it.
Clearly, doing the right thing, for us, usually works out. Care to share some stories as well?
Have a great day!
Sahar
How’d you get your $5k back from Escrow.com once the thief transferred the domain to you?
—-answer—-
We did not. We communicated with Escrow.com explaining the situation, that the domain was stolen, and instructed them to send funds to the rightful owner.
Sahar
One story that comes to mind is when I came across a domain with an email in the whois containing a domain that I knew was expired.
So, the opportunity existed for “someone” to register the domain in the email address then create an email address that would then be a valid email address in the whois for this category killer domain. A quick request for transfer and it would have come my way. (This was before auth codes and the domain was not locked.)
I thought about doing this myself for second but thought that it would be better to call the woman and tell her about the situation.
She was very grateful that I alerted her to the situation. I said I was happy to do it but if she wanted to sell it I would be interested to buy it or broker it for her.
To make a long story short, she changed the whois email address then put it up for auction at Moniker and sold it without any more conversation between us.
Give and you shall receive?
So, I “gave” her some valuable information and I “received” a thank you.
Kind of like finding a wallet full of tens of thousands of dollars in it, returning it and the owner saying thank you and walking away.
I am a little bitter that she didn’t throw me a few bucks after the sale but I sleep great at night. If I snaked the domain from her I would still be regretting it.
What does the bible say about being tested? Good things come to those who wait or something like that?
Escrow.com simply took your word for it, and transferred it to a third party? How would Escrow.com know that the party you asked the funds to go to was not a friend of yours in collusion with you to get your money back after you got the domain (theoretically)?
—-answer—-
They did not take my words for it nor I expected them to. They did their own verification, the rightful owner had to send proof of ownership, as well as we sent other communication documents from the thief to show what was going on.
Sahar
This post is great!
I wish to find my angel someday.
I don’t get it. Why would someone sell to you for $5,000 what they paid $300,000 for just a few years back. I know what you did was kind and all but not worth someone willing to take a $295,000 loss.
Also, wouldn’t a true act of kindness be to educate the lady in the second story about what she has and how to benefit from it instead of underpaying her for her domain?
Sahar,
You post is very inspirational. Ironicaly it may lead some to believe their is always a paycheck for every act of kindness.
Sometimes your reward for random act of kindness may not be immediate and for most times it is unseen but no good deed goes unnoticed by the creator.
@Jerry,
Not every thing God does makes sense because his ways are not our ways. It could be that God allowed that to happen just so that Sahar can tell this story someday like he just did. Somebody probably needs to read this story and to God that was worth a temporary short change of 295k. For all you know David could have been blessed out of his socks for the encouragement he gave Sahar.
Jerry,
These are called angels.
That guy could be a billionaire, and 300k is nothing to him.
So he is touched by someone else honesty, and decide to give him a big reward. Simple as that.
—-answer—-
Bingo. This person was a co-foudner of a major billion dollar venture prior to buying the domain.
Sahar
Sahar,
I remember you told me about this domain purchase a long time ago, when I first met you and after knowing the actual domain you are talking about, knowing you and the domain’s history, I think I can tell you why it all has happened. You see, it is very simple although because it is a story, to some, of $295K, the real issue gets clouded over by the size of the check. Add two zero’s to that figure and my explaination still will hold true. You, calling both people and getting so involved with them, is a classic Saharism.
This is what you do my good man. You are always “all-in” in everything you do, especially when it comes to others. Find Sahar at a Traffic Show and if you follow behind him for a few moments, you will end up meeting so many people your pockets start bulging with business cards and you run out of yours sooner than you ever expected. Why? Because Sahar is a classic people person and he gives and gives wherever he is and to whomever crosses his path. He is all in with everyone, like birds on popcorn in Central Park. That is his nature.
The laws of Karma ( karma means action, according to Vedic Sanskrit) are basically the laws of physics. For every action there is an equal reaction. Good actions result in good results. Bad actions result in unpleasant results. They may come at different times and during seemimgly unrelated events, but whatever we put out, eventually comes back to us. It is like we mail a letter with our actions and eventually the postman comes knocking on our door with the results. The letter always gets delivered. It is like the other government agency, the IRS, they always eventually find you.
Yes, it is true that God helps those that help themselves and we don’t want to live life looking over our shoulders wondering if “Karma” is hiding just around the corner. What fun is that? It is basically paranoia and can only lead to a lack of ease or dis-ease or disease. So we live life and trust in nature that if we put out good we will get back good eventually. This is practical life knowledge, not metaphysics.
You know the old saying, “Trust in God but tie up your camel.” Probably good advice for those of you living in the big cities. If you consciously left you wallet on the sidewalk in Miami and someone comes along and takes it, is that bad karma because they steal your wallet? Maybe having such a limited awareness might be bad karma but basically if you do something like that in the mounatins of North Carolina we call that, “stump stupid.”
My point is, Sahar is an all out “giving person” and those who have the good karma to know him, know that he wins at auctions, he wins at the Traffic Show games, he wins in Las Vegas, he win in his business, he wins friends, he wins hearts, he wins at the game of life. Why? I would put my money on the fact that he wins so much because he gives so much. What he puts out, comes back to him in spades.
Call it Karma, call it good luck, call it blessings, call it good living, call it anything that rings your bells, but I call it good fortune to know Sahar. I hope the next time, the guy adds two zero’s and gives him a $20 million domain for the price of a set of new wheels for his good luck Bentley because all the Gods know, Sahar deserves it and so he gets it. Peace brother. Happy Holidays and let that good luck keep flowing like there is no end in sight. Bring it on. It is all good. ENJOY.
—-answer—-
Hi Chris,
I can never be grateful enough and thankful enough for all the nice words from you, and all the wisdom you always so openly share with me, your friends, and the world. We met for the first time a couple of years ago and today, most of my investment strategies, and living strategies for that matter, are largely influenced by what I have learned from you.
Thanks SO much Chris!
Sahar
why not share the names? I know one of them since it was fairly public.
I vote Sahar as being the nicest guy in domaining.
Kharma Sahar… excellent story.
—-answer—-
Thanks Stephen !
Sahar,
You are a true gentlemen!
Not many people in this world that we live in would be so kind to offer to do this.
Today we hear of more sad news in various job industries and domain name scams etc
You are someone that brings insight, hope and trust within the domain industry.
Thank You Sahar!
Regards,
Robbie
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Thanks Robbie for the kind words. It really is not a big deal and I’m sure many of you would have done the same, and have done the same, in many such cases. Since when one needs a reason to help one in need?
Sahar
I wholeheartedly believe in karma — and what goes around comes around… ALWAYS….
To all those that do “the right thing” — Bless you…
I am curious — which Chris is this (posted comments above)
Have a great week…
~Patricia Kaehler (DomainBELL)
—-answer—-
Chris Hartnett (link 1, link 2, link 3)
No offense Sahar, but I don’t see a noble act in either of the stories you’ve written about. They both seem like cold calculated acquisition strategies if you ask me, albeit slightly veiled and unorthodox. I don’t believe karma is paid in coin either. As for the lady you grossly undercut, if I did that I would personally feel guilty, afterall it’s not like she could have looked up the domain’s value in the Kelley Blue Book. Being the expert, you should have played that one differently.
I respect you as a person and as a domainer, so I hope you don’t mind an honest response.
Domain kindnesses:
Occasionally, I have noticed the names of well-known people (as in FirstnameLastname.com) dropping. A couple years ago, I tried to catch one, the lead singer of a once-famous band, but somebody beat me to it. I emailed them to offer $50, got a reply: “me want dollars 3850 for domain. thank you a lot.” I let it go, but put tracking on the domain.
A year later, it dropped again … I grabbed it and emailed the singer to offer it for free. The head of his fan club replied - she is in charge of his website, which had been named OfficialFirstnameLastname.com [since FirstnameLastname.com was unavailable]. She said: “I’ve been trying to acquire this domain for years, but have never been successful! You can’t imagine how happy this makes me!! I know [singer] will be dancing a jig!!” Turns out the singer had been in ill health for a while, and she really thought it would be a boost for him.
Sure, it would have been nice if they had sent me an autographed something-or-other as a gesture of appreciation … but it feels great to have done a good deed (especially for someone whose music I enjoyed).
P.S. A year and a half ago, I drop-caught the .com of a former U.S. president’s name. I contacted his foundation and a representative expressed some interest, but the process dragged on and on with no further word (he had to get approval from his superiors). At one point, I wrote him and he replied, “Thanks for following up … things are progressing at the speed of government.” Finally, this past July, after more than a year, they got their act together well enough to accept a transfer from me. The domain is now owned by his presidential library - but as of this moment, it’s still a Sedo parking page!
P.P.S. Like Sahar, I once saw a premium .com on eBay that was way underpriced. I looked up the whois and contacted the owner, who said no, he definitely wasn’t selling the domain on eBay. So I emailed the seller … he claimed it was an honest mistake, he was selling a typo domain (which whois did indicate he had owned for a while) but “accidentally” typed the non-typo version into the eBay listing.
randomo: That’s two good domains that are important to the new owners (even though the one group may not quite get it). You did well!
And there’s a couple more people that have a deeper understanding of Domain Names and Domain Name value.
As to the double typo (mistyping the typo domain in the ad)? It happens . Might have been a real mistake.