I'm considering changing the domain name of my forum to something simpler and easier to remember. Unfortunately both the .com and .net of the name I want are already taken by websites that have NOTHING to do with what the domain name entitles! So what would be the best way to approach them and offer to buy the name from them?

If there is nothing on the domain itself as far as contacting them, then the best you can do is run a Whois search on the domain and try the email contacts there.

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...some super-sweet signature

Cheers Ryan!
I did a Whois search and found out it has a Certified Offer Service with a Value Assessment. It makes it a lot easier to approach the registrant with an offer!

I don't know what you current forum name is but you will need a bit of dosh to buy a decent name.
I did consider that a while ago because I though the original name of my forum was too long but I did not have any success acquiring the domains I have my sight on, but eventually I came to accept the current name and the fact that most of my users find the forum by clicking on links from other sites of from search engines hence the name of the forum itself is not that important. An usually once people find your forum they just bookmark it and Bob is your uncle.

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Webmaster Forums | Internet Guide | Web Hosting

I had a problem like this a few months back did the backorder i also contacted the whois email had nothing the domain runs out tomorrow so will need to wait and see how things go i went with another domain while it was still there as there has been a few times now i have thought i will get it later and its already taken up by someone!

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My forum AllTones4U
Freembiworld
mygreatsite

IMO, you should search for a new clean SEO friendly domain, unless, you can spend a high $$$. If you contact a someone offering money for his/her domain be sure that he/she will take advantage of you

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European Web Hosting by Brontobytes
cPanel w/ Fantastico - No Overselling

Web Hosting Discussion - Cheap Domain Registration

Suggest you send an offer to the owner and waiting for answer. Normally you would get a counter offer in 1 -3 days if that guy is ready to sell the Domain.

If no news after 3 days, it is better to search another backup domain

Good luck to you

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SDNForum, specify on talking short Domains (5 Characters or less)