- Checking the email, name and location (from the IP address)
- Google the name with the location, i.e. John Smith Los Angeles CA
Many times the requester is holding a high position from the company
Find out how big the company is
Don't counter offer yet, tell him you received higher offer and ask him what to do with the name.
Once you have all the information you can start the negotiation process.
Example: for individual or small company the range may be $xxx to $x,xxx
For big company it could start $xx,xxx
Also it depends on the the quality of the name
I once have a guy started the offer at $xxx but I sold the name in the $xx,xxx after I found out he is a VP of IT from a medium size company.
Good luck!
John