Transferring domain name from someone else

[crazyfool]

Hi, I just signed up with Hostgator

I agreed to buy a domain name from a small company for 1k. The company seems relatively unknown (they have no reviews/info on Google.) I've never bought a domain name from someone else before.

1. Are there any important steps in transferring a domain name?
2. The company is asking the payment first. Can Hostgator (or some other inexpensive escrow method) help in ensuring I wont get cheated?

Any help/info would be greatly appreciated..

Thanks

[jakeruston]

HostGator couldn't do anything about it, Paypal could do, but I wouldn't count on it. I wouldn't recommend buying a domain for that price from an unknown company. It would make more sense to register your own.

[striddy]

Originally Posted by jakeruston

HostGator couldn't do anything about it, Paypal could do, but I wouldn't count on it.

How is paypal supposed to help?

[Sam]

Best to use an escrow service