Many domain inquiries include introductory statements that reek of disclaimer essence:
- Want it for a blog I’ll be building
- I used to own it, has sentimental value
- It’s my son’s/daughter’s/dog’s name
- You’re not using it, I want to make a business web site
- Etc.
These statements can be a turn-off for the domain seller, as they are preludes to one thing: no budget for this domain.
There is a certain disconnect between buyers and sellers regarding domain valuation and pricing.
Imagine walking into a car dealership seeking a similar price range, based on one’s intentions: how far they’d drive the car, how often, who will be driving it etc.
In that case, there are cars for different budgets, but the price is set by the dealership and negotiation doesn’t mean you get 4 wheels for the price of one.
Personally, I don’t care if you want to use the domain for your pet hamster’s iconic videos. As long as you pay my asking price, you are more than welcome to use it as you see fit.
Or, as in several occasions, never use it and allow it to drop, or keep it parked on my Domain Name Sales account indefinitely. 😀
Domain “buyer” Domain Seller
Want it for a blog I’ll be building -> Want it for a sale I’ll be selling
I used to own it, has sentimental value-> I own it, has sentimental value
It’s my son’s/daughter’s/dog’s name -> It’s my next son’s/daughter’s/dog’s name
You’re not using it, I want to make a business web site -> I am using it to get leads, with your email it looks like it’s working!
Buy it and let it expire or burn it. 🙂
But it’s for a project I tells ya
People always want a high quality domain for a stupid use.
I generally just say something like – We price domains based on market value, not on the usage or budget of a single potential buyer.
Brad
Juan – Love this 😀 Thanks.
Kosta – I’ve done that a couple of times, and other times let them know; in one case, they re-registered it and let it expire again, years later.
Dn Ebook – Project, sproject. 😛
Brad – That’s too complex for the simpletons that appear to seek a valuable domain for a mundane use. I tell them to go use Tumblr.
Your title implies putting the first number out there. Do you have an approach to pricing inquiries that come in with zero buyer information available? How do you think about pricing considering inquiries could be obfuscated corporate (deep pocket) interests on the one hand, or Mom/Pop Bootstrap startups on the other who you don’t want to completely scare away?
JohnH – The article focuses solely on the intentions of the buyer; I don’t care what they do with the domain, and their motives won’t change my pricing.
For your other questions, I’ve posted related articles over the years, it’s all here.
Thanks, I’ll have another look around.
Just for the FUN of it…
I might start requiring they send me a 10,000 word plea as to why I should specifically consider them.
Then return it with a note that their puncuation was so poor I will not be bothering to read the plea.
And suggest instead they go buy / register something else… perhaps the domain in the .mobi or .biz extension (smile)
Patricia – Ten thousand words on why they have no budget for the domain? 😀
Why do you have an asking price and have a space where someone can send text.
asking price – nos only
counter price – nos only
Get catchall email for your domains. Plug it into a filter, respond. Ever built a chatbot.
Same concept.
It’s domain name and if someone want’s to buy for anything, buy it just pay what seller expects. Story doesn’t make sense. Use it the way one like it.