Comments on: Keep Playing the Music . . . Really, The Ship’s Not Sinking http://www.domainnamenews.com/editorial/keep-playing-the-music-really-the-ships-not-sinking/1446 News and Views from the Domain Name Industry Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:28:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Sol http://www.domainnamenews.com/editorial/keep-playing-the-music-really-the-ships-not-sinking/1446#comment-28452 Sol Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:39:33 +0000 http://www.domainnamenews.com/editorial/keep-playing-the-music-really-the-ships-not-sinking/1446#comment-28452 I did a short exercise before this auction to find domains I thought were priced right. I did a short exercise before this auction to find domains I thought were priced right.

]]> By: tim davids http://www.domainnamenews.com/editorial/keep-playing-the-music-really-the-ships-not-sinking/1446#comment-24837 tim davids Sun, 24 Feb 2008 16:02:15 +0000 http://www.domainnamenews.com/editorial/keep-playing-the-music-really-the-ships-not-sinking/1446#comment-24837 auctions carry a different psychology than day to day domaining...IMO sellers are looking for that "lightning strike"...they post in the forums "I got accepted" like their ship has just come in. I offer 2k for a name privately...saw it at an auction with a 25-50k reserve last fall, I just bought it for $1995. Summary, dont read too much into the auction scene. auctions carry a different psychology than day to day domaining…IMO sellers are looking for that “lightning strike”…they post in the forums “I got accepted” like their ship has just come in. I offer 2k for a name privately…saw it at an auction with a 25-50k reserve last fall, I just bought it for $1995. Summary, dont read too much into the auction scene.

]]> By: Johnny Rotten http://www.domainnamenews.com/editorial/keep-playing-the-music-really-the-ships-not-sinking/1446#comment-24802 Johnny Rotten Sun, 24 Feb 2008 04:35:15 +0000 http://www.domainnamenews.com/editorial/keep-playing-the-music-really-the-ships-not-sinking/1446#comment-24802 I think this auction has very little bearing on the actual domain name marketplace. I think most domains are sold privately, not through actions. As stated above, only those in the business partcipate in these things...and all that can be taken from this is a greater degree of understanding of the appraisal process: Domainers have a much better feel of a domains value than the public. I think this auction has very little bearing on the actual domain name marketplace. I think most domains are sold privately, not through actions. As stated above, only those in the business partcipate in these things…and all that can be taken from this is a greater degree of understanding of the appraisal process: Domainers have a much better feel of a domains value than the public.

]]> By: Andrew Allemann http://www.domainnamenews.com/editorial/keep-playing-the-music-really-the-ships-not-sinking/1446#comment-24773 Andrew Allemann Sat, 23 Feb 2008 18:01:49 +0000 http://www.domainnamenews.com/editorial/keep-playing-the-music-really-the-ships-not-sinking/1446#comment-24773 Adam - The latest Sedo market report for 2007 talked about the % of domain sales they can't disclose. For .de domains it was something like 90%. For .com it was less, but still substantial. Also, I think the argument made by some that you should combine this auction with DOMAINfest's auction is flawed. After all, there were twice as many domains up for grabs. Adam - The latest Sedo market report for 2007 talked about the % of domain sales they can’t disclose. For .de domains it was something like 90%. For .com it was less, but still substantial.

Also, I think the argument made by some that you should combine this auction with DOMAINfest’s auction is flawed. After all, there were twice as many domains up for grabs.

]]> By: Adam Strong http://www.domainnamenews.com/editorial/keep-playing-the-music-really-the-ships-not-sinking/1446#comment-24772 Adam Strong Sat, 23 Feb 2008 16:53:50 +0000 http://www.domainnamenews.com/editorial/keep-playing-the-music-really-the-ships-not-sinking/1446#comment-24772 imho TRAFFIC makes for a very good barometer of market conditions because of what you point out. Domainer purchases represent a large majority of the reported buys in this market, thus when domainers slowdown buying it should be noted. . . End users are still buying domains don't get me wrong, and it's a hard market to gauge because of so many unreported/NDA sales, but what should be said when domainers slow down in their buying? imho TRAFFIC makes for a very good barometer of market conditions because of what you point out. Domainer purchases represent a large majority of the reported buys in this market, thus when domainers slowdown buying it should be noted. . . End users are still buying domains don’t get me wrong, and it’s a hard market to gauge because of so many unreported/NDA sales, but what should be said when domainers slow down in their buying?

]]> By: Jeff http://www.domainnamenews.com/editorial/keep-playing-the-music-really-the-ships-not-sinking/1446#comment-24768 Jeff Sat, 23 Feb 2008 15:41:27 +0000 http://www.domainnamenews.com/editorial/keep-playing-the-music-really-the-ships-not-sinking/1446#comment-24768 Very thoughtful analysis - thanks. But ultimately, the buyers at TRAFFIC are mostly domainers, not end users. It is what the end users do that is going to decide whether the ship sinks or not. Very thoughtful analysis - thanks. But ultimately, the buyers at TRAFFIC are mostly domainers, not end users. It is what the end users do that is going to decide whether the ship sinks or not.

]]> By: Steve http://www.domainnamenews.com/editorial/keep-playing-the-music-really-the-ships-not-sinking/1446#comment-24745 Steve Sat, 23 Feb 2008 06:49:06 +0000 http://www.domainnamenews.com/editorial/keep-playing-the-music-really-the-ships-not-sinking/1446#comment-24745 Well; while I believe the secondary domain market is actually doing just fine (which I suspect the total reported dollar volume on DN Journal was for 2/07 vs 2/08 would show); as for #3 above, I'd take another look at what Rick earlier this month shared on his blog: http://www.ricksblog.com/my_weblog/2008/02/valuation-is-in.html#comments What this wide divergence in valuation opinions also does--in addition to Rick's point about raising serious questions concerning the value of "professional" "appraisals"-- is to act as an excellent indicator and strong evidence that (hard as it may be for us all to accept) that the various auctions are by and large ... already doing the best they can in working with their sellers to set the reserves/ price ranges. Valuing domains is a long, long way from valuing real estate. Two domains cannot be compared to each other like two houses, or two commercial buildings, or two pieces of land can; because each and every domain is completely and totally unique. We all regularly see domains that some of us believe sold for far more than they were worth (iReport, anyone?) ... and others that were real steals. But to who? You? Me? The seller? The buyer? An auction company? Someone else? Fact is, disagreements over value are never going to go away. Ever. And the auctions are never going to produce a list of reserves/valuations that we all agree are "correct." Ever. The best thing to do about this state of affairs? Stop complaining and just accept it ... while taking advantage of the myriad opportunities that such a wonderfully imperfect, forever fractured marketplace offers each and every one of us. Well; while I believe the secondary domain market is actually doing just fine (which I suspect the total reported dollar volume on DN Journal was for 2/07 vs 2/08 would show); as for #3 above, I’d take another look at what Rick earlier this month shared on his blog:
http://www.ricksblog.com/my_weblog/2008/02/valuation-is-in.html#comments

What this wide divergence in valuation opinions also does–in addition to Rick’s point about raising serious questions concerning the value of “professional” “appraisals”– is to act as an excellent indicator and strong evidence that (hard as it may be for us all to accept) that the various auctions are by and large … already doing the best they can in working with their sellers to set the reserves/ price ranges.

Valuing domains is a long, long way from valuing real estate. Two domains cannot be compared to each other like two houses, or two commercial buildings, or two pieces of land can; because each and every domain is completely and totally unique.

We all regularly see domains that some of us believe sold for far more than they were worth (iReport, anyone?) … and others that were real steals.

But to who? You? Me? The seller? The buyer? An auction company? Someone else?

Fact is, disagreements over value are never going to go away. Ever.

And the auctions are never going to produce a list of reserves/valuations that we all agree are “correct.” Ever.

The best thing to do about this state of affairs?

Stop complaining and just accept it … while taking advantage of the myriad opportunities that such a wonderfully imperfect, forever fractured marketplace offers each and every one of us.

]]> By: Liz http://www.domainnamenews.com/editorial/keep-playing-the-music-really-the-ships-not-sinking/1446#comment-24705 Liz Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:27:12 +0000 http://www.domainnamenews.com/editorial/keep-playing-the-music-really-the-ships-not-sinking/1446#comment-24705 I'm new to this business and it really helps to hear a point of view assessing the state of the industry. It's difficult to find information that is not part hype since the domain world seems to be built on speculation. I’m new to this business and it really helps to hear a point of view assessing the state of the industry. It’s difficult to find information that is not part hype since the domain world seems to be built on speculation.

]]> By: RG http://www.domainnamenews.com/editorial/keep-playing-the-music-really-the-ships-not-sinking/1446#comment-24693 RG Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:28:55 +0000 http://www.domainnamenews.com/editorial/keep-playing-the-music-really-the-ships-not-sinking/1446#comment-24693 Great analysis here on the auction. Keep up the great work - can't get enough of this type of anaylsis and coverage in the domain industry. Great analysis here on the auction.

Keep up the great work - can’t get enough of this type of anaylsis and coverage in the domain industry.

]]> By: Andrew @ Domain Name Wire http://www.domainnamenews.com/editorial/keep-playing-the-music-really-the-ships-not-sinking/1446#comment-24687 Andrew @ Domain Name Wire Fri, 22 Feb 2008 14:41:58 +0000 http://www.domainnamenews.com/editorial/keep-playing-the-music-really-the-ships-not-sinking/1446#comment-24687 Adam, this is a great summary of the auction. Well done. Adam, this is a great summary of the auction. Well done.

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