Appraisals too complex a job?

[DryHeat]

Since I've noticed that for the most part in response to a request for appraisal there're many more general, non-specific and often advisory comments rather than a specific appraisal valuation of the name "as such". Although I've not done any methodical and scientific analysis in this regard, my estimate is that for each specific valuation there're at least half a dozen general comments often taking the form of a chat session.

Such is the case may be because domain valuation is in reality quite a complex and to large extent a subjective opinion especially when it comes to newer tlds (.INFO/.BIZ/.US, etc). Any thoughts on this?

I apologize if this post is in incorrect forum in which case I won't mind at all it being moved to a more appropriate place.

[Duke]

I think you're quite right. Most people here realize that appraisals are pretty much worthless so they don't throw numbers out a lot. At least the conversation about value is realistic unlike the $500,000 appraisal certificates given out by the companies that charge gullible people $75 for a "professional appraisal".

[DomainPairs]

Most name valuers seem to be obsessed with search engines, and I don't think the name is important to search engines any more. My horny ***** site is a good example of this. What I have noticed is that a name that would be ideal for a project of mine is frequently in some name bank, So all I do is find something else. What a waste!

The key to it all is traffic, and 20 rubbish names with different ip addresses pointing to the main site will be more important than a brilliant name to search engines.

[DomainPairs]

MY sexelf domain was valued at $300,000. I did have an offer on it later - The offer was $10.

[biggedon]

Yea! we just put in our two cents worth of comments and it all adds up to an appraisal.
Some here in this forum are maybe more qualified than others,
but any fool or genius can come-up with a winner or a loser
as far as domain names go.
What's garbage to one, could be gold to another. Any appraisals
that you get,you can't take them to the bank and get a loan based on the appraisal you got from DNF.
However, you can take that domain name,whether favorable or not, and develope it into a real money maker in spite of what you may get from us.

[DryHeat]

more than once it has happened with me that a name that would definitely receive comments like "not worth the reg fee" was taken by an end user for several hundred $$; two very recent examples being: ImagingIndustry.com & DefaultLink.com going for a combined value of well over $1K.

[Duke]

That's why you can't give too much weight to appraisals. I would still value those two as no more than reg fee and it could be that another buyer would never come along again. There are just too many variables for appraisals (which are just one person's opinion) to be consistently accurate.

[DryHeat]

we're talking about names like the ones I mentioned above. However, I do feel that this community could do a better job in apprasing names (in newer tlds) that are well recognised terms/nouns; examples would be Themeparks, New-York, Guitars, UnitedStates, etc.

[William9]

Many have questioned if valuations are more art than science. That question relates not only to domains, but the real estate – business interests - whatever. Complicating it, there are a 1,000 factors that could be known – but for thankfully, for posting a “request for appraisal” in this forum, non are required to be disclosed.

Eg., the valuator does not know if you are willing to post it up for sale for 90+ days or were considering a 10 day must sell auction, he/she makes an assumption and maybe considers the other 999 factors.

Further complicating it, each valuator’s experiences (database?) used in the valuation differs. So sure, it is going to be a subjective valuation – honest – but subjective. You get exactly what the front door says, “advice/valuations from other domain speculators”.

[bidawinner]

6 Billion peopel on the planet.. ego, vanity, 16o + countries , thosands of cultures and sub-cultures, real markets ,imaginable markets..

I think you answered your own questions of frustration..
much too complex for a reliable appraisal.

Appraisal by average perhaps... knock off the highs and lows and perhaps a statistical average from a wide range of domain appraisers from different countrys, cultures etc....

Statistical error would be less ...than if you had one or 2 individuals "pretending" to be all knowledgeable of everyword and it's meaning, value amougst all the peoples of the earth.. leat wise all the peoples of the Earth ONline.

I think with a broad consensus you could build base averages for what a domain "should" be priced at..

[garyted51]

In my honest opinion, anyone who pays for an appraisal on a domain name is a sucker.

What are the facts:

1. Most of us agree that the shorter the name the better. "thus the less we have to type in to reach a URL address."

2. The more generic the "word"(s) making up the name, the more easily they are to remember, and marketable.

3. With nearly all the short meaningful "words" snapped up, we are forced to string words together, thus making URL address's longer and longer.

4. Dot com is still the KING of domain name Tld's, but common sense tells us that using an alternative to dot com is a practical and sensible way to get our point across with regards to what the name implies.

5. When the name is gone, it is gone forever!

6. Not all Tld's can be registered by just anyone. There are rules!

7. It is just a matter of time, that the .cc, co.uk, and so forth are snapped up to.

8. Ponder this: Would you rather type in " realestate.cc" or Joeblowsrealestate.com

9. This is where the guessing game of value comes into play.

10. The value of any domain name, is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

Just my opinion.

Gary T