any advice ?

[heatfan]

Hi !

I have been contacted by non-profit organization (well established) about one of my org domains.

However they only inquired about what plans I have for this domain, nothing else...

I checked their website and as it stands, one of their main program is the same as my org name...

I plan to develop the name, however I would seriously consider if the offer was right...

Comments are welcome...

Thanks !

Edit: typo and spelling

[Bob]

I would tell the truth. Just say that you had some loose plans to develop it, but would consider an offer on the domain name if they are interested in a purchase.

I would also ask them to make an offer. If they want you to go first (and IMHO they can do that because afterall, it is your domain and you should start the process), then just remember not to get greedy. Remember your cost, and do not try to hit a homerun. My typical line is "My target for this domain name is $xxxx". I avoid saying "my asking price is" as that opens the door right up for a lower counter offer. I would be gald to share my standard response with you if you would like.

When people approach me about the cost of a domain name, I just say a little more than what I want (to allow for room on the bottom end for negotiation). Sometimes they immediately accept and it is obvious that they would have paid more for it, but always remember - YOU GOT WHAT YOU WANTED for the domain.

I did not mean to try to tell you howto handle your negotiations, but rather explained how I handle them.

Best of luck!!! Hope you have a good sale.

-Bob

[heatfan]

Bob, thanks

[David G]

Originally posted by Bob I would tell the truth. Just say that you had some loose plans to develop it, but would consider an offer on the domain name if they are interested in a purchase. I would also ask them to make an offer. If they want you to go first (and IMHO they can do that because afterall, it is your domain and you should start the process), then just remember not to get greedy. Remember your cost, and do not try to hit a homerun. My typical line is "My target for this domain name is $xxxx". I avoid saying "my asking price is" as that opens the door right up for a lower counter offer. I would be gald to share my standard response with you if you would like. When people approach me about the cost of a domain name, I just say a little more than what I want (to allow for room on the bottom end for negotiation). Sometimes they immediately accept and it is obvious that they would have paid more for it, but always remember - YOU GOT WHAT YOU WANTED for the domain. I did not mean to try to tell you howto handle your negotiations, but rather explained how I handle them. Best of luck!!! Hope you have a good sale. -Bob

Good advice Bob.

BTW, I see in many of your posts you have done very well selling lots of domains. Since you seem to be one of the most successful sellers here I was wondering if you could share your normal response you mentioned to inquiries. Also, very importantly which names you have sold?

Once we can see the type of names you have sold it would help many here determine if they have similar names which may also be sold.

[heatfan]

any other comments ? all are welcome

[Bob]

Sure Realnames. I will post my standard reply to an inquiry and list some of the names I have sold. . . More to follow

-Bob

[fizz]

Thanks in advance from me too Bob - this will be helpful

[Bob]

I have all of my names pointed at a traffic script that I wrote. bear in mind, that when somebody goes to a name that I own, they get funneled to my script. The script does four things:

1) Increments the counter (if the domain is not in the database, it ADDS it).
2) Redirects to my iFriends affiliate page.
3) Displays one popup for the place I do contract work for.
4) Displays a forsale popup indicating that the domain name is for sale and the asking price as I set in the database (or simply "make offer").

I get a fair amount of inquiries from this forsale popup (in my opinion). Probably anywhere from 2-10 per week. They usually are asking the price of a name and for more information. My usual response is something like this:

-------------------------------------------------------------

Hi <name>,

Thank you for your inquiry regarding <domain name>. <domain name> has averaged about <number of hits> per day over the last <period of time I have been monitoring traffic>. I typically sell one word .orgs for $200 - $500 and one word .nets for $500 - $1000. <note: I only say this last sentence if this is applicable... I would not say it if I am trying to sell 17.net or something like that>

My target price for <domain name> is <dollars>. The domain name is at <registrar>, which means I can transfer the name to you immediately at no charge. There will be no paperwork to sign, notarize, and fax. You would have full control of <domain name> within minutes of receipt of payment.

Please return my email and let me know your anticipated purchase price range.

Sincerley,

-Bob


-----------------------------------------------------------------

I always say "target price" and be sure to ask them what their anticipated range is. The reason is so that you do not appear arrogant and rigid in your price. I have found politeness goes a long way (and I am polite by nature). More times than not, the person will at least acknowledge the email and say "well, that is more than I wanted to pay", "no way", or "lets do it".

You have to remember, domain name speculators are seen by the general public as greedy cybersquatters who want a million dollars for a name. I have tried being both stern and polite in negotiations. I get a lot more responses by being polite and friendly rather than business-like. By being friendly, they perceive you as more approachable, and in my experience, are more willing to talk to you regarding a name.

If my price is a little too high for them, they will usually state their anticipated purchase price. Then I simply reply, "The price I gave you is what my partner and I had set for a target, but let me talk to him about your offer". Then I go and mull it over. Even if I know I will accept their offer, I wait a day and then email them back.

If we have a sale, I let them pick the method of payment - PayPal, CHeck, or Escrow.com. I have had parties do all three methods, although I do tell them that if they send a check / mpney order, I will wait until it clears until I give them the name. I always keep them informed of every step. That gives them teh security that you are not taking their money and running. Lastly, on a sale, I always make myself available for any kind of questions about the transfer they might have. This last paragraph I see as more "customer service".

Please feel free to ask me any questions you have. I am more than willing to share my successes and experiences with anybody.

-Bob

[Bob]

Here are the names I have sold while being in the domain name game (as I like to call it). Please remember that I **do** have a domain name partner. Not all of these were names I sold on my OWN, but I have had a hand in ALL of these. Some are my own names, while some are both my partner's and mine. . .

I will not give exact prices, but just ranges so you can get an idea of what sold for what range. Most of the low sales (i.e. 0-24.99 range) were junk names and auctioned off on ebay. We all know what happens on eBay ;-)

On the opposite end of the spectum, my largest sale was for $10,000. I have turned down other offers of $5500 for one name, and a $2500, $4000, and $8000 offer on a second name.

Again, please feel free to inquire about anything. I am more than willing to share my experiences with people who are genuinely interested.

Stats: 136 names sold
$0 - $24.99: 49 sales
$25 - $49.99: 13 sales
$50 - $99.99: 15 sales
$100 - $199.99: 21 sales
$200 - $399 sales: 21 sales
$400+ sales: 17 sales
Pending: 3 sales (2 in the 400+ range, and one in the 200-399 range).
Total sales: $32,350 (give or take $5)


Why these breakpoints? Why not? LOL No special reason.

-Bob


$0 - $24.99 sales (My **junk**)
miik.com
0nr.com
0mh.com
0mf.com
0iv.com
0iu.com
0nb.com
0mk.com
0eh.com
0wt.com
0wc.com
0nf.com
0el.com
0ih.com
0eg.com
corporatepromotion.com
digestable.com
onlinechallenge.com
0wr.com
0wo.com
0wh.com
0wf.com
0ep.com
0en.com
0wm.com
0wb.com
0ef.com
eoptionbroker.com
eoptionbrokers.com
ioptionbroker.com
ioptionbrokers.com
ebibleverses.com
ebibleverses.net
ebibleverses.org
vcallgirls.com
vhookers.com
vcallgirl.com
ttj.org
fjj.org
oov.org
yuu.org
kuu.org
n0w.com
eflightdirectory.com
nhllive.com
biblepsalms.com
nextmillenium.com
l0n.com
casinolife.com


$25 - $49.99 sales (almost junk, but a step above)
domaindeveloping.com
ihooks.com
domainaholics.com
0ws.com
0ns.com
cashprice.com
renotify.com
q8k.com
cashprice.com
x-l.org
vup.org
zbi.org
kjn.org


$50 - $99.99 sales (not good, not bad)
inw.org
ilw.org
kfg.org
jsw.org
jdw.org
0nc.com
bq0.com
mintcoin.com
0os.com
vnj.net
n-e.net
xba.org
et0.com
bf0.com
0fu.com


$100 - $199.99 sales (cool)
iih.org
obligatory.com
carrito.com
attend.org
snort.net
wyb.org
pringles.net
WeddingSite.net
moldy.net
7qa.com
y90.com
iparanoid.com
sn7.com
hq3.com
hrp.net
snorter.com
idoh.com
igsn.com
loaninterest.com
small.ws
cyanic.com


$200 - $399 sales (decent)
snig.com
evilclown.com
sciencefest.com
onlineaid.com
premiermusic.com
howfunny.com
2345.com
9yr.com
flaw.net
k-k.net
qualityshops.com
echristmas.net
rs6.com
usmenu.com
odds.ws
shad.org
skinned.com
1lm.com
countryflowers.com
kpu.net
schoolrank.com


$400+ sales (wa-Hoo!)
311.org
om3.com
trivianut.com
3vb.com
cargift.com
mqy.com
BoatShow.org
butting.com
allowme.com
sexes.net
magnet.org
phylum.net
StockTrader.org
drugist.com
platinumcard.com
iah.com
StaffordLoans.com


Cheers!

[heatfan]

I see some .ws domains, did you use any special tactics for this sales ?

thank again for sharing your experiences...

[Bob]

One guy bid on Odds.ws on Afternic. We negotiated a sale price in overtime.

.WS has a wierd transfer policy. You have to re-reister and all. It costs like another $70 per domain name. Anyway, I had two .ws names (the other one being Small.ws). I just said, "Hey, it will cost to transfer this name. If you are interested in Small.ws, I will just give you the login information for these 2 names and you can just assume the portfolio." He agreed. Odds.ws was sold for $250 and Small.ws or $150.

BTW - I learned my lesson with ccTLDs. I will not touch them again. I got 2 .WS, 1 .TV, and 7 .CC (**ouch**).

-Bob

[Lats]

Thanks for sharing Bob, very interesting.


Lats...

[David G]

Originally posted by Bob I have all of my names pointed at a traffic script that I wrote. bear in mind, that when somebody goes to a name that I own, they get funneled to my script. The script does four things:
1) Increments the counter (if the domain is not in the database, it ADDS it).
2) Redirects to my iFriends affiliate page.
3) Displays one popup for the place I do contract work for.
4) Displays a forsale popup indicating that the domain name is for sale and the asking price as I set in the database (or simply "make offer").
I get a fair amount of inquiries from this forsale popup (in my opinion). Probably anywhere from 2-10 per week. They usually are asking the price of a name and for more information. My usual response is something like this: ...-Bob

Hi Bob, thanks for sharing your knowledge and your list of sold names. You are one of the few here willing to reveal sold names and pricing, much appreciated

I am really confused on something. In your post above you mentioned how (3) Displays a Popup Ad and (4) Displays another Popup with the domain name and the asking price.

I looked a your portfolio of names from your Homepage in your DNForum Profile, and randomly visited about 15 of the domains by typing the url into my browser since the names on your list were not clickable. As per your post (#2) they all were redirected to ifriends, which appears to be a live webcam porno site.

However, the odd thing is not one of them did #3 and #4 in your post. Never got even 1 popup ad for the place you work for, or popup info on the domain being for sale.

Is this because you now are no longer doing the popups #3 and #4 in your post, or was it amazingly poor luck I randomly selected 15 domains which do not do that but perhaps your others do? Just wondering

[Bob]

Well, that is strange. I admit the list is not up to date as it should be, but if you picked 15 names, then one of them should have behaved correctly.

I just tried www.diablo.org and the popups came up for me.

Do you have a pop-up killer installed? I know a lot of people have those.

The two popup windows should be that the domain name is forsale and one for SupportFreaks.com . . .

Try to go to Diablo.org. If you do not get the two additional popups, I will PM you the direct link to the two popups.

-Bob

There are pop-ups at this site www.diablo.org for me.

[Bob]

Thx.net for the confirmation Goh Lah.

-Bob Lah

Bob, you are *welcome* lah.

[fizz]

Thanks for sharing your sales info Bob; this provides a good benchmark for others.

My favorite in your list was 2345.com and the buyer who got it for $200 - $399 got a major bargain, IMO.

[Bob]

I had forgotten 17 names - they were in my other binder. The list was updated to reflect these. Just a FYI if you want to look over the additions (StockTrader.org being the most significant).

[index]

...
If we have a sale, I let them pick the method of payment - PayPal, CHeck, or Escrow.com. I have had parties do all three methods, although I do tell them that if they send a check / mpney order, I will wait until it clears until I give them the name. I always keep them informed of every step. That gives them teh security that you are not taking their money and running. Lastly, on a sale, I always make myself available for any kind of questions about the transfer they might have. This last paragraph I see as more "customer service".

Please feel free to ask me any questions you have. I am more than willing to share my successes and experiences with anybody.

-Bob

Ok Bob, you seem to be the right person. Now - how exactly do you transfer the domain name? For instance - let's consider you have your domain name with GoDaddy or NameCheap.. The buyer agreed with a "direct transfer choice" (no Escrow) - but does not have any account with GoDaddy (nor NameCheap) - or better say - he does not have any account at all. What next? You would probably open a new account for him (should be for free). . Now - how exactly do you transfer the domain within GoDaddy (or NameCheap)? I know you cannot transfer the domains which have been registered for less than 60 days. But maybe there is a way to do it within one registrar..?

Thank you for your time and help.