I have just been complemented!

[Bill Roy]

Just got off the phone, the call lasted for over an hour and was quite an unusual phone call really.

The conversation was about a particular name I have for sale but soon got around to what other domains I have for sale and what else I had in my portfolio. Suddenly I found it had got around to why I register domains and why I have even been known to occassionally buy the odd name. My basic reply was that I get domains only if I can see the site the domain could be made into. So we talked about parking domains and I explained that I do not park domains anymore because I find that I do not appreciate the secretiveness by the parking companies and that I am sure in my own mind that little if any transparency is involved and I equated it to paying an undisclosed ransom to the parking companies.

Anyway, the conversation progressed and I was asked how I price my domains and again I explained at some length that I value a domain name by what the future of the domain could hold if developed and set generally at a varying percentage for the domain dependant on work involved and earnings from the possible site. Suddenly the caller turned around and said 'Your not a domainer at all!'.

I was quite taken aback by this comment and started to defend myself, and as I saw it my reputation and character, as for 3 of the last 4 years I had considered myself a domainer.

After hearing me out the 'caller' quietly said 'but your not a domainer, you are a futures commodity trader'. He then went on to explain that a domainer only really looks at 'domaining facts' when valuing a domain, the number of searches for the term, the value of PPC, sales of other similar or relevent domains, etc., and I did not take this view but instead equated a domain name the same way as a football team may equate a rooky player who has shown 'promise'. I was still taken aback and let the matter drop as we discussed the possible sale of the domain he had originally called about. We concluded our conversation amicably and agreed that we would both think about our current positions on the price.

I was still smarting at being told I was not a domainer but after a little while started to think seriously about what he had said. His reasoning was actually sound when I examined it. What I had taken as a slight on me was actually a serious and well reasoned comment. I emailed him saying that on reflection I had to agree with him. I just received a very short email back:

"I actually meant to complement you."

So I have to say from now on I no longer think of myself as a domainer. (Many here already didn't anyway - but for perhaps other reasons! ) I am a simple futures commodity trader, and the commodity that I trade in is 'internet future start-up opportunities'.

Just goes to show that what at first one thinks of as an insult can really be a compliment that is misunderstood.

N.B. I have posted this in the 'humour' thread because it has actually got me laughing, even though now I will have to change my occupation details on a few documents.

[fab]

Sounds like he's never traded futures before. Futures almost always can be purchased sold, are short term and very volatile. Taken from someone with experience.

I would have given you another compliment you are a land real estate investor.

I received a call like this a while back. I think we should have charged for the free information!