.EU domains buyers on crystal meth

[sasquatch]

Those left without any good .eu names are naturally inclined to bash this extension, but those who do possess good .eu names know that .eu will be european version of .com for years to come.

Now that is not to say that all .eu names are gold because they are not, in fact majority of them are crap, because for the first time in history vast majority of them have been registered by the inexperienced speculators unaware of larger "domain name game idiosyncrasies" ("idiosyncrasies" is defined as: "a structural or behavioral characteristic peculiar to an individual or group."), and also lacking the requisite cultural knowledge needed in order to play up to European sensibilities and their markets.

In other words, domains ending with -ed and -ing are largely worthless (from the end user perspective) in com landscape, and will especially be so in .eu. Domains that are "American culture" specific will also generally be worthless. Domains in languages other than English will also have limited attraction and sellability, though the strongest (in major Eu languages, like German, Spanish etc.) will still attain some sweet prices. On the other hand, good hyphenated domains will sell for decent numbers since European end-users are generally less fussy about hyphens, unlike their US counterparts.

Getting back to .eu bashers; many .eu bashers are feeling that way because they are afraid that another strong extension will ruin the potential of their less than stellar portfolios. Some of them don't have the stamina or money to speculate in a market they don't understand, so they are inclined to start bashing it from purely cultural perspective (".us rules, .eu sucks!" type thing), - and finally, many bashers have been genuinely dissapointed with the recent overall poor aftermarket performances of .info, .biz, .us... and even .in extension all which have had some lofty expectations, so they are weary to extend the warm welcome to another new baby on the block (even thouugh the baby is already 900 lbs.) No matter what your particular reason for bashing this extension is, be aware that mixing one thing with another is imho a completely wrong thing to do. That is if you want to make money, being a little ignorant prick is surely and certainly not a way to help yourself.

Having said all that, here are some of my no-brainer easy predictions:

1. .eu will soon become the second strongest and the second most potent extension in the world in the aftermarketplace (by far), due to already having the two key healthy aftermarket "infrastructures" in place: strong European market economies, and high level of technological penetration and prowess in user households, both which are very much required if the extension is to be strong in the aftermarket. It is completely different thing to get caught in .in hype, but completely another in .eu. Can't compare the two, and whoever is comparing the two is not educating himself.

2. In purely speculative terms, the strongest .eu names are right now worth at least six figures each. This guy will be a big fool if he sells this gem for less than 100k euros today. http://cgi.ebay.com/advertising-eu-...ryZ11153QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

3. The strong .eu names will be quietly acquired behind the scenes on the aftermarket private acquistion sprees by those domainers/money speculators with the biggest pockets (venture firms, big players...) Within a year from now, all meaningful .eu names will not be in the hands of little guys, but in the hands of handfull domain sharks. That might be the best thing to happen even for little guys because, unlike the little guys, these dudes recognize good things when they see them, and also are uniquely positioned to control and drive the aftermarket prices up.

4. .eu extension will first be adopted in significant numbers in Germany, Scandinavia and East Europe, and last in Britain, that is not particular bad or good, it just is.

5. .eu does not only mean E.uropean U.nion, but is also naturally and geographically short for Europe (not to mention that within 5-7 years pretty much all of Europe will be European Union anyway). So anything Europe specific will be perfect for .eu extension and will potentially be valuable.

6. Unlike American general population, European general population is generally more adoptable and quicker in accepting changes and utilizing them for their uses. In time, and sooner rather than later, in many instances Europeans will be bypassing .com domains when searching for Europe specific answers. Thus, a typical European who is looking for hotels in Amsterdam will be more likely to look for them at AmsterdamHotels.eu, and not AmsterdamHotels.com etc. For that reason, once again, anything Europe specific will be potentially valuable. In such cases domains like the one previously mentioned (or PragueApartments.eu for examples) will be closely valuable, or just as valuable as .com - if not more.

 

[Duckinla]

Getting back to .eu bashers; many .eu bashers are feeling that way because they are afraid that another strong extension will ruin the potential of their less than stellar portfolios.

Could just be they feel like they've seen this movie before.

A person could make reasonable arguements why a high quality chineese domain would be worth more than the comparable E.U. domain in the next couple of years:
1) Population is less globally inclined.
2) Population is less likely to use search engines and advanced technology. More likely to type the domain in directly.
3) Population hasn't used the internet as much and hasn't become attached to the dotCom extension.

I'm not saying the chineese extension is more valuable than the E.U. extension, but a reasonable arguement could be made.

 

[sasquatch]

Could just be they feel like they've seen this movie before.

People chose to believe in their hypes, idols, gods, presidents... on their own free will. Nobody forced them to believe into anything. That they lack even basic apprehensions of the matters at hand, or that they can't differentiate more faux from more real is their own shortcoming. It's the "nature of the beast", and is not only applicable to domains, but also to life in general.

 

[eq78]

Do you feel that the .eu aftermarket value will be hampered by the fact that only Europeans can rightfully own .eu domains?

 

[GT Web]

I'm sorry, but I really don't agree with any of what you said.

However, its a waste of time to debate it now...things will happen as they will happen. We will know who was right in 3-5 years time.

 

[sasquatch]

Do you feel that the .eu aftermarket value will be hampered by the fact that only Europeans can rightfully own .eu domains?

Not in the slightest, because end users (and end users are your target buyers aren't they?) who are interested in your name don't care about your nationality, they care about the name.

And by the way, that notion that only Europeans can rightfully own .eu domains is completely false practically speaking (as you know most great .eu names are in hands of Americans), even though it's supposed to be true technically. That you even ask that question tells me you haven't done any homework despite the fact that this exact issue has been addressed so many times around these forums for months now.

 

[Digital Address]

Europeans, speaking in generalizations, feel they are an innately superior bunch over their counterparts in the US. This Continental conceit may well express itself, down the road, in the .EU eventually becoming the defacto extension of choice for ALL Europeans as the .COM is now the defacto extension for global commerce.

 

[Mr. Pim]

Europeans, speaking in generalizations, feel they are an innately superior bunch over their counterparts in the US. This Continental conceit may well express itself, down the road, in the .EU eventually becoming the defacto extension of choice for ALL Europeans as the .COM is now the defacto extension for global commerce.

Speaking in general Europeans don't see themselves as being European but rather as Dutch, French, German or whatever, but that might change in the future but as it is now there is no European identity. I also see no reason why Europeans would switch to .eu instead of using their cctld.

 

[Vorty]

Speaking in general Europeans don't see themselves as being European but rather as Dutch, French, German or whatever, but that might change in the future but as it is now there is no European identity. I also see no reason why Europeans would switch to .eu instead of using their cctld.

I agree with you Pim(P), I live in Europe too and I don't feel like an "european"... I'm portuguese and that's enough.

For me .eu is crap right now.

 

[Duckinla]

Are there any logical arguements as to why .eu would catch on significantly better than something like .us? Not a rhetorical question, I'm really asking as I can't think of any myself.

 

[labrocca]

I don't agree with OP either. Yeah I fall under the category of non-eu owner but I have to assume the OP is an eu owner and has described it perfectly with this:

People chose to believe in their hypes, idols, gods, presidents... on their own free will.

OP you need to understand how much of your own hype you are believing. While you present an interesting arguement I don't see much in facts to back it up. All your points are pretty much conjecture and speculation. It's an interesting opinion but it's only an opinion.

 

[sasquatch]

Speaking in general Europeans don't see themselves as being European but rather as Dutch, French, German or whatever, but that might change in the future but as it is now there is no European identity.

European is as much a geographic and political "identifier", as is "state of mind", no matter how you and some others might feel personally, you are still European, and even says so on the cover of your passport > http://passports.national-anthems.net/passports/europe/images/Dutch_National_Passport.jpg and that includes your French > http://images.fotosearch.com/bigcomps/phd/PHD359/OS44007.JPG and German friends > http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40970000/jpg/_40970040_body300pprt.jpg

I also see no reason why Europeans would switch to .eu instead of using their cctld.

These kinds of statements make my blood boil. Because .eu transcends borders of your tiny mouse size country, you are no longer a member of a tiny 5 million big market, but the market of 500 million! It makes you bigger and stronger without forcing you to use steroids, and having to deal with ugly consequences like shrinking testicles and brain cells.

While you present an interesting arguement I don't see much in facts to back it up.

How can I have any facts after a week? Except to tell you that so much speculation/investment by the biggest American players is there for a reason. You don't have to be Einstein to see that the domain game is attracting some serious money from investment/speculating perspective, but also from end users who are forced to pay those "market prices" (for good names). Also, shitty descriptive three worders .coms are attracting many thousands in snaps. So what do you imagine then to happen with the virgin (ripe for pillaging) extension that belongs to the 500 million strong "market democracy" with all the necessarry technological infrastructure and users with disposable income in place?

Granted, European businesses are always running behind the American ones, but therein precisely lies the opportunity for those who are savvy. I will just leave it at that.

All your points are pretty much conjecture and speculation. It's an interesting opinion but it's only an opinion.

No argument there, of course it's an opinion, and free one at that.

 

[Leading Names]

Speaking in general Europeans don't see themselves as being European but rather as Dutch, French, German or whatever, but that might change in the future but as it is now there is no European identity. I also see no reason why Europeans would switch to .eu instead of using their cctld.

I second this statement.

There's no way people will be switching from .co.uk to .eu anytime this century.

Sasquatch, are you European?

- Rob

 

[sasquatch]

I second this statement.

There's no way people will be switching from .co.uk to .eu anytime this century.

Forward looking English based businesses (media, design, online purveyors...) will be migrating or expanding to .eu in no time, but I agree that inherently localized small High Street type businesses and regular rabid nationalistic Joe Blows will be the last adopters for sure. Luckily, continental Europe is still a big chunk no matter which way you look at it.

Sasquatch, are you European?

Nope, a citizen of the world, and a rare protected specie anda:

 

[eq78]

WeLL SAsquatch I have done my research and your statement is way out of line I deal within the realm of what's legal sure some AMerican and Canadian companies Illegally regged .eu and apparently you did too since you say you are not European. Funny your telling us what Europeans will do and you can't even tell people where you are from. Citizen of the world ? that is all 6.5 Billion all belong to that club maybe .world next

 

[acronym007]

In other words, domains ending with -ed and -ing are largely worthless (from the end user perspective) in com landscape, and will especially be so in .eu. Domains that are "American culture" specific will also generally be worthless.

So you say domains ending in -ing are worthless in both .com and .eu than why say this:

2. In purely speculative terms, the strongest .eu names are right now worth at least six figures each. This guy will be a big fool if he sells this gem for less than 100k euros today. http://cgi.ebay.com/advertising-eu-T...QQcmdZViewItem

The domain you reference is advertING.eu. Aren't -ing names worthless. I am confused. So, is it worth six figures or nothing because of the -ing.

being a little ignorant prick is surely and certainly not a way to help yourself.

I think an ignorant person is just that, being ignorant does mean someone is mean spirited or trying to be a "prick" as you say. Maybe they are simply ignorant of the other details or lack the indsutry experience you or others have.

1. .eu will soon become the second strongest and the second most potent extension in the world in the aftermarketplace (by far), due to already having the two key healthy aftermarket "infrastructures" in place: strong European market economies, and high level of technological penetration and prowess in user households, both which are very much required if the extension is to be strong in the aftermarket. It is completely different thing to get caught in .in hype, but completely another in .eu. Can't compare the two, and whoever is comparing the two is not educating himself.

C'mon on I cannot believe any DNforum member would buy into this unless they are heavily invested in .eu domain names. How can you even say that when the potential does not exsist for the largest population on the face of the earth (China) to buy a single .eu name legally or according .eu rules. The .eu registry has elimated several or the biggest populations on the face of the earth; China, India, Africa, and USA to name a few. Why make the .eu restricted to just Europeans? That was a foolish mistake IMHO. Don't get me wrong I like the extenstion to a degree but history has shown us that most TLD's that are restricted fail miserably and even at times they later loosen restrictions rules because of a failure to grow. You should not be so down on the rest of the world because we would like to join the game but we don't want to jump through the hoops to play the game. .eu will not even take over .net's postion because of this restriction.

6. Unlike American general population, European general population is generally more adoptable and quicker in accepting changes and utilizing them for their uses. In time, and sooner rather than later, in many instances Europeans will be bypassing .com domains when searching for Europe specific answers. Thus, a typical European who is looking for hotels in Amsterdam will be more likely to look for them at AmsterdamHotels.eu, and not AmsterdamHotels.com etc. For that reason, once again, anything Europe specific will be potentially valuable. In such cases domains like the one previously mentioned (or PragueApartments.eu for examples) will be closely valuable, or just as valuable as .com - if not more.

This is just silly talk, you must have allot of .eu's to even say this. Why would someone bypass Priceline.com to go to priceline.eu when Priceline.com will likely buy the .eu and simply forward the traffic. Why would someone in Brazil type in londonhotel.eu? They are going to use the .com for many, many moons to come. See, they are not from Europe so they will not see your perspective they will simply want a website to go to london and find a hotel.

In closing, .eu has all the potential in the world but you cannot set the asking price high on a community of undeveloped homes and more than can with undeveloped domains. There is no basis for justifying your prices. No one has proof there will be traffic to these domain nor can they prove that developers or end users will adore them. I hope you are right because allot of us in here will make money. I only have a few .eu's but I would consider more if I notice the trends going one way or the other. Tell me why do you seem so offended by others opinions of .eu, it's almost as if someone offended your mom or something. There is nothing personal in my opinion of .eu or anyone who owns some I just think .eu has shot themselves in the foot with they way they did things and now these speculators are going to further harm the market by jacking prices beyond .com's historical sales. Those sales provide a basis from which we form opinions of value. . Did you know that we are the one's driving the domain market, Resellers, not end users, not any other class, resellers. If we can't move the .eu's between each other and other users we are going to have problems promoting the TLD. Cheers,

Acro

 

[sasquatch]

WeLL SAsquatch I have done my research and your statement is way out of line I deal within the realm of what's legal sure some AMerican and Canadian companies Illegally regged .eu and apparently you did too since you say you are not European.

Another ignorant, clueless comment.

So you say domains ending in -ing are worthless in both .com and .eu than why say this:

The domain you reference is advertING.eu. Aren't -ing names worthless. I am confused. So, is it worth six figures or nothing because of the -ing.

This is splitting hairs and since you are splitting hairs, I will do the same and point out the fact that I stated "generally worthless" - which means overall or majority of them are, with some exeptions.

I think an ignorant person is just that, being ignorant does mean someone is mean spirited or trying to be a "prick" as you say. Maybe they are simply ignorant of the other details or lack the indsutry experience you or others have.

It's one thing to be ignorant due to your bakcground or lack of perception/knowledge or what have you, but whole another to be ignorant out of some sort of stupid spite. Some of them are ignorant and proud, and those stand to lose the most because the ability to think clearly, adopt and change is not ingrained in their dna.

C'mon on I cannot believe any DNforum member would buy into this unless they are heavily invested in .eu domain names. How can you even say that when the potential does not exsist for the largest population on the face of the earth (China) to buy a single .eu name legally or according .eu rules. The .eu registry has elimated several or the biggest populations on the face of the earth; China, India, Africa, and USA to name a few. Why make the .eu restricted to just Europeans? That was a foolish mistake IMHO. Don't get me wrong I like the extenstion to a degree but history has shown us that most TLD's that are restricted fail miserably and even at times they later loosen restrictions rules because of a failure to grow. You should not be so down on the rest of the world because we would like to join the game but we don't want to jump through the hoops to play the game. .eu will not even take over .net's postion because of this restriction.

This is the siliest belief people have. No wonder those big players plundered the loot already. Anybody in the world can register some European company for $50 bucks, and fulfill Eurid "restriction". Jesus, what's so hard to understand here?

Why would someone bypass Priceline.com to go to priceline.eu when Priceline.com will likely buy the .eu and simply forward the traffic.

First of all, you seem to be intentionally misunderstanding me. I said Europeans will type in .eu names when they look for European specific answers/content? What is specifically "European" in Priceline? But since you chose to drag that example into this discussion, do you realize that Priceline ALREADY operates European country/market specific websites under that moniker, and in Euro extensions. http://www.priceline.co.uk/ & http://www.priceline.de & http://www.priceline.it/ & http://www.priceline.fr/ & http://www.priceline.es/ - so no my friend Europeans are already buypassing Priceline.com for something that is geared specifically towards them. Same thing for Expedia, Travelocity and everything else. Do you know that when you type in Expedia.com in British browser bar, you will be taken to Expedia.co.uk?

Why would someone in Brazil type in londonhotel.eu? They are going to use the .com for many, many moons to come. See, they are not from Europe so they will not see your perspective they will simply want a website to go to london and find a hotel.

Again, I said when Europeans look for hotels in Amsterdam they will type AmsterdamHotels.eu in. Europeans are 500 million strong. Forget about Brazilians, this is not about them.

In closing, .eu has all the potential in the world but you cannot set the asking price high on a community of undeveloped homes and more than can with undeveloped domains. There is no basis for justifying your prices.

There is no basis for justifying anything in domain name game.

Tell me why do you seem so offended by others opinions of .eu, it's almost as if someone offended your mom or something. .

I'm not offended at all, in fact I've been calmer than my usual :third:

 

[petrosc]

Eventhough some very interesting opinions were expressed here, don't you all think that this speculation is leading us nowhere?

Then again, I was the guy who always hated philosophy classes because after 3 hours of discussing a certain matter, we were all standing on the same point where we began.

When a question about euthanasia was raised for example, the philosophy professor started a discussion which lasted for hours, covering every moral and legal aspect of the matter and after analysing the pros and cons, we all ended up having none of our questions answered and left the hall with even more questions raised in our minds.

The same counts here. As a philosophy professor after 40 years of experience was not in a position to answer to such a question, there is no expert in this industry that can give a definitive answer to the .eu future speculation. We can talk and talk and talk for months, just to realize that all this time we were walking in circles. There are no facts strong enough to support any speculative theory about the .eu, at least not yet. We will all just have to wait and see.

I do hope sasquatch is right though, I would love to see the .eu taking over .de's throne.

 

[acronym007]

pertrocs, well said and I agree. I claim to be no expert and even expert might not understand the dynamics of this new TLD. History is shallow for the internet, it's all new.

I just think we all should to be careful in making statements that .eu will be the next best thing to .com because if it's based on popluation none of us stand a chance against China, just no way to match the sheer number. Sasquatch mentioned

1. .eu will soon become the second strongest and the second most potent extension in the world in the aftermarketplace.

You did say "WORLD" mate, I was'nt making it up. I just can't agree with that. I used to work at Priceline.com and believe me, it's Priceline.com that owns the gamit. Otherwise, we're all in this together, we'll all be here to see the turn out and if Sasquach is right I'll take him to dinner in europe but if I'm right we're going to out to China. LOL... Cheers,

 

[labrocca]

Seems like you don't have anyone agreeing with you sasquatch.

Also watch your comments....that "ignorant" comment wasn't neccessary and it's flame bait.