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Prices, Gouging and Haggling for Internet Domains?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the let's-make-a-deal dept.

GregStevensLA asks: "I'm considering paying for a 'premium' domain name for a small web start-up I want to form. The company that currently holds the domain name is offering it for $1500, but they made it clear to me that they expect a counter-offer and are 'willing to make a deal.' I've never done this before, and I have no idea what a reasonable counter-offer is. If I say 'I can't go above $1000' am I being too easy? Should I try to push for lower than that? My understanding is that these prices are hugely inflated anyway (i.e. pure profit going to companies that probably scooped up the domains for free). In some sense, paying anything beyond a registration fee is gouging, in my opinion. I don't want to be conned... on the other hand, this is the reality of business, and I don't want to come across as amateurish. Does anyone have any advice for this new-comer to domain name purchasing?"

8 of 184 comments (clear)

  1. Hey Greg by bluelip · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hey Greg,

              We spoke eralier about you purchasing a domain name from us. In light of recent interest in the domain, we're now asking $2500.

    Thanks,
    Your Friendly Neighborhood Domain Dealer

    --

    Yep, I never spell check.
    More incorrect spellings can be found he
  2. Yes! by durandal61 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Hope to god they don't read Slashdot! :-)

    --
    My motorbike travels in Chile.
  3. Re:Price Gouging by numbski · · Score: 2, Funny

    It's very simple really.

    All domains are worth precisely $12. No more, no less.

    If someone has registered a domain, and is offering to sell it to you for more than that, they're nothing but leeching parasites, or as the PC like to call them, "cyber-squatters".

    Don't feed the parasites.

    --

    Karma: Chameleon (mostly due to the fact that you come and go).

  4. Re:Find a better name. by sexyrexy · · Score: 2, Funny

    Markets are notoriously bad at setting prices in a truly efficient manner.

    That, also, depends on your point of view.

    --

    Rex is 09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0
  5. Re:That's nothing by DigiShaman · · Score: 4, Funny

    Don't worry, there's a nice place in Hell for people like him.

    --
    Life is not for the lazy.
  6. I fail it by linvir · · Score: 2, Funny

    Sorry Mr. Question Asker, I tried my best to save your Ask Slashdot from mindless Slashbot mutual reassurance, but judging from the comments so far, which have almost exclusively echoed my frosty piss to the letter without being marked redundant, I have failed you. I apologise sincerely and vow to turn my brain in during the next amnesty on inadequacy.

  7. Re:I fear your business is not long for this world by GregStevensLA · · Score: 2, Funny
    Ah, but you see, you overlooked the wisdom and insight of one business move:
    • I asked Slashdot.
    ;-)

    (in all seriousness, though: your point is well taken)

  8. Don't offer them $1500 by menace3society · · Score: 2, Funny

    Off them $25 and a bus ticket. If they don't go for it, hack into their servers, download child porn, and report them to the FBI.