discuss Confidentiality SUCKS

[MapleDots]

Confidentiality Sucks

I have had 3 big sales at 75k each and in each case I signed a confidentiality clause which prohibited me from talking about the domain.

In retrospect I find this really hampers my domaining business because I cannot give examples of my big sales to prospective client. Since I specialize in a unique targeted part of the market I rely on sales statistics to justify prices.

So here is my dilema...

I am in the midst of closing my biggest sale to date and it is well over the 200k mark. The problem is they want me to sign a confidentiality clause. I swore I would never sign another one and I am sticking to my guns. I turned them down flat and said no deal.

Now I know you are all thinking that was pretty stupid but I don't think so. First off, I don't think I will lose the deal and secondly I need my sales stats to target other sales.

The biggest players in the business regularly publish their sales statistics and they become like gods in the industry. They sell a domain based on the fact they got huge money for previous sales.

Looking for some feedback here from anyone who has had some larger sales.

 

[MapleDots]

I sent a PM, no issues I have a different opinion. Keep smiling, much success.

@offthehandle and I have been conversing via pm and I opened up to him about a few things I cannot reveal on the forum. I think he understands my reasoning now. He actually has a pretty cool history... we have done business in the past so I was glad to chat with him.

 

[frank-germany]

Confidentiality Sucks

I have had 3 big sales at 75k each and in each case I signed a confidentiality clause which prohibited me from talking about the domain.

In retrospect I find this really hampers my domaining business because I cannot give examples of my big sales to prospective client. Since I specialize in a unique targeted part of the market I rely on sales statistics to justify prices.

So here is my dilema...

I am in the midst of closing my biggest sale to date and it is well over the 200k mark. The problem is they want me to sign a confidentiality clause. I swore I would never sign another one and I am sticking to my guns. I turned them down flat and said no deal.

Now I know you are all thinking that was pretty stupid but I don't think so. First off, I don't think I will lose the deal and secondly I need my sales stats to target other sales.

The biggest players in the business regularly publish their sales statistics and they become like gods in the industry. They sell a domain based on the fact they got huge money for previous sales.

Looking for some feedback here from anyone who has had some larger sales.

I am absolutely happy not to reveal
the exact domains of my xxx.xxx sales
not even of my xx.xxx sales

as that would only give ideas to competitors


-yes some of you, my friends are competitors -

do you want sales
or become famous

make up your mind

use namebio for compareable sales

high ticket sales are sales where there actually is no alternative for the buyer
so why bother about comparable sales at all
if they want the domain its you to buy it from

 

[frank-germany]

Why else do you think real estate agents publish ads of houses that are already sold? It is to show the consumer that the agent knows his stuff and can sell your house.

that is to convince sellers
not buyers

 

[Justin Matmor]

If your sold domains are truely premium, the market knows what they are worth, and you will be regarded as a credible broker - regardless if you publish the price or not.

What's wrong with publishing the names that you sell and add "price undisclosed due to confidentiality". This will imply that the price was high.

 

[MapleDots]

If your sold domains are truely premium, the market knows what they are worth, and you will be regarded as a credible broker - regardless if you publish the price or not.

What's wrong with publishing the names that you sell and add "price undisclosed due to confidentiality". This will imply that the price was high.

Truly premium domains are rare and even some of the bigger players are selling so so domains for big money. They are justifying current sales based upon previous trends. Again if you own 6 similar domains and sold 2 at premium pricing it will be easier to get more for the remaining 4 if you can discuss and publish pricing of the sold inventory.

Example:

WarmDomain1.com, WarmDomain4.com are not really great domains but lets say I get 10k each for them. I still own WarmDomain2, 3, 5, 6

If I can publish sold 10k WarmDomain1 and the potential client goes to the website to see who is lising it he may be more apt to pay for WarmDomain3. Especially if he is a competing website and wants a similar domain.

A confidentiality clause on WarmDomain1 & 4 would hamper my ability to maximize my selling price on the other 4.

Again I can talk about this another two weeks and those who see it do and those who don't won't.

I'll say in closing I will say the entire industry is better off of we disclose pricing. Disclosed pricing used to be the norm but now more and more domains sales go unreported. That is why the resource on namepros and other places is not accurate. A lot of big sales are NOT reported so therefore it appears that domain sale values are going down. Fact is they are to a degree because a lot of the big sales are hidden.

 

[Want2learn]

@MapleDots funny how one little comment about fame, and now everyone thinks you are on an ego kick.

If I were asked not to disclose a sale, I might agree because I am trying to get out of the red. Maybe most of us are there in some capacity. However, knowledge is power, and keeping sales private hurts the market value of most domains.

 

[d-e-x]

Confidentiality Sucks

I have had 3 big sales at 75k each and in each case I signed a confidentiality clause which prohibited me from talking about the domain.

In retrospect I find this really hampers my domaining business because I cannot give examples of my big sales to prospective client. Since I specialize in a unique targeted part of the market I rely on sales statistics to justify prices.

So here is my dilema...

I am in the midst of closing my biggest sale to date and it is well over the 200k mark. The problem is they want me to sign a confidentiality clause. I swore I would never sign another one and I am sticking to my guns. I turned them down flat and said no deal.

Now I know you are all thinking that was pretty stupid but I don't think so. First off, I don't think I will lose the deal and secondly I need my sales stats to target other sales.

The biggest players in the business regularly publish their sales statistics and they become like gods in the industry. They sell a domain based on the fact they got huge money for previous sales.

Looking for some feedback here from anyone who has had some larger sales.

Same problems here
Sold 2 Domains for some very nice $ but same as you - I signed a confidentiality clause.
This don't help you to build some name in this industry.



"The biggest players in the business regularly publish their sales statistics and they become like gods in the industry. They sell a domain based on the fact they got huge money for previous sales... " - 100% true!

 

[MapleDots]

@MapleDots funny how one little comment about fame, and now everyone thinks you are on an ego kick.

Yeah and I was not even talking about me, I was saying the big players are often revered as domaining gods. I took that from other posts on namePros, that was not even my expression.

It's kind of bothering me that regardless of how I try to explain it another person will post underneath accusing me of wanting to become one for ego. I think its because they are only reading the first post.

 

[MapleDots]

Same problems here
Sold 2 Domains for some very nice $ but same as you - I signed a confidentiality clause.
This don't help you to build some name in this industry.



"The biggest players in the business regularly publish their sales statistics and they become like gods in the industry. They sell a domain based on the fact they got huge money for previous sales... " - 100% true!

You get it because you are in the same boat as me.

 

[MapleDots]

"The biggest players in the business regularly publish their sales statistics and they become like gods in the industry. They sell a domain based on the fact they got huge money for previous sales... " - 100% true!

By saying that you will get accused of wanting to become a god!

That is how one simple quote can be taken out of context.

Thank you for understanding what I was trying to post.

 

[kandyan]

use namebio for compareable sales

How on earth you going to compare.. if the sales are not reported??

high ticket sales are sales where there actually is no alternative for the buyer so why bother about comparable sales at all if they want the domain its you to buy it from

Most of the domains out there are not high value (Your's may be an exception) Exceptions are not the rule..

If you check NameBio for Media domains.. most of them are within xxx-xxxx range.. Except for NativeMedia which sold for 18k.. for me personally that was a valuable info..

Reported sales definitely helps the industry as a whole.. JMO

 

[d-e-x]

By saying that you will get accused of wanting to become a god!

That is how one simple quote can be taken out of context.

Thank you for understanding what I was trying to post.

I don't have a problem with that
I am sure that everybody here understand what you talking about.

 

[Want2learn]

Yeah and I was not even talking about me, I was saying the big players are often revered as domaining gods. I took that from other posts on namePros, that was not even my expression.

It's kind of bothering me that regardless of how I try to explain it another person will post underneath accusing me of wanting to become one for ego. I think its because they are only reading the first post.

Isn't it ironic? You are saying a big posted documented sale is great for the business. It helps everyone. It sets the bar, floor, and or ceiling for a domain. So your "published" remark about domain gods has set the tone for all who will come read the thread even though you have said otherwise a lot. Lol but god forbid your sale get published and set the market . . . If you get what I just said then you are definitely iNtuitive

 

[Optinom]

Many people on this thread aren't really "getting" this. I understand you @MapleDots. It's a valid concern. And, that's the right/proven/tested way to move up in this field. You could probably pitch that you'll do a PR for them regarding their acquisition of the domain, which would showcase them in good-light. Not sure if that would work though.

 

[.NJ]

Yes confidentiality does suck.

Especially in this case....

Because I would lover to hear the OP's multiple $75k sales and the new over $200k sale.

 

[Ategy]

Interesting discussion guys .. it's actually pretty simple though ..

In the domain industry: Reputation + Popularity = LIQUIDITY!

The more people look up to you and follow you, the more likely they are to check out your portfolio or more importantly one of your auctions. People will be more likely to buy one of your domains hoping the domain will repeat your previous $75k or $200k sale (even if you really always should judge domains individually). but at the end of the day if you've sold domains in the $xxx,xxx range, then you are doing something right and are likely to be at least above average at procuring domains.

That being said .. a $200k sale does sound good .. but unless we know the purchase price then the sale price is irrelevant when it comes to revealing the extend of your domaining superpowers .. lol. (Not talking about you specifically .. but just in general .. giving feedback to a (new) domainer based on how good their "portfolio" is is completely pointless unless you know both the purchase price and renewal costs (if premium).

At the end of the day all the big boys can afford to say no to some offers specifically because all they need to do is send out a newsletter discounting a few domains and they'll very likely get a few liquid wholesale buyers .. so they never need to worry about paying the rent so to speak.

On that note .. I've just sold 8 domains at $8,888,888 each ... so .. follow me!

 

[MapleDots]

but unless we know the purchase price then the sale price is irrelevant

Purchase price was a hand reg that I had the foresight to register.

 

[.NJ]

Purchase price was a hand reg that I had the foresight to register.

 

[imadoer]

Im seriously having a hard time with beliving you made 200k in sales. I took a look at your page do you have a seceret portfolio of names your not showing? Cause theres no way in the world you made 200k off these.

 

[MapleDots]

All will be divulged if I can get past the non-disclosure agreement.