Domain name appraisals...

[hestheman]

Have you guys ever seen domain names sell much higher than what you'd think they would? I know even stupid domains sold for mega dollars during the goldrush days. I know you guys know what you are talking about with your domain appraisals and what have you.....but in the end, is'nt it all about what the end-user is willing to pay for it? Like back in the day....would any of you appraised mp3audiobooks.com at 8 mil?? Even 1mil? After all...kind of a long domain name, Right?

 

[4u-domains]

I will rise to your sarcasm as you wrote such a nice and eloquent post.

I certainly agree there is a cloud over the whole issue

That if I pay you money to do an appraisal on all my domains and then I wish to sell them at the appraised value via your service. and if I cannot work any deals that would entitle me to the appraised value for these domains that you/your company would stand behind your appraisals and purchase these domains?

I know what you are trying to say and I understand your frustration. Should this scenario be enforced by an independent body for Domain Appraisers (lets call them IDA), then all that would happen is that the differential between the reseller price and the appraisers opinion of the highest likely attainable price would be widened accordingly.

i.e. Appraisalcompany.net reseller $5 , Enduser $100

I mean a domain is real estate. Isn't it? and if real estate agents and companies are as confident they can sell a property for what they appraise it at why dont we see the same service offered for domains?

Ha. That would be great. A real estate agent would have to make up the difference between his valuation and what the property finally sales for within his contract term.
If he doesnt sell that house in that given time then they are obligated to purchase it off the vendors at the original valuation.
Yeah , I can see this catching on.

And just out of curiousity how does one become a domain appraiser?

Edit: Actually, your tone is both rude, unprofessional and unwarranted. I know you have a strong feeling about this particular topic but you need not take it out on me personally.

I will continue.You build it, they come, they like what they see, they ask for the service. Either a person is confident that they have enough experience to say izy.net is $125 minimum and $350 max or they arent. No arms are bent, no death threats are made. Onn the basis that people do actually ask for domain appraisals could one not assume that it is a required service ?

Where does one receive credentials in becoming a domain appraiser.

Oh dear. A question that has no answer as you are well aware.. Alas, lets carry on the facade.
The only companies that could enforce an appraiser to hold a professional qualification (similar to Barrister, Surveyor, etc) is probably the registry of the TLD in question.
Its a great idea, maybe of enough people moan about the current cowboy appraisal market they will take note and do something about it. It has a lot of merit and maybe needs to be done as a lot of people are misinforming people about the values of domains. This could be quite serious. Even worse, some unscrupulous domain appraisal companies probably tell an uninformed domain owner how rubbish the domain in question is but that they can offer them a very generous $75 for their bda.com domain name. I bet this happens 'to an extent'.

I wouldnt take any real value in an individuals appraisal unless I knew of their experience. There are many domainers on here who have been in the industry since the mid 90s. I would trust their judgement. Maybe they do appraisals. maybe people on the forum see their experience, PM them and ask for a personal appraisal in return for a small sum of money.
I wouldnt expect anybody on this forum to trust my appraisals unless they know of me or have dealt with me.

How much weight would an appraisal from your company hold in an open market? say I am in the process of dealing with microsft and I come into their boardroom with an appraisal from 4u-domains.com

They'd say 'WTF' probably.
Of course you could go to an established large company like Afternic, SEDO or GreatDomains as they are fantastic appraisers and can be trusted with your life, everyone says so.

only one to identify yourself as an expert in this thread

Yeah, righty-oh.
I dont think you will get anybody else coming on here now and subjecting thenselves to your interrogation.

Some people need help, other provide people with that help.
We arent all criminals and nor should we be treated as such.
We certainly dont need to be tarnished by the same brush as those who do a 5 minute, pickpocketing, valuation.

Seriously though, I value your post. I am sure we all do.

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To conclude:
Domain appraisal is not an exact science. A domain's value is not really known until somebody buys it. Until that time, people with experience are in a relatively better position to guide the unknowing as to a domains value. Only the individual concerned can make the jugdement as to if their appraisal is worth seeking.

The domain appraisal industry should be regulated.

All appraisals should be undertaken by paid professionals who are certified by a panel of leading domain industry experts.
It is understood in the terms of appraisal that whilst the value given is a reasonable guide to said domain's value it cannot be held as a difinitive valuation due the vaguaries of the domain name market and the figure quoted will always come down to a person or persons' personal judgement and opinion.

There are a lot of bandits out there in all industries and the domain appraising sector is no different. Buyer beware.

This forum, amongst others, is a great place to gain experience in all domain matters.
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It was indeed a good post. Many people must feel the same way but perhaps not to the same extent !
You almost had me really annoyed, perhaps as annoyed as you!
I am very passionate about the domain industry. I am sure you are too. You have offended me personally. Whats worse is that I felt compelled in writing this answer as soon as I got home (and I'm no Shakespeare) .I have missed out on my youngest sons' bathtime and my oldest trying to write an essay

Thank you very much.

 

[armstrong]

IMO, domain appraisals are a valid service, done correctly. The buyer is basically paying for 3 appraiser characteristics:

- experience (which ensures that figures are accurate)
- honesty (sorely lacking in many 'bandits', this ensures realistic valuations)
- reputation (so the end-users trust the appraisal)

When paying for appraisals, look for these 3 things.

unfortunately 80 pct of the names that come my way are total crap and I feel its fairer to let the owner know this from the start

If by this you mean you turn away 80% of your orders because the names are worthless, then this is mighty ethical of you.

 

[AdsenseGuy]

4u-domains

I in no way intended to come across as sarcastic in any way nor did i intend on you feeling as tho I was being rude.

I ask hard questions sometimes they may not be the questions people are expecting, Thats what makes me different I am not afraid to ask the questions. Now if by asking direct questions is rude or sarcastic so be it. But I believe I achieved my goals during this thread. I asked the hard questions that many people are asking these days. And I commend you for your direct answers.

I realize that some of my questions seem a little blunt but I mean really when I asked , "And just out of curiousity how does one become a domain appraiser?" It is a valid question, If im gonna entrust my stock broker with my money I want to know what his credentials are, It is after all my decision if I will use his service or not and a little background these days goes a long way.

Myself and everyone that reads this thread applaud you for your honesty, and sacrifices by taking the time to write your responses.

But if what I wrote earlier was offensive, Get used to it until some governing body such as those you mentioned get ahold of the industry you are in because it is those people as you suggest the " Uninformed" that are being targeted and coming to boards like this one with these grandiouse valuations on crappy domains expecting to either be told an independant 2nd opinion or to try and sell a domain that was appraised @ 100.00 when in reality its value is a reg fee.

So as they say in the media world dont hate the guy that is asking the question everyone else is to afraid to ask.

Best regards to my new friend 4U-Domains

 

[4u-domains]

Cheers :tu:

Keep up the good posts but please , please, please choose your words with others in mind ! :notme:

If by this you mean you turn away 80% of your orders because the names are worthless, then this is mighty ethical of you.

:hehe:

No, I took the money 8-X

If the name is that bad , the valuation has to be low.
Only a minority get upset about it.
If they then had another 60 names to value and they wanted an artificially high appraisal for whatever reason then I imagine I lost that business. Life goes on. What is a person without integrity.

You must have come across the same.
Some ask for a valuation, some come with an abundance of information and enthusiasm telling me thats it surely worth 100,000...
I'm not here to feather their egos. I will always be polite and ALWAYS mention a few ways they could develop it and perhaps make it more valuable.

I believe in confidentiality, otherwise you would love some of the emails I get.
There must a lot of appraisers on here and I am sure everyone on here gets similar ones.

All part of the joy of domaining.

 

[AdsenseGuy]

4U

What is your professional opinion on the new VOIP sensation and what would you say domains targeted at this market might fetch, Generically speaking of course.

 

[4u-domains]

I havent personally made any strategic buys in this area.
I have missed the boat.

How can communication by internet not be a massive thing...

As the term becomes more and more popular then even the lesser voip related domains will appreciate.
The very best of them may well exceed most people's expectations.
I'd recommend holding a few to several such domains as a speculative move.
Whilst a good voip name might be $50-$100 now, by this time next year there might be a lot of tech companies looking to buy into the area and you could see some serious appreciation.

Like all domaining, its a lottery.

Right, I'm off to bed.. No more questions please.. :p

 

[AdsenseGuy]

Thanks 4u for your expert insight, I agree with your synopsis that this will be a market in the future and you are right alot of people did miss the boat including myself. I was able to aquire a few of these domains lately and I believe they will be valuable in the future as well.