Domains Wanted- Yeah, right!

[Grrilla]

I'm posting in the Break Room to keep the subject, somewhat on the lighter vent/rant side, and to distance it from "serious" Discussions, but am curious about what you all think about the the "Domains Wanted" board. I'm sure there has to be some occasional success there, (and if you've had any, please pipe in), but gol-dern-it, based on experience, posting lists there has been an excercise in futility.

After taking a long, (1+years) break from any major activity there, I've just become active w/ it again, and despite having posted some very good and desirable names that are dead on to what has been requested, it's the SOS. Generally, I don't even get the courtesy of a response from the person making the request nor do I see very many responses or feedback that is being left forothers. I still suspect that there is a good deal of idea mining that goes on there, (actually, just saw 2 perfect examples of this the other day), but don't really know how deep that runs.

Your turn.

 

[LeeRyder]

I've had only 2 sales from that forum.. I think it needs to be expanded to just "Wanted to Buy" so it will intuitively include developed websites, etc.

as it stands, I think most "thread starters" there use it as a think tank for domain ideas.

 

[faisj]

From the posts i have made I have only bought 1 domain.
I hope a lot of offers will follow.

 

[SharonTucci]

Don't flame me for saying this but I am trying to speak based on my own observations and experience.

I've had a pretty good success ratio myself.... I mean a high percentage of inquiries I've made, the people have bought. I've also had success in getting what I wanted in posting.

Looking at what most people post as possible domains to buy, I can see why there aren't responses. Please don't flame me for saying this, but many of the domains either don't fit what the person is obviously looking for (i.e. someone say's .com only don't give em .net's etc) or they are just garbage to begin with. But in general, people don't seem to pay attention to what the person wants. Like if someone says they have a $50 budget, don't suggest $200 domains cause it ain't gonna happen.

I posted once looking to buy 3 char domains at wholesale prices. I bought domains from EVERY person that came to me with wholesale pricing. I did not respond to most that came to me with end user pricing.

 

[-db-]

I've had some success buying/selling in the domain "wanted" threads, but I've also had much frustration.

I've brought this up before, but it really bothers me when people don't update their thread. It should be a requirement that you update with some type of progress. It's important that people keep their sales threads updated, or things get crazy right? Well, the wanted threads should be treated the same way in my opinion.

- Name found.

- Still looking.

- Please close.

Update your thread with something! Don't just start a thread and leave it sitting there while people continue to post for days or weeks. Come back and tell the crowd what's going on. Otherwise it's a waste of time and forum space that could used for serious buyers and sellers in that section.

Sometimes those things go on forever, or they get brought back to life after sitting dormant for 2 months. Unlike discussion threads which may have reasons to reopen, these really don't. After all, if the thread starter hasn't posted 'something' in 30-60 days, then odds are 99% that he's no longer looking.

It should also be strongly recommended (if not required) that the thread starter post a budget range for his request. There is no point in posting $1000 names for somebody with $10 to spend, and that should be made clear upfront. Save everybody time and energy.

I feel that the "wanted" section is a good thing - a needed thing, but it must have some stronger guidelines and tweaking to make it operate more efficiently.

 

[CrazyTech]

I've not had any success in the forum though I have posted many times. I like to think that I keep the names on target for what the member has asked for.

I've also made many requests there and had to filter through a lot of junk. I've made requests for $xx range names and received offers of domains for sale at $xxx to $xxxx. I've also received a lot of accepting offers when I specifically asked for a certain price. Things like this can probably be fixed with some stronger guidelines or even a special mod for the forum.

Overall I like the forum and think it's very nice to have when I'm looking for names or looking to sell names. Some better policies there probably would help the situation, but I leave that up to RJ and crew to make the ultimate decision on.

At this point this thread would probably also be better off in the NP Discussion forum.

I feel your frustrations though.

 

[Grrilla]

I see this developing into a topic that may be better served in the "NP Info and Suggestions, so I've bounced the thread over to here.

I like the suggestions so far. I think we might be able to drill down some posting guidelines and conventions that we might be able to work into or modify the present stickie, (which I am running over there to read now~ :red before I stick el footo into el moutho.)

OK, Jeff has covered the important points- Professionalism, Posters Matching the Request of the OP, and OP keeping the thread updated. Any of these points that need further detail and would people read and react to more detail if it was offerred? Any other ideas?

 

[armstrong]

IDEA!

Allow people to pre-submit escrow (an armstrong favorite, hehe) payment. So if I were looking for a nice .com for my real estate biz, I could submit $100 to NPEscrow. It then stays in escrow until a domain is selected, or 1 month passes without a selection. This way, we totally kill threads that are simply fishing for domain ideas, with no real interest in buying.

 

[Jeff]

I see this developing into a topic that may be better served in the "NP Info and Suggestions, so I've bounced the thread over to here.

^ Warning issued (oh wait, that was the "Break Room" thread)! :p

Seriously, though ... we've tackled the "Wanted's Forum" in the past, as well as IMPLORED that folks please keep their threads/offers current, up-to-date, realistic, etc., etc. I know for a fact that transactions occur there, but also agree that the Forum is not presently optimally efficient, IMHO.

With All4's new role as Namepros Staff™ (see that he is the sole Forum Leader™ in there now), I would offer that we address the potential need for a dedicated new Forum Leader™ to assume overview in that area, subject to both community and Staff™ discussions ... in my humblest two sense.

DB:

I feel that the "wanted" section is a good thing - a needed thing, but it must have some stronger guidelines and tweaking to make it operate more efficiently.

:bingo:

Thanks for the thread, and the posts folks ... together we WILL make it happen! :music:
-Jeff

IDEA!

Allow people to pre-submit escrow (an armstrong favorite, hehe) payment. So if I were looking for a nice .com for my real estate biz, I could submit $100 to NPEscrow. It then stays in escrow until a domain is selected, or 1 month passes without a selection. This way, we totally kill threads that are simply fishing for domain ideas, with no real interest in buying.

:lala:

 

[Grrilla]

IDEA!

I already thought of that one, but was concerned that I would be stepping on your toes by moving into your territory, Apollo.
Truthfully, you've come up w/ another one of your creative and innovative ideas. I like it.
For the short term, maybe Jeff or one of us could also restate the intended purpose of the "...Wanted" forum w/ some added emphasis that this is not a place to look over other members names, (and, by association, thought processes), as a means of gaining some inspiration for their own portfolios.

 

[Sohil]

I haven't had much of a success either in neither Buying/Selling, as most of the time the original thread starter never replys so "gives" us an update. Hopefully something will be done to resolve this problem. :tu:

 

[Mark]

It does seem that most threads / posts in there go Un-Answered a lot. But I must say I have sold 2-3 Domains Through this Section in the past week or two , So there are sales/purchases being made in some of the threads.

As far as regulating the section - The only thing I've done personally in there so far is try to kill threads started and then Ignored by folks ... IE : I'll post in some of the older threads to please clarify if they are still looking for domains - and if they don't reply or PM me within a few days , I close it. If there are any mistakes made this way - The original thread starter could always contact staff to have the thread re-opened.
I also try to delete any Irrelevant post made when I see them (Folks may need to report these more often).
IE : If someone ask for only 3 letter .Com's , and another comes along and post a list of made up domains all longer than 3 letters etc ...

Some folks only check in here at NamePros once a week - So i'm not sure of any other way to Regulate it ATM without doing something like what "Armstrong" suggested.

I do agree folks are using this section as a way to gather ideas though - and have even seen a few folks suggest this as a way to get new ideas within the forum in the past.
Some of these thread starters receive so many responses - I can also see their POV as to why they can't contact each and Every person who responds as well ...

Just my 2 cents ~ :wave:

 

[Grrilla]

I've never started a ..Wanted thread, and realize that those who primarily post lists for sale will have a bias towards the sellers plight and those who are primarily buyers will see it from their POV. It is important for the sellers, (myself included), to distinguish between the emotions involved, (eg rejection, disappointment, frustration) and legitimate beefs.

That being said, creating a list to fit the sellers criteria, which often includes going over names from a large list, analyzing names in relationship to the request, tailoring the pricing to fit the request, listing the registrar, exp date, traffic stats, etc, takes some work. The buyers iare in the power position and are controlling the buttons and specifying the services that they want performed for their own benefit, w/ no guarantees whatsoever for those whpo are on the working end. I find leaving other domainers in limbo, scratching their heads and wondering wazzup? is very irresponsible on the buyers part, and I can see why many sellers would start taking shortcuts w/ their lists. "WTF is the difference if I throw some net's and org's in there, anyways?. The buyer isn't going to get back back to me w/ a response and he may only be fishing around anyways, so I'll just throw some names out there and see what happens. Hey, you might get lucky. You never know." The other alternative is to simply stop showing up. As has often been said, "no one's forcing anyone to list names there."

Lack of communication is bad for everyone who seriously wants to deal. The lists aren't as carefully put together by the seller, the names and pricing lack relevancy to the request, and wgho knows, on both sides, wht name might be slipping through the cracks? Those who post w/ little or no intention of buying and the buyer who is out there pumping people up and than squeezing them to see which one the blood will drip out of, well... that gets into a whole 'nuther topic.

 

[jeter4982]

Well I think part of the problem with that forum, is when posting in that forum you get a lot of junk domains that do not even meet the criteria posted. For example, if I posted a request for short .com, a lot of the responses are "if you are interested I have this longer .net" I think this contributes to the thread starter not checking the thread as much, knowing he is getting these bad responses. Maybe to make the whole process easier a form should be set up to reply to the thread, where you can only enter the domain, exp. date, and price. This would make the thread very streamlined, and better for the thread starter IMO.

Tom

 

[True_Snake]

Well I think part of the problem with that forum, is when posting in that forum you get a lot of junk domains that do not even meet the criteria posted. For example, if I posted a request for short .com, a lot of the responses are "if you are interested I have this longer .net" I think this contributes to the thread starter not checking the thread as much, knowing he is getting these bad responses. Maybe to make the whole process easier a form should be set up to reply to the thread, where you can only enter the domain, exp. date, and price. This would make the thread very streamlined, and better for the thread starter IMO.

Tom

I second that; definitely. I have noticed on numerous occasions that people post TOTALLY unrelated domains. I never posted a "wanted" thread there, nor have I sold any. But when I do browse the forum to check whether a domain of mine might be of interest, I myself get discouraged, and frankly, annoyed at times with the lack of understanding, if you will, shown by certain posters.

"I'm looking for a sports.com"
"I don't have any sports .com's but how about webdesign.info?"

I agree with Jeter; this causes the starter of the thread to get "discouraged" or causes them to lose the interest. And you know what: I don't blame them.

I'm sure NP will figure out a method to fix this :tu: !


True_Snake

 

[Grrilla]

this causes the starter of the thread to get "discouraged" or causes them to lose the interest. And you know what: I don't blame them.

Wow! That is some very good insight, jeter and True_Snake. I honestly hadn't thought in terms of the starter/requester becoming *discouraged* and/or losing interest in the thread due to a barrage of irrelevant or low quality list's of names. I can see how having been only on one side of the fence has given me a bit of a limited perspective here.
Of course!- that makes logical sense.

 

[trishan]

What about negative NP$ for domains deemed to be utterly inappropriate or perhaps a warning system. 3 warnings and you can't post for another month for example.

 

[Grrilla]

What about negative NP$ for domains deemed to be utterly inappropriate or perhaps a warning system. 3 warnings and you can't post for another month for example.

If a system like this is, indeed, feasible, (and I'm not sure that it is), similar penalties should also be applied to the deadbeat thread starters. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander.

 

[dgaussin]

I posted sometimes in Wanted forum to buy or sell domains, and even 95% sometimes nothing happens, the staying 5 % I bought and sold.

If I compare the wanted forum to fixed price or auction, I've the same feeling, I bougth and sold with the three...

But if you try to post to buy a domain in wanted forum, you'll understand it's pretty hard to answer to everyone when you have a very lot of PMs. I didn't updated some thread because I was looking for yet, BUT I didn't want bump myself the thread...

 

[jeter4982]

What about negative NP$ for domains deemed to be utterly inappropriate or perhaps a warning system. 3 warnings and you can't post for another month for example.

I think this is tough to do, because you can't punish people for posting bad domains, but then the question is what is inappropriate. It would be a really fine line and tough to determine in some situations.

Tom