From ugly to $1 million, guy wants to trade up his ugly domain name

[domaindigger]

I just saw this on digg and wanted some perspective. This guy wants to trade up his oneuglydomain.com for a more "beautiful" one worth $1 million. It's like that oneredpaperclip idea, but with domains.

My question is, does he have a chance or is this just a parody? I have a couple of dead domains I wouldn't mind trading for if I can feed off the publicity this might generate.

Thoughts?

 

[Fred 5000]

I think that a decision about where to go from here should involve only the people who have made offers, not the rest of Namepros. These are the people who have a right to be upset. Good luck with OUD, Andres.

Great idea. But let's extend it even further, so that shrinkage of the OUD community is even greater, and say that only those who offered domains in the most recent round should have a say.


Nametrader - Your third point is an excellent one.

 

[gauravmm]

Soon, but not so soon.
These things can take time.

 

[Brujah]

I think he should stick to trading. If a name goes to auction there could be a lengthy delay involved in receiving the payment as many of us know. It can take 30 days or more and the winners can default leaving you 30 days later with no sale.

The trading gimmick was the real draw to me. Getting involved in auctions, cash, etc.. is just the usual domain trading we all do on a regular basis.

He should have the right to override the voting process if he feels for whatever reason a specific name is better. Use his own instinct, using the vote as a guide. As well, reject names you don't like. List them all if you want, but prior to the final voting round keep the best 10 or so.

And honestly, no offense Bri haha.. but I think he should hurry up and get rid of those horrible .im names. Don't try to hype them or make them into anything more than they are. Just get them traded quick!

 

[Smooth]

I did think that this wouldn't succeed. Domains are like cash among domainers. Its like trading $250 for $500 - for no reason!

The case of ORPC was different. Different ppl had different priorities. Plus, wide publicity - thats the key. A Hollywood acting chance may be worth a million to one, while it may not be worth a lot to some of us. Most of those trades were coz he could reach the right ppl - and that was coz of publicity, and the items traded had different value to different ppl.

 

[RogueWriter]

But domains Do have different values to different people. You might not pay $500 for canvastarps dot com. But, as someone who is involved in that specific industry, I would have paid $20K for it. But, that also shows the necessity of getting end users in on the deals, but end users do not necessarily care about trading - they just want cash.

I will drop by from time to time to see how OUD is coming along, but I will not make a trade or comment over there anymore, I'm done with that. As for Andres last message, I think he took a few comments out of context in order to spin a better view on his actions, but that is his perogative, I know he is just trying to keep his pet project alive.

Although he should gleam some ideas from this thread on how to improve OUD, in the end NP members could argue all night and day as to the best way to proceed..... that is something that he will just have to decide on his own and live with. In the end, no one will take better care of you, than you.

 

[Smooth]

But domains Do have different values to different people. You might not pay $500 for canvastarps dot com. But, as someone who is involved in that specific industry, I would have paid $20K for it.

True. But generally among domainers here, only names like standard LL / LLL, premium keywords have good value. I guess only domainers are following the OUG thing. And we aren't likely to be end-users in 99% cases.

If you can reach the end-user, he would pay more. But OUG doesn't seem to reach a wide audience. Further, such end-users would prefer a safe cash escrow rather than a trade.

 

[SJM211]

I see pros and cons with the whole money thing. I ceratinly wouldn't have traded a NNN.net for consolidate.biz if the $1000 hadn't have been on the table. On the other hand when it gets to doing anything through Sedo, 9 times out of 10 it takes forever & my last two "sales" seem to have fallen through so an accepted offer/completed auction is no guarantee of seeing any money.

I think that removing the existing domain from the vote (new winner each round) was a bad idea - it seemed to start a bit of a spiral of decline.

 

[RogueWriter]

True. But generally among domainers here, only names like standard LL / LLL, premium keywords have good value. I guess only domainers are following the OUG thing. And we aren't likely to be end-users in 99% cases.

If you can reach the end-user, he would pay more. But OUG doesn't seem to reach a wide audience. Further, such end-users would prefer a safe cash escrow rather than a trade.

I was not against him reaching out to end users via a Sedo sale, I was just angry with his timing. If no submissions survive a filtering process, then sure, try to Sedo the domain. He had 8 domains that were supposed to be accepted, though. My point to him was basically, if you try this stunt on someone who has $50,000 - or more - at stake, it is a whole different level of trouble, and he needs to have some wiggle room written in stone to protect himself. Further, the disclaimer he put up currently might seem funny as all get out to him, and it does reek of 'kiss my grits', but it will do nothing to reassure a serious domain owner that trading xx,xxx or xxx,xxx level domains on this site is a good idea.

 

[Smooth]

I was not against him reaching out to end users via a Sedo sale, I was just angry with his timing. If no submissions survive a filtering process, then sure, try to Sedo the domain. He had 8 domains that were supposed to be accepted, though. My point to him was basically, if you try this stunt on someone who has $50,000 - or more - at stake, it is a whole different level of trouble, and he needs to have some wiggle room written in stone to protect himself. Further, the disclaimer he put up currently might seem funny as all get out to him, and it does reek of 'kiss my grits', but it will do nothing to reassure a serious domain owner that trading xx,xxx or xxx,xxx level domains on this site is a good idea.

i wasn't supporting him either! :hehe:

 

[Domainate.com]

Andres seemed a bit annoyed when he wrote as he had. I wouldn't blame him (he took a shot at me in there lol) but I think we all pretty much agree that the execution of OUD has been sloppy. Well, we're being given the reigns. Let's see if we can make OUD a success. I'll ideate a bit and post my thoughts soon.

This'll be my last post in this thread. I honestly knew he was going to fail and only became interested when I saw names I formerly owned in the mix like Casino.rw. I don't like the crap he laid out in that post on his site...now he's basically like "you think you can do better, so YOU help me make $1 million!" No thanks, Andres. Good luck! :P

I was not against him reaching out to end users via a Sedo sale, I was just angry with his timing. If no submissions survive a filtering process, then sure, try to Sedo the domain. He had 8 domains that were supposed to be accepted, though. My point to him was basically, if you try this stunt on someone who has $50,000 - or more - at stake, it is a whole different level of trouble, and he needs to have some wiggle room written in stone to protect himself. Further, the disclaimer he put up currently might seem funny as all get out to him, and it does reek of 'kiss my grits', but it will do nothing to reassure a serious domain owner that trading xx,xxx or xxx,xxx level domains on this site is a good idea.

Yea, I personally probably wouldn't deal with this crap if there were seriously valuable names involved. I don't know what putting the names on Sedo auction has to do with extension of time for offers. What happens if the names sell for $10 each and he then accepts a name submitted that's low-mid $xxx? Gee, thanks!

 

[TOXX]

This'll be my last post in this thread. I honestly knew he was going to fail and only became interested when I saw names I formerly owned in the mix like Casino.rw. I don't like the crap he laid out in that post on his site...now he's basically like "you think you can do better, so YOU help me make $1 million!" No thanks, Andres. Good luck! :P

I agree...I'd want someone to help me make a million also!

 

[Archangel]

This'll be my last post in this thread. I honestly knew he was going to fail and only became interested when I saw names I formerly owned in the mix like Casino.rw. I don't like the crap he laid out in that post on his site...now he's basically like "you think you can do better, so YOU help me make $1 million!" No thanks, Andres. Good luck! :P

OUD is supposed to be fun, Andres says. I kind of miss the point, there: Trying ever so hard to help a guy snag a million diollars without any real compensation to those who help. I see quite a few ppl leaving this thread and it's only smart to do the same. I'll drop in every now and then to check progress but I have no desire any further to help with this project.

 

[Alex]

I am not disappointed by his decision, and will not leave OUD. It really is fun and I do not see it as a help me to make 1 million", but a way to show that you can turn domains into better and better.

Nametrader pointed out some things that I agree with, in his post of suggestions, Andres should decide solely what domain he wishes to trade. Don't know still the money issue, but I think it is not a bad idea. The only problem is that in this case some rounds will last some days, while others 1 month, until Andres gets a good offer.

OUD needs more end-users, more publicity. But that is not something related to OUD as a community, but to OUD as a project. Andres needs to raise attention of his project in various ways.

Well, just wrote some ideas in a big hurry, have to go,

- Alex

 

[Ben42]

Maybe share 50% of any final domain sale with all the traders who helped you get there. That would really add to the competition and you'd see better names.

Say after 200 trades you have a domain that you receive a 1,000k offer on.

500k for OUD and 500k to the 200 Traders that helped you get there. That would be $2,500 each for all the traders. Say you make it in 100 trades it'd be 5 grand each. It spurns on potential traders to offer up real gems. Plus if you have 2 or 3 or more trades you can make some big $$$$$.

Anyway, just an idea. How to get out of the current situation now I dunno.

 

[Pound]

All he needs to do is accept the fact that this round will be a trade down and get on with it - simple.

 

[RogueWriter]

Maybe share 50% of any final domain sale with all the traders who helped you get there. That would really add to the competition and you'd see better names.

Say after 200 trades you have a domain that you receive a 1,000k offer on.

500k for OUD and 500k to the 200 Traders that helped you get there. That would be $2,500 each for all the traders. Say you make it in 100 trades it'd be 5 grand each. It spurns on potential traders to offer up real gems. Plus if you have 2 or 3 or more trades you can make some big $$$$$.

Anyway, just an idea. How to get out of the current situation now I dunno.

Wow, that is an interesting idea. But again, it would require a stable, well thought out set of rules as to how it would work.

 

[tristanperry]

of8.com (plus iflew.com, rsxy.com, and duqd.com)

- that's worth around $500 IMHO (still a trade down, although better than all other offers).

------------------

My suggestions here are thus (I think it'd speed things up, and keep the community feeling alive):

As each domain offer is received (and posted up as down in the past), Andres rates them (from 1-10?) compared to the current domain on offer (or whatever - some sort of rating system, anywhoo). Obviously, we get to comment on each rating each time Andres updates the site - we can say whether he's overrated, underrated (etc) each domain (and, if suitable reasons are given, Andres is allowed to changed the ratings).

Once the offering period closes, the final ratings are posted up and left for a day or two - whereby we can give final comments on whether Andres has rated each domain correctly (etc). At the end of this period, the highest ranked domain is chosen, etc, etc.

I think that this may be a good idea; let me know. Obviously Andres' ratings would be final (at the end of the day, he wouldn't want to pick the wrong domain), however the community would still be heavily involved.

This would create more suspense and it'd give domainers who haven't submitted domains in a round a benchmark to work from (off the winning/highest rated domain) - therefore increasing the quality of domains submitted (hopefully) as the quality of domains rises.

 

[RogueWriter]

Tristan- Well thought out, it leaves Andres in control of his own destiny but allows for some input. Takes away the vote but replaces it with an open evaluation that allows for input and discussion. No chance at fraudulent votes jimmying the election, either. Very nice post, Tristan.

 

[Alex]

Great input Tristan. OUd still remains a community, but Andres has the control.
As per Ben's idea, still a good one, it would stimulate better and better domains to be submitted.

Alex

 

[Archangel]

Ben's idea would be great as it would entice more participants & Tristan's would be great as it would keep the community while removing the voting process. I'm in for them both.

(And I thought I wouldn't post in here again lol I guess when I saw these good ideas, I had to speak up)

 

[BrandYourself]

Some interesting ideas flying around
My suggestions are as follows :

Turn oud into a multi listing domain trading platform
ie instead of one domain / or package as at present why not have multiple entries from varied traders

I'm convinced the market is there
Set universal rules for trades incl. options to make a cash offer

Essentially not only a trading platform but also an anction system option too

 

[verbster]

Turn oud into a multi listing domain trading platform
ie instead of one domain / or package as at present why not have multiple entries from varied traders

This is a good idea and would solve the subjectivity of values for some domains.

Here's a rough idea (not thought out): list the top 3-5 domains submitted and let people make cash or domain trade offers for any of the 3 -5 domains...hopefully, one or two of the domains would receive some decent offers of trades or cash...then relist the accepted trades and cash for the next round of 3 - 5 domains....attack on multiple fronts instead of forcing one domain all the time.

I know this is sketchy, but I think it could be worked out...almost like an ongoing swap or cash site, with the intent of the site to keep offering up the best it receives....and any cash offers or pledges.

 

[TOXX]

Turn oud into a multi listing domain trading platform

Hey I totally agree! This is an AWESOME idea!
One thing that no one created yet is an official TRADING marketplace for domainers or others that would include "Trade Escrow" or something.
This is would be :kickass:

 

[holdem8]

Hey I totally agree! This is an AWESOME idea!
One thing that no one created yet is an official TRADING marketplace for domainers or others that would include "Trade Escrow" or something.
This is would be :kickass:

I support this!

I guess our domaining industry is ripe for such a domain trading marketplace. It is better because now everybody can have their own OUD listing instead of sitting by the fence and everyone is eyeing for ONE domain to trade at any one time.

There can be thousands of domains available to trade at any one time if there is such a platform. :hehe:

Cheers and happy domaining!

Al.

 

[dontknow]

Hey, what if the site went with
a sort of secret santa gimmick...
Say there are 3 domains up for grabs
and the winning submission gets to
choose what's under 1, 2 or 3...
It'd be one crazy domain shellgame!