discuss Offer from ceo

[alcy]

so i got today offer on timetraveler,io direct from CEO of a software company
..3k first offer... I countered around 20k... then he said he can have timetravel,io at 5k bin..which is true..its a dan lander bin... how would u guys handle such negotiating given it's a ceo and the other 5k name... do u believe if someone can buy timetravel at 5k but makes 3k offer on timetraveler then in your view which of the 2 is their preferred name?? any comments? ty

 

[Revisiting]

Nice problem to have for the weekend. I think we both know where your going to have to go with this and it will take a bit of work. Both terms are quite different in their context and usability. The ceo clearly has his eyes on timetraveler otherwise he would have purchased timetravel. It's a common tactic to throw up a false-flag in negotiations. This is actually about informing this ceo everything he already knows but you have to show you know it to. Keep your response concise and its not necessary to over elaborate. Do a points list on usability differences (for yourself) before you craft your response. I could go on and on - enjoy this bit of work because it will make that payday a lot sweeter.

some would say it's not necessary and just stick to your price. But actually I do think it makes a difference. Your reinforcing the ceo's own thoughts and that does close the deal much quicker.

 

[enterscope]

If he wanted TimeTravel.io for $5k he would have bought it. Clearly he wants your TimeTraveler.

 

[Revisiting]

And this "TimeTravel" is better than "TimeTraveler" debate is totally irrelevant if the CEO's preferred brand is Time Traveler, which is a pretty fair assumption to make given the evidence - it's just a common negotiating tactic. We've all seen whacky domains sell for massive $$$ simply because the buyer really wanted that name.

Exactly, Lets suppose for a moment this is for an interactive game different levels of spacecraft , enhanced graphics levels. or even an educational game. You are the time traveler. The agreed better general use term is time travel. But, in this instance it isn't going to cut it. I'm a little bit lost why peps can't see the obvious and keep focusing on generalizations and not the immersive difference.

Sure its an IO extension but that seems to be no barrier for tech use. and the .com's I wouldn't even like to think of the price if they were available.

The only thing is the English variant with a double II, traveller That's also up for sale. Check out the spacetraveller .com Translator required, But looks good. Spacetraveler.com is also on the Launch pad as a major player.

Somebody might want to look at SpaceTraveler.com webside . Launching in 2024. now is that our buyer. Now lets talk about price. The more you dig the more there is to find.

 

[NameBuyer.com]

I wouldn't sell it for less than $20k. A software company is the prime market for the domain. One employee's salary for a software company is likely going to be $150k or more EVERY YEAR. How much do you think they would spend for their company name or flagship brand name?

If they are asking about your domain, TimeTravel is not brandable for their use and not comparable. I'd expect to find a sci-fi website at that url. The only competitor is the .com version of your domain and they have little chance of purchasing it as it's hosted by MarkMonitor, which is another reason I wouldn't go under $20k. No small fish is using MarkMonitor.

Look how many related sites there are and how frequently it is used in startups. In my opinion it is way too popular to let it go for such a low amount for a company already in business.

The buyer might be heytimetraveler(dot)com. If it's a viable business, they have the money to pay. If they say they don't have the funds, offer a lease. I sold a ".com" domain last year to a software company that just did scheduling for scuba diving excursions and as a 1 man operation they pay $550 per month for the domain with a $10k sales price. On top of that, they still use their ".co" domain and the .com just defaults to an error page. So a company that small, just bought it for brand protection.

To me, the revenue possibilities in scuba diving scheduling software as opposed to the many uses of "Time Traveller", are not comparable. I wouldn't budge off $20k and tell him you offer a lease plan, but you get a bit of a discount in fees for paying upfront. So without saying it you are already telling him that the price you quoted is the discounted amount, and you are eliminating their "budget" argument by offering lease payments.

The only thing that he can fall back on is the argument that the domain is not "worth" that much. Which is when you tell him your original plans for the domain and how you wanted to ensure your competitor didn't receive the better domain because your didn't want your customers to end up on the competitors website, or just as bad, end up on a site that had nothing to do with your service, causing additional confusion to the customer.

 

[Hypersot]

I like 'time traveler' more as it sounds more like a brand compared to 'time travel' which kinda sounds like a scientific term.

A middle ground of $4k is what I would go for.

 

[ArielT]

Take it before the bird flies away

 

[DrJacoby]

I personally think TimeTravel is a better name. It could be that he wants to secure your name first, and then buy TimeTravel for 5k or less.

 

[Pusang Gala]

Take the money and run

 

[william]

Tell him to go ahead and buy "timetravel", as you own that name as well. Checkmate.

 

[Bob Hawkes]

Interesting topic and discussion. It depends on application, but for most uses I can think of, I prefer traveler, so I think you are in a good position. I also agree with sentiment expressed above of keeping the negotiation moving and be concise in responses. I hope it works out to an agreement both buyer and seller feel positive about.
-Bob

 

[Revisiting]

the word 'Traveler' encompasses the person, it speaks of involvement. Travel is the better general term. It just depends on where this potential buyer is looking to go with the domain. as it is an IO extension, this looks like it's going to be a Gamer development or something similar. Therefore traveler is far better.

 

[Revisiting]

I don't think this reads as being a large company, more a successful developer with this particular project coming to fruition. That doesn't mean go cheap. I do think he has shown his hand by mentioning the other domain. This is not a skilled negotiator or somebody that could pass-on the negotiations to a marketing expert etc. I do think you can be relatively friendly in these negotiations. I could see this closing at just over $5k, probably $6k

 

[henry93]

I am sure the buyer can pay more than that. Especially, if he's the CEO.

It's just the beginning of the negotiation and the buyer knows it. Every buyer begins the negotiations with the lowest possible price.

If you need something, esp. for business and branding, also when it's unique and available in limited quantity. .io is a good extension for tech business.

Suppose It's a .com with the right combination. Then you can comfortably ask 5x or higher, IMO.

I am sure, we are going to hear good news soon.

You need a bit more confidence. That's it. Best Wishes!

 

[JagG]

If you are fine with the price and want to make a sale just sell it

else
seller $20k
buyer - I have an option to buy another domain at $5k

you have two option

negotiate price in range of 5k ~ 14k or

ask buyer any better price above timetravel/io

Another option ...

Buy TimeTravel,io for $5k or less, and get back to that CEO and say thanks.

 

[karmaco]

My advice is not to be a pushover. Traveler can be better than travel depending on intended usage.

Anyone playing mind games on me wouldn’t get a reply or I would tell him to go buy the other name.

Question becomes is 3K gonna change your life today? I doubt it. Its a pretty standard offer.

 

[alcy]

If I remember well Alcy struggles with his renewals and is in red zone. Take it. There will always be great deals ahead.

true sales have slowed for me and I have 800 names... so renewals add up... but we all know how it goes... 3k goes some way... 5k bit further... etc etc

 

[infosec3]

Not sure I can tell you what to do, but, all things considered, if it was my name, I would take the 3K. Based on my experience, offers like this one fall off very easily and and then you are just left with regret and a name that may not receive a similar offer in a long time. I more or less agree with Johnn on this one.

 

[Samer]

Take $3k this is .io not .com.

 

[alcy]

howdy fellas...tnx for all yer views.. it is why I posted it.. we all have varying angles.... for now I emailed him to ask his best... and said 3k is too low... I'm awaiting news... if none comes I may decide to match the 5k on the other name.

 

[Revisiting]

Thanks for the update. I suppose that is the easiest response to an offer, It's just that your not likely to see much of an increase. Probably $4k at the very best. (more likely 3.5k) Which kind of puts you at the end game as far as negotiations go. I think you as might as well just gone for the 5k asking response.

I'm not criticizing. as I'm guilty as hell when it comes to seeing the money on the table when it comes to accepting an offer.

 

[alcy]

Not that I've noticed - and I replied minutes after the first post. If anything was deleted it would have been within seconds of posting.

We do love a nice 'Sale in progress' here at NP

agreed... I like reading em too... domain sales can be like sherlock Holmes novels

 

[Traderas]

The point is not if 3k or 5k would be able to change your life.
The question is what are you going to do with these money?
If you can invest them with high return, then you should take them.
If you are going to let them sit in a bank account, better wait for a better offer.

Personally, I would try to find the owner of timetravel and offer him to buy his name for up to $500.

Can you find the size of the company that made you the offer?

 

[Revisiting]

Lets face it good Developers have a bit of an urgency about them and a focus on the end game. You don't want him ruling you out. So keep things moving forward. Use some of the key points about the usability of the wording . By all means, mention why Traveler sits above 'Travel' as a immersive domain name and ask for 9 or 10k. Anticipate a counter close to what you would settle for.

 

[alcy]

Tell him to go ahead and buy "timetravel", as you own that name as well. Checkmate.

what if he is timetraveler and goes back in time and somehow checkmates me instead... anything is possible.

 

[DomainRecap]

try asking 7500$...
dropping down from asking 20k to accept 3k sound too bogus.

Exactly, the counter should include a) an admission that you recognize his reticence to spend $20K and b) an conciliatory offer between $7500-$10,000.

And this "TimeTravel" is better than "TimeTraveler" debate is totally irrelevant if the CEO's preferred brand is Time Traveler, which is a pretty fair assumption to make given the evidence - it's just a common negotiating tactic. We've all seen whacky domains sell for massive $$$ simply because the buyer really wanted that name.

And as a domain investor, you cannot be afraid or you will never make the big sale.