Received an Offer - Now What???

[metrisoft]

I received an unsolicited $200 offer for a "brandable" domain from a potential end-user. My feeling is that most end-users don't know domain values and probably hope to get a "brandable" domain for less than $500. However, I have seen some "brandable" sales in the $XX,XXX range.

I want to counter but I have no idea if I should counter with $500 or $5,000. This two word domain consists of a short keyword (3.6 million Google results) + "Mate". I guess it doesn't help that all other extensions for this domain are still available.

Has anyone had experience closing an end-user sale much higher than the original low-ball offer?

 

[lzy]

Research on the buyer and try to find out as much as you can. You wouldn't want to scare the buyer off with a too high offer.

May be a good idea to register the .net and .org variation and offer it along as a package.

 

[metrisoft]

Great idea. I just registered the .net and .org. This will definitely be a selling point to them by allowing them to protect their brand.

Ok, so I have a $200 offer, any suggestions on how high to counter for the .com, .net, org "package"?

 

[DomainLobe]

What did your research show you regarding the depth and motivation of the prospective buyer?

 

[metrisoft]

Well, the prospective buyer is in the business of strategic branding solution consulting. So, my thought is that this buyer was hired by another company to develop a brand. The two words of this domain go together perfectly for an online dating site. In fact, I have thought of developing it myself but I don't have time right now. I think the buyer's motivation is probably pretty high because it's hard to find good keyword combinations with the word "Mate".

 

[Albert]

Sell by research and by not regretting but be realistic.

 

[Hurley4540]

$500 to $5000 is a bit much of an increase which might scare him away...

 

[DomainLobe]

MY impression is that most SMB's are comfortable with DN purchases in the $500-3000 range.

 

[metrisoft]

This is some great feedback. So, it doesn't really matter what the initial offer is as long as you can figure out "what the market will bear" ?

I've scared off a few potential buyers in the past so I'm a little leery.