debate Why Do Buyers Insist on mentioning Asking Prices?

[Haroon Basha]

Why Do Buyers Insist on mentioning Asking Prices?, Why reject "Make Offer" submissions?

In the Buyer Requests section of NamePros, it’s often observed that buyers specifically ask sellers to mention an asking price and avoid “Make Offer” submissions. This seems to be a consistent pattern, raising the question — why do buyers so strongly prefer mentioning of asking price?

The core reason appears to be efficiency and transparency. Serious buyers often have a set budget and prefer not to waste time going back and forth with vague negotiations. “Make Offer” can sometimes lead to unrealistic quotes or endless haggling, which frustrates buyers looking for quick, straightforward deals.

Also, from a buyer’s perspective, a listed price helps them instantly assess whether a domain fits within their range, without the ambiguity or guesswork.

Is there more to it — like a strategy to test seller flexibility or discourage inflated pricing? Let us debate over this topic and brainstorm more hidden tricks and traits.

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

 

[AEProgram]

not looking to piss anyone off with my offer which will be a wholesale offer aka low ball offer. As domainers, we know the harsh reality, most of the names we buy will never sell, this means, every dollar we spend is almost certainly going to the trash. Even if we do sell, in most cases it will be after holding it for a very long time, possibly decades! So we are taking a huge gamble and will offer the lowest possible price, in many cases pissing off the seller. Therefore, I will never make offers, in fact, I only visit the fixed price section. A few minutes ago someone posted some names, listed a price, a link to buy on dynadot, I purchased it already. Had he listed with a make offer, I would not even know and if I did see it, I would never bother to offer even what I paid for it, no interest in make offers and I know I am not alone.

The question should be, why in a place like NP would sellers do the whole make offer? Is it fear that if they ask a price and someone pays what they asked for they will regret the sale thinking they could have gotten more? Is it just to get some feel of the offers? Sellers should come up with a price and if they want an offer, say BIN 1234 Or Make offer / OBO, this way we have some info.

 

[D Haynes]

When I'm looking to buy a name on NPs I'll completely skip past make offer or "negotiable" offerings. I'm strongly of the opinion that if you're trying to sell a name, tell people how much you want for it. Too much wasted time in making an offer.

 

[Alayna10]

Buyers often insist on mentioning asking prices and reject “Make Offer” submissions primarily for reasons of efficiency and clarity. When a buyer sees a clear asking price, they can quickly determine if the domain fits their budget without needing to engage in lengthy back-and-forth negotiations.

“Make Offer” submissions, while flexible, can sometimes lead to unrealistic initial quotes or prolonged haggling, which can be frustrating and time-consuming for buyers who want to move quickly.

Additionally, having a set asking price provides transparency, helping buyers feel more confident that the seller is serious and has a realistic expectation of value.
Beyond these practical reasons, there could be strategic motivations as well. For example, buyers might use asking prices to gauge seller flexibility or discourage inflated pricing by requiring sellers to commit upfront. It can also serve as a filter to weed out unserious offers.

Overall, buyers prefer clear, straightforward pricing to streamline the purchasing process and avoid unnecessary delays or confusion.

 

[VadimK]

That’s because the buyers you’re referring to are resellers, and they’re not willing to pay more than $10 per name - if that. The "Make Offer" option doesn’t mean $10, which is why they either won’t bother replying or insist on a fixed price from the start.

Nowadays, the Buyers section on NP looks like this:

50% are tire kickers who are not going to buy anything
47% are resellers fishing for something decent and dirt cheap
3% are actual end users looking for names for their projects - they don’t care about "Make Offer" or "no BIN" offers. If they like a name, they'll get back to you.

Personally, I only make offers if I think the request comes from that 3%. I don’t waste time offering to resellers.

 

[AEProgram]

Buyers often insist on mentioning asking prices and reject “Make Offer” submissions primarily for reasons of efficiency and clarity. When a buyer sees a clear asking price, they can quickly determine if the domain fits their budget without needing to engage in lengthy back-and-forth negotiations.

“Make Offer” submissions, while flexible, can sometimes lead to unrealistic initial quotes or prolonged haggling, which can be frustrating and time-consuming for buyers who want to move quickly.

Additionally, having a set asking price provides transparency, helping buyers feel more confident that the seller is serious and has a realistic expectation of value.
Beyond these practical reasons, there could be strategic motivations as well. For example, buyers might use asking prices to gauge seller flexibility or discourage inflated pricing by requiring sellers to commit upfront. It can also serve as a filter to weed out unserious offers.

Overall, buyers prefer clear, straightforward pricing to streamline the purchasing process and avoid unnecessary delays or confusion.

(quillbot)

 

[DomainMundo]

Personally, I find the "make offer" or "price on request" annoying and off-putting. When I go to the supermarket, I don't have to waste time asking what's the price of a dozen eggs or a jar of mayo. I don't see why it has to be different when I'm looking to buy a domain or a house. Why act like the price is a state secret?

 

[phaethon]

Personally, I find the "make offer" or "price on request" annoying and off-putting. When I go to the supermarket, I don't have to waste time asking what's the price of a dozen eggs or a jar of mayo. I don't see why it has to be different when I'm looking to buy a domain or a house. Why act like the price is a state secret?

It's not comparable, most end users buy one domain in their whole life and very often that domain is related to a business that makes money. It's more comparable to the purchase of a Rolex watch or property. When you try a Rolex watch, they tell you the price only when you ask about it.
The thing is 99% of domainers own domains that their value is comparable to eggs and not to a Rolex watch.

 

[alop]

Personally, I find the "make offer" or "price on request" annoying and off-putting. When I go to the supermarket, I don't have to waste time asking what's the price of a dozen eggs or a jar of mayo. I don't see why it has to be different when I'm looking to buy a domain or a house. Why act like the price is a state secret?

What you eat away from digital someone has to cover it

 

[DomainMundo]

What you eat away from digital someone has to cover it

Sorry, I have no idea what that means.

 

[biggie]

Hi

why do buyers in wtb section have to say “I’m a reseller not an enduser” when they post a budget?

imo…

 

[DomainMundo]

It's more comparable to the purchase of a Rolex watch or property.

Most brokers list sales prices on their websites, even for high-end properties. The "price on request" listings are the (very annoying) exceptions. I don't know about Rolex, but if I go to Tiffany.com or Cartier.com, I can see exactly how much their diamond rings or necklaces cost. I don't see what's the benefit in wasting a prospective buyer's time by acting like a domain's price is a state secret.

 

[AEProgram]

It's not comparable, most end users buy one domain in their whole life and very often that domain is related to a business that makes money. It's more comparable to the purchase of a Rolex watch or property. When you try a Rolex watch, they tell you the price only when you ask about it.
The thing is 99% of domainers own domains that their value is comparable to eggs and not to a Rolex watch.

1. this is NP not a end user platform

2. Prices of rolex watches is well known

3. At least in the US, almost all properties for sale have a asking price

 

[phaethon]

1. this is NP not a end user platform

2. Prices of rolex watches is well known

3. At least in the US, almost all properties for sale have a asking price

Not having a price, could also mean priceless

 

[AEProgram]

Not having a price, could also mean priceless

Because each domain is unique, it is possible for a domain to be priceless and worthless at the same time.

 

[Wesley S]

its a preference thing, some people like haggling some people dont. You will never get a uniformed answer to this universal question. ty.

as for me, i like haggling even if it is a fixed price. ty.

 

[phaethon]

If you don't price your domains, you might get lucky and receive an offer higher than your asking price. For some people 10K mean something, for others is just a weekend in a nice place, a dinner in a trendy restaurant or a new watch.
Wealthy people tend to associate the lack of pricing with high value.

 

[bmugford]

If you are proactively trying to sell a domain on NamePros, you should price it.

Buyers don't want to mess around with a DM saying "make offer" if interested.

If you are passively offering a domain for sale, that is different.

From personal experience, most of the "make offer" responses have completely unrealistic expectations.

Brad

 

[Namer.id]

Indeed, its an interesting thing in domaining world.

I think, The first number mentioned in a negotiation often sets what's called an "anchor," and that can heavily influence the outcome. If a seller names a price first, they risk anchoring too low and leaving money on the table. If a buyer makes the first offer, they risk anchoring too high and losing a potential deal. That’s why both sides often try to get the other to speak first.

For domain sellers especially, pricing is tricky because there's no fixed market value like in retail. A name could be worth $100 to one buyer and $10,000 to another, depending on use case, branding potential, budget, and urgency. So sellers prefer to hear an offer to gauge how serious the buyer is and what range they’re working with. On the other hand, buyers want to see a price to assess if the domain is even worth pursuing further.

In the end, the one with more information, experience, or confidence in the value of the asset usually gains the upper hand. It’s a subtle form of psychological strategy, anchoring, positioning, and sometimes even bluffing, all part of the negotiation dance that happens in domains and beyond.

 

[love4ever]

As domainers, we know the harsh reality, most of the names we buy will never sell, this means, every dollar we spend is almost certainly going to the trash. Even if we do sell, in most cases it will be after holding it for a very long time, possibly decades! So we are taking a huge gamble and will offer the lowest possible price, in many cases pissing off the seller.

The highlighted sentence frustrates people !
Be more optimistic regarding domaining ,
if new investors read this it will scare them to start this business,even if it has some reality !

.