How do you value a domain name?

[BrowneIssue]

I've received an unsolicited email from someone who says they want to buy one of the domains I have registered.

Go on, give us a clue. Tell us what it is.

[Platypus]

Go on, give us a clue. Tell us what it is.

Sorry I can't do that without revealing my true identity! <zorro smiley>

But my idea was for a Text Message based service exactly like this one: Any Question Answered

Suffering succotash!

[ferret]

Always good in situations like this to get them to make an offer first. Spin them a line about you know how valuable the domain is and you are open only to sensible offers. When you get their offer negotiate upwards a much as possible or tell them to eff off and get real and see if they come back much higher. Getting them to make the offer is the best route IMO.

Also try sticking it on SEDO and see if you get any offers.

[Platypus]

Also try sticking it on SEDO and see if you get any offers.

Good idea, thanks.

P.S. check out some of their recent sales... tonguemya**hole.com

[Pondlife]

Good idea, thanks.

P.S. check out some of their recent sales... tonguemya**hole.com

Maybe we are due a big SKA announcement after all.

[oraclesmith]

Beware !!

I have a number of domain names and there is a relatively well-known scam going round where you get an e-mail offering to buy one, but this leads on to the 'buyer' suggesting you use a particular domain name appraisal company. Guess what happens next? You guessed it, you pay money for the appraisal but the buyer pulls out. I have never fallen for this trick, but I'm sure it pulls some people in - a bit like the 'act -now - domain name renewal' letters that you get in the post.

The easy way of preventing this is to list the domain(s) for sale on a proper auction site (I use Sedo) and insist on using their domain auction/transfer service as an intermediary. There is no charge for listing but a small fee for a sale/transfer - and you are protected and can receive more like a market rate for the domain.

For example, Sedo have a system whereby if you get a initial bid from the potential buyer, you can put it up for auction and see if anyone is interested in paying more. That way you can test the buyers bid against the market. If the original buyer is eventually outbid, that's just tough !

You can just use their buyer-seller transfer service if you're happy with the price - I have bought a couple of domain names like this.

[Platypus]

Beware !! <snip>

Many thanks - I didn't know the scam, and I've listed on Sedo now, so if the buyer comes back, I'll point him there.