Specify Payout Preference at DAN

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A month ago today, I sold my first domain name via payment plan at DAN.com. Although the buyer’s monthly payment is only around $100, I passed break even on the domain name with the second payment and will continue to earn revenue on the deal for a few years (or get the domain name back). One thing I learned today is that the seller may want to specify a specific payment payout preference (PayPal or wire transfer) to the escrow agent depending on the seller’s location and default payment preference.

More Expiries Due to Furloughs and Layoffs?

I noticed a high profile domain name hit the expiry stream recently. The domain name is owned by a pretty big company, and if it is not renewed within the next several days, it will be auctioned to the highest bidder. When I saw the domain name in auction, I started to wonder if we will see more high profile domain name expiries due to corporate layoffs and furloughs at companies throughout the world.

With Installments on DAN, Pricing is Critical

When I set my prices for domain names I am looking to sell, it is more of an art than a science. There are a number of considerations I balance to set prices on my domain names. Here are some of the factors that I consider as I am setting prices:

  • Purchase price
  • Comparable sales
  • Comparable domain names for sale
  • Market conditions
  • My business conditions
  • GoDaddy appraisal on listings that will show the appraised value
  • Gut feel

After evaluating all of these factors – some more than others, I set the price for each domain name. Most of these factors are considered very rapidly, and I often defer to gut feel above all else, thinking, what can I imagine an end user paying to buy this domain name in a reasonable amount of time?

Don’t Do Coronavirus Domain Outbound Marketing

Andrew Allemann wrote an article yesterday to speak out about taking advantage of the coronavirus outbreak in order to profit from it. I understand that in dire straights people might do things they would not ordinarily do to feed themselves and their family, but I echo what he said and would strongly urge people to not buy coronavirus related domain names, especially if they intend to do outbound marketing to sell them.

Case in point, PRWeek published an article that discussed one such outbound marketing effort made to try and sell coronavirus related domain names to Carnival Cruise Lines and its Chief Communications Officer, Chris Chiames. Not only was Mr. Chiames upset by this outbound marketing effort, he posted the exchange on LinkedIn for all to see. Here’s an excerpt from the PRWeek article:

I Share My Names with Brokers

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I recently shared a video posted by Amanda Waltz, who discussed various aspects to being a domain name buyer’s broker. One thing I do on a somewhat regular basis is reach out to domain brokers like Amanda and share some of the top domain names I have in my inventory at that moment. I think this can be helpful in getting deals done, and I regularly hear from brokers asking me if I still have certain domain names.

Don’t “Ask a Lawyer” on a Domain Forum

The legal section of a domain forum is a popular place for people to ask domain name related questions pertaining to trademarks, UDRP, legal threats, and other legal-related topics. I don’t think it’s wise to post specific legal questions in a public domain name forum, but plenty of people value getting some / any feedback over the potential that it could harm their case or lead them astray.

As I’ve written in the past, it is wise to get the advice of a domain name attorney who has experience and expertise in Intellectual Property Law, specifically related to domain names. There are quite a few exceptional attorneys who have many years of experience helping domain investors with many different legal issues.