Samba.com was the most exciting expiry auction I’ve been following for a while. The domain name had once been owned by a company in Saudi Arabia, and it was auctioned on NameJet. Samba is a genre of music and a dance style that originated in Brazil. The descriptive term is used in branding by many companies around the world.
Before the auction, I was planning to bid and had set aside $50-75k in my mind to buy the domain name. I figured there was a somewhat reasonable chance I would be in contention, but I thought that would not likely be enough to win the domain name. I figured I would try and let the market decide if I would take the name home or not.
When the domain name first went to the live portion of the auction early on Saturday morning, I was at the airport heading out on an early flight to Tampa. By the time I landed and checked in to the hotel, the high bid was already beyond what I was willing to spend for the domain name in auction.
Yesterday afternoon, the auction concluded with a high bid of $143,000. I presume the bidder has not had a chance to pay for the domain name yet, so it is unclear who bought the domain name. It looks like it was sold via Snapnames.
I think the price is more along the lines of wholesale than retail for this domain name. I think it would be reasonable for the winning bidder to aim for 7 figures, assuming it was acquired as an investment.
Like all domain investors, I look at the DNJournal reported sales and think: too high, too low or just about right.
I’m sure I am wrong on this name, and I haven’t done proper research on the corporate branding for the name Samba….but first reaction is that this price is high. That is what makes our industry so interesting. All of us, in reviewing available names that are either available at auction or on drop lists, have to make quick decisions. Again, I am sure I am wrong here, but this is not a name I would pay 6 figures for.
Super name — congrats to the buyer/winner!
I love Samba, Brasil and this domain:)