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The idea of preselling a domain name before you’ve even acquired it, is certainly not a new idea. I know several Domainers who have done this (including myself, once). Its a challenge and a risk, but clearly there is a reward if you are successful.

There are also major problems when you are not. In the simplest form you can agree in principle to sell a domain name, then once acquired, the buyer changes their mind. At this point your stuck with a domain you thought was already sold and desperately looking to offload.

An issue was brought up on NamePros forum regarding a new form of this method. The issue revolved around the domain name DMG.com. This domain was dropped and captured by SnapNames. One of the bidders prior to the auction completing, contacted out a potential end-user offering to sell. If this has been "right", he would have learned how much the end-user would pay and could have bid anywhere up to that point.

However, this concept failed miserably. He alerted a Trademark holder to the auction and they have threatened litigation to obtain the domain. Now whoever does win the domain will more than likely be facing immediate legal action, potentially losing this domain name or even just being out the legal fees of defending themselves.

Despite the ethical questions (and there are many), Preselling domain names is a questionable practice that can be very damaging to other domainers. I recommend avoiding this strategy.

Justin

Starting in Christmas, yours truely will be in Europe. I will make my first stop in London. (Should be there for about a week) then heading to Athens on the first. I’ll be working my way back to London via the EURAIL with stops in Italy, France, and Spain.

Mostly backpacking with my girlfriend and family I will do my best to keep everyone udpated via this blog. If any of you European domainers care to meet up in the major cities, perhaps giving us a little tour? I’ll try to be available.

Justin

Its not a a well known sector of domaining, but several domain investors had taken advantage of the struggelling dollar over this past year. Buying domains in Euros and Pounds, and enjoy a steap discount with the currency exchanges.

For instance, earlier this year 1 Pound was the equivalent of $2 U.S. dollars (USD). Since the sliding world economy is finaly catching up to that of the US - the Pound fell against the dollar to a 6-year low. Meaning that at todays exchange rates, 1 Pound was only worth about $1.49 USD.

Even the Euro is struggeling now against the dollar and at todays rate, 1 Euro is worth $1.25 USD. Much lower then it had been earlier this year. As the dollar continues to gain each day, the question looms, will the dollar in coming months be more valuable then the Euro or the Pound? Will US Domainers be able to take advantage and start buying domain names from International owners?….

Time will tell…

Within two hours one of our LLL.com’s is closing on Sedo. QBZ.com has been in our possession for the past couple years, and we determined it was time to put it on the auction block. Currently it is at $4,625 with 2 hours left at auction:

http://sedo.com/auction/auction_detail.php?language=us&auction_id=44573&tracked=&partnerid=

This domain name first appealed to us because of its potential acronyms, despite the fact that it starts with a Q and ends with a Z.

• Quarterback Zone
• Qoute By Zip
• Quality Business Zone

If you had any interested in acquiring an LLL.com - now is a great oppertunity at Sedo for such a good price. Good luck to all you bidders!

Justin

The Auction for BikeHelmets.com closed today at NameJet for $50,200. This was another domain name that came from DomainHighway.com - a private seller. We’ve seen a string of huge sales followed up with re-auctions as the original bidder ends up backing out of the sale.

We’ll see in the next few weeks if this domain ends up changing hands if it does, it will be fantastic sale for the owner.

SnapNames requests customers from time to time fill out a survey. Today they sent out a survey which asked its customers to rank "how well you feel each of the following websites does to help you find and buy domain names". Among the sites listed were SnapNames, Afternic, Godaddy/TDNAM, BuyDomains, Sedo, NameJet, and…… you guessed it - NameBio.

Obviously were listed in Good company and couldnt be happier that SnapNames views us as a great resource in the domain industry. If you havnt taken the survey yet, please share with SnapNames if you "Strongly Like" NameBio. You will also qualify to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card.

DomainNameNews.com is reporting that NameJet has confirmed, it will open its platform up to third party domain sellers in the near future. How soon? That remains to be seen but this was long forseen in a copy cat industry where SnapNames has been doing this very thing for a couple years.

Last week, YummyNames.com went live. It is a premium market to sell Tucows domain name holdings. (Remember those domain names they were "illegally" housing?) As it turns out, the launch may have been a bit premature.

I had contacted YummyNames.com about some of their domain names, they informed me that my inquiry would be responded to quickly and early next week (this week). I sent a reminder email this morning. I got a response from a different rep, telling me it would be a few more days.

I cant imagine they are so bussy with orders and inquiries that they need well over a week to respond to a simple request for domains and prices. Frankly, this should be automatic (much like BuyDomains is for the domains they own). Although I continue to wait, I also continue to be annoyed.

The month of October saw a dramatic fall in the reseller prices of LLL.com’s. Yet within the first few days of October, we are seeing some improving prices on LLL.com’s at auction.

RMX.com closed earlier today at just over $13,000 at Snapnames. There are also two weaker LLL.com’s at auction on Sedo which are currently: vlx.com $8,800 and wbj.com $7,700

Will prices begin to stabilize as the global economy seems to be doing? Stay tuned.

I have placed a few of my portfolio domain names up for auction at the NamePros auction today. I have included Coru.com, OIIN.com, and MyDrops.com. Some information below on each, and where to place your bids.

Coru.com - Registered in 1998 (over 10 years old). High quality and easily pronounceable. Take advantage of the lower market right now and pickup a great domain name at an even better price. (Currently $1081)

http://www.namepros.com/liveauction.php?a=prebid&id=23

OIIN.com - Registered in 2003 (over 5 years old). This fantastic LLLL.com has 3 vowels to start and is easily pronounceable. Plenty of acronmy potential, and has had several offers since I’ve held it. (Currently at $230)

http://www.namepros.com/liveauction.php?a=prebid&id=22

MyDrops.com - Registered in Jan of 2007 after it dropped. The domain name dated back to 2002 (according to Archive.org). Originally intent was to build a drop info site. Now, going at the NamePros auction. (Currently at $28)

http://www.namepros.com/liveauction.php?a=prebid&id=24

If you want to participate in the event live - the Auction is held in a NamePros chat room at 3pm Pacific.

http://www.namepros.com/chat2.php?room=Live+Auction