Comments on: Toys.com Sells For $5.1M, After Selling For $1.25M: What Does This Mean For Domain Valuation & Auctions http://www.thedomains.com/2009/02/27/toyscom-sells-for-5100000-after-selling-for-1200000-what-does-this-mean-for-domain-vaulation/ Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:38:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: CreditScore.com Sold For “More Than Toys.com” & Becomes The Top Sale Of 2010 | Domaining Manual http://www.thedomains.com/2009/02/27/toyscom-sells-for-5100000-after-selling-for-1200000-what-does-this-mean-for-domain-vaulation/comment-page-1/#comment-29283 CreditScore.com Sold For “More Than Toys.com” & Becomes The Top Sale Of 2010 | Domaining Manual Mon, 29 Mar 2010 19:50:03 +0000 http://www.thedomains.com/?p=2405#comment-29283 [...] Toys.com was sold at a bankruptcy auction for $5.1 Million last year. [...] [...] Toys.com was sold at a bankruptcy auction for $5.1 Million last year. [...]

]]> By: owen frager http://www.thedomains.com/2009/02/27/toyscom-sells-for-5100000-after-selling-for-1200000-what-does-this-mean-for-domain-vaulation/comment-page-1/#comment-11989 owen frager Sun, 01 Mar 2009 01:08:53 +0000 http://www.thedomains.com/?p=2405#comment-11989 The irony is that the domain business is all about advertising yet no one wants to invest in advertising their domains. The irony is that the domain business is all about advertising yet no one wants to invest in advertising their domains.

]]> By: Andrew http://www.thedomains.com/2009/02/27/toyscom-sells-for-5100000-after-selling-for-1200000-what-does-this-mean-for-domain-vaulation/comment-page-1/#comment-11987 Andrew Sat, 28 Feb 2009 19:07:38 +0000 http://www.thedomains.com/?p=2405#comment-11987 @ Adam - not really. The first auction wasn't an auction in the general sense of the term. Each of the domains was "auctioned" separately, and then they were packaged together. From what I understand it was a screwy process. So bit of horse trading makes sense under this type of "auction", if we'll call it that. @ Adam – not really. The first auction wasn’t an auction in the general sense of the term. Each of the domains was “auctioned” separately, and then they were packaged together. From what I understand it was a screwy process. So bit of horse trading makes sense under this type of “auction”, if we’ll call it that.

]]> By: Adam http://www.thedomains.com/2009/02/27/toyscom-sells-for-5100000-after-selling-for-1200000-what-does-this-mean-for-domain-vaulation/comment-page-1/#comment-11986 Adam Sat, 28 Feb 2009 18:41:39 +0000 http://www.thedomains.com/?p=2405#comment-11986 "I don’t know if they learned about the value of the domain afterward; I think Toys R Us and Faculty Lounge kind of agreed to go after different auction lots rather than fighting each other." WHAT! !? I think there's a word for this . . . and it isnt pretty ? Starts with a C “I don’t know if they learned about the value of the domain afterward; I think Toys R Us and Faculty Lounge kind of agreed to go after different auction lots rather than fighting each other.”

WHAT! !? I think there’s a word for this . . . and it isnt pretty ? Starts with a C

]]> By: Kelly Lieberman http://www.thedomains.com/2009/02/27/toyscom-sells-for-5100000-after-selling-for-1200000-what-does-this-mean-for-domain-vaulation/comment-page-1/#comment-11983 Kelly Lieberman Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:30:08 +0000 http://www.thedomains.com/?p=2405#comment-11983 Educating and informing end users go hand in hand. It is our responsibility as domainers to do our part if we want to see this industry move forward. It looks like one auction can demonstrate the value of having even one more interested party bidding on a domain....Now that it has been proven, can we work together to get the word out to the end users? There has been enough constructive advice written for years to work with, and we can now add the power of social networking to reach our goals. Educating and informing end users go hand in hand. It is our responsibility as domainers to do our part if we want to see this industry move forward.

It looks like one auction can demonstrate the value of having even one more interested party bidding on a domain….Now that it has been proven, can we work together to get the word out to the end users?

There has been enough constructive advice written for years to work with, and we can now add the power of social networking to reach our goals.

]]> By: JF Mayer http://www.thedomains.com/2009/02/27/toyscom-sells-for-5100000-after-selling-for-1200000-what-does-this-mean-for-domain-vaulation/comment-page-1/#comment-11981 JF Mayer Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:04:15 +0000 http://www.thedomains.com/?p=2405#comment-11981 While this is not the best exempe for what I am going to write (since ToysRUs was aware of the first acution), it often comes back to the same problem: too many of the sales take place among domainers, and mostly domainers will spend time scouting for available website on an extended period of time. We need to think creatively and find ways to come out of semi-closed circles. I agree with Adam: Sedo IS proactive in alerting potential buyers. But it is not an easy taks to identify all of them, and more generally an awareness of the value of some domain names still needs to be intensified. Although I have not yet a clear idea of the right way for doing it (I am toying with some ideas), the best would be to find ways to auction regularly at least some quality domains in environments not meant for domainers. It is not something easy to reach, but I do not think it would be impossible, provided the right partnerships can be created. While this is not the best exempe for what I am going to write (since ToysRUs was aware of the first acution), it often comes back to the same problem: too many of the sales take place among domainers, and mostly domainers will spend time scouting for available website on an extended period of time.

We need to think creatively and find ways to come out of semi-closed circles. I agree with Adam: Sedo IS proactive in alerting potential buyers. But it is not an easy taks to identify all of them, and more generally an awareness of the value of some domain names still needs to be intensified.

Although I have not yet a clear idea of the right way for doing it (I am toying with some ideas), the best would be to find ways to auction regularly at least some quality domains in environments not meant for domainers. It is not something easy to reach, but I do not think it would be impossible, provided the right partnerships can be created.

]]> By: Tim Davids http://www.thedomains.com/2009/02/27/toyscom-sells-for-5100000-after-selling-for-1200000-what-does-this-mean-for-domain-vaulation/comment-page-1/#comment-11980 Tim Davids Sat, 28 Feb 2009 14:23:52 +0000 http://www.thedomains.com/?p=2405#comment-11980 @Adam. You prolly right... Dallas cowboys were there at cowboys.com but they didn't go the distance. In general: I agree lists need to be out sooner...there are some conferences in April for example, no mention yet on deadline and who the auction house will be. No time for name owners to call end users and work-it @Adam. You prolly right… Dallas cowboys were there at cowboys.com but they didn’t go the distance.

In general: I agree lists need to be out sooner…there are some conferences in April for example, no mention yet on deadline and who the auction house will be.

No time for name owners to call end users and work-it

]]> By: WeBuyThe.com http://www.thedomains.com/2009/02/27/toyscom-sells-for-5100000-after-selling-for-1200000-what-does-this-mean-for-domain-vaulation/comment-page-1/#comment-11979 WeBuyThe.com Sat, 28 Feb 2009 10:37:49 +0000 http://www.thedomains.com/?p=2405#comment-11979 The problems with domain auctions are two fold. Problem 1: Most of the auction houses notify sellers of acceptance only days before the event takes place leaving little if any time to properly market the name. The sweetheart names get a bit more exposure since the auction house may use a few select names in press releases. I would like to see a change in TOS that requires that the exclusivity period only last as long as the notification time. If I submit names for a July 1 auction and the names are accepted on May 1 my exclusivity period would expire September 1 allowing the auction house to have a lock on my name for 120 Days. If they accept on June 1, I am only locked in through August 1. It is irresponsible for them to provide anything less than 30 days notice just as it's unreasonable to expect them to waive exclusivity periods. Problem 2: Most sellers are lazy and assume that just by having a premium domain entered into auction is enough. Folks, there is no reason why you shouldn't be doing your own marketing to get word out. A few months ago we received a post card from the seller of a liquor domain name letting us know that the name will be featured at sedo. They also provided us with comps on related domains. Postcards can be printed at home and mailed for 25 cents. Want more exposure and less work? Write a press release and email to industry contacts. If we all work together we can boost up domain prices and exposure Good Luck! AIM: webuythedotcom The problems with domain auctions are two fold.

Problem 1: Most of the auction houses notify sellers of acceptance only days before the event takes place leaving little if any time to properly market the name. The sweetheart names get a bit more exposure since the auction house may use a few select names in press releases. I would like to see a change in TOS that requires that the exclusivity period only last as long as the notification time. If I submit names for a July 1 auction and the names are accepted on May 1 my exclusivity period would expire September 1 allowing the auction house to have a lock on my name for 120 Days. If they accept on June 1, I am only locked in through August 1. It is irresponsible for them to provide anything less than 30 days notice just as it’s unreasonable to expect them to waive exclusivity periods.

Problem 2: Most sellers are lazy and assume that just by having a premium domain entered into auction is enough. Folks, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be doing your own marketing to get word out. A few months ago we received a post card from the seller of a liquor domain name letting us know that the name will be featured at sedo. They also provided us with comps on related domains. Postcards can be printed at home and mailed for 25 cents. Want more exposure and less work? Write a press release and email to industry contacts.

If we all work together we can boost up domain prices and exposure

Good Luck!

AIM: webuythedotcom

]]> By: MHB http://www.thedomains.com/2009/02/27/toyscom-sells-for-5100000-after-selling-for-1200000-what-does-this-mean-for-domain-vaulation/comment-page-1/#comment-11978 MHB Sat, 28 Feb 2009 06:11:43 +0000 http://www.thedomains.com/?p=2405#comment-11978 Publicity does more than draw bidders into the auction, it creates buzz and conversation which often effects valuation. When this domain was auctioned off for $1.25M, much of the conversation focused on what a good deal the high bidder got, which may have awoke the sleeping yet outbid giant. Publicity does more than draw bidders into the auction, it creates buzz and conversation which often effects valuation.

When this domain was auctioned off for $1.25M, much of the conversation focused on what a good deal the high bidder got, which may have awoke the sleeping yet outbid giant.

]]> By: Steven http://www.thedomains.com/2009/02/27/toyscom-sells-for-5100000-after-selling-for-1200000-what-does-this-mean-for-domain-vaulation/comment-page-1/#comment-11977 Steven Sat, 28 Feb 2009 06:00:49 +0000 http://www.thedomains.com/?p=2405#comment-11977 If the auction houses loosened up their TOS regarding how long AFTER the auction the names are exclusively theirs to sell, I think you'd see a lot more good names going to these big auctions. 60 to 120 days after the auctions are over is ridiculously long in the current environment. 15 to 30 days is more reasonable. Also, if they allowed a "live auction only" option when submitting names for consideration, I think they would greatly increase the number of top names. I know that I'm afraid of putting anything great in with a low reserve because of the fear that it'll go into the silent auction which clearly does not get optimal prices for sellers. If the auction houses loosened up their TOS regarding how long AFTER the auction the names are exclusively theirs to sell, I think you’d see a lot more good names going to these big auctions. 60 to 120 days after the auctions are over is ridiculously long in the current environment. 15 to 30 days is more reasonable.

Also, if they allowed a “live auction only” option when submitting names for consideration, I think they would greatly increase the number of top names. I know that I’m afraid of putting anything great in with a low reserve because of the fear that it’ll go into the silent auction which clearly does not get optimal prices for sellers.

]]>