google wants my name

[Soofi]

Google called and emailed me about a (.in) domain that I own and wants to buy it.. they offered $300 as an opening offer and when I said that I was expecting $2500, person representing Google said "it's not a must have domain for him, and only a good to have option and can raise his best offer to $500" as they are launching similar product line with the name that I own.

this person from google was in some sorta rush to get off the phone, so he said consider our offer and let him know.. and he will take it from!

what I would like to discuss here with fellow members is first, Is my asking price genuine enough? Should I stick to my asking price or negotiate a bit lower price?
concern that I have is, good chance Google can turn towards .co.in tld, if they dont get my domain for a reasonable price..

 

[Jilo]

It's difficult to say whether your asking price is reasonable without knowing the name. You should never trust what's being said in negotiations, but if it's just a defensive acquisition, then I'm guessing their budget won't be big.... Even if it is Google.

If it was my name, I'd email a price of $1,688 and just say 'Take it or leave it.'

 

[dnfuser1234567]

As Jilo said, its hard to give a solid answer without knowing the name, but I would say if it's short, catchy, or brandable - to stick to what you want. If they see interest in it, then others will with time. Plus 2500 is nothing for Google. It would put me off that the guy tried to down play the name over the phone to make you think it might not be worth what you value it at. He could just be saying he is from Google. Good luck!

 

[Gerry]

absolutely positive it was google?

 

[David G]

absolutely positive it was google?

ditto. It's exremely unlikely Google would call someone offering to buy a domain for $300 or $500. Possibly a prank.

 

[Onward]

absolutely positive it was google?

My thought exactly.

I have (under) sold to both google and microsoft and both seemed to not see the need to negotiate with a price under 5k. Also, both were stealth acquisitions.

 

[eeedc]

It is a dot-in, so at best it's a secondary purchase to the dot-com. They don't really need the dot-in.

Also, Google and most major companies are now just extending their name Brand (Google) instead of promoting new names like Froogle, which is not Google Product Search.

If a large company spent hours if not money on nameing consultants, I doubt they would negotiate too hard for Shrewd.com, but I don't think they would really need Shrewd.IN

 

[Johnn]

Get the contact info and "Google" it to see if he is really from "Google".
I don't think this is how Google would contact someone to buy names.

 

[grcorp]

absolutely positive it was google?

My thoughts exactly. I'd ask him for his @google.com email address first to confirm he's the real deal.

If he isn't, you've got to admit that's a pretty shrewd strategy to make the seller think that he's dealing with someone who he can brag about selling to.

 

[Jeffreyw]

Big companies would prefer stealth negotiation to avoid being offered overpriced value of a domain.

 

[eeedc]

and I thought I was cynical. If it was a "freind" playing a joke, wound't he "offer" thousands.

How much are dot-INs worth anyway? I would guess that they are worth a fraction of the dot-com and $500 would be a good offer.

 

[Gerry]

Get the contact info and "Google" it to see if he is really from "Google".
I don't think this is how Google would contact someone to buy names.

Exactly. Google would identify the person, the department, that person's position, and enter into earnest negotiations or discussions rather than hurry up and get off the phone.

This was simply someone in India wanting to lowball you into selling a name. Most likely they are aware of a google product with a similar name and want to cash in on selling related projects.

 

[dnfuser1234567]

How much are .de domains worth? How much are .co.uk domains worth?? You are missing the point, .in has the potential to be very big (BIGGER than $500) for someone with a long term investment mindset. If the name is short, catchy, niche, etc - then it will be worth more than $500. We don't even know the name, it might be something as good as domains.in which sold for 15k this year. The point I am trying to make is don't just assume since its not .com that it can't have a good ROI.

and I thought I was cynical. If it was a "freind" playing a joke, wound't he "offer" thousands.

How much are dot-INs worth anyway? I would guess that they are worth a fraction of the dot-com and $500 would be a good offer.

 

[Theo]

Was it a hack domain? Or you think Google needs a domain for the Indian market? Either way, I'd tell them that you are grateful for the free traffic they will point your way once they launch the service; unless they accept your (very logical) asking price.

 

[Gerry]

Google called and emailed me about a (.in) domain that I own and wants to buy it.

Do a reverse look up on the phone number.

Look up the source of the email.

Google department personnel do not typically use a gmail address.

Just because it may have originated froma gmail address does not mean a Google source.

I am very skeptical based on how you described the conversation on the phone.

 

[eeedc]

I am very skeptical based on how you described the conversation on the phone.

If they are just buying up a few dozen of similar and foreign names, I would expect them to not be that inerested and in a hurry to get off the phone.

They would be much more interested and not say they were from Google if they really needed the name, and who really needs a dot-in.

And while they might bring some typo traffic, they will also scare off any future purchasers who don't want to step on Google's trademark.

 

[dnfuser1234567]

eeedc - I think the other way. If Google didn't really want it, they wouldn't bother with inquiring about it. Nor would they get all hot and flustered over an asking price of $2500. Again, this is considering it is Google that is asking about the name.

---------- Post added at 02:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:29 PM ----------

They would be much more interested and not say they were from Google if they really needed the name, and who really needs a dot-in.

Oh I don't know. Take a look at this chart and compare it to other ccTLD and tell me you don't see a future in this market that hasn't even hit its prime high use yet.

http://www.google.com/trends?q=.in&ctab=0&geo=all&date=all

 

[Gerry]

Oh I don't know. Take a look at this chart and compare it to other ccTLD and tell me you don't see a future in this market that hasn't even hit its prime high use yet.

http://www.google.com/trends?q=.in&ctab=0&geo=all&date=all

Domainers (in general) have very short sightedness (especially US domainers).

For the most part, they do not study trends or global economies or emerging markets. That is too much like work and out of their comfort zone.

I wonder how many people on this forum even know that the country of India is about to overtake China as the most populated nation on earth. I'm not saying that is neither good nor bad but it is one hell of a growing and prosperous nation with new startups and tech companies growing by leaps and bounds.

But, let's just continue to ignore India as being a real player in global economies and markets (as well as their piss-poor ccTLD).

 

[eeedc]

No insult to India intended, but as if you have GreatName.com, you don't really need GreatName.IN or GreatName.US or GreatName.UK.

I would not expect the price for GreatName.IN or GreatName.US to be anywhere near the price of GreatName.com

 

[Gerry]

No insult to India intended, but as if you have GreatName.com, you don't really need GreatName.IN or GreatName.US or GreatName.UK.

I would not expect the price for GreatName.IN or GreatName.US to be anywhere near the price of GreatName.com

Unless you are Indian, in India, and totally doing business in India - especially when IDN.idn is in play.

Seriously, it is way past time to start looking, thinking and studying ahead.

I am not a big player in IDN or ccTLD's. But to ignore their success is ignoring the industry/business you are in.