p.s. i sold one of the most lousy domain i ever bought for USD 5000 too....back in the early 2000 .... i still dont have the slightest idea why they want the name so badly at that time.
Now that's the kind of news I like to hear!! I have a very impressive portfolio of lousy names, so maybe I should not give up so soon.
It is definitely true in the domain business that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. One would be wise to follow some rules of common sense when registering names, but appraisals here - and everywhere else for that matter - are just opinions. The only facts are the ones that can be counted when the buyer starts laying greenbacks on the table.
But If you are going to ask for appraisals, make sure you have a thick skin. I have had them met with praise and with ridicule. Others have been met with silence (newbies that is not good - silence is almost always a sign that the names are not even worthy of comment).
When a newbie posts here and their name gets universally hammered they invariably get very defensive about it. Sure, there is always that outside chance that someone will still pay for the name despite some pretty obvious drawbacks. But that is a very rare occurence. On the other hand if most here think the name is strong there is a far greater likelihood that it will sell. So, I would look for a consensus of opinion to gauge what your prospects might be.
Taken as a whole it is all a learning experience. Education usually does not come free of charge. I look at my mistakes as tuition. I keep trying to get the cost down, and while I am making some headway through better choices, I doubt I'll ever be on a full scholarship!