Thank you everyone for contributing to this discussion.
Now that I have thought over your comments, and also tried Ebay a bit (some success but nothing to rave about)---here is my opinion.
I assume that for me, membership here is worth $50. I have not yet made any sales over $10, but after all I have a lot of domains, and already I have learned a lot.
However, just because it is worth $50 for ME personally---this does not exclude it from being "overpriced." I believe this definitely is overpriced for the following reasons:
1. Membership here is definitely not worth $50 for the average person who only has a dozen or so domains to sell, or who just wants to buy an aftermarket domain for their own use at a reasonable price.
2. If membership cost were cut in half ($25) this probably would not immediately double the number of members---therefore, the owners of this forum probably would make less profits in the short term. However, there probably would be a significant increase in the number of members. This would be a big advantage to members, because more people buying means more sales. (And also more opportunities to buy.)
3. Other forums such as DomainState.com are totally free and are rising in popularity and reputation. If DNforum.com does not lower its fees, eventually it may become obsolete.
4. On the other hand, if DNforum.com were to lower its fees to $19.95, this would totally forestall the growth of DomainState.com and other free forums. Then almost everyone will say, "What the heck, I'll pay a bit and join the best..."
My opinion: DNforum.com should lower its PREMIUM membership fee to $19.95 per year.
From the management point of view: They may make less profit in the short term, but are assured plenty enough to be able to operate this site well. Moreover, the sooner this is done, the more certain it can be to eliminate the growth of competition. If however they wait a year or two---then DomainState.com or some other forum may become so successful, that then DNforum may continue to decline because there would then be little reason for anyone even to pay the $19.95.
From the members point of view: there is no question that a fee of $19.95 instead of $50 would very greatly increase the membership of this forum, and the long term survival of this forum, and therefore the value of belonging to this forum.
Case in point: NameSecure.com was once "the" place to buy "discount" domain registrations at $30/year. Then along came Dotster.com and others selling at $15/year. Nonetheless NameSecure "clung to its reputation" and continued at $30/year for several years. Then many loyal customers were driven away never to return, even after NameSecure finally reduced its rates to "market value." I must confess that I suspect something like this to be in store for DNforum.com.
Now that I have thought over your comments, and also tried Ebay a bit (some success but nothing to rave about)---here is my opinion.
I assume that for me, membership here is worth $50. I have not yet made any sales over $10, but after all I have a lot of domains, and already I have learned a lot.
However, just because it is worth $50 for ME personally---this does not exclude it from being "overpriced." I believe this definitely is overpriced for the following reasons:
1. Membership here is definitely not worth $50 for the average person who only has a dozen or so domains to sell, or who just wants to buy an aftermarket domain for their own use at a reasonable price.
2. If membership cost were cut in half ($25) this probably would not immediately double the number of members---therefore, the owners of this forum probably would make less profits in the short term. However, there probably would be a significant increase in the number of members. This would be a big advantage to members, because more people buying means more sales. (And also more opportunities to buy.)
3. Other forums such as DomainState.com are totally free and are rising in popularity and reputation. If DNforum.com does not lower its fees, eventually it may become obsolete.
4. On the other hand, if DNforum.com were to lower its fees to $19.95, this would totally forestall the growth of DomainState.com and other free forums. Then almost everyone will say, "What the heck, I'll pay a bit and join the best..."
My opinion: DNforum.com should lower its PREMIUM membership fee to $19.95 per year.
From the management point of view: They may make less profit in the short term, but are assured plenty enough to be able to operate this site well. Moreover, the sooner this is done, the more certain it can be to eliminate the growth of competition. If however they wait a year or two---then DomainState.com or some other forum may become so successful, that then DNforum may continue to decline because there would then be little reason for anyone even to pay the $19.95.
From the members point of view: there is no question that a fee of $19.95 instead of $50 would very greatly increase the membership of this forum, and the long term survival of this forum, and therefore the value of belonging to this forum.
Case in point: NameSecure.com was once "the" place to buy "discount" domain registrations at $30/year. Then along came Dotster.com and others selling at $15/year. Nonetheless NameSecure "clung to its reputation" and continued at $30/year for several years. Then many loyal customers were driven away never to return, even after NameSecure finally reduced its rates to "market value." I must confess that I suspect something like this to be in store for DNforum.com.
