closed Wasting $50 Best Appraisal Service?

[StockDoctor]

Alright, I'm one of those newbies willing to waste the $50 or more on a good (real) appraisal. Not that I don't think you guys are great, but I have to provide some proof to the partners and I want to sell. I've got some offers on my names and need a true market value, so I can get back to people asap. Who do you guys recommend and might they have volume discounts?

 

[Bob]

I do not recommend ANYBODY. Appraisals are a rip-off. I have never seen a professional appraisal sell anywhere near what they appraise for.

-Bob

 

[Duke]

You will not get a "true" market value from any appraisal service I am aware of. Most of them will give you a vastly over-valued appraisal so you will not feel like you wasted your $50 (and will hopefully come back for more).

 

[GiantDomains]

you used the words REAL APPRAISALS. Here we are! These are real appraisals. Other appraisals companies will inflate your worth, so you are satisfied.

Here, we give you the real deal. You will see. What we appraise for will be very close to what you can sell for. Give us a list!

 

[NamePopper.com]

stocdoc--these guys are right. I don't know of an appraisal service that is worth the paper it's written on. Here at the forum--you will get opinions from people at all levels of the industry.

The best advice & common sense: toss out the highs & lows--go with the middle.

I'm sorry this doesn't give you any type of hard-copy that you can present to your clients--but it's the truth.

 

[StockDoctor]

Yeah I'm sure you guys are right. I'll show my partners your posts and I think that will do the trick. Hate to keep people waiting that have made good faith offers and deserve a response. I'll post my list on here ahead of any auctions. Long as it doesn't stink up the place. Some are pretty ok though. I think I'll have maybe 50 to 100 names on the thing. Of course, unless there's a limit to posting size on the forum.

Is there a 12 step program I can attend for this name stuff?

Danny

 

Yep, these people are right that most appraisal companies really inflate the prices and the names don't sell. I have though had some good experiences - quite a few times selling names for more than they have been appraised at, but these are few and far between. Some of the lower cost appraisal services are great value for what they provide (in terms of they do the search and research work for you) but it is something that you could do yourself via forums, and the various databases and searches anyone can do.

If you ever go to get an appraisal - always get a couple of different opinions and go with the general concensus.

 

[NamePopper.com]

Originally posted by stocdoctor
I'll post my list on here ahead of any auctions. Long as it doesn't stink up the place.

Don't worry--we have industrial strength air freshener hanging from all 4 corners of the appraisal threads.

There is no limit--post as many names as you like. I also hope you will stick around--and be a regular part of our community here at DNForum

 

[StockDoctor]

Thanks fer the invite Mr. Texan Namepopper dude. I'll be around (the 12 step program probably wouldn't take) cause I find myself buying more.

I'll try and quit the cigs instead. Would be easier me thinks.

 

[President Gringo]

no such thing as a Professional Appraisal. If you really have faith in these people, get them to value a domain, and then offer it to them at 1/10th of what they claim it to be worth.

If you want a piece of paper saying your domain is worth thousands, then you can send me $10 via paypal and i'll do it

 

[RON2]

I will give you a free honest appraisal. If you want to pay me for a pretty certificate with my signature on it, I won't turn it down (or change my appraisal) :razz:

 

[lhague]

...I agree with all above comments, like you Im fairly new and made the mistake of having two of my names appraised at Great Domains (cost me $200)...this was because someone who claimed they were interested in buying insisted on a Great Domains Appraisal.... To put it in a nutshell, I was had and thats why I am glad I found DNForum.... lots of straight honest opinions from experienced Domain Name people....

 

[domainduck]

Of all the negative answers stating that pro appraisals don't exist, or suck, who of you have actually tried them?



quack

 

The mistake the former person made was in going to Great Domains - seriously, never pay anything above $20 for an appraisal as whoever you have doing them, they'll always still just be one persons opinion - albeit an experienced person if you choose the right companies. If you really are going to go the appraisal route always get at least 3 different opinions, thats the only way to ever really get an accurate median price because one appraiser might have experience of a certain area, or notice something about a specific domain when another will not.

It is unfair to tarnish all Domain Appraisal companies with the same brush. Yes, it's totally true that some (if not most) inflate the prices to make their customers happy but then there ARE some domains that are worth the big bucks, even nowdays. As an appraiser i might give a high price for a domain because i know it would be popular in a certain area or appeal to certain companies but the owner might have no idea how to sell a domain name, approach it totally the wrong way and end up getting $500 for it ..... doesn't mean i was wrong. I guess then we get onto the good/bad points of domain brokers but it really does just boil down to who you choose to go to and how good they are.

An appraisal is just one persons opinion, although you might be lucky and get a financial analyst with experience in the area, or somebody who has done thousands of appraisals and sold high value names in a variety of areas but 9 times out of 10 it's pretty much just a more detailed and more researched version of an opinion you would find here. Thats not to say they are worthless though - companies seem to like you obtaining a number of independant opinions and have something presented to them that backs up your own opinion and doesn't look like a forum print-out. You get what you want out of it - for under $20 you are getting someones opinion, and having them do all the search and statistics work for you. You can do it yourself but thats not bad. Personally, i tried a number of professional appraisers in the past - some inflated prices, some were honest and some gave out great information that i wouldn't have discovered elsewhere and in some cases (though it was rare) i ended up selling the names for higher than the appraisal prices but i definitely found they helped when approaching prospective buyers.

 

[President Gringo]

and all that from someone who owns a domain appraisal site

 

Originally posted by President Gringo
and all that from someone who owns a domain appraisal site

I don't own the site - i just appraise for it, get a commision for every report i do. If any appraisal company tells people that they are soooo good that they can be 100% accurate every time and thats the definite price then they're talking rubbish. We are pretty honest and say it's the personal opinion of an experienced appraiser and a good guide, but to pay attention to the information contained as well as the estimate figure and that using appraisals to sell a domain is more effective when you consult a number of appraisers.

As for people thinking nothing but a single worder .com can fetch the big bucks - i've sold quite a few regional domains for many thousands and they haven't always been the sort of things you guys here would like. Y'see people scoff at high appraisals but it's 80% about how a domain is sold, and 20% about the appraisal. I think people get that the other way around most of the time.

 

[NamePopper.com]

Everybody here makes some valid points. That's the problem though--apps are just too subjective to be consistent or reliable. No 2 people will see the same thing. I hardly ever give a dollar amount if someone asks my opinion. I just say bad--fair--good--great--high dollar--etc.

Here is a funny story...(kinda related--kinda not)

Two years ago, I contacted the owner of GiantHost.com to see what he wanted for the name. He told me he would be willing to accept offers starting at $60,000.00 --60K!!!!!!?????? It turned out that he had it listed at GreatDomains for that price--and it's worth noting that he's had the name for 4 years now--and it still sits unsold & unused. The victim of too high expectations due to an inflated appraisal value? Perhaps.

Meanwhile--I aquired GiantHosting.com for $100--went and grabbed the .net for $7, and now have GiantHosting.com & .net for $107

GiantHost.com - $60,000.
GiantHosting.com & .net - $107
The smile on my face - priceless.

 

[Duke]

Originally posted by NamePopper
GiantHost.com - $60,000.
GiantHosting.com & .net - $107
The smile on my face - priceless.

Great story Popper - and maybe it is just a personal preference, but for a hosting company I think the name you got is better.

 

[NamePopper.com]

Hey Duke--thanks buddy. I honestly do too. Atleast as good anyway.

I just searched GreatDomains and see that he has lowered his price to 19K--
but I'm still feeling pretty good about my 100 bucks.