Should I Just Buy This Domain?

#1

Post by jhacks » Thu, May 02, 2013, 4:19 AM UTC

I have a domain name currently that is similar to flickr.com, scribd.com, etc. in that with one letter excluded, it still sounds like the word.

After customer and market validation and with my co-founder and I coding, I realized it'd be important to trademark the name. That has gone through. Which is great since the name is a great fit, is a real word (less the letter), easy to say, and easy to remember.

The domain name with the correct spelling is available for purchase for $1.5k ("buy it now" so no negotiation). Honestly, similar or worse domain names are trying to be sold for more money and I would happily pay $500 - $1,000 without issue.

Should I just purchase it at this price? I doubt it goes lower and there isn't an option to negotiate. I guess the only thing holding me back is that it's a big sum (I have the money - since still working day job). I wonder if my incorrectly spelled domain is good enough?

But then I see that flickr has flicker.com. In terms of word of mouth, I'm sure there will be people who try spelling it correctly, in which case I would have potential to redirect them. It could help with SEO as well.

Any and all advice appreciated. Thanks!

Re: Should I Just Buy This Domain?

#2

Post by itsprofitbaron » Thu, May 02, 2013, 4:30 AM UTC

Without knowing what the domain is, I can't comment on its actual worth but considering everything that you have said you should buy it.

The reasons are because:

- You're already committed to the name - you have a trademark and you say the name is a great fit for your startup

- You are already willing to pay $1000 for it ($500 more isn't that much in real terms especially, if you think you can at least recover $1500 for the domain if the startup fails)

- If your startup becomes successful, you are going to want to acquire that domain name (and once you're successful the owner will want a more substantial price)

Re: Should I Just Buy This Domain?

#3

Post by [deleted] » Thu, May 02, 2013, 4:31 AM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Should I Just Buy This Domain?

#4

Post by tacticus » Thu, May 02, 2013, 4:36 AM UTC

itsprofitbaron wrote: post #2

Without knowing what the domain is, I can't comment on its actual worth but considering everything that you have said you should buy it. The reasons are because: - You're already committed to the name - you have a trademark and you say the name is a great fit for your startup - You are already willing to pay $1000 for it ($500 more isn't that much in real terms especially, if you think you can at least recover $1500…

Since they have a trademark for it and the current owners are using it in bad faith can't they use wipo to get the domain.

The cost may be greater than just buying it. i just have a dislike of those squatting on a domain.

Re: Should I Just Buy This Domain?

#5

Post by chmullig » Thu, May 02, 2013, 4:40 AM UTC

Yes, you should probably buy it if you're serious about the company.

Re: Should I Just Buy This Domain?

#6

Post by dangrossman » Thu, May 02, 2013, 4:41 AM UTC

tacticus wrote: post #4

itsprofitbaron wrote: post #2

Without knowing what the domain is, I can't comment on its actual worth but considering everything that you have said you should buy it. The reasons are because: - You're already committed to the name - you have a trademark and you say the name is a great fit for your startup - You are already willing to pay $1000 for it ($500 more isn't that much in real terms especially, if you think you can at least recover $1500…

Since they have a trademark for it and the current owners are using it in bad faith can't they use wipo to get the domain. The cost may be greater than just buying it. i just have a dislike of those squatting on a domain.

> the current owners are using it in bad faith

He never says this. Merely holding a trademark does not entitle you to take a domain from someone (see: Nissan Motor Company v Nissan.com). Sitting on domains is not illegal.

Re: Should I Just Buy This Domain?

#7

Post by gonehome » Thu, May 02, 2013, 4:44 AM UTC

Flickr didn't have flicker.com until recently and I think it cost them over $800,000 if I remember the bidding for it correctly. Probably worth just buying it now and not worrying about it.

Re: Should I Just Buy This Domain?

#8

Post by waltz » Thu, May 02, 2013, 4:44 AM UTC

don't forget to buy the .net .org .edu .co .us .br .es .xxx .gj .aj .xj .ns .jt .tk .fj .gja .aj .rjg .al .gj .jq .jp

Re: Should I Just Buy This Domain?

#9

Post by Navarr » Thu, May 02, 2013, 4:46 AM UTC

dangrossman wrote: post #6

tacticus wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Since they have a trademark for it and the current owners are using it in bad faith can't they use wipo to get the domain. The cost may be greater than just buying it. i just have a dislike of those squatting on a domain.

> the current owners are using it in bad faith He never says this. Merely holding a trademark does not entitle you to take a domain from someone (see: Nissan Motor Company v Nissan.com). Sitting on domains is not illegal.

Nissan.com is a legitimate company with a legitimate purpose though.

Re: Should I Just Buy This Domain?

#10

Post by darushimo » Thu, May 02, 2013, 4:50 AM UTC

My guess is that the discrepancy between the general $10/yr from godaddy and the current $1500 is what's getting to you... My advice would be to try to disregard the "standard" price for a domain and just ask if it's worth it on its own.

One way to look at it: you could say that the "standard" price for a domain name is no longer standard at all--that most (not all, but most) good domain names are already taken, and that "$10/yr" was a historical moment that already passed. However you create the story, it should lead you to ignoring what you think "should" be the case, and help you take full consideration what IS the case.