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The Domain Collector (a Parable)

by toddmintz Expert(January 2008) (rank 15th)
 
 
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“Because something is happening here…But you don’t know what it is…Do you, Mister Jones?” Bob Dylan, Ballad of a Thin Man

The phone rang at the appointed time.

“Mitch, it’s Denny Fowles…I’m the person who emailed you about purchasing your domain forecasttheyears.com.”

“Hello Denny. You know, I’m quite puzzled by your interest in my domain. I purchased it name for its sentimental value and to get a total stranger to offer me $500 for it out of the blue is somewhat suspicious to me. Can you explain to me your sudden interest?”

“Well Mitch, I collect domain names and I really like how your name sounds.”

“That’s the only reason? Do you know the etymology of the phrase ‘forecast the years’? Does it have any special meaning for you?

“No and no. I just really like the phrase…how the words sound together.”

“It’s strange that you could be drawn to this name without understanding or knowing its origins or history. In case you’re curious, the phrase ‘forecast the years’ comes from Tennyson’s ‘In Memorium’:

But who shall so forecast the years
And find in loss a gain to match?

Those two lines have always resonated with me and that’s what caused me to purchase the name. As you can tell, I’ve never developed the domain.”

“Again Mitch, because I really like how the name sounds, I’m prepared to purchase the name from you for $500. If you can show me that the domain is earning parking income that would justify a better price, I would consider making you a higher offer…otherwise, $500 is what I’m willing to pay.”

“Well Denny, I really like how $5,000 sounds and I will sell you the domain for that amount.”

“Mitch, I think you’re trying to take advantage of my generosity. I’m offering you $500 for a domain that’s not likely earning you enough parking revenue to pay its registration cost. I believe my offer is more than fair. If you can get a better offer for your domain, feel free to take it…however, I’d be shocked if anyone besides me would offer you a premium price for a domain that has only sentimental value.”

“Denny, let me think about it and get back to you.”

Two Weeks Later

From: Denny Fowles
To:
Subject: Forecasttheyears.com

Escrow is closed on this domain and it is in my possession. I will now begin the process of transferring it to the client. I’m attaching my commission invoice for $2,000.

Eighteen Months Later (at the movies)

Ralph Fiennes is Liam McTeague. Teenage tragedy drove Liam to the breaking point. But, Liam couldn’t know that surviving such a catastrophic youthful calamity allowed him to develop tremendous inner strength enabling him to overcome an adult horror that would have devastated lesser men. After Liam discovered his wife’s affair with his business partner that threatened both his emotional and financial stability, he didn’t fall apart…he fell into action.

Ralph Fiennes in Forecast The Years. Cate Blanchett, Clare Danes, David Strathairn & Terence Stamp.

Directed by John Boorman

See the trailer at www.forecasttheyears.com.

 
 

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Re: The Domain Collector (a Parable)

michellereno
Vote:

January 2008

I second George on the Dylan and Tennyson references. So you got a check for $2,000 for your domain? How did they just take it from you? That seems so sinister to me.
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Re: The Domain Collector (a Parable)

georgebounacos
Vote:

January 2008

Very nice parable.  Love the lead, and anything that quotes Dylan and Tennyson in the same couple of hundred words gets my attention.
I had a similar legitimate experience.   Had a domain name in our portfolio that was one of those "build in the future" names.  Then I read about a movie with the same name.  I wrote the producers and said, "You've killed my idea for a brand here.  I honestly thought it was a dead book title. For years, people will see this on DVD or HBO and hit the site.  How do we transfer you the site because it's no good to me now."  Anyway, their GC got involved, and even though I had the name for a while, like you, he got a little imperious to the point of my trying to give the name to charities sharing the same name.  I think we ended when I wrote that we were pushing a healthcare site and if he had IP covered for that, we would turn over the name.

Finally I decided it wasn't worth the hassle and I didn't want to be seen as a squatter.  We were trying to figure out the legal aspect of how to offer these healthcare-related accessories when they announce a movie with the same name.  So we just gave them the name and wished them luck.

And, of course, the movie bombed.   I was going to go see it, and it was out of the theaters within a couple of weeks despite a good cast. 

Cost -- I dunno, $20 or so in registration fees for a couple of years.  Moral to me?  Unless you plan to be a domain speculator, don't buy unless you have a business plan or a strategic reason.
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Re: The Domain Collector (a Parable)

angieh
Vote:

January 2008

Nice story... except I fail to see what the moral of the story is. Either that or my brain isn't switched on today. (probably the latter!)
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