Here are the results for LuxuryNames.com’s first ever auction. Thirty one domain names were sold for a grand total of $20,747. Hopefully this is the first of many auctions from LuxuryNames.

Be sure to check back December 1st to see who won the contest prizes. It’s going to be a very special video.

Above $1000

businesscarinsurance.com $3,777
cheaphouseinsurance.com $3,100
cowboyhats.net $1,800
cruisevacations.org $1,550
csections.com $1,550
fivestarrestaurants.com $1,550
homeloancalculator.org $1,550
realestateus.com $1,050

Under $1000
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Tip number 4 of my 5 Tips For Selling Domain Names article was to reach out to alternative extension owners.  Meaning, if I own a domain name, I reach out to the owners of the same name with the different extensions.

This morning I did just that. I called a domain owner who was using .us because the .com version was not available when he registered his name five years ago.

Normally the call goes, “I’d love to own the .com, how much?” Instead it went, “I’m fine without the .com.” I’ll admit, I was thrown back for a second. If anything I’m used to someone arguing about the value or price, not the extension.

I used the usual and told him the .com version is getting some of your traffic. His response was basically that if his potential clients are ignorant enough to type in the wrong extension then he doesn’t want their business.

I then gave the analogy of toll free numbers. For years people have used 800 for toll free dialing. With the introduction of 877 and 866 these same people are still dialing 800 because of habit. I got the same response.

Oh and I also mentioned it’s better he owns the domain name instead of his competition. That didn’t go anywhere. The conversation was lead somewhere else.

I didn’t pressure the potential buyer, because that’s not my style. Plus, he admitted they need a website redesign which I believe I will be hired for.

So, I’ll leave you with a statement and a question.

Don’t pressure potential buyers and don’t burn your bridges. I did not sell a domain name but may have earned his business for website redesign, marketing and possibly social media consulting.

My question is…

What would you have done in this scenario? Do you have a better comeback without forcing the issue?

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I just wanted to remind everyone briefly about the LuxuryNames.com auction happening right now, as we speak, well as you read. Remember the auction is going to be ending around 3pm Eastern time November, 24th, which is tomorrow!! Fifteen names already have bids on them, some by multiple bidders.

Don’t miss out on the chance to get the grand prize of about $1500 in cash to help with development costs of the domain name and a twelve month subscription to Domain SuperStar’s Premium Tools, which is worth over $700 in itself. A second place winner will also be chosen.  They will receive a twelve month subscription to Domain SuperStar’s Premium Tools. No cash. Read more about the contest here.

Please remember you have to win the name you bid on and pay for it, in order to be considered as an entry into the contest.  Most important of all, I will be announcing the winner on December 1st by video. I know you can’t wait for that!

There were some great names on the list, so even if you don’t win the grand prize or second prize, you’ll walk away with a premium domain.  That sounds like a win-win scenario to me.

Now go bid! I’ve got my bids in on a couple.

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In last week’s comic strip we figured out why I was unable to register any good domain names. This week I’ve come up with the perfect invention to prevent it from ever happening again.

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I’m excited to announce that I will be attending the DOMAINfest Global 2010 conference towards the end of January in Los Angeles, California.  It should be a great conference.  I look forward to meeting more of the people in the domain community that I’ve made connections with.  Of course, the fact that the final sponsored party of the conference is going to be at the Playboy mansion has given me much motivation to attend as well.

If you’d like to view a recap of DOMAINfest 2009, Ron Jackson of DNJournal.com has a great recap article with pictures. Pictured below is the DomainSponsor tent for the Playboy mansion party, taken by Ron Jackson during DOMAINfest 2009.

Also, it was announced yesterday that DomainFest is going to run two very interesting contests.  If you are an entrepreneur, as many of us domainers are, or if you think you are a creative individual, then keep reading.  There are going to be two different contests.  One is called PITCHfesT and the other is called LAUNCHfesT.

For the PITCHfesT contest, five lucky applicants will be given the opportunity to give a five minute presentation to the DOMAINfest audience and a panel of judges, about their ideas on how to increase website traffic and revenue through the use of creative new products or services.  Those interested in submitting an entry in to the contest can go here to read more.  The deadline is January 15, 2010 to get your entry submitted.  The winner will receive a trophy and get a “prominent” mention in the post-show press release.

The LAUNCHfesT will also involve five contestants.  All you have to do is pick one of the undeveloped domain names from the list of ten made available by Oversee.net.  Create a business model that includes what your plans would be for website development and monetization.  Fill out a submission form with the key points of your business model.  If you’re one of the five chosen, then you’ll also have the opportunity to give a presentation lasting five minutes in front of the DOMAINfest audience and, again, a panel of judges during the LAUNCHfesT session.  The deadline for application submissions is also January 15, 2010.

For this part of the contest, the person will be judged on creativity, viability, originality and revenue potential.  The audience will get to choose who their favorite contestant was, but the only decision that matters is the one made by the judges, because they will actually be scoring the contestants.  The winner will be given the chance to lease their chosen domain for five years with the first year of the lease fee being waived.  At any point over the five year lease, the winner can decide to purchase the domain.  To learn more about the contest and submit an application, go here.  Here’s a list of the ten domain names available for the contest:

1. Planners.com
2. AdvertiseHere.com
3. StartABusiness.com
4. GoOut.com
5. RealEstateNetwork.com
6. BoostSales.com
7. SiteFinder.com
8. WebIncentives.com
9. AnythingForSale.com
10. DailyPicks.com

Although these domain names are not category killers, I see some great potential in them. I can’t wait to see what the contestants come up with.

If you haven’t already purchased your ticket, do so now before the prices go up. Visit DOMAINfest.com.

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