What was your latest .ca inbound domain inquiry? (1.Viewing)

DomainRecap said:

...You don't want me to post the math again, do you?

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I don't think there is one "math" for the .ca business or domain business. There are so many variables that go into the business. I think we all have our own math based on our financial resources, knowledge, time, negotiation skills, business acumen, fortitude, risk tolerance, and so many more.

...but that's what makes it a challenge.

aactive said:

I don't think there is one "math" for the .ca business or domain business.

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I'm talking financial statements here, which are regulated by the government and IFRS/GAAP and fully standardized. Businesses are required by law to submit these each year by a registered accountant and even non-businesses are supposed to report capital gains and pay tax on them.

I realize that there is wiggle room in terms of how long you can withstand annual losses, like saying "I don't plan to turn a profit for 5 years", but that doesn't change the raw fact that you're going to be in the red for 5 years. Lots of businesses exist exactly like this for 3-5 years, but with the right business plan and proper budgeting, it can be profitable over the longer term.

But a lot of private investors out there simply do not keep track of all revenues and expenses on an annual basis, instead proclaiming proudly on Facebook that they "sold a domain for $250 they only spend $67 on" (neglecting to mention all their other unsold domain costs), and use standard wages to supplement their "hobby expenses". Again, if they get enjoyment out of the buying and selling, and don't need or want to make money, go for it.

Personally I like to know exactly what I'm spending and how much I'm taking in, and exactly how that relates on a revolving annual basis. Every venture needs to pay its own rent - I already have hobbies and don't need any more.

DomainRecap said:

You don't want me to post the math again, do you?

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I’m not sure why you seem to think the math has to work to own domains. Why do you assume everyone owns domains to sell every year? There is probably less than a dozen people in the .CA industry that may rely on selling domains as their only source of income. I’m probably being generous.

I don’t purchase domains like you purchase domains. My domains are like rare collectibles. They are not on the market to be sold within a year of owning. I’ve owned domains since the 90’s (.com domains).

You cannot assume everyone who purchases domains are purchasing them for the same reasons as you. I think everyone is looking at these reported sales and assumes that’s the full extent of the .CA market. I haven’t reported one .CA sale ever and I know others who have never reported a .CA sale.

I still am not sure if this is the smart approach or not or if it really even matters. The point is not everyone is looking at the “finances” like you. I operate a business in the domain industry for the sole purpose of being able to carry losses for 20 years. I have never had to reach that point.

Now, on another matter if we were to have a fully private .CA forum maybe we could all talk openly and be able to divulge more than we can on a public forum. We all know there aren’t thousands of domainers in Canada. Even if there were, they are not active as we all know the amount of offers we get cannot solely be relied on.

All the above are just my opinion. Agree or disagree. That’s up to you.

theinvestor said:

I’m not sure why you seem to think the math has to work to own domains. Why do you assume everyone owns domains to sell every year? There is probably less than a dozen people in the .CA industry that may rely on selling domains as their only source of income. I’m probably being generous.

I don’t purchase domains like you purchase domains. My domains are like rare collectibles. They are not on the market to be sold within a year of owning. I’ve owned domains since the 90’s (.com domains).

You cannot assume everyone who purchases domains are purchasing them for the same reasons as you.

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You are saying exactly what I said, that if you enjoy the ownership and collecting part (i.e. this is partly your hobby or you have a long break-even point) then go for it and have fun doing it. I've posted the same opinion on NP - I collect names of old friends, hockey star last-names, countries and sports cities, etc - they are certainly for sale at the right price, but that's not why I initially bought them.

With my "finances" angle, I'm not specifically talking about your type of "rare collectible" domaining, but to those who truly want to run a side hustle and believe they are making a a profit investing in domain names, but have never once run the numbers. Those people should, just to see if the numbers actually match up with their expectations.

I think if you want to lay out your business plan for people to use for their domaining business, that's great.

But I think what people see happening here is you complaining about TBR prices and then inferring that people are stupid because in your business plan, those prices don't make sense. You make it sound like everyone should be taking a very measured low-risk approach assuming the business needs to make a consistent profit and driven strictly by those numbers. Your financial experience is defining your perspective.

Everyone else is just saying there are a lot of different approaches to domaining. And I don't think _any_ domainer is strictly one type of investor, everyone's portfolio is going to be a mix of domains you bought for personal reasons, hobbies, charity, commentary or critique, development, long & short term resales, PPC, traffic, link equity, expanding your own niches, locking competitors out of your niches, etc... There are many reasons to hold domains, and I highly doubt anyone has a portfolio of significance for just one purpose alone.

So basically, shut up, keep driving the boat, and stay on course for the rocks. Got it.

Got a 300 USD offer for Miam yesterday. Miam means "yum" in French.

And I got a 825 USD offer for CryptoCanada earlier this week. I've had 8 offers for this domain since April 2020, among 4 different bidders. This was the highest offer so far, and I'm not exactly sure how to price this one now that btc has blown up (again).