Value of a .com domain with someone's first name?

"afirstname".com

[contrariwise]

I'm trying to buy a .com domain name which is a female's first name, but I'd like to figure out the market value. It's actually my own name, so it has something of sentimental value for me, but I have a feeling the owners are asking for more than it's worth. Could someone please help me get a ballpark figure?

It's a five letter name. It ranks between #2000 and #3000 of the most popular female names in the US. It is not shared by any major celebrities, brands, or fictional characters. It has at least five different spellings, and this is the second most common way to spell it. Even though it's short, I know from experience that many people have trouble spelling this name, and even to remember the spelling after I've told them. The domain has just been parked for years.

I thought this would be of three-figure value, mostly due to the spelling difficulties. The seller wants four-figures. I might try to scramble up the money to buy this if that's really its market value. I'm trying an appraisal service, but I don't particularly trust them, so I'd like to get opinions from some of you, as well. Thank you!

[stu2]

Most domains are only worth what someone is prepared to pay for it. Unfortunately, sentimentality increases that price, so I hope you haven't told the seller your real name :) The appraisal service won't be worth the email it's written on, imho.

[contrariwise]

Of course, that's how market value works. Supply and demand. :-) But what are people usually prepared to pay for a first name .com domain?

[stu2]

How big's the wallet? I'd offer $1000 for my first name but I doubt I'd have any success. $5000 might change their minds, might not. Depends on many factors, including your urge to own your own name. I've also bought first names for as low as $50. I haven't been able to sell them to anyone with the same first name though :( It's all about a willing buyer and seller agreeing a price. One thing possibly in your favor is that fact that the trader you are dealing with doesn't have any emotional attraction to the domain. To them it's just an object of profit.

[contrariwise]

Good grief. All of a sudden, they want $50,000. No one will ever pay them that. It's definitely a domain shark.

[stu2]

You must have shown too much interest and told them your name. Try looking at other tld's. Mechanically, they all basically do the same thing. I'd be proud to own any tld with my first name. Several registrars have quite a comprehensive tld search. Just try registering the .com and they'll do the search for you. If they have a "check international domains" option click on that too. You might be surprised to find a tld you like.

[LifeinAsia]

Instead of firstname.com, what about iamfirstname.com?

[Webwork]

In this business the best approach is to make your best reasoned offer and move on, leaving the door open if you wish for the registrant to come back at a later date.

There are more than a few knuckleheads who are of the mind "Gee, I have an offer of $$$$. Now I know it's worth at least that much. Now I'll have to hold out for $$$$$."

Lottery ticket mentality: I've got a winning ticket. I just know it and if I don't ever cash out I might win the domain lottery some day.

There's a wide range. Don't let it get you down. Go register your firstnamelastname domain or firstnamemiddleinitiallastname or namefromtown or any other version and be happy.

After all it's what you plan to do with the web address that matters most, right? You can live without the domain.