Thoughts on consolidating multiple domains into one domain?

[mihomes]

What is everyones thought on taking multiple domains names with pretty much the same content and consolidating into one through use of 301 redirect?

I was talking about this was a friend and we had mixed opinions. Basically he had about 5 domains which all contained the same products and only the domain names really changed. He has had the domains for years and the multiple sites were strictly for specific keywords. He then brought up the possibility of picking one and 301'ing the rest to it.

I have to be honest I see both pos and neg sides to it now.

[topr8]

you are not clear what you mean?

>>Basically he had about 5 domains which all contained the same products and only the domain names really changed.

do you mean basically duplicate content but with different domain names?

if so then waste of time.

however another scenario where different domains sell the same products (from the same db) but where there is lots of value added content eg text information, that is different on the different sites ... then that is good and worth keepign them seperate.