Prices, Gouging and Haggling for Internet Domains?

GregStevensLA asks: "I'm considering paying for a 'premium' domain name for a small web start-up I want to form. The company that currently holds the domain name is offering it for $1500, but they made it clear to me that they expect a counter-offer and are 'willing to make a deal.' I've never done this before, and I have no idea what a reasonable counter-offer is. If I say 'I can't go above $1000' am I being too easy? Should I try to push for lower than that? My understanding is that these prices are hugely inflated anyway (i.e. pure profit going to companies that probably scooped up the domains for free). In some sense, paying anything beyond a registration fee is gouging, in my opinion. I don't want to be conned... on the other hand, this is the reality of business, and I don't want to come across as amateurish. Does anyone have any advice for this new-comer to domain name purchasing?"

Hey Greg

[bluelip]

Hey Greg,

          We spoke eralier about you purchasing a domain name from us. In light of recent interest in the domain, we're now asking $2500.

Thanks,
Your Friendly Neighborhood Domain Dealer

Yes!

[durandal61]

Hope to god they don't read Slashdot! :-)

Re:Price Gouging

[numbski]

It's very simple really.

All domains are worth precisely $12. No more, no less.

If someone has registered a domain, and is offering to sell it to you for more than that, they're nothing but leeching parasites, or as the PC like to call them, "cyber-squatters".

Don't feed the parasites.

Re:Find a better name.

[sexyrexy]

Markets are notoriously bad at setting prices in a truly efficient manner.

That, also, depends on your point of view.

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

I fail it

[linvir]

Sorry Mr. Question Asker, I tried my best to save your Ask Slashdot from mindless Slashbot mutual reassurance, but judging from the comments so far, which have almost exclusively echoed my frosty piss to the letter without being marked redundant, I have failed you. I apologise sincerely and vow to turn my brain in during the next amnesty on inadequacy.

Re:I fear your business is not long for this world

[GregStevensLA]

Ah, but you see, you overlooked the wisdom and insight of one business move:

• I asked Slashdot.

;-)

(in all seriousness, though: your point is well taken)

Don't offer them $1500

[menace3society]

Off them $25 and a bus ticket. If they don't go for it, hack into their servers, download child porn, and report them to the FBI.