Although I don't sell domain names I have a feeling that sales conditions have deteriorated rapidly with the general economic malaise and there is just not the excitement around name sales at the moment, so it's a bad time to be selling major names but a good time to be buying.
Would have to take the opposite view from what I see - I do realise you mean major names but they are often the froth on the stuff below.
All from my point of view: recently there seems to be an upshoot of LLL enquires and sales that I have directly seen, and certainly decent activity in wider .uk sales - and certainly swashbuckling excitement in trading names and the odd crazy sale and wonderful uncovering of gems.
Similar purchases by domainers seem to be growing not just in number but in scale, where before people are paying 5k to get a name now they are paying double if not more and in some cases talking sizeable xx,xxx and xxx,xxx offers floating around...
This could be all elements of the 'economic malaise' ie. people think now is a good time to buy and thus are doing so, that cash is king so deals get done etc.
One element I have noticed is that people are more likely to haggle over £250 / £500 or the like whereas previously they wouldnt have given a toss - again it would fit with the thought process above.
Usual thing... would be great to get deals and prices out in the open but I fear people would refuse and react as per the BBC reporter thread
The 'game' is changing and wider economy woes will knock on in some way, but I think the drop in PPC earnings has hit the pockets and maths of some domainers very very hard which will be reflected in their buying ability (and ability to renew). This does not mean the market is dying or slow, just it is changing and those who stagnate will fail.
It is easy to say the above without solid examples to give, but there are Acorn members who I am referring to above indirectly who will be more than aware of the great offers they have refused, missed names to another domainer, top end sales they have achieved, great names picked up at a bargain price or just the hole in PPC rev which means they are having to find a plan B.
Or, the market is crap, sell sell sell - to me
