Redhouse.com

redhouse.com is a domain I registered in 1995 – back when domain-name space was largely unclaimed territory, and domain names ("domains" for short) cost $50/year with a minimum 2-year initial registry – to use for my business, then known as Red House Media (see Red House) largely because of the exterior color of the building in which it was located.

The focus of the business has changed since then (it now primarily operates at vbz.net), as has its location and even the exterior color of the original Red House – so I really have no need for that specific domain anymore. What's more, I have received inquiries from several different companies whose business names contain the words "red house" (sometimes "redhouse") who are, naturally, rather interested in acquiring the domain. Selling it, therefore, would seem like a good idea; I could use the capital, and someone else could undoubtedly make better use of the domain.

This issue finally came to a head when on March 23 (2006) I was approached by Lee Strom at SanMar expressing substantial interest in buying redhouse.com. After mulling it over for a day or three, I came around (March 27) to the idea of putting the domain up for auction on Ebay (with a stipulation that certain redirects are to be kept intact for one year after sale), and notifing all "Red House" businesses who might have an interest.

When I copied SanMar on this suggestion, however, Mr. Strom suggested that an auction might result in the very negative outcome of the domain being acquired by a buyer who was primarily interested in maximizing profit from resale, rather than finding the best fit for it; he also made an up-front offer of what is to me a substantial amount. (Reading between the lines, this would seem to imply that the domain is "worth" considerably more than SanMar is able to offer for it; I am comfortable with turning down the possibility of greater profit if I can be reasonably sure that I won't cringe anytime I visit redhouse.com on the web after selling it.)

I am now (3/29) inclined to accept that offer. I am still thinking that I should check back with the other companies who previously expressed interest in the domain, however, in case I am overlooking something. I'm also inclined to think SanMar's proposal should be given preference, however, as they were good enough to take the risk of being the first one to name a figure (as in "whoever names a figure first loses", a negotiating maxim I heard somewhere).

SanMar has agreed to wait until Monday for a decision. I will be out of town Friday morning until Sunday evening, and hopefully the correct choice will seem, at least, not any less clear by then.