Comments on: Marchex Layoffs Announced

By: Chris Schilling

Chris Schilling — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:06:14 +0000

Zip code domains do have value, but only a small percentage have any value at all. 90% of the population lives in less than 10% of the zip codes in the country making most of their zip portfolio worthless. They compounded the problem when they attempted to corner the market on zip code .nets and directed their existing portfolio of .com zip code domains to the .net ones. They have since abandonded this practice. The cornerstone zip domain, 90210.com, sold for around $20,000 and was a great buy.

Great zip code domains can be had for $250 to $2,500 depending on the location, population, and demographic details. I would esitmate that their portfolio of zip code domains to be worth less than $10M.

By: Elliot Silver

Elliot Silver — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:55:14 +0000

I think it’s a good thing to have precious metals in a diversified portfolio. People should also do research because gold prices have fluctuated considerably in the past, and while they would have more purchasing power than paper money in a financial system collapse, it’s not always easy to turn gold into spending vehicles cheaply or quickly.

Realistically in a complete financial collapse (oxymoron perhaps), how would you use a $2,500 gold bar to buy fair value worth of groceries that aren’t worth $2,500?

By: Michael Carter

Michael Carter — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:52:23 +0000

fair enough – don’t forget to buy gold in 2009.

By: Elliot Silver

Elliot Silver — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:40:20 +0000

I think you are way off. I sold a zip code domain name for under $500 last year. I think some of the premium zips might be worth $10k+/- but those are very few and far between. Most of the value was also in the fact that Marchex owned them all, making them difficult to find on the open market. In this market, owners would be lucky to get a fraction of $10k, IMO.

By: Michael Carter

Michael Carter — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:37:14 +0000

i’ve read that marchex owns 75,000 U.S. ZIP code sites – is this accurate? if so, you have to think these names are worth $10k/zip, at least, which would mean the total value of zip codes alone = $750mm – 3x+ the company’s market cap – is this correct or am i way off?