Comment by Todd Olivas | Thursday, April 15, 2010
UPDATE:
The guy wrote back to me:
Good morning... are you free to discuss the 1-800 COURT REPORTER number ? The asking price has been lowered significantly. Please contact me at [XXX-XXX-XXXX]
So, I couldn`t help myself and wrote back:
What is the current call volume of this number? I would never pay 40k for some unknown ROI. If you’re going to sell this number to me, you’re going to have to show the value of it. This isn’t the old days when 1-800 [WHATEVER] is a slam dunk. The internet has changed everything about the way people find businesses. So without re-branding all of a company’s marketing to push 1-800 COURT REPORTER, the number could be a very big waste of money. No offense is intended in this, of course.
But…
If you could show that a certain number of attorneys, clients, leads, etc. are calling this number already by default, then it might have some value to me. (And other potential buyers, I would presume.) So again, my key question: What is the current call volume of this number? Thank you.
And he replied with this:
Hey Todd... 1-800 COURT REPORTER dos not presently get much `organic` traffic. I understand your point. However, there is no better number for your industry, and the memorability factor alone will increase your volume dramatically. You can easily add this number to your website, stationary, etc. but in addition, could take advantage of the 1-800courtreporter.com domain that comes along with the purchase. Your ability to have a national `look and feel` will generate referrables from all over the country. Give it some thought, make a realistic offer, and we can discuss. Thanks...
So he admitted there is no organic traffic for the number which essentially makes it deader than a doorbell as far as an investment. Sure, if I rebrand it and market and pour tons of time and energy and money into putting the phone number out there... Not on your life!
So I responded with:
Thanks for the clarification and info. I’m probably not your best client profile, I’m afraid, since my best offer would be $1000. Let me know if you’re able to let it go for that much.His sorry response was: Sorry. Sent from my iPhoneAnd that closes this chapter of the 1-800 COURT REPORTER phone number for sale.
Comment by Brad Lipetz | Friday, May 21, 2010
Hi Todd,
Your agency, through Lori, has been kind enough to send me jobs over the years here in SF. I find it interesting that you became involved with this number to some degree. Years ago, I aquired the number 800-reporter and was in negotiations to aquire 800-courtreporter but lost out. Recently, he has also been trying to sell it to me. I am not interested, however, I was recently offered a large amount for my number. My thinking is that when voice recognition becomes standard, these numbers will be all the rage again. Not that you should aquire it, just my 2 cents.
BTW: I would be interested in developing a similar site to yours for the legal video community should you be interested...
All the best and congrads on putting together a great and useful site!
Brad
800-VIDEO-DEPO (couldn`t resist)
