Reclaim the legacy that was Turbo Zone Direct

OldRover · 03/30/2011, 12:07 PM

I've been in contact with Mike Gleissner, the current owner of the once-great tzd.com. There seems to be interest in a sale. Here is the extent of the emails thus far:

Quote from: MeDear Mr. Gleissner:
A number of us in the PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 community have expressed
great interest in the purchase of the tzd.com domain name. We would
like to discuss a possible sale with you. If you have interest in
selling this domain, please reply to this address at your convenience.
Thanks for your time.

Sincerely,
David Perry
Eponasoft Senior Project Manager

and the response:

Quote from: PetraHi David,

Please make a serious offer.

Regards,

Petra
On behalf of Mike

Now... as much as I love istudio.com (I have an acct there with shots I've done), I believe that Turbo Zone Direct should be reborn, and under the control of us, the PCE/TG16 fan community. I can provide the hosting and maintain the domain, and assign a few people to be administrators of the site, or if anyone else has any ideas for this, let's hear 'em.

So... what do we do with the domain after it's transferred? Well, it can be turned into a shop site like it was before, and I also thought we could use it to promote all the modders and repair people we have here at pcefx. There's plenty of things that can be done with it... could even have a personal sales or auction section.

So, what does everybody think of this idea?

SignOfZeta · 03/30/2011, 12:11 PM

...hmmm sounds pretty great. I can't help but wonder what the ransom on the domain is though.

OldRover · 03/30/2011, 12:13 PM

I don't know but there is a wide variance on the domain's actual value, ranging anywhere from absolute zero to just over six thousand US dollars.

Bernie · 03/30/2011, 12:16 PM

I am all for this. It makes good sense. A place to go to for used games, new homebrew games, modding services. We do have that here, but some of it gets lost in the other chit-chat. This way it is right up front, and easy to find. I love it.

Mathius · 03/30/2011, 12:20 PM

You get my vote!

OldRover · 03/30/2011, 12:22 PM

It was suggested that a paypal acct be set up for the express purpose of putting this project in motion. Anyone wanna take this on, or should I handle it? I've not had the best luck with paypal... so maybe it's better off in someone else's hands.

Nazi NecroPhile · 03/30/2011, 12:28 PM

I like the basic idea; details of what it is exactly can be worked out later. You'll have to find out how much he wants first, 'cause it ain't worth pouring a few grand into buying a defunct website that's only peripherally related anyway (sure it was all Turbob all the time, but it was never anything more than a retail store). If he wants more than $100 or so, I think we'd be better served spending that money elsewhere (making gears or something).

Quote from: SignOfZeta on 03/30/2011, 12:11 PM...hmmm sounds pretty great. I can't help but wonder what the ransom on the domain is though.

I checked about a dozen different sites and most of 'em had its value at about $100. Only three had it substantially higher: one at $600ish, one at $2000ish, and the aforementioned one at $6000ish.

Bernie · 03/30/2011, 12:31 PM

A paypal ID just for this project would be the best way to go, IMO. That way all funds are funneled directly to the project. I would be more than happy to do that. Unless someone that has been here longer would be more appropiate. Sadly, I just learned about this place this year.

OldRover · 03/30/2011, 12:37 PM

Necro, we can turn it into something better than it was

and I'm sure they're going to want more than $100 for it.

chop5 · 03/30/2011, 12:39 PM

great idea keep history alive *starts putting pennies in penny rolls*

Nazi NecroPhile · 03/30/2011, 12:45 PM

Quote from: The Old Rover on 03/30/2011, 12:37 PMNecro, we can turn it into something better than it was

No doubt, but remember that it's just a name; turbozonedirect.com, tzd.net, etc. are all available.

Quote from: The Old Rover on 03/30/2011, 12:37 PMand I'm sure they're going to want more than $100 for it.

He probably will, but if he wants $6000 for it you'd be better off using some other name and spending that money on site content (it nedes more contetnts for gogglering!). A few grand could pay for domain registration for our lifetimes, replacement gears, boots, bumper stickers, pr0n, etc.

OldRover · 03/30/2011, 12:52 PM

If they want $6000 for it, then they can jump off a cliff because it's not worth anywhere near that in reality. I can't really see it be actually worth any more than $1500... and even that's a serious stretch.

Bernie · 03/30/2011, 01:05 PM

The names turbozonedirect.com and tzd.net are just as good actually. The money would be best spent in developing the site if we cannot get the original for a decent price.

OldRover · 03/30/2011, 01:09 PM

The thing is that tzd.com is already well-known, and people still try to go there. It's a legacy and it'd suck to see it continue to decline into uselessness.

Bernie · 03/30/2011, 01:11 PM

Quote from: OldRover on 03/30/2011, 01:09 PMThe thing is that tzd.com is already well-known, and people still try to go there. It's a legacy and it'd suck to see it continue to decline into uselessness.

Yeah, I can see your point there.

But if several thousand dollars is the difference between net and com.. lol.. I am sure we would all go with net. Lets just hope we can get the .com addie for a good price, and go from there.

OldRover · 03/30/2011, 01:23 PM

Well, if we can't get the .com, there's no point in really even going forward with the idea, since the idea focuses on that exact name.

Any deviation from the .com would just be seen as brandsquatting and wouldn't be as effective.

MotherGunner · 03/30/2011, 03:57 PM

www.tzd.xxx works for me. >=)

turbogrfxfan · 03/30/2011, 04:54 PM

Sounds good. That way we the turbobs can control who sells and not deal w bs. The thing is is it worth the money for the name. Or shoulD we just do a spin off of the name and save cash. I'm not really sure hoiw it works

esteban · 03/31/2011, 01:33 AM

Quote from: OldRover on 03/30/2011, 01:09 PMThe thing is that tzd.com is already well-known, and people still try to go there. It's a legacy and it'd suck to see it continue to decline into uselessness.

The best thing to do is NOT pay more than $100 for tzd.com (it only has value for us, a handful of idiots).

My 2 cents:

(1) I like your idea about the website. We (you) should secure appropriate domain name(s)
(2) We create and nurture the new website. Ultimately, this is the most important thing, anyway.
(3) In the future, when the tzd.com domain name expires, we can get it cheap (and then redirect traffic from tzd.com to our existing site).

We save money, we don't have to waste time or money with a domain squatter, we start building an online resource sooner, etc.

PM sent

ParanoiaDragon · 03/31/2011, 01:55 AM

I say go with tzd.net, & then hack tzd.com so that it re-routes itself to the net

SignOfZeta · 03/31/2011, 02:06 AM

Offer the guy $100. More than that is fucking stupid.

I love the basic idea here, btw.

OldRover · 03/31/2011, 02:38 AM

OK so there's been some more communication, and I'm going to say that this is not going to move forward.

Quote from: MeDear Petra:
The domain itself has apparently been losing value steadily over the
past couple of years. One appraisal site even listed it as being worth
zero dollars. However, I am interested in knowing how much you would be
interested in getting for the domain. Thanks for your time.

Sincerely,
David Perry
Eponasoft Senior Project Manager

and the response:

Quote from: PetraHi David,

It would take a 5 digit figure.

Regards,

Petra

hizaygizirlz · 03/31/2011, 02:51 AM

No way. This site is fine don't give him anything more than the lowest 3 digit number. Find me a person that would even pay him a grand. 5 figures, Get Real!

5 figures could get you a complete US collection brand new I bet, even at Ebay prices w/ money to spare.

Mathius · 03/31/2011, 03:01 AM

Maybe this should get discussed with Aaron before backing out.

TGX16 · 03/31/2011, 04:09 AM

$100.99 five figure is it not......

grahf · 03/31/2011, 08:13 AM

Five figures... HAHAHAHA.
I know most people on this forum know about tzd, but it really wasn't that well known. When I first rediscovered the Turbo, I only found out about it from a forum thread here. I never came across it on any google searches.

DragonmasterDan · 03/31/2011, 08:24 AM

That's WAAAAY too much for that domain. Pass on it.

Nazi NecroPhile · 03/31/2011, 09:48 AM

Tell that guy to pound salt.

Quote from: Mathius on 03/31/2011, 03:01 AMMaybe this should get discussed with Aaron before backing out.

Only if you think he has superior negotiating skills. It certainly isn't Aaron's responsibility to pay stupid monies for something of questionable value; he's doing more than enough by handling pcefx.

apachacha · 03/31/2011, 10:46 AM

Quote from: OldRover on 03/31/2011, 02:38 AMOK so there's been some more communication, and I'm going to say that this is not going to move forward.

Quote from: MeDear Petra:
The domain itself has apparently been losing value steadily over the
past couple of years. One appraisal site even listed it as being worth
zero dollars. However, I am interested in knowing how much you would be
interested in getting for the domain. Thanks for your time.

Sincerely,
David Perry
Eponasoft Senior Project Manager
and the response:

Quote from: PetraHi David,

It would take a 5 digit figure.

Regards,

Petra

So at least 10 000 dollars for a domain he uses to showcase women in revealing clothing.

OldRover · 03/31/2011, 11:32 AM

Quote from: apachacha on 03/31/2011, 10:46 AMSo at least 10 000 dollars for a domain he uses to showcase women in revealing clothing.

And naked ones too, if you have an account there.

And it's not even his site.

Anyways... I'm sending this response now:

Quote from: MeDear Petra:
The domain isn't worth a five-digit figure. It's barely worth a four-digit figure. In 2007, its value was approximately $2500, and it has been on the decline ever since. The only thing that gives the domain any current value is the fact that it is an old three-letter dotcom. Even my highest figure of $1500 sounded excessive to the majority of the interested party, most of which stated that the domain wouldn't be worth any more than $150, which was supported by the majority of online appraisal sites. So, while a five-digit figure is simply never going to happen, perhaps we could negotiate a low four-digit figure. After all, the domain is doing absolutely nothing right now (and is considered undeveloped), but it does carry a legacy with it that we, the PCE/TG16 community, would like to restore to (and perhaps surpass) its former glory rather than seeing it continue to spiral into insignificance. Thanks for your time.

Sincerely,
David Perry
Eponasoft Senior Project Manager

and yes... my client adds the last few lines.

spenoza · 03/31/2011, 02:48 PM

There's a problem, though. Are you talking exclusively about the domain or also about the trademarks associated with it? (TZD and TurboZone Direct) Trademarks also carry value, and if you put up the domain without the trademarks it will simply be tzd.com with no context.

hizaygizirlz · 03/31/2011, 02:52 PM

Quote from: grahf on 03/31/2011, 08:13 AMFive figures... HAHAHAHA.
I know most people on this forum know about tzd, but it really wasn't that well known. When I first rediscovered the Turbo, I only found out about it from a forum thread here. I never came across it on any google searches.

We got a computer a lot later than most families, but I pretty much am in the same situation as the above. I didn't know of TZD until 05 or 06. If people are truely interested in the Turbo at this point they will find their way to this site.

VestCunt · 03/31/2011, 03:13 PM

Good idea Rover, thanks for looking into it.
Hopefully the owner will get his head out of his butt.
If negotiations do open up, it would probably be easy to buy it if a handful of us each donated an extra game to a series of fund-raising auctions.

SignOfZeta · 03/31/2011, 05:04 PM

That guy is a dick, and totally out of his mind. This comes as no surprise...

OldRover · 04/01/2011, 12:18 AM

spenoza, all we really need is the domain... the site can be called anything. Also, the trademarks have likely already expired as they have to be renewed frequently.

Gogan · 04/01/2011, 08:04 AM

If this guy gets a bit more realistic, I'd gladly donate what I can to see this happen.

Great idea, long live turbo!

Senshi · 04/01/2011, 09:49 AM

"we would like to restore to (and perhaps surpass) its former glory rather than seeing it continue to spiral into insignificance"

my favorite line

blueraven · 04/01/2011, 01:47 PM

http://www.courthousenews.com/2008/10/16/ShippingSolutions.pdf

Just start over with something new.

spenoza · 04/01/2011, 03:21 PM

I tried to search the US Trademark registry and I didn't find an active or dead registration for TZD or TurboZone Direct, at least not in the name/text search. I didn't search image-only marks.

esteban · 04/01/2011, 04:08 PM

We should not pay more than $100. Unfortunately, the fact that we expressed an interest at all reveals that we (fools) value the domain name. He can use that to his advantage: he has something that we value.

We shouldn't waste time with him. Let him sit on it for a year or two. I'm sure he will eventually realize that our offer is more than generous.

nat · 04/01/2011, 05:46 PM

I actually agree. The more you pester him, the more he perceives the domain must be worth to you.

As far as the link that blueraven posted.... Wow. Am I the only one that read that? I guess that finally explains what happened to the whole RedFrog-era TZD. I didn't think TZD's legacy could be marred any further after what happened with those guys, but this really beats it all.

From what I get from that document, apparently the TZD stock was used (by RedFrog) as a bargaining chip in a fraud to scam investors out of almost a million dollars. I wondered what happened to the remaining inventory when RedFrog suddenly stopped operating, I assumed it had all been sold off. It looks like it's far more likely that it was probably been seized by law enforcement. A shame. A damn shame.

Vecanti · 04/02/2011, 03:25 AM

I remember TurboZone Direct but I in no way associate it with tzd.com.

You probably have better luck getting TurboZoneDirect.com from the domain squatters that are sitting on it, or better yet TurboZoneDirect.net is available right now.

turbogrfxfan · 04/02/2011, 07:14 AM

I agree w rover

esteban · 04/02/2011, 09:39 AM

Quote from: nat on 04/01/2011, 05:46 PMI actually agree. The more you pester him, the more he perceives the domain must be worth to you.

As far as the link that blueraven posted.... Wow. Am I the only one that read that? I guess that finally explains what happened to the whole RedFrog-era TZD. I didn't think TZD's legacy could be marred any further after what happened with those guys, but this really beats it all.

From what I get from that document, apparently the TZD stock was used (by RedFrog) as a bargaining chip in a fraud to scam investors out of almost a million dollars. I wondered what happened to the remaining inventory when RedFrog suddenly stopped operating, I assumed it had all been sold off. It looks like it's far more likely that it was probably been seized by law enforcement. A shame. A damn shame.

I tried to read it, but my default pdf viewer generated garbage fonts. I'll have to give it a read.

It sounds fascinating. Sordid, certainly, but fascinating.

spenoza · 04/02/2011, 12:43 PM

Quote from: nat on 04/01/2011, 05:46 PMI wondered what happened to the remaining inventory when RedFrog suddenly stopped operating, I assumed it had all been sold off. It looks like it's far more likely that it was probably been seized by law enforcement. A shame. A damn shame.

Isn't stuff claimed by law enforcement usually sold off at auction? Someone with something to invest could start a shop on that.

nat · 04/02/2011, 03:56 PM

Quote from: guest on 04/02/2011, 12:43 PM
Quote from: nat on 04/01/2011, 05:46 PMI wondered what happened to the remaining inventory when RedFrog suddenly stopped operating, I assumed it had all been sold off. It looks like it's far more likely that it was probably been seized by law enforcement. A shame. A damn shame.
Isn't stuff claimed by law enforcement usually sold off at auction? Someone with something to invest could start a shop on that.

Usually is, yes. In this case, however, it was probably sold off at a small local auction in whatever municipality was handling this case.

That court document is almost three years old now (hard to believe that much time has passed since the RedFrog fiasco), so it's highly likely the stuff has already been sold. I'd be willing to bet that whoever bought it (if in fact it was even bought) had little idea what it was they were buying. I don't really hold out any hope that stuff will ever resurface on the Turbo market. Like I said... a damn shame. What a strange, sordid end to the TZD legacy.

spenoza · 04/02/2011, 05:28 PM

The document made it seem (based on skimming) that the case was not finished, and was, in fact, still in the early phases. Some litigation can take years. The goods could still be held. Maybe I read the document wrong, though.

RR1980 · 04/02/2011, 06:07 PM

haha so in some police station in America somewhere there are boxes of brand new sealed US Magical Chase? I think think somewhere in France Thibaut just fainted hehe

MotherGunner · 04/02/2011, 06:32 PM

Looks like the link is dead, can someone please redirect or repost?

Looking forward to the interesting read.

nat · 04/02/2011, 07:00 PM

The link isn't dead (just checked), try it again.