Regarding people dropping out, not checking etc. The usual reason for that is because they don't think they can make money from those names. I'd say it is a sure thing many have dropped out based on the price slump, largely because of the low chance of a profitable resale. The exact match changes at Google a couple of years ago have hammered things also.
My opinion is that the typical 4 figure .com.au has a much lower chance of selling compared to the typical 4 figure .com. I get near zero inquiries on my .com.au's. I guess at some point it may make sense, if the market dropped enough.
i think business people STILL are not getting IT, i had the "local blue pages" delivered the other day, i was going to just throw it out ! thus all that advertising $$$ gone for those people but i thought i'd open it and have a look.
its slightly larger then A4, about as thick as you pinky finger ! and i used "painters" as my test case.
Well !!!
blablapainter@aol.com
yaddayaddapainter@optus.net.au , the list goes onnnnnnnnnnn
OR even no email address in their advert !
NOOOOOOOOOOO domain names, only a very few.
the SMB's old school are just ok to die away, so its the new breed that are taking ove and the old breed just do not care.
i disagree with EMD and google, i think EMD is a way "past" google
as is branding.
emd = hopeful,
branding= spend $$
tim