Filed under: Software, Odds and ends, Developer, Deals, iPhone
For sale on eBay: One iPhone development business, batteries not included
Milliorn says he started out developing apps on his own, but the business is just too big for him to keep up so he's selling all of the apps and their rights, all of the source code, and technical support for two months to transition everything over to the new owner. He doesn't specifically say that he'll transfer the developer account on Apple's App Store to your name (he says he'll send over a DVD with the source code and transfer "the whole kit and caboodle" to you), but we presume that's what will happen -- of course if you go for it, you're doing this at your own risk.
What will a burgeoning App Store business, complete with apps like iSexyRef and Swine Flu cost you? Just a cool $100 grand. That's the starting bid in the eBay auction, which has just over a week left and no bids as of this writing. There are certainly less expensive ways to get started selling apps on the store. It only costs $100 to register in Apple's Developer Program for a year, and then you just need to find a developer you can pay -- or even do it yourself with a helper service).
If you'd rather start off with a bunch of marginal to silly 99-cent apps and happen to have an extra $100,000 lying around to spend (maybe for a nice holiday gift?), here's your opportunity.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Galley said 8:22AM on 11-07-2009
I'd buy that for 99 cents!
Reply
Ethan said 8:29AM on 11-07-2009
Proof once again that the internet is serious business.
Reply
kmcgrady90 said 9:05AM on 11-07-2009
I remember looking at this guys apps a few days ago. He is one of the devs you releases 100 apps that basically do the same thing. As far as I remember he was selling identical sports apps but you had to buy one for each team you wanted info on. Just another way to rip off consumers. He has to be mad though if he thinks he is going to get 100k. If you go to his page in the app store and sort by most popular you learn a lot. His most popular app has ZERO reviews. His second most popular has one review a and six ratings. The review gives the app 1 star and the ratings give it 1.5. I reckon it is just a publicity stunt that isn't going to work as the apps aren't very good.
Reply
kmcgrady90 said 9:09AM on 11-07-2009
Ok, I have a few more things to say :)
His company 'website' is hosted on Mobile Me (not too big a deal). But it doesn't even have a proper domain name. It's web.me.com/blahblahblah. Also on his ebay auction he doesn't mention ANYTHING about revenue or profit. He doesn't mention how he came to his valuation of 100k. If somebody buys this they need help.
Jordan said 9:43AM on 11-07-2009
Hmmm 87 apps for sale for only 100k. That doesn't seem like much. Seems to me like Mr. Milliorn here discovered how a developer can't actually make money off the app store and to sell all his apps and their rights for 100k is actually more than he'll ever make selling the apps himself.
Reply
Kesey said 10:02AM on 11-07-2009
Surely you guys realize this is just for publicity. He isn't really expecting anyone to bite at the $100K, but now people know his apps are out there and sales may increase a bit.
Reply
Ned Scott said 10:24AM on 11-07-2009
Someone should snipe-bid the auction with a fake account. Even if the "buyer" doesn't pay, the seller is still stuck with the ebay fee, which is a percentage of the winning bid. Snipe it at the end so he doesn't have a chance to outbid with his own fake account.
Reply
Ned Scott said 10:26AM on 11-07-2009
and even if he outbid with his own fake account, there would still be a lot of hoops to jump through for ebay to not charge the fees. I think it's possible if both buyer and seller say they are backing out, but I might be wrong.
waiownsyou said 10:41AM on 11-07-2009
If there is no proof of payment, the seller can file a non-paying bidder complaint and he'll have his fees back along with a strike for the buyer.
Calexifan said 6:21PM on 11-07-2009
"Someone" should do it? Why don't YOU do it?
Peterb said 11:07AM on 11-07-2009
Well, from now on Apple won't show updated apps in the new releases list, so all of his "applications" going to make zero revenue. Nice try, though...
(Fellow iPhone Developer)
Reply
Michael Kaye said 12:00PM on 11-07-2009
Nice write up by of why Dr. Touch isn't going to bid: http://www.drobnik.com/touch/2009/11/why-i-wont-purchase-an-iphone-busines/
Reply
Kesey said 12:07PM on 11-07-2009
Another win for the ebay seller. More publicity for his apps.
Joe Madox said 1:19PM on 11-07-2009
Apple changed the process on reviews. I have noticed some of my apps now say zero reviews too but it is really zero reviews on the latest update. If you actually go into the app, it shows much more than 0 reviews. Just an FYI.
I work in real estate and with real estate we average 5-6 years worth of revenue. This guy has info at www.jbrice.com/sell.
According to that page, he is selling around 100 apps per day. Averaging that out even on a 2-3 year scale, this seems like a good price but still 100k is alot of money. I am going to have to but a pencil to it more.
Reply
George said 8:06AM on 11-08-2009
You should try a great new online buying and selling site called sellbits.com
So simple and you can list any item for a buck! Shipping is included in the price so people don't get raped on the shipping charges. Its a pretty effective idea...
Definitely worth checking out...
Reply
jbmjbm22 said 10:08PM on 11-09-2009
Q&A with the CEO of JBMJBM, LLC
http://www.drobnik.com/touch/2009/11/qa-with-iphone-business-owner-selling/
Reply
John said 1:42PM on 11-13-2009
Why would you post it on ebay? There just stealing your profits. Try listing it on better sites like sellbits.com. 100K..Really? I don't even have an iphone. If I was going to spend a 100K on something it certainly wouldnt be for 87 apps!
Reply
linktanya said 10:06PM on 11-18-2009
Buy Iphone in discount rate in New zeland at Nz online store Notebookcity.co.nz
Reply