How GoDaddy Domain Name Backorders Work
Wednesday, May 14th, 2008
Backorders are only effective on domains not registered at GoDaddy.
Before GoDaddy launched its domain name aftermarket TDNAM, I used to backorder a number of domains from the registrar. They were fairly good at grabbing expired domains, especially non-.coms. But then the company started sending its own expired domains to auction at TNDAM, which seems to conflict with placing a backorder.
I placed a backorder a couple months ago for a domain at GoDaddy that was expiring. After the grace period I received an e-mail stating that the domain was going to auction at TDNAM and that a $10 bid had been made on my behalf. A backorder costs $18.95, and if no one else bid on the domain then I would get it for that price ($10 plus $8.95).
So why would you place a backorder if the domain will be sent to auction anyway? By automatically placing a bid for you, GoDaddy draws attention to the domain.
I asked Elizabeth Driscoll of GoDaddy to clarify the backorder and expired domain process at GoDaddy. This is a great explanation to help you get expired GoDaddy domains:
A backorder at Godaddy.com is $18.95. Once purchased our system monitors the status to see if the domain has become available. If it is registered elsewhere we attempt to capture it when it becomes eligible.
Domains at Godaddy.com do go into the expiring domain auction on TDNAM on the 26th day beyond expiration therefore the backorder holder is provided the initial opening ten-dollar bid as well as an opportunity to place a proxy bid for the maximum amount they would be willing to bid. The proxy bid allows us to bid on their behalf, in five-dollar per day increments, should another party bid on the name.
On the 43rd day past expiration the domain would go first to the auction bidder (which may be the backorder holder if they participate) or should no auction winner exist, the name would then be awarded to the backorder holder.
Should neither exist the current owner would have approximately 30 additional days during which they could redeem and renew the name before it enters the pending delete status with the registry.
Further Reading:
- GoDaddy Changing Domain Name Backorder Rules
- GoDaddy TDNAM Starts “Buy Now” Expired Domain Auctions
- GoDaddy places 60 day hold on expiring domains
Tags: Expired Domains, GoDaddy
One caveat: If an expiring GoDaddy-owned domain is cancelled by the owner before it gets the TDNAM auction, a GoDaddy backorder picks up the domain. Happened to me on a domain I was monitoring and planning to bid on at TDNAM. I called GD and that was their explanation. Interesting isn’t it?
@ Spike – that is interesting, although I doubt it happens often.
Someone needs to do a updated report on namedropping. There are so many conflicting web resources, I’m afraid to even do whois searches.
I want a GoDaddy registered .com name. Expiring on 3/12/08, 64 days, it’s in redemption period.
This is a guaranteeed TDNam Auction? If so how should I precede?
GoDaddy can’t catch crap when the domain is expected to drop HOWEVER they are good at catching domains when other drop catchers aren’t looking.
If you have a back order on a name and a domain is caught by a private party, tasted then dropped again, the GD backorder will probably get it.
Good article.
@ ettu – there must be something else going on with the domain you’re referring to if it hasn’t gone to TDNAM.
Yeah, what’s the normal status for a domain, 64 days after expiry?
I haven’t tried TDNAM or GoDaddy backorder. And I don’t know if I should do that now AND enlist all the namedropping services too.
Thanks you. And I don’t mean to hijack the comments with my personal nigglings.
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I have a couple pending GoDaddy backorder credits from names that they could not catch for about 2 years now.
Rich
Godaddy is good at catching names that drop after they are tasted.
So, if snap or namejet doesn’t get it because there are no backorders but a taster picks it up then drops it, GD is good for picking up those drops.
@ Rob – but I suppose if it’s dropped after a taste you shouldn’t count on it having money traffic.
This is completely outrageous. They charge you for a backorder, but when they get control of the domain, they advertise it then auction it off to the highest bidder rather than sell it to you?
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