Sedo creating network to provide more exposure to domain name listings.
[UPDATE: Sedo actually introduced its MLS platform earlier this year and I wrote about it here. Sedo’s recent marketing email about SedoMLS is that all Sedo customers will get access to sell domains on it sometime in 2010. Currently, only certain partners and large portfolio holders are able to use SedoMLS. I have updated the story accordingly.]
Domain broker Sedo will introduce expand its own version of a “domain name multiple listing service” in 2010. The system is currently only available to certain partners, but will be open to all Sedo sellers next year.
There are two technical keys to domain MLS systems working. First, domains must be instantly transferred to buyers in a process known as “instant fulfillment”. Second, domain names need to be priced. Buyers who discover a name when searching for names at a registrar — typically end users — don’t want to haggle and are willing to pay more to close a deal now. But most of the domains listed at Sedo aren’t priced, so Sedo must address this problem first.
To encourage fixed price listings, Sedo is changing it “no minimum commission” offer on October 21. The current promotion charges no minimum commission if a domain is parked at Sedo when it sells. The new promotion will require the domain to be parked at Sedo and have a fixed price.
To help customers set a fixed price, Sedo has a newly released price suggestion tool.
Patrick McDermott says
“The new promotion will require the domain to be parked at Sedo and have a fixed price.”
This would mean any domain Parked and set to sell at a fixed price can only be sold on Sedo.
Is that correct?
Andrew Allemann says
Patrick – whenever you set a fixed price, you need to keep on top of it. Right now I have a lot of fixed price listings at Afternic. I’d need to make sure it didn’t sell at both venues. Practically speaking, it’s rare that a domain would be bought so quickly on two different venues that you wouldn’t have enough time to remove it from the other.
Steve says
Hasn’t listing a domain for sale been considered “bad faith” in urdp decisions?
Best.
Andrew Allemann says
Steve, many complainants have argued this.
Patrick McDermott says
“it’s rare that a domain would be bought so quickly on two different venues that you wouldn’t have enough time to remove it from the other.”
Yes but it’s possible which is what I had in mind when I asked my initial question.
It’s happened to me twice that two unrelated parties interested in the same domain made an offer at the same time.
Luckily neither time was my domain listed as BIN.
That’s why I am a little concerned about BIN
listings when the domain is listed at more than one venue.
It’s a risk however minor.
I think the solution for multiple venues is
to limit BIN to just one venue and cancel the domain there if you accept an offer elsewhere.
That means you can’t list your domain at Sedo with BIN offer and also at Fabulous’ Domain Distribution Network at the same time unless you want to chance it.
Thanks for your response Andrew.
Andrew Allemann says
Patrick – that’s a good idea. I know one of the first things I do when I get an offer at a (non Afternic) venue is go to Afternic and remove the BIN price.
Steve says
@Andrew,
Haven’t some arbitrators decisions found that it is cause for bad faith?
Thanks.
Sam Nunez says
Andrew, I am afraid this article is incorrect.
Andrew Allemann says
Thanks for your note, Sam. I have updated the article.
Patrick McDermott says
“The current promotion charges no minimum commission if a domain is parked at Sedo when it sells. The new promotion will require the domain to be parked at Sedo and have a fixed price.”
Just as a review this is only relevant for domains that would be sold for under $500.
Andrew Allemann says
Patrick – correct