Understand the current state of the dropcatching market.
Tan Tran runs one of the three biggest pending delete drop catching services, Pheenix, as well as expired domain discovery service FreshDrop (enter coupon ‘pheenix’ to get FreshDrop for $8/month). On today’s program, he explains the domain backordering process and why the cost of catching expired domains is increasing. Also: Poor grandma, a two letter domain sale and more.
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Great podcast as usual Andrew!
I think Pheenix is outstanding. I really like the super clean, easy to use interface!
I was using snap names but I quiet like pheenix. But it doesn’t matter which one you use I still find Its damn hard finding the good ones for the right price.
Since English is not my first language, I need to voice this suggestion. Could you add transcript/subs of each podcast like Michael did in Domainsherpa.com? It would be nice for non-native english reader like me. Thanks.
I did ask for the same. I’m a native and it’s too hard to understand the difference between an “e, b, c d, etc” while mentioning a DN.
At least, Andrew could be applying the “pilot’s code”: a= Alpha, b= Bravo, c= Charlie, d= Delta, etc, etc. and make it easier.
You asked exactly what irks me about the Pheenix system… If you’re not the only backorder the domain goes to a PUBLIC auction. So if you do the sleuthing and discover value in a name that the Namejet crew aren’t going to be all over, but even one other person does the same, tough, for both of you… some fatter cat with deeper pockets will snatch it up. And Tan banks your efforts. The difference between a $38 and $69 bid is not enough of an ‘advantage’ to make any difference. His argument that there are so many tools out there for domain discovery that ‘everybody’ has found that name is not borne out by my own experience of finding names of value and placing the only backorder! Does anyone doubt that public auction buyers are sniping finders backorders? I’m not saying he doesn’t have a right to make money. But if you’re trying to grow your business (domain sale auctions) then it would be in your best interest to keep your core customers happy. There may be a creative solution that feels more fair but doesn’t take money out of Tan’s pocket.
DropCatch is the same as Pheenix on this model. That leaves SnapNames as the only one requiring a backorder to participate in the auction.
Yeah right, but try stopping credit card billing from FreshDrop
Puts you in a ‘Freshdrop Member Cancellation’ cycle:
“Thanks for trying out FreshDrop. We just noticed that you just cancelled your account.”
I had to cancel the credit card, could not get Tan or anyone else to respond to despite multiple attempts.
Tan Tran has taken payments from me despite me cancelling and not getting any reply. Do you have any contact details for him?