It would be great for domain sellers but has some downsides.
There was an interesting discussion on Twitter over the weekend about auctioning domain names on GoDaddy.
Hey – @godaddyauctions @jjstyler – I want to liquidate DomainDiscounts dot com.
Can you put it in an “expired auction” format for me so that we can both get top dollar? … Serious question.#Auctions #Domains— Josh Reason 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@JoshuaHReason) March 10, 2019
The question is if GoDaddy should include non-expired domain auctions in the same way and feed as expired domain auctions. Should it do what NameJet does by allowing third parties to list inventory and have it show up just like an expired domain?
This would obviously be good for domainers that wish to liquidate their domains. Expired domain auctions at GoDaddy get a lot of views and sell for pretty good prices. I’d love to get some of my names shown on that channel.
There are some downsides, however.
1. When I buy domains through GoDaddy expired auctions, the fact that the domain is expiring has value in and of itself. There’s a higher chance that an expired domain hasn’t been marketed to end users than a domain an investor is trying to offload. Mixing in non-expiring domains means I have to do more homework.
2. Allowing third-party listings creates incentives for shill bidding. We know what happened at NameJet with this.
3. Expired domains have a guaranteed push, at least if they’re at GoDaddy. (This could be enacted for third-party listings, too.)
If GoDaddy ever decides to allow third-party inventory in its expiring auctions, they need to maintain the same structure: $12 opening bid, no reserve, and closeouts. Sellers would need to take the risk.
Mike says
With the help of all the automated bots bidding at godaddy, investors should do very well. Just keep HugeNames from flooding the auctions with their inventory.
Nick says
Hell No. Just would have to weed through a ton more worthless domains like the one he’s trying to dump
Mike says
That is his point worthless domains are selling for a mint
Bar says
The very least they can do is update the Investor auction pages to look more like the expired pages. The investor auction page looks like it was designed in 1998.
USMCdomainer says
Being an amateur Domainer who’s made a couple 10’s of thousands in sales and also a former GD employee, I couldn’t agree more..its so antiquated I laugh…that said, there are a very few kinks with it, but the functionality needs a huge overhaul
Steven says
All three of your listed downsides disappear when it’s truly an expired name auction. Domainers who opt-in to getting 80% of the revenue would actually let good names expire on purpose.
Rich says
I think it’s a great idea.
Domainer says
I know Afternic pays quickly.
But, I thought GD had a long period before they paid a seller.
(30 to 45 days ???)
(I believe that was before they bought afternic.)
I avoid GD as a general rule. So, I really don’t know.
USMCdomainer says
GD pays in a a very quick manner…but its totally dependent on where the domain is actually registered ..in house, you’ll have funds within a few days, outside it could take-up to 21…I have sold domains and can attest to this..oh and I worked for them too, so..And why would you ‘avoid GD as a general rule’? if you are using afternic, ur using GD anyway which u appear to know already so I’m confused
JZ says
No.
Bob Parry says
That’s very interesting indeed as I have noticed that Doron Vermaat has done very well with expired domains using a minimum $12 starting bid via his DNgeek newsletter e.g. Metrum.com sold for $5,900 on 7th March! It would seem to me that like these big boys, he is the only person allowed to use expired domains with his newsletter on behalf of GoDaddy or Namejet. So therefore, the only possible or other way for me is to start selling my non-expired domains through GoDaddy 7-day Auctions using a minimum $20 starting bid. In order to get desired results hopefully, unlike DNgeek newsletter I use my Twitter @DomainsFeast to reach all interested parties and have tweeted my very first listed domain on 11th March for GoDaddy 7-day Auctions with still more now being added. I am happy to say that I have now managed to receive staggering 1,397 impressions with 18 engagements already with my first domain. However, I did mention my new plan to Doron Vermaat by email but he did not bother to reply or respond and it now appears that I have been removed from his mailing list!