High profile Uniregistry expired domain sale at Dynadot is nixed.
Update: it appears that some snafus with Uniregistry sending its domains to Dynadot caused the domain troubles. The original bidder is getting the domain for $23,000. Dynadot hasn’t historically had high-value names sold through its system, and apparently, it didn’t give enough time to the winning bidder to pay given the amount involved. This caused a ripple effect with automated cancellations, plus apparently a mistaken support rep.
A Dynadot representative told DNW: “There was a payment issue that has now been rectified and the sale is being processed. We understand that there have been some kinks with the launch of Uni domains to our auction platform but our teams are working hard to make the necessary adjustments for a smoother process moving forward.”
Original story follows…
Last week there was quite a bit of chatter after Cerebrum.com closed for $23,000 in an expired domain auction at Dynadot. Some people thought the winning bidder overpaid while others were upset they were outbid.
This morning I received an email from the runner-up bidder in the auction. It turns out that the winning bidder didn’t pay.
Not only that, but the domain auction was subsequently canceled. This domain was at Uniregistry and owned by an end user, Cerebrum Health Centers in Texas. Dynadot informed the runner-up that the auction was canceled because the domain was transferred to another registrar. (Whois still shows the domain at Uniregistry as of this morning.)
The runner-up is upset because he transferred money across international borders (i.e., it cost money to transfer) to buy the domain and the auction was subsequently canceled.
Like third-party domains auctioned off at GoDaddy, ones auctioned by third parties at Dynadot can still be renewed or transferred.
Regardless of the circumstances, Cerebrum.com didn’t end up selling for $23,000 after all.
Acro says
Frank Schilling sold the brandable domain for potentially six figures, so whoever says the price was too high wished it went for less:
https://domaingang.com/domain-news/failed-brands-cerebrum-com-about-to-be-resold-for-big-bucks/
AbdulBasit.com says
And the worst part is Dynadot will refund the runner-up’s fund as Dynadot account credit which can only be used for buying domains and cannot get the money back to the original source of payment method he sent to Dynadot.
I dislike Dynadot mainly due to this restriction of getting funds only as Dynadot credit.
What will a one time (suppose) enduser buyer do with that 23K sitting in his/her Dynadot account!
Ethan says
Dynadot account balance can be withdrawn. There is a 5% fee though.
https://www.dynadot.com/community/help/question.html?aid=883
AbdulBasit.com says
Thanks for sharing. This must be something new because some time back, it wasn’t there when I’d to withdraw it.
Still a poor policy and looting people by charging 5%. For this reason I never use Dynadot and will never use too.
Dyna-Barry says
Hi Abdul. For expired auctions that are not won by the customer, we automatically refund to account credit, but do provide the option for a full refund to the original payment method (no 5% fee), if you contact support. Details on that policy are available here – https://www.dynadot.com/community/help/question/refund-policy.
Mark Hershiser says
I am not too sure what is going on with Dyna auctioning Unireg expiring domains but I have followed dozens and bid on some and none that I have seen have ended up with the Dyna winners that won them:
https://onlinedomain.com/2019/06/13/domain-name-news/good-luck-buying-expired-uniregistry-and-epik-domains-at-dynadot/
Mike says
Are you saying not even 1 ended up showing up in your account?
Guys Uni is a domainer type registry, SOME domainers use all their grace to renew, risk, and reward here, no gimmies.
Mark Hershiser says
None that I won and none that I watched and followed. I can understand the “original registrant renewed the domain” but I won LandListing.com and paid for it and then received a refund and an email stating that the domain was renewed but it wasn’t renewed and it dropped at Unireg and was picked up elsewhere, check out the whois. So that makes no sense at all…
bdsmStore.com says
Why are there so many scams in auctions?
If the high bidder didnt pay, he should be banned for life.
Then you are saying the auction was cancelled…why is this happening…should not have ran the auction in the first place…
Just way too many scams.
joesaba2014 says
Dynadot and NameSilo are the destiny of the domains expired in Uniregistry.com what happens in Dynadot with the auctions …. Just think badly and you will succeed.
Happy Day. Jose.
FX says
So not a single expired domain sold at Dynadot ended up with the winning bidder ?? And all funds are held by Dynadot. This is the greatest scam ever.
Dyna-Barry says
Hi FX. After a payment issue was rectified, the original winner did win the domain in question. Whilst we do automatically refund to account credit, we also have a policy of providing the option for a full refund to the original payment method (no 5% fee), if you contact our support. Details are here – https://www.dynadot.com/community/help/question/refund-policy
Top10 says
I am one who bidding on this domain, to be honest Dynadot looks like scammer if they not accepted your price as end user they email you : sorry the auction has been canceled due the domain renewed ” … stay away of them
Mike says
Domain is now owned by Alan Dunn of Namecorp how did he snipe it when it was sold thru dynadot?