800.com domain sells at bankruptcy auction.
The liquidation of Circuit City’s assets has resulted in a big sale of the 800.com domain name. Although the final auction price is not yet known, Domain Name Wire has learned that starting bids quickly escalated to $250,000.
According to court documents, the auction was to be held on August 18 at the New York offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP (Filing, large pdf). The auction was run in part by StreamBank, LLC. A representative of StreamBank declined to say how much the domain sold for, but did say the auction was “well attended”.
A source tells Domain Name Wire that most of the bidders were apparently end users, which is not surprising given that information about the auction was not reported in the domain name media.
However, one familiar face in the domain world is involved: Loren Stocker. Stocker filed an objection to the auction procedures, citing an existing “first right of refusal” he says he has for the domain name (Objection filing, pdf). Stocker was not immediately available for comment.
Prior to being owned by Circuit City, 800.com was a dot com startup that raised millions in funding.
StreamBank told Domain Name Wire that the results of the auction will be filed with the bankruptcy court tomorrow. This story will be updated as more information becomes available. (Update: the final price was $250,000.)
National A-1 Internet says
The auction was not advertised correctly and seems to be a sham. We tried to petition to reopen it like we did for Toys.com to try and obtain more money for the creditors but it was denied.
Joe says
o well life goes on
J.C WESTON says
Wow its is so nice of you to try to obtain more money for the creditors. First toys.com, now 800.com. Is there a better way to find out about these auctions first,to avoid petitioning the courts after the auction has passed. With all of the technology today, there has to be a better way. It also would give these creditors more money and save legal fees. Was toys.com also a sham?
Andrew Allemann says
@ J.C. Weston – liquidation is a fragmented industry. What really needs to happen is the auction companies need to do a better job of promotion, at least sending out a relevant press release.
National A-1 Internet says
The sales are bogus.
The creditor’s committee has the responsibility of getting the most money for the creditors. It is their JOB to advertise the assets the proper way. All they would have to do is to contact one of the domain sites and news of the auction would spread to the domain buyers.
Yes Toys.com was a sham but the judge realized this and allow another auction. You saw what happened. Not sure why the other judge for 800.com would not allow this.
He could have known the lawyer for the buyer.
J.C WESTON says
Re: National A1 Internet:
You first state that you were trying to obtain more money for the creditors for toys.com as well as 800.com. Do you work for the creditors of both of these companies? You also are stating that the judge could have “known the lawyer for the buyer”. This my friend is a criminal act if the judge did not withdraw from case. I suggest unless you have some sort of proof, you refrain from posting such defaming statements on this blog.If you do have proof, then you should contact the proper authorities(DOJ). You should also be aware of the fact that a recent court ruling ( Aug 10 2009) has ruled that companies as well as persons representing them can be held liable for defaming content pertaining to unfounded criminal accusations. Maybe a retraction should be posted. Just some friendly advise. JCW
National A-1 Internet says
Sir
We are not trying to obtain more money for the creditors. We are major buyers of certain domains. If a domain is advertised in the correct manner instead of what happened in these two cases the creditors would benefit as was evidenced by the second Toys.com auction.
I respectfully disagree with your statement. Many judges see certain lawyers all the time and will rule for them in many cases.
They do not violate the law.
I did not state that the judge did anything improper. He apparently could care less about the creditors and wanted to get it over with.
Since you seem so knowledgeable about these things can you tell me ONE good reason why this judge would not reopen the auction as was done with Toys.com? I cannot think of any. It is travesty that no one made an effort to advertise the sale to the domain world.
Why was that? When assets are sold in almost all cases ads are placed and interested parties are notified.
The judge was informed of this and chose to ignore it. Why?
There is NO question that the domain would have sold for at least one million dollars. The creditors in this case were taken advantage of due to the lack of advertising and the failure of the judge to listen to reason and do what was right for the creditors.
Perhaps that should be reported to the DOJ.