How about a sticky thread "send to sedo auction" in this section?

What happened to the thread? It's gone.

You took the Effing thread down???
WTF???

Oh, I see the send short domains to Sedo thread still exists!
Thx Alot!

You arent gonna mess with that thread, but theres a problem with this new one???

Too many friends already jump into that thread???

Red Rock said:

Mark,
I understand your point.
But let's just say for the sake of arguement...
Everyone is not on as often as some.
Most dont look deep thru all of the pages, for whatever they may or not be looking for.
Isn't it a great idea....
Both short domains, and everything else,
to have it all centralized in one area?
I may be looking for something in my niche, then you post after me, and I see you have something as attractive...
that I wasnt even looking for.

Now, to comment about the warm fuzzy feelings...
There is a HUGE sense of community here!
If I am interested in a couple of domains at Sedo,
say they are both similar.
Lets just say, one of them were yours.
I would bid on yours first, because of this NP bond.
And yes I would feel good, cuz I'm helping a friend/colleague out.

In business, are there favors?
All the time!
Are we asking for favors?
No
Just a chance to get into a market we cant get into w/out a little boost from a friend.
You still have to buy it, if you bid.
try not to slam these ideas, Please.

I see on your profile you have been here since 2004.
And your trader rating is 136.
Thats awesome.
You already have a ton of friends and colleagues!
You probably could have 10 people at any given time
get one of your domains into Sedo for you.
Some of us who are newer, don't have that luxury,
so this kinda gives us a little boost.
I hope you dont view this as a bad thing.
I'd hate to have one more great opportunity taken away because you dont have warm fuzzy feelings.

Thx,
Red Rock!

Click to expand...

I can see your point - But , I would never ask a friend or colleague to bid on an item even if I thought they had sincere interest. It's just who I am ... (Not to mention I don't use SEDO)

The actual thread(s) are on hold for now folks ... I'm not the only person on Staff here with concerns I applaud the suggestions and efforts to give the members what they want - But we really need to discuss it some before Leaping in with both feet.

Just my personal opinion here, but... Shilling is alot more common than probably any of us would like to admit or believe.

Maybe I'm not the most morally conscious person out there... But I see 2 very different kinds of "shilling".

1. Asking a friend to place a bid for you on a domain. This friend is prepared to purchase the domain if he wins so in essence he is a legitimate bidder.

2. I'm not happy with the price my domain is currently at on auction. I ask a friend (or do this myself using a proxy or different computer) to place a bid which my friend (or me) have no intention of honoring and is solely being placed to milk extra money out of a legitimate bidder.

#2 is FRAUD. Plain and simple. It's taking advantage of the system and it's ripping off someone who worked hard for the money they're using to place their bid. I do not condone this and wish these perps would be sent to prison just like anyone who commits large scale fraud in the offline world.

As for #1... Getting a buddy to say, in example, start a no reserve LLL.com auction for you with a $60 legitimate bid. If the LLL.com goes for $60, your buddy just got an LLL.com for even cheaper than the iReit mess... Is that really a shill? Are these things anywhere near as serious as each other? I personally don't have a problem doing this and if this is indeed shill bidding, I would have to say that there exists a very serious shill bidding problem on Namepros and other domain name forums alike, one which I take part in myself.

I can certainly understand that #1 may lead to #2, but this is most certainly not the case in most circumstances. I've started probably close to a hundred auctions for other domainers here over the last year, partly because they were friends, and partly because it offered me a chance for a real bargain on many occasions. Never were there any favors exchanged. Never was it "I'll start your auction if you do this for me..." It was merely a "Yeah sure I'll start your auction." This kind of favor happens in business, it happens in politics worldwide,...

I see the short domain I bid on that went to auction is on hold. Maybe Sedo saw this thread? I don't see anything wrong with this thread really. There's no favors being exchanged. The domain I bid on I would love to have. The domains I put in the short domain thread are worth more than $60 IMO because I know I would have to take a bit of a chance to get them started at $60. Hmmm.

This was created by Reece
The member of the Month!
out of 90,000 people here
Reece was the member of the Month!
He is also on Staff, here.
His "Send short domains to Sedo" thread was an overnight success!
Why cant we, the little people, have our opportunity,
just as the big LLLL Club!???
Its the same thing!
just a few more letters!

Ya know Sedo should thank us!
How much more business will they get from these 2 threads?
Alot!
They are still gonna get their 10%!
Whats 10% of Alot,
I dont know but I'd like 10% of Alot!
LOL

And I'm the one who placed that $60 bid on your domain specifically because I was aware that it's worth much more than that... As you said, no favor -- we didn't even communicate. If anything, this thread (the short domains sedo auction thread) may actually discourage favors because domainers wouldn't have to resort to pming me and asking for "help".

I'm a pretty nice guy by nature... If you ask me to start a Sedo auction with a bid under min wholesale on that type of domain, how can I refuse? :hearts:

timphelan said:

I see the short domain I bid on that went to auction is on hold. Maybe Sedo saw this thread? I don't see anything wrong with this thread really. There's no favors being exchanged. The domain I bid on I would love to have. The domains I put in the short domain thread are worth more than $60 IMO because I know I would have to take a bit of a chance to get them started at $60. Hmmm.

Click to expand...

C'mon,
Bring that thread back!???

You watch, that will be the fastest growing thread here!
A whirlwind of opportunities for all of us,
that we otherwise wouldnt have.

Sure we could post individual threads in the external auction forum,
then be lost after an hour or 2...

This is such common sense.
One location.
One price kicks it off.
You win, you buy.
Done.
what is the harm in that?

Hey everyone,
If my account gets closed,
I'm gonna come back as Rock Red!

Just a heads up, cuz you know...
the trader rating and posts and all that stuff
are gonna be a little low for awhile.

Please do not open any more "Post your Domains here to go to auction" threads until we've had time to discuss it folks ... That's not very respectful. The other threads were moved to private already for a reason , Only a few of the staff/mods have given an opinion as of yet (Live auction being one reason).

I've spoken to Reece about it - He knows I'll move them back later if the Mod Squad all feels it'll be fine - But until then ... No need for more of them.

Mark said:

Please do not open any more "Post your Domains here to go to auction" threads until we've had time to discuss it folks ... That's not very respectful. The other threads were moved to private already for a reason , Only a few of the staff/mods have given an opinion as of yet (Live auction being one reason).

I've spoken to Reece about it - He knows I'll move them back later if the Mod Squad all feels it'll be fine - But until then ... No need for more of them.

Click to expand...

OK,
No Problem,
Sorry about that!

But Mark,
Please be open-minded about this.
We are all friends here, Yes, that helps!
But if I bid on a domain of yours, I'm GONNA buy it.
if I know you are interested in one of mine,
Whats the harm in asking you if its worth $60.00 to you?

This is a GREAT opportunity that is desperately needed.
NP is an Awesome forum.
But it is like a decent sized city.
Imagine if more of us had the opportunity to expose our names to more of the world, with one simple thread.
I want some good $ for some of my domains, as we all do.
I would hope there will be some NPers bidding on what I think is worth $60.00
Of course, I am going to do the SAME for other NPers,
that is not a bad thing.
I am not going out of my way to do so,
because I will only bid $60.00 for something that seems like its worth $60.00 to me.

This could ONLY help everyone in here.
Who knows, you may jump in the thread too!

Not to insult Sedo or whatever decision NP Management + Staff arrive at here and what follows below is just my opinion, but...

With how many buyers/sellers I've had crash sales (almost 50%) on me through Sedo, I'd actually be happy to know someone from this trusted community has bid on my name, rather than some unknown stranger at Sedo.

Yes, that domain should be worth a few hundred bucks at least.

This is an interesting way to sell domains I think. I just don't think it will pay off for those who make bids on names that they don't want.

Plus, as a buyer it's a way to get a chance for a good deal. For the seller it's a chance to get a reasonable amount for your domain. Both are taking a chance, and that's the way it should be with an auction. Right?

The only thing different in having these threads and having people post individual threads in the auction forum here, is these threads will speed things up a bit and make it more convienant for both bidders and sellers.

Tim

Reece said:

And I'm the one who placed that $60 bid on your domain specifically because I was aware that it's worth much more than that... As you said, no favor -- we didn't even communicate. If anything, this thread (the short domains sedo auction thread) may actually discourage favors because domainers wouldn't have to resort to pming me and asking for "help".

I'm a pretty nice guy by nature... If you ask me to start a Sedo auction with a bid under min wholesale on that type of domain, how can I refuse? :hearts:

Click to expand...

Some good and constructive points raised here ... but I would - in this case - strongly lean on the side of caution, and thus both concur and vote for the following IMHO. :gl:

Mark said:

Sorry - But I personally see this turning into "Shilling For Favors" ....

I'm Not getting a warm fuzzy feeling about this at all Folks. If you can't post the auction in our "External Auctions" section and get a bid without favors - There was no interest in the domain(s) to begin with "IMO".

Click to expand...

Despite all of the best intentions, community support, potential deals for buyers and/or potential liquidity for sellers, and the feeling of trust since a great percentage of Sedo auctions never actually close and transfer ... this is not a good thing in the context of credibility for Namepros and the larger domain name industry, in my judgement. Through no fault of ours, there are already (some might argue, severe) credibility issues with respect to the domain name aftermarket ... should this strategy become regular practice, and then happening en masse in thread after thread at Sedo (and, in whole or in part, stemming from Namepros™), it may very well exacerbate these perceptions of credibility, IMHO.

This is one of those times, as difficult and unfriendly as it may seem now at first blush, where caution is strongly advised ... with those known public perceptions that already exist in mind ... as well as for its abiltity to snowball irreversibly (should many, many threads at Sedo be started in this fashion at Sedo by members of our community), in my best judgement and experience.
-Jeff

Am I at the right forum?

NamePros - Buy, Sell, Discuss Domain Names

Ok, I guess I am.
I just had to look up at the name and motto of this community,
once again.

So...Buy, Sell, Discuss Domain Names?

Yet we sit here in limbo waiting for the "Big Dogs"
to have a conference, about us....

"Discussing" our "Selling" technques/tips/help, to get into the
Largest Domain Auction House, so we can have Mass Appeal to
"Buyers" World Wide.

Kindof a No-Brainer to me!
I figure that would be more important then MOST of the threads, here!
Think of the increased exposure NamePros would have as
even a larger contributor to Sedos success!
Honest Trusted NP members will ONLY help carry out Honest trustworthy transactions.

I really dont see this being an issue at all.
I hope everyone on Staff here,
will Welcome those 2 threads back.

Thanks in advance for your consideration!

Red Rock said:

Think of the increased exposure NamePros would have as
even a larger contributor to Sedos success!

Click to expand...

I can appreciate your energy and enthusiasm ... but I, and others, posted above specifically thinking about the amount and NATURE and TYPE of 'exposure' this might have for our #1 Namepros (which, even more than "Buy, Sell, Discuss" ... stands for (Domain) Name Professionals, IMHO). :gl: :talk:

Also being considered in this light, on my part ... is Sedo's level of success ... and while they generally do a pretty decent job, there are also - literally - dozens and dozens of threads here of displeasure and lack of support, and repeatedly of "sales" that never ended quite as successfully, as well. I don't think we have a responsiblity here to help Sedo with their success rate ... rather, I believe we owe it to ourselves to conduct and help build the aforementioned credibilty and perceptions of the larger domain name industry/profession! :music: :imho:

Mass "send my domain to sedo auction" Namepros™ threads/links & Sedo auctions do not help toward this larger cause, in my view!
Just my two sense.

Red Rock said:

Am I at the right forum?

Click to expand...

Yes.

-Jeff

I dont know what to say anymore.
You make some valid points.

Will you bid on a couple of names for me???
Only $60.00 to kick 'em off!
LOL

Red Rock said:

I dont know what to say anymore.
You make some valid points.

Click to expand...

It's a good, healthy discussion to have ... :hearts: :imho:

Will you bid on a couple of names for me???
Only $60.00 to kick 'em off!
LOL

Click to expand...

^ Exactly.
You see?

Again, your energy is highly commendable ... together, we will do what is best, I have no doubt!
Thanks and see you soon.
-Jeff

I still don't see any "mass" sending of domains to auction. Those who make bids on bad domains and don't pay when nobody else ends up bidding on the domain risk losing their accounts at Sedo. I personally don't want to lose my account at Sedo. So, I just think the potential for abuse is less than what some think. Most people won't be bidding on bad names, only those they would be happy to have for at least $60.

How is this not being professional?

Again, having threads like these is more a matter of convienance than anything.

Thx Tim,
I was getting tired.
They were wearing me down!
LOL

By the way, Great thread!
Rep Added.

To anyone who expresses a desire to have those 2 threads back...
PLEASE COMMENT!!!

This is a great service that we should all be very excited about!
We all have names that can appeal to each other,
no matter if it's a LLLL, or some 3-worder w/hyphens.
If you will legitimately buy the domain,
there is no problem.
I would love to see a list all in one place,
of potential Sedo auction listings!
Hopefully alot more people feel the same way!

They have not came back into this thread and said it was a 100%
decision to NOT bring those 2 threads back, yet.
So, If any onlookers have a quick supportive comment, Please do.
This is for us all!
Thx!

timphelan said:

I still don't see any "mass" sending of domains to auction.

Click to expand...

Now and in the future as the site grows, if the precedent is set now ... it's the potential for mass "sending of domains to auction" threads / links / Sedo auctions; all, and increasingly and irreversibly stemming from Namepros™, IMHO. :red:

Most people won't be bidding on bad names, only those they would be happy to have for at least $60.

Click to expand...

It's a point to consider, but if it's not a bad name ... it should achieve at least $60 without having to "send it to sedo auction", simply by it's perceived quality IMHO. :gl:

How is this not being professional?

Click to expand...

There are true professionals on each side of this issue ... it's a good discussion, as I mentioned. I'm simply thinking ahead, and in the context of public perceptions and credibility for both Namepros and the larger domain name profession, IMHO. This is something - especially considering the amounts of new and newer members that have - and continue to be - signing up to our #1 Community - that has the possibility of snowballing in a way that was not intented, and certainly may not be desired. And, if this becomes true, I am unsure how we can turn back the clock without adding to or least reinforcing those same (mis)perceptions, humbly.

-Jeff