I like this idea. I started a thread in the outside auctions thread to send jogk.com to auction for $60. The thread has less than 10 views and no one sent it to auction.
Given the current LLLL.com market, wouldn't most people be happy with jogk at $60?
I think a sticky thread like that would have to be moderated like the $1000+ section, but it is good idea in my opinion. Sometimes you have names that are worth more than $60 that you want to sell and could benefit from the exposure of an auction on Sedo.
I agree with you 100% -- as is, nobody views extended auctions and that includes people like me who regularly drop mid $XXXX+ at Sedo alone each month...
I thought I would chime in as I had an auction set canceled by Sedo because a coworker started a few. Obviously, when you work at a domain opt your coworkers are genuinely interested in domains as well. Personally, I don't see a problem with a friend or forum friend or whatever starting an auction for you if there is an intent to purchase the domain if the auction is won by him/her; however, if the auction is won and payment is not made then both accounts ought to be canceled in IMO.
Preserving the integrity of an auction house is paramount and for that we must give Sedo credit; however, we shouldn't have to have a thread that runs 8 pages deep and no one knows for sure their policy. If they would simply define their policy, I'm sure we would all adhere to it.
Sedo has some of the brightest people working for them, and I hope they continue to succeed. They just need to ramp up the cust service side of the equation. Start listening and innovating more like giving sellers the option of when to end an auction not a bidder who might try to get the auction to end in the middle of the night.
Yeh, looks like that domain is going to go for under minimum wholesale price Reece. The auction is getting close to the end and it's still at $60. That's the chance I took though and that's how buyers can get a good deal in this type of setup.
Obviously you can't cancel both accounts just because the initial bidder doesn't follow through, the seller plays no role for the bidders actions and can't be held responsible for their irresponsibility and being unprofessional.
Your guideline offers the perfect opportunity for sabotage, to get peoples account canceled.
Very interesting thread. Still, there is something I don't really understand here.
Many people seem to worry a lot about what Sedo could think about this idea. That's really weird, for at least three reasons:
1. Sedo is not a regulation body, aiming at increasing business morality. It's a commercial company, where most of us are *customers*. A soon as we respect their terms of use (https://sedo.com/about/policy.php?p...id=&language=us) - and a Sedo Auction Thread would not infringe any of them - I can't see the problem.
2. It's obvious that many people are - and have been - using third parties to have their names put on auction. Have a look at the current auction list on Sedo, and tell me if you think that names such as "quiscustodietipsoscustodes.com" or "DREAMTYMELIMO.COM" or "AKTENZEICHENXY.com" have been put on auction after "natural" bids... A thread on NP is simply a more convenient and transparent way to do it.
3. Last, and most importantly, it coul be useful to recall that auctions at Sedo are a paying service. When an auctioned name is sold $100, Sedo gets $10. It is a fact that the proposed Sedo's thread on NP will increase the number of names auctioned at Sedo, and therefore the names sold at Sedo. Now, if I were Sedo's manager, would I be worried to read that my customers intend to launch something that will increase my sales and my turnover, without me doing anything?
To put it shortly: come on, NP guys! Let's make it happen. Most of us have been waiting for such a - useful - thing for a long time.
The only difference with the auctions above, which i agree seem to look fishy, meaning that the opening bid was not a legitimate bid to purchase, is that through NP the opening bids that would be made are with intend to purchase at the opening bid.
Best...point...ever...(assuming the sales go through)
I'd be interested in partaking in such a service (both as buyer and seller). Exposure is the key. You can have a good domain sitting in the crowd that is Sedo, but when it goes to auction suddenly there are eyes on it.
Great idea Cy!
I had no idea there was a member here named SEDO. Of course he would have to be a representative of SEDO, so hopefully he will reply soon, then we can FINALLY move in one direction or another!
Thx!
Apologies for the delayed response to this thread and issue. Please keep in mind that ANY type of "shill" bidding for the purpose of inflating auction prices or beginning auctions - or solicitiation of offers - is not permitted in Sedo's marketplace.
While we appreciate the fact that our members would like to use our auction platform to sell domains and are interested in increasing activity, it cannot be encouraged. Only legitimate, good faith bids are allowed on the marketplace, and we monitor all auction activity to help protect the quality and integrity of our services.
Please refer to our Terms and Conditions via the link below:
If anyone has any questions about this matter, please feel free to email our Quality Management and Fraud Prevention department at qualitymanagement@sedo.com. We also ask that you report any instances of shill bidding to this department for review.
I still cannot see how advertising a domain on the understanding that a bid at sedo will send it to auction is classed as "shill bidding". Isn't this what is happening when you land on a parked Sedo page? There is a link to the sellers domain for sale that takes you to a page where you can make the bid.... Are Sedo actually saying that to advertise our domains outside of their control is looking for shill bidders? Would this not also make contact with potential interested buyers once an auction has started "shill bidding"?
The problem is that Sedo has bidders that are supposed to be genuine who are obviously not.....and these are not domainers!! I have had 2 auctions where the bidding has been in $xxxx's and right at the end someone who has no intention of paying, has jumped in and placed a winning bid, completely ruining the auction for everyone involved. Had Sedo had either a fixed fee or % of their bid as a deposit then this would be less likely to have happened.
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Here is what I do not understand, Why are people not starting $60 auctions here on Namepros ? Is it the belief that on SEDO you will see many bids ? It looks like most names unless they are outstanding get one bid maybe 2 that is $10 more.
Why not start these auctions here, where the majority of the domainers looking at SEDO auctions are members here. Plus no commission.
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The why is easy, because you have way more exposure on Sedo then here on the forum, a more diversified crowd that if they like your domain would pay more then your average domainer.
I think Sedo has a little more exposure than NamePros and will ensure domains hit fair market value. For example, when I was selling n5.com the high offer on the forums was $16.8k and I bumped it a half dozen times with no more offers, and it sold on Sedo for $25.5k a few weeks later.
So you're saying a $60 bid on DSG.com wouldn't be a good faith offer? Telling people you're looking for a bid doesn't make the offer illegitimate.
DomainRaiders: Keith actually confirmed that placing a good faith opening bid is allowed, if you intend to buy then it's allowed.
If you don't intend to buy at the bid you make then you're shill bidding and that is not allowed.
If someone would bid $60 on DSG.com and the bidder makes a genuine bid, to purchase at that bid, then it's good.
That's the chance I took though and that's how buyers can get a good deal in this type of setup. 
