Added: 3-27-2008
This keeps the system fair for all.
- No external links to domains for sale.
- No external links to websites outside of NP
- No links/urls to domains for sale.
- No Stealth posts "PM me for the name" type posts..Names must be posted.
- Link to screenshot of stats is required if you are claiming Traffic or Revenue or threads will be closed...
Update in effect as of 2-12-07 10:00 PM EST
The same basic rules of the
Fixed-Price/Offers section apply to Auctions, with the following specific additions (see below). If you are not already familar with the basic
domain sale rules, please
read them now before continuing.
When you list an auction, be sure that the title is not misleading. You will lose a lot of potential bidders if you lead them into a trap. For example, if you are selling ik7.org and your title says "Rare - 3 letter domain name" - that is a blatent mis-lead! Your title should essentially be a summation of what the auction truly is. In this case, a good title would be " 3 Character Domain - ik7.org" - You don't even have to include the domain name in the title as long as you represent it properly.
Once you've got the title down, there a couple of important things to remember to include in your auctions.
*required for success
1. the domain name*
2. registrar*
3. date of expiration*
4. any traffic or link pop info (if applicable)
5. starting bid price*
6. bid increments*
7 auction end*
1. Of course, people need to know what they are bidding on. Be sure to list the domain name accurately. I've actually seen auctions end badly because the domain name was spelled incorrectly in the auction.
2. Be sure and list the registrar where the domain name is registered. This is very important to some and not so much to others, but it's better to have it listed straight out of the gate so there's one less question to clog up your sales thread.
3. The date of expiration is important. People like to know how much time is left on the domain name they are bidding on, and it's only fair. Again, this will keep the junk posts out of your sales thread. Please do not post that your potential bidders should check the whois themselves. It is your responsibility as the seller to provide all necessary information.
4. We all know traffic is king, so if the domain name you are selling has any traffic or link popularity, be sure and list it - and be prepared to have proof. With very good reason, people can't just take your word that a domain name is getting 5000 unique visitors per day without some form of proof. Have your stats available at the time of auction.
5. The starting bid is the bid that will get the ball rolling, so to speak. This price is totally up to you, but it must be stated in order to have an auction. Some people like to have blind auctions, which is when you have the first bidder name the first bid. Just be prepared to have an opener of $1.00 with this method. Price your domain names accordingly. Unless you've got a true gem on your hands, a starting bid of $1,000 won't get much attention. Low starters usually end bigger in my experience.
6. Bid increments are important. You cannot have an auction without setting the bid increments. The increments are the minimum dollar amount for the next bid. So if the bidding is at $26 and the bid increment is $2.00 - the next acceptable bid would be $28. It's ok if bidders exceed the set increment, in fact, it's wonderful and most often times celebrated.
7a. Set an ending time. You can't expect people to open up their wallets and pocketbooks for an uncertain auction. Be sure to include the (weekday) month, day, time and time zone - because we are not all in the same spot on the globe. Example: Auction Ends: Wednesday, July 28th at 5:00pm EST. - This method leaves little room for question, and everyone is happy.
All auctions must include a clear end date and time to be considered an auction, or your thread will be moved to a more appropriate forum.
7b. It is not always necessary to use a specific ending date. Another method that seems to work is ending the auction a certain amount of time after a final bid has been placed.
For example: Auction will end 48 hours after final bid has been placed.
If Bob places a bid on domain 1 on Tuesday at 8pm, and no bids are place between Bobs post and Thursday at 8pm - Bob wins.
If someone comes in on Wednesday at 1am and places a bid, the auction is extended another 48 hours and so on.
New Rules: Updated Feb. 2007
1.
Do not use a reserve price. This is a forum, and there is no way to automate a reserve system, therefore, setting a reserve price is not allowed. If you need to have a reserve on your auction... start the bidding at your reserve price. This will be enforced to make the auctions fair for everyone.
An alternative for members wanting to use reserves and anonymous bidders is to auction it on eBay and post a link in the
External Auctions forum, which would be fine too.
2. Once an auction is posted you may reserve the right to end, or change your auction at any time...
until a bid is placed. At that time, you are obligated to follow through with the auction.
If this rule is violated, the auction will be considered void, and the thread closed or deleted.
3.
Do not post multi-forum auctions. If you would like to utilize NamePros to hold a domain name auction, please make sure the auction is exclusive to NamePros for the duration of the auction. Please feel free to make use of the "fixed price" and "make offers" forum for multi-forum sales.
Multi-forum auctions will be closed if the seller does not comply with this rule.
4.
All bids must be placed in the auction thread. Do not post that you have an offer via PM. If you do get an offer via PM, simply refer the member to the rules, or have them contact a member of the admin/staff.
Auction Template - Below is an Auction template you can use for convenience.
*****************Template****************** A short intro, or welcome goes here. Domain Name: ForSale.com
Registrar: eNom (or other)
Date of Expiration: 00-00-00
Link Popularity/Traffic Stats: if it applies (otherwise don't use)
Here you can place a small description, or possible uses for the domain name. You can also mention some freebies that come with the auction, like logos etc. Starting Bid: $xx
Bid Increments: $x
Auction Ends: Tues, July 29th at 8pm EST
Forms of accepted Payment: Paypal, other etc
Your closing message goes here. *****************Template******************
Hope this helps... If you have any questions regarding this post please feel free to contact me or another member of the staff/admin
Good luck with your auctions -
Jennifer
02-12-2007 until 03-15-2010
