Afternic experiment of June 2020

[AbdulBasit.com]

Hi everyone,

As the first half of this year is completed, there were some major things happening all around the world. While reviewing my business, I can clearly say that I’d the one of the best 6 months of my domain investing career.

Today I’m very happy to share the results of June 2020 which I was eagerly waiting for the report to arrive so I can share with you all.

This is the sixth post of the Afternic experiment series after I published January, February, March, April and May results which I’m hopeful that you’ll find it interesting. Although I’d initially planned to give Afternic landers a try for 6 months period which has already ended but I’ve extended the time period of using them on long term basis with the results I’ve achieved so far using their services.

In May 2020, I mentioned that there was no sale for the first 9 days and it was more longer break in the month of June of 11 days. So on 12th day I’d my first sale of the month in the shape of MarketGrid.com for $5,000. I’d put up BIN of $5,888 but after going back and forth with the buyer, it was eventually sold for that price. This was sold via Afternic lander.

Next sale was mind blowing one and the biggest BIN sale of my life. That domain was AutoFun.com which sold for $50,000. This was purchased directly via GoDaddy.com search. One of the best sale I’ve ever had.

Third sale was ToothBar.com for $6,888. This too sold via GoDaddy search. Then there was another sale of TinaChen.com for $1,988. Sold via Afternic partner registrar.

One more sale happened which I really like it – ww.biz for $4,888 via GoDaddy search. In total I’ve 4 more .biz domains.

GmTransport.com was then sold for $4,888 via Afternic lander. And the month ended up with the sale of 40hz.com for $2,888. This too sold via GoDaddy search.

Overall the cost of those domains were under $5,000 and total sale amount was $76,540. Also in May there were some 650 inquiries whereas in June, it was a little less than 600. Bit surprising because I had added some 60+ domains in the last month.

On the other hand, I’m happy to share the sales of couple of my friends.

@JudgeMind, an experienced domain investor sold some domains via Afternic which are shared below:

Dexwise.com for $1,299
Bjx.io sold for $239
ApplePie.org for $299
ReactionCapital.com for $2,500

Another fellow domain investor, Muhammad Aamir from DotCorner was happy to share his Afternic sales of June.

KingMusic.com sold for $6,000
SharkGirl.com for $3,000
PDFKit.com for $5,500
StarFilms.com for $7,500
Bisma.com for $6,500
ThunderPay.com for $3,500

Only PDFKit.com was acquired in 2017. All others were acquired in 2002-2003 period at $8 reg fees.

I tell you, those were good old days when you could hand register plenty of great domains like Aamir did. But it doesn’t mean it was too simple. One have to have the vision, knowledge and patience which is now paying off well for this fellow investor.

I appreciate both @JudgeMind and Aamir for sharing their sales and if anyone would like to add their Afternic sales in future, feel free to let me know.

I would like to give due credit to my Afternic rep and brokers, I very much appreciate their hard work and dedication they put in for making all these sales to happen.

Feel free to give your feedback no matter how good or good it is

 

[AbdulBasit.com]

Congratulations and thank you for your generous sharing.

AutoFun is a great domain. No double about it. What was the thought behind setting the price of AutoFun to $50k instead of, say, $30k or $70k?

That's an interesting question!

To be honest, I would be happy to sell this domain for 30K too. For last many years, I've knowingly and purposely sacrificed many domain sales where I 100% believe of getting more if I'd held onto the domain but due to lack of cash flow, I'd no option but to sell at lower price. I'd planned from early days that I'll keep sacrificing domains of lower end and sometimes good one's too which I really did it and I've no regrets because my plan was to come in today's situation where I can ask what I want for the domain and what I think is the best and right price, no matter what the buyer thinks or the budget is. It's me who will set the price regardless of the buyer's budget.

So my point here is that today I'm in such a position that I can hold onto my top domains and keep moving the low-mid tier domains at an attractive prices to the endusers.

 

[AbdulBasit.com]

Congrats on some incredible sales!!

These sales show me I have no clue what I'm doing as I'd have had all those names at less than 1k BINs probably lol.

Well done indeed and thanks for sharing.

Thank you for your feedback and well wishes

Also I wanted to thank you for sharing what you would have priced this domain. I got several more investors saying they'd price it for mid-high 4 figures which was interesting to know.

I admit of being in similar position of yours when I see sales reported at NamePros and DnJournal which makes me wonder why at first this domain was registered, let alone selling in 4 and 5 figures

So that gives me more motivation to research and learn about that terms/keywords. The best we can do is to keep learning and improving ourselves

Best wishes!

 

[AbdulBasit.com]

@AbdulBasit.com has indicated elsewhere (don't remember exact numbers, he can correct) that he spent around $250 per name and has around 4000 names now. He also indicated that he sells 200-300K worth a year, could be heading towards $400k/year.

So around $1MM in the asset cost and if he makes $400K/year, that is 40% IRR.

Wow! You're very good at remembering

Since I've acquired some expensive domains this year so my average has shot up in the range of $350. This average price is for the last 30 months period during which I've doubled my portfolio.

Hopeful to reach 4,000 mark by the end of next week.

I made 250K+ in sales last year.

With the sale of AutoFun.com for $50,000 last month, there is a ray of hope in crossing the 400K mark of sales by the end of this year.

Thanks!

 

[AbdulBasit.com]

Congratulations on your fantastic month of June.

Do you price all of your domains at Afternic or do you wait for price requests? I know that the Afternic landers don't include the price of the domain and that potential buyers are asked to call or fill in a request for price form.

Do the Afternic reps ever fill you in on the details of the inquiries? Whenever I get a price request it's because I have not set a BIN. No reps ever contact me about the details of the offer. I have to contact them just to find out it's a minimum offer from a tire kicker. I've made the minimum offer higher, so I can avoid them.

I've 99% of my domains set up BIN. Also almost all my domains having same BIN/minimum/floor/reserve which are having low-mid 4 figures. I don't want to waste my time leaving the minimum too low. But I've set some room between BIN and others where the BIN is high 4 figures and above...

 

[AbdulBasit.com]

"..2002-2003 period at $8 reg fees.."

That's really funny. 17 years of waiting.

Patience is the key and it proved once again. Aamir had the vision to hold onto his domains and wait for the right offers. Kudos to him.

 

[AbdulBasit.com]

Thanks!

1) Plenty of existing endusers for this domain. I love to invest in 2 words highly brandable domains which can be used for many purposes. Simply Google the term and you'll get an idea.

2) No. I simply list at Afternic and Sedo. No outbound or additional marketing.

Also for your kind information, I don't do betting. I take this as a serious business and buy each domain based on research and future potential value.

 

[Bob Hawkes]

Thanks for another month of data, and congratulations on the sales. Wow re AutoFun sale in particular! I had assumed that sales in that price range very rarely happened at BIN, so really positive to see mid 5 figure BIN. Thanks again for the series.
Bob

 

[AbdulBasit.com]

You've had an incredible month! Congratulations bud.

How do you know if the domain was sold through Afternic lander, Godaddy, or a partner registrar? Do you ask the Afternic rep?

My Afternic rep share the reports which has all the data available.

 

[Kassey Lee]

Congratulations and thank you for your generous sharing.

AutoFun is a great domain. No double about it. What was the thought behind setting the price of AutoFun to $50k instead of, say, $30k or $70k?

 

[Recons.Com]

Congrats! Awesome job, as always. Proving the point that you make money when you buy them, not when you sell them. Great choices.

 

[Paul Nicks]

You may contact Afternic support unless you think there is something I can do for you...

Thanks Abdul.

All, as awesome a seller as Abdul is, he is not support for Afternic. [email protected] is always available

 

[FolioTeam]

Thanks for sharing and congrats on the sales. You really shot for the moon with AutoFun at 50k

 

[oldtimer]

Many thanks for your kind words. Much appreciated

According to Afternic, when the seller adds BIN, that increase the chances of selling the domain. Also doing an opt-in for Fast Transfer increase chance of selling domains as well.

I believe the total number of sales amount have gone up since I started using Afternic landers. Most probably due to their brand recognition as compare to Uniregistry (which I previously used as the landers) as well as additional exposure which I started to get after I opt-in for Fast Transfers which I got the chance only when GoDaddy acquired Uni and later they integrated Fast Transfers for domains registered with Uni.

If you've asked something else which I haven't answered, please feel free to ask in a different way.

Thank you!

Thanks for your quick reply, perhaps this is something that only Afternic could answer as far as if they have any control over where a domain is shown in the search results across their network and whether they are giving a helping hand to your domains by putting them in the top of the search results. Either way I wish you the best, enjoy the windfall while it lasts.

IMO

 

[Recons.Com]

Wow! You're very good at remembering

Since I've acquired some expensive domains this year so my average has shot up in the range of $350. This average price is for the last 30 months period during which I've doubled my portfolio.

Hopeful to reach 4,000 mark by the end of next week.

I made 250K+ in sales last year.

With the sale of AutoFun.com for $50,000 last month, there is a ray of hope in crossing the 400K mark of sales by the end of this year.

Thanks!

Thank you ) So if first half was $250, the second $350, then overall average would be $300 )

4000x300$=$1.2MM of Capital Employed.

$400k/1.2MM=33% IRR.

The IRR will vary from year to year, especially with growing portfolio and irregularity of sales. Regardless, the range will be at this scale and type of investment in 25%-50%.

Now, hand reg or closeout type, or the ones listed at brandable marketplaces might represent different economics than the above.

 

[krishmk]

@AbdulBasit.com - thanks for sharing your experience with Afternic. Pleased to hear about your $50K sales.
I hope you dont mind me asking some personal questions

As you may agree, it is natural for us to overspend when money flows in our hands
a) How do you maintain discipline on buying domains? (as to not overbid or been driven by impulsive purchases)
b) Do you have any specific rule on per domain's budget?

 

[Shawn T]

Thank you for this valuable post into your domain investing! Definitely great sales results and congratulations on them!

 

[satyadeep singh]

Great Sale, you are ''Rock star'', which one is best ROI

 

[Sutruk]

Congrats for the sales Abdul! Specially for the AutoFun.com one! Wow!

 

[sircc]

Congratulations on your fantastic month of June.

Do you price all of your domains at Afternic or do you wait for price requests? I know that the Afternic landers don't include the price of the domain and that potential buyers are asked to call or fill in a request for price form.

Do the Afternic reps ever fill you in on the details of the inquiries? Whenever I get a price request it's because I have not set a BIN. No reps ever contact me about the details of the offer. I have to contact them just to find out it's a minimum offer from a tire kicker. I've made the minimum offer higher, so I can avoid them.

 

[Avijit Roy]

Congratulations @AbdulBasit.com bhai, Autofun sale is incredible. What is your holiding period for this name,if you like to disclose?

 

[Tunababa8v]

All I can say is Whaooo!!

 

[AbdulBasit.com]

Congratulations on your achievement...

I want to ask????

Sir.....did you just add your domain name on Afternic premium network and wait for the sale to come????

Or you hire Afternic broker to sell for you????

And more also how do you add your domain name to godaddy search????

Thanks.

I've added all my domains to Afternic.

No broker is hired from my end at Afternic.

Once the domain is listed in your Afternic account, the domain will automatically be shown in GoDaddy search results.

Thanks!

 

[4better]

Awesome sale especially for that 50k AutoFun. Hoping to have something like that too in the future. You're an inspiration. Thanks for sharing.

 

[jim h]

@AbdulBasit.com
Thank you for your sharing. I think afternic team has done a good job in customer service. I am also ready to transfer about 1000 domain names to their landers. I am very grateful to Kevin and Cecilia of the Chinese team. Their service makes you feel enthusiastic, which can not be given by other platforms.
This is what I really feel.