Afternic - Official Thread

[GoDaddy]

Hello NamePros!
By popular demand, we have launched a dedicated feedback thread for Afternic, the GoDaddy-owned domain name marketplace.

We have created this thread as a way for you to tell us what works, what doesn't work, and what features you'd like to see at Afternic (please be constructive with your feedback). We're looking forward to hearing from the domain investment community to help us shape the future of Afternic.

We will also be sharing Afternic product updates in this thread.

Please note that this thread is not meant for support. Please email our support team at [email protected] for assistance.

 

[Synozeer]

Can anyone tell me how to circumvent the bug that verified domain names say they are verified, they give the confirmation after the TXT records were checked. but then say unverified.

i have encountered in past, and just waited next day and went through process again, but this time they still won't list.

In summary, I do this:
1. Try to list. Afternic says need verifying.
2. Already have propagated TXT records for all names I am adding, so check the domain names needing verification, then click verify now, and wait not closing window.
3. It responds that they are now verified and can be added to my account.
4. But it still shows unverified, so try listing again, go through steps 1 to 3 infinitely (okay a few times, but trending towards infinity).

I am using the most up to date version of Mac Chrome, but have tried doing it with and without Incognito mode, have tried logging out and restarting multiple times, have tried waiting the next day, etc.

I have successfully verified hundreds (?) of names using TXT verification at Afternic. This is a new bug that has emerged the last few weeks (?). It used to be intermittent, but now seems to never allow. It is like Afternic don't want our names!

I am boosted, both Afternic and my vaccine status, in case that matters.

Please, if anyone has a solution, I hate this wasted time.

By the way, what to do, and how to be more efficient, is the NamePros Blog column this week. This is not the way.

I am glad to hear that Afternic's priority is on sales in 2024, and will be improving operational features in 2025, but would be nice to solve a few things in 2024.

Thank you so much for any help from anyone.

Bob

Is this where after you verify it takes you back to the screen where you have to repeat the process again after it says verified? If so, I've had that a few times.

You'll need to contact Afternic support and let them know what's happening. In my cases, the domains were still stuck under the old ownership and they needed to remove the name from their system so that you can add it under your account.

 

[Future Sensors]

In my cases, the domains were still stuck under the old ownership and they needed to remove the name from their system so that you can add it under your account.

It's sad, because Afternic had actually attempted to automate this process...

 

[Bob Hawkes]

In my cases, the domains were still stuck under the old ownership and they needed to remove the name from their system

Thanks so much for rapidly responding, @Synozeer.

But i had thought the whole purpose of the TXT verification was it proves ownership so they take it out of the account with it falsely still listed? I literally do that every few days with names that a previous owner left listed. I even had this problem and it went away the next day, but this time it is not.

@Afternic any input? Or is only solution to bother your service, wait for a response, and then remember to go back again to the names that should have verified.

-Bob

 

[Synozeer]

Thanks so much for rapidly responding, @Synozeer.

But i had thought the whole purpose of the TXT verification was it proves ownership so they take it out of the account with it falsely still listed? I literally do that every few days with names that a previous owner left listed. I even had this problem and it went away the next day, but this time it is not.

@Afternic any input? Or is only solution to bother your service, wait for a response, and then remember to go back again to the names that should have verified.

-Bob

That's how it's supposed to work, but you know Afternic...

It's only happened to me a few times and not since a couple of months ago.

 

[Kyle Tully]

When browsing GD auctions via ED the other day I had to login to GD and 2FA for 3 names that I clicked on in a row… two were so close together I used the same 2FA code!

 

[love4ever]

Can anyone tell me how to circumvent the bug that verified domain names say they are verified, they give the confirmation after the TXT records were checked. but then say unverified.

i have encountered in past, and just waited next day and went through process again, but this time they still won't list.

In summary, I do this:
1. Try to list. Afternic says need verifying.
2. Already have propagated TXT records for all names I am adding, so check the domain names needing verification, then click verify now, and wait not closing window.
3. It responds that they are now verified and can be added to my account.
4. But it still shows unverified, so try listing again, go through steps 1 to 3 infinitely (okay a few times, but trending towards infinity).

I am using the most up to date version of Mac Chrome, but have tried doing it with and without Incognito mode, have tried logging out and restarting multiple times, have tried waiting the next day, etc.

I have successfully verified hundreds (?) of names using TXT verification at Afternic. This is a new bug that has emerged the last few weeks (?). It used to be intermittent, but now seems to never allow. It is like Afternic don't want our names!

I am boosted, both Afternic and my vaccine status, in case that matters.

Please, if anyone has a solution, I hate this wasted time.

By the way, what to do, and how to be more efficient, is the NamePros Blog column this week. This is not the way.

I am glad to hear that Afternic's priority is on sales in 2024, and will be improving operational features in 2025, but would be nice to solve a few things in 2024.

Thank you so much for any help from anyone.

Bob

PS Can I just thank all those involved for how rapidly and smoothly the new NamePros landers verify domain names. Job well done people!

Here how they replied me recently regarding this issue , BUT the issue still occurs !!

.

 

[Bob Hawkes]

Here how they replied me recently regarding this issue , BUT the issue still occurs !!

Yes, they do also have issues of in review popping up for no apparent reason, but this is not a question about that. Rather it is they say they are verified and can be added, but they won't let them be added.

Thanks for sharing the response you got, though, and sorry the issue persists for you

Bob

EDIT: the names now were able to be listed; one of them is under review now.

 

[NameGroove]

Is this where after you verify it takes you back to the screen where you have to repeat the process again after it says verified? If so, I've had that a few times.

You'll need to contact Afternic support and let them know what's happening. In my cases, the domains were still stuck under the old ownership and they needed to remove the name from their system so that you can add it under your account.

if this is what Bob is running into, I've had it happen too. But, when I went into my profile the name was already listed. Might be an isolated thing only happening to me, not sure how many names this is happening for. If its a lot unlikely to be the same issue

 

[Bob Hawkes]

If its a lot unlikely to be the same issue

For me this time was 3 names (several others added at same time without issue).

I have had the problem at least once, I think twice, before in last few weeks - that time the issue went away after logging in and out and finding the name, as you suggest.

-Bob

 

[Garet]

I am glad to hear that Afternic's priority is on sales in 2024, and will be improving operational features in 2025, but would be nice to solve a few things in 2024.

You are a good, kind, and patient man, Bob.

I am less so. Sales are a priority for most businesses always -- every day, every year. That does not mean that problems, bugs, glitches, shortcomings, and the like should be put off indefinitely. In fact, those very things can hinder sales every day. I do not trust improvement in 2025 at all.

GoDaddy sets the bar for their own performance ridiculously low. Big, plentiful and obvious bugs, glitches, and shortcomings should be addressed immediately. It is not OK. If the level of technical competence is so low, make changes. If the ethical and performance standards are equally low, make changes. Today. Not in the permament tomorrow that never comes.

I do not trust intentions or claims of future improvement from GoDaddy. My history with them goes too far back.

 

[GoDaddy]

Thanks so much for rapidly responding, @Synozeer.

But i had thought the whole purpose of the TXT verification was it proves ownership so they take it out of the account with it falsely still listed? I literally do that every few days with names that a previous owner left listed. I even had this problem and it went away the next day, but this time it is not.

@Afternic any input? Or is only solution to bother your service, wait for a response, and then remember to go back again to the names that should have verified.

-Bob

Hi Bob,
We're glad to hear this was resolved for you. We will investigate the temporary slowdown in automated verification.

 

[GoDaddy]

We're excited to share that Make Offer is now available on the Custom Lander! Read about this, invoicing, and more, in Afternic's latest "What's New" post: https://blog.afternic.com/whats-new-august-24/

 

[bmugford]

We're excited to share that Make Offer is now available on the Custom Lander! Read about this, invoicing, and more, in Afternic's latest "What's New" post: https://blog.afternic.com/whats-new-august-24/

What does this mean exactly?

The new Make Offer feature allows buyers to send their initial offers directly to our expert brokers through a two-step, on-screen process. Sellers can then monitor incoming inbound offers via the Lead Center.

Is the domain owner interreacting with the buyer directly or the GoDaddy broker?

I would rather interact with the buyer directly, or at least have that option available like with Dan.com.

Brad

 

[Dane]

I would rather interact with the buyer directly, or at least have that option available like with Dan.com.

Yes! Same here.

 

[Future Sensors]

For the next DAN-Afternic migration round, I suggest enabling account push when a domain is sold via Afternic. If you’re aiming to emulate DAN, focus on the aspects where they excelled and set themselves apart, rather than the opposite.

 

[Future Sensors]

Here are some features that truly set DAN apart and that should be incorporated into Afternic.

• Ability to negotiate directly with the buyer, as stated by @bmugford
• Collaboration with external brokerages to handle leads
• Automated communication and handling, with a clear chat history
• Exceptional portfolio display and management
• Account push; holding accounts with multiple registrars
• Same-day Seller payments, often within a couple of hours
• Option to list in major currencies other than just USD
• Fast CSV portfolio uploads, often within seconds + email confirmations
• Low commissions; no tricks
• Significantly less bugs and frustration
• Bugs were resolved resolutely by a relatively small team
• True innovation

I understand that these changes might never be implemented, but I just wanted to share what domain investors truly value, rather than what you might envision yourself.

 

[Garet]

Here are some features that truly set DAN apart and that should be incorporated into Afternic.

• Ability to negotiate directly with the buyer, as stated by @bmugford
• Collaboration with external brokerages to handle leads
• Automated communication and handling, with a clear chat history
• Exceptional portfolio display and management
• Account push; holding accounts with multiple registrars
• Same-day Seller payments, often within a couple of hours
• Option to list in major currencies other than just USD

I understand that these changes might never be implemented, but I just wanted to share what domain investors truly value, rather than what you might envision yourself.

I think that there's a good chance much of this will happen. I hope so, anyway, but I doubt that it will be GoDaddy doing it.

The combination of failure to integrate excellence and user feedback and a desire to maintain and boost commissions leaves an opening for competition to enter the space. If GoDaddy pursued excellence (or even just solid performance and core functionality) and operated with reasonable commissions, it would be difficult for new competition to emerge.

 

[bmugford]

Here are some features that truly set DAN apart and that should be incorporated into Afternic.

• Ability to negotiate directly with the buyer, as stated by @bmugford
• Collaboration with external brokerages to handle leads
• Automated communication and handling, with a clear chat history
• Exceptional portfolio display and management
• Account push; holding accounts with multiple registrars
• Same-day Seller payments, often within a couple of hours
• Option to list in major currencies other than just USD
• Fast CSV portfolio uploads, often within seconds
• Low commissions; no tricks
• True innovation
• Less bugs and frustration

I understand that these changes might never be implemented, but I just wanted to share what domain investors truly value, rather than what you might envision yourself.

Afternic's system is much worse than Dan.

They would have been better off just sunsetting the current Afternic, and rebranding what is Dan to Afternic.

Dan's system is superior in almost every way.

Brad

 

[Future Sensors]

Afternic's system is much worse than Dan.

And that’s quite impressive, especially considering that DAN achieved this with a relatively small team compared to GoDaddy. DAN managed to create a highly efficient and popular marketplace in a short amount of time.

 

[Dane]

I've said it before... I'll say it again...

It is ridiculous that they are attempting to move things from Dan to Afternic rather than simply using the already-existing-and-working-perfectly Dan.com