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.

 

[GoDaddy]

It's a bit cryptic. Does this mean that the CSV "Replace" option will not send pre-existing domains in portfolio to the Pending Review status anymore?

Hi @Future Sensors
The error that Maged experienced had no relation to domains entering pending review. The error, which has now been fixed, was related to how our servers handled his upload.

Is there a (good) reason why those Payout Transmittals don't include the marketplace information until the most recent sales? At least that's what I see. The document looks almost defective when the Marketplace (=payer/≈buyer) column is there but it's blank.

Thanks, @Jannes. We'll check in with the team and get back to you on this.

This document looks like a joke. This is next reason why people should stay away from afternic as later may have a problem during filling taxes.
In my country, for example, document like that is not acceptable.
But the most rediculous part is that all reputable aftermarkets out there do not have any problem to give a proper invoice to sellers, only afternic has a problem with that.

Thanks for your feedback, @BigTree. Payout Transmittals are what our finance team permits us to provide for Buy it Now sales.

@GoDaddy
Why do you tarnish perfectly good names with this stupidity? No wonder they don't sell anymore.

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Hi @Jannes
This is part of an ongoing experiment. Buyers want more information to assist in their decision-making, and it's proving popular so far. We'll continue experimenting with this to support aftermarket conversion rates, but your feedback is appreciated.

@GoDaddy - Pls check this. It fails always.

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Hi @Smooth
That extension isn't supported on our Buy it Now or Custom Landers. The list, here (scroll down the page), will provide more guidance on the few extensions that are supported through the Request Price lander only.

 

[Future Sensors]

That extension isn't supported on our Buy it Now or Custom Landers. The list, here (scroll down the page), will provide more guidance on the few extensions that are supported through the Request Price lander only.

You may have already seen this question coming: why do you show the domain name with a "Buy Now" indication in the first place?

 

[MasterOfMyDomains]

Hi
This is part of an ongoing experiment.

 

[DomainRecap]

He himself has reported a few sales via Afternic on X in the past few weeks.

Knowing Afternic, those "sales" were probably started in October and finally completed in November.

 

[DomainRecap]

My patience is quickly running out on Afternic.

I will say this again: Lower-value domain sales DO NOT need a broker and in many ways, the use of a broker can negatively affect sales.

For example, let's say someone offers $2500 on a non-premium that you're willing to accept $3500 on, do you know how easy it is to put at least $3K in your pocket? I used to do this at Dan in a few minutes when I needed quick cash to buy some domains.

I ask $3500 and the buyer either accepts or offers $2750. I counter with $3250 (or stay at $3500) and he either accepts or offers $3K, etc. etc.. Then I have at least the option of accepting his $3K (or higher) offer, and go and buy some higher-quality domains. Easy-peasy. At these sub-$5K price level domains, real buyers are ready and eager to buy and all you need to be is provide speedy responses and be ready to sell.

Do you know how long a simple negotiation like this takes on Afternic? Weeks. Yes, weeks.

In my experience, each step takes 2 days for the broker to respond one-way and then 2 days for him to respond the other way, so 4 days each step. Then take out weekends, and a single multi-offer transaction can take 2 weeks or more to complete. That is, if the buyer doesn't get tired of waiting and waiting and waiting for Afternic to respond (just like we sellers do) and takes off.

Response times at Afternic are laughable to the extreme. Remember those "Seller responds in an average of X minutes/hours" notes that would appear on your Dan profile? Well, Afternic's rating on Dan would be in DAYS not minutes or hours.

Remember, these same people who buy domains also buy other things at a similar price level. Imagine if your potential buyer needs a big OLED TV for the boardroom, and sends the company van down to pick one up at BB. Then BB proceeds to take 2 weeks (with long breaks) to go over the specs and pricing and options and extended warranty and financing and installation - how long do you think the guy in the van is going to sit there idling and waiting for his $3K OLED TV?

It's 2024. People want to buy things fast and get crap done, so by Afternic transporting buyers back to Greece in the 1930's where.... everything.... moves.... at..... a.... snail's.... pace.... they are absolutely killing sales. And killing sellers as well.

 

[411domains]

Hi @Jannes
This is part of an ongoing experiment. Buyers want more information to assist in their decision-making, and it's proving popular so far. We'll continue experimenting with this to support aftermarket conversion rates, but your feedback is appreciated.

@GoDaddy

LESS IS MORE!!!

K.I.S.S.!!!

If you want to keep "experimenting," do it on your own names.

 

[411domains]

How did you do that?

Are you sure the change has taken effect?

Sending you a PM @carob

 

[411domains]

@LoveCatchyDomains

It would be nice if the did. However, there are a few who don't...even try.

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Update:

I finally heard back from the "broker."
He said the price was too high for the buyer.
Lead Status: 12 days and counting after the buyer stated the price was too high, the lead remains in a "Negotiation" status.

 

[DomainRecap]

Here is a condensed 2-minute version of a Twilight Zone episode that perfectly encapsulates my experience with Afternic, and right now I feel like the couple at the end, who have given up their freedom and control to an ominous machine that spits out mysterious messages.

"Is there any way out?"

 

[wwwweb]

Honestly, I think domainers are really stupid, do you know what each, and every company covets, is that of the data they collect from their sales. Here we are handing over all our valuable data points, we are shielded from information about our own inquirers, because the people we entrust to handle our sales, do not trust us back. What does that say about this industry? You think Tesla doesn't collect data, one of the most valuable assets.

 

[DomainRecap]

Here we are handing over all our valuable data points, we are shielded from information about our own inquirers because the people we entrust to handle our sales, do not trust us back.

Exactly and Afternic is the "Man Behind the Curtain" who sees and controls everything and domain sellers have been reduced to brainless peons who repeatedly click on a dashboard window to see if there have been any updates.

And no one really knows what's going on behind the curtain, yet we all keep clicking and clicking, day after day and week after week.

It's all like some weird government experiment delving into the issues of choice and free will.

 

[DomainRecap]

This is part of an ongoing experiment. Buyers want more information to assist in their decision-making, and it's proving popular so far. We'll continue experimenting with this to support aftermarket conversion rates, but your feedback is appreciated.

You seem to be blurring the lines between Expired Domains and Aftermarket Domains.

The first buyer category definitely includes some traffic and backlink buyers, as the prices are wholesale (much lower than retail) and some people can make money doing this. Plus, these are freshly expired and are far more likely to have valid traffic and backlinks than an retail domain listed for a year or two.

The second buyer category is not very interested in traffic or backlinks, as prices are retail (much higher) and most buyers tend to be end users or brokers buying for end users. Any traffic domain buyer looking at retail domains would have to be insane, as it would be extremely difficult to turn a profit at this markup.

@GoDaddy

 

[silentg]

Backlinks and all other SEO data should be shown on GoDaddy auctions page where Afernic domains are searchable. Not on GoDaddy reg path.

 

[M0rd0r]

I have sold a .es domain name and I cannot provide the Auth-Code because this TLD don't use it. I am trying to contact via form and email but I have received no response.

Please @GoDaddy could you tell me how to proceed on that case?

Thanks

 

[silentg]

I have sold a .es domain name and I cannot provide the Auth-Code because this TLD don't use it. I am trying to contact via form and email but I have received no response.

Please @GoDaddy could you tell me how to proceed on that case?

Thanks

They can be reached via Chat here: https://www.afternic.com/contact

 

[M0rd0r]

They can be reached via Chat here: https://www.afternic.com/contact

Thanks! My browser blocked the widget and I didn't noticed.

 

[wwwweb]

I would request anyone who notices why their inquiries are down to find a Afternic inquiry landing page, and go thru the motions. Upon taking all their personal data on the first page, the second page offers them to YES, continue, or NO, cancel page. Page 3 is another questionaire type survey, Step 4 creates a Godaddy account with the button "Check Out Your Other Options".

So if a buyer continues thru all these invasive prompts, maybe you get an inquiry out of it, unless they find other options.

This inquiry should be completed by the second page, and 2 clicks, not 5, and a required Godaddy Login.

A simple inquiry, is leading to a full out interview, and intrregation, people still value privacy online to a degree. It doesn't take much to see what is going on here. It is an opportunity to upsell, and collect data first.

In return we are required to pay 5% extra for boost, when our traffic, and inquiries are being looted with no compensation.

 

[DomainRecap]

I know and GD is clearly using our valuable traffic for data mining, customer surveys and account generation, and you can bet that GD is upselling like a Las Vegas hooker.

It's truly sad that things have devolved to this level of service.

I miss Dan like the desert misses the rain.

 

[411domains]

@GoDaddy
Why do you tarnish perfectly good names with this stupidity? No wonder they don't sell anymore.

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@Jannes - Stupidity indeed!

I thought this was just something associated with Fast Transfer names, but I learned I was very wrong after testing a few.

This information has absolutely no business being associated with Afternic listings.

It's hard to believe, but these teams seem to be getting more and more clueless by the day.

Express checkouts that don't add anything to carts...domain "insights" that turn buyers into non-buyers...they're like an amateur hour startup.

 

[phaethon]

This inquiry should be completed by the second page, and 2 clicks, not 5, and a required Godaddy Login.

Maybe 5 pages are better to weed out timewasters.. although there will always be timewasters or even domainers testing.. I'm sure they have tested this.