Drop Catching is Dead?

[Name Trader]

Hi,

I've just spent all day long going thru the dropping domains at NameJet, for my usual selection of keywords. I managed to backorder just one domain. I don't consider this time well spent considering it'll probably be caught by DropCatch. Does anyone else have the feeling that drop catching is pretty much totally dead? Is all the oxygen being sucked up by the Pre-Release Auctions? I don't think I'm going to look again at the drop catching domains. My time is much more valuable than these meagre pickings. I used to be able to identify at least 10 domains or more to backorder from the next 3 days dropping domains.

Any thoughts or comments appreciated.

 

[domeen]

my remarks were not necessarily, directed specifically at you, but to other less experienced people in this thread, who could have been mislead by your comments. This thread was also specifically about DropCatching, not Pre-Release Auctions.

Ok, my observation, dropcatch is not the best, snapanmes beats them, I would even say, they take more.
Pheenix also gets something from time to time, two days ago they got one that I had ordered in snapnames and dropcatch. But yeah, basically not worth it. Because they send it to public auction

 

[Name Trader]

Ok, my observation, dropcatch is not the best, snapanmes beats them, I would even say, they take more.
Pheenix also gets something from time to time, two days ago they got one that I had ordered in snapnames and dropcatch. But yeah, basically not worth it. Because they send it to public auction

You are discounting all the domains DropCatch take for the HugeDomains associated company. For sure they don't catch many domains for us domainers, compared to SnapNames/NameJet.

 

[domeen]

You are discounting all the domains DropCatch take for the HugeDomains associated company. For sure they don't catch many domains for us domainers, compared to SnapNames/NameJet.

I am sure they use other registrar connection to catch the "medium" or "low end" ones.
But considering better quality, then snapnames beats them.

 

[Name Trader]

I am sure they use other registrar connection to catch the "medium" or "low end" ones.
But considering better quality, then snapnames beats them.

I think we have a difference of opinion about that

 

[domeen]

I think we have a difference of opinion about that

Yes lets leave it

 

[domeen]

But yeah, 10 domains for a day I can`t find either. I mean for regular drop.

 

[Name Trader]

But yeah, 10 domains for a day I can`t find either. I mean for regular drop.

Of course, that depends on your standard expectations. I find easily 2 domains a day which I backorder at Pheenix (about the best thing to actually registering a dropped domain). GoldStandard.com probably won't drop, but GoldPyjamas.com might

So I detect at least some agreement with the hypothesis of this thread

 

[Arca]

Ok, my observation, dropcatch is not the best, snapanmes beats them, I would even say, they take more.
Pheenix also gets something from time to time, two days ago they got one that I had ordered in snapnames and dropcatch. But yeah, basically not worth it. Because they send it to public auction

Do you usually get the names you backorder outright (no other backorders), or do they always go into auctions?

When SnapNames catches a decent (not amazing) name, I usually find my self in a private auction with 2-15 other people. Occasionally you can get the name for a good price in those auctions.

If DropCatch gets a decent name, there may only be a few bidders in the auction initially, but a bunch of people who did not bid on the domain always join in due to the public auction format. Many of these later bidders have so deep pockets that the only way to win the dropcatch backorders that go to auction is to seriously overpay for the names (compared with what you'd pay for those names if SnapNames caught them, or at other venues).

SnapNames had a strong period this summer where they beat out DropCatch most of the time, but they have caught very little over the past month, at least for me. They still catch some names, but most of the stuff gets caught by DropCatch, and their public auctions is just a waste of time.

 

[domeen]

Do you usually get the names you backorder outright (no other backorders), or do they always go into auctions?

When SnapNames catches a decent (not amazing) name, I usually find my self in a private auction with 2-15 other people. Occasionally you can get the name for a good price in those auctions.

If DropCatch gets a decent name, there may only be a few bidders in the auction initially, but a bunch of people who did not bid on the domain always join in due to the public auction format. Many of these later bidders have so deep pockets that the only way to win the dropcatch backorders that go to auction is to seriously overpay for the names (compared with what you'd pay for those names if SnapNames caught them, or at other venues).

SnapNames had a strong period this summer where they beat out DropCatch most of the time, but they have caught very little over the past month, at least for me. They still catch some names, but most of the stuff gets caught by DropCatch, and their public auctions is just a waste of time.

The thing is, when it dosen´t go to auction, that means only You backorder it So that probably isn`t good sign. Then again, I get 2-3 in day without auction, the ones I think are decent.

yesterday even at dropcatch 3 for $59 each and one from discount club for $18

and two from snapnames for $79

I think 3 went to auction

But I would suggest make more bids in auctions. Usually I don´t get them, but time to time I still win some.

 

[stimpi777]

Hi,

I've just spent all day long going thru the dropping domains at NameJet, for my usual selection of keywords. I managed to backorder just one domain. I don't consider this time well spent considering it'll probably be caught by DropCatch. Does anyone else have the feeling that drop catching is pretty much totally dead? Is all the oxygen being sucked up by the Pre-Release Auctions? I don't think I'm going to look again at the drop catching domains. My time is much more valuable than these meagre pickings. I used to be able to identify at least 10 domains or more to backorder from the next 3 days dropping domains.

Any thoughts or comments appreciated.

I go through DropCatch also. Big money and corps have taken pre releases at this point and what you have is what you have.

 

[Michael M]

DropCatch truly changed the game with their vast registrar network. When you use their discount network HugeDomains gets first pick at the name, if I am not mistaken. So you are basically giving them another metric to give them reason to grab and hold.

None-the-less - drop catching is not dead... But with all the pre-release auctions, and then players like dropnames, the amount of names that slip through the cracks is much less than it used to be.

We must be creative in how we search the drop list and there are still gems in there. But if you think you are going to drop catch a one worder or high value liquid domain then you are most probably mistaken.

Me personally, I hand reg or via API, or I bid on Pre-Release auctions. I tend to stay away from the dropcatcher auctions as the price is largely being inflated and many times comes too close to end-user pricing.

If I am to use a dropcatcher I personally stay away from DropCatch as to not feed the beast, but that's just me.

 

[domeen]

DropCatch truly changed the game with their vast registrar network. When you use their discount network HugeDomains gets first pick at the name, if I am not mistaken. So you are basically giving them another metric to give them reason to grab and hold.
.

thats just the thanks for being cheapskate .) cost of doing business.
If you order regular you get it

 

[Arca]

The thing is, when it dosen´t go to auction, that means only You backorder it So that probably isn`t good sign. Then again, I get 2-3 in day without auction, the ones I think are decent.

yesterday even at dropcatch 3 for $59 each and one from discount club for $18

and two from snapnames for $79

I think 3 went to auction

But I would suggest make more bids in auctions. Usually I don´t get them, but time to time I still win some.

If I win the name outright because there were no other backorders, I do not take that as a bad sign at all. If I backorder 10 names that I think are all good, and 9 of them go into auction, I consider the one I got for $59/$79 a lucky bargain pickup. Besides, many of the names I backorder that go into public auctions at DropCatch only have 1 other bidder. That means I was pretty close to getting it for $59 (and in the public auction it will normally go up to $500-1000 at least). In the reseller market now, the price of a domain is determined by who is in the auction bidding, much more than the quality of the domain.

But I rarely get names for $59 (or $79) these days. More people backorder with DropCatch, so there is always 1-2 other bidders now, and when the name enters a public auction it is as good as lost. If you enter into an auction with 1-2 other people at SnapNames you can beat them, but not at DropCatch. You can outbid the people who placed the DropCatch backorder, but not the 10 deep pocket bidders that join the auction late.

 

[stimpi777]

DropCatch truly changed the game with their vast registrar network. When you use their discount network HugeDomains gets first pick at the name, if I am not mistaken. So you are basically giving them another metric to give them reason to grab and hold.

None-the-less - drop catching is not dead... But with all the pre-release auctions, and then players like dropnames, the amount of names that slip through the cracks is much less than it used to be.

We must be creative in how we search the drop list and there are still gems in there. But if you think you are going to drop catch a one worder or high value liquid domain then you are most probably mistaken.

Me personally, I hand reg or via API, or I bid on Pre-Release auctions. I tend to stay away from the dropcatcher auctions as the price is largely being inflated and many times comes too close to end-user pricing.

If I am to use a dropcatcher I personally stay away from DropCatch as to not feed the beast, but that's just me.

After reading your reply I have to recant and Agree with you. There are so many names that have yet to be born and new business begin. I have many pre orders and API and filter databases......
Some Perspective of how large the ongoing releases .
http://www.calzone.org/eventcal/calzone-dashboard.php

 

[davidc1]

Snapnames worked much better than DC for me last few days
Yesterday they catch for me 11 domains and DC only 3.

 

[GAhmed]

Hi, I must say, as a newbie domainer (if you can call me that), all of this sounds interesting and overwhelming at the same. Not to mention a little worrying. If I want to get my foot in to making some serious $$$$, what do you guys suggest would be the best method if drop catching is supposedly dead? Is there any hope of being successful any other way? Or is it all about having $$$ to make $$$$?

 

[Name Trader]

@GAhmed - When I used the expression "dead". I didn't mean it literally. It was meant to convey that it's largely moved in the arena of the deep pocketed buyers only. Although there will always be a few domains that pass thru the cracks. DropCatch have changed the game forever. Sweeping up most of the available decent drop-catches, and auctioning them off in open auctions. I've always admired their strategy and commitment in their investment in registrars. It seems to have worked for them as an investment strategy.

But there are 2 categories of expiring domains. Drop-Catching, as the name suggested, is when a domain is actually dropped from the registry and registered anew. And Pre-Release, where domains which have not been renewed by registrants are auctioned off by their Registrar/Auction House before they are returned to the Registry 45 days after expiry. These domains don't drop and retain their original registration date. Many (new) domainers muddle these entirely separate processes together. When they are entirely separate. Whilst I consider Drop-Catching (almost) dead. Pre-Release Auctions are thriving. Mostly because DropCatch has forced us to move (almost) entirely to the first bite of the cherry, at Pre-Release Auctions. Where DropCatch don't operate. So, sadly, this too has become more competitive. It's the nature of more participants.

 

[GAhmed]

Thanks for the explanation @stub

So is it a matter of pot luck, deep pockets or scrapping for the left overs when it comes to Pre-Release? How does DropCatch manage to sweep up the good ones so effectively?

 

[Jasonn]

i would say over the years there is definitely less quality stuff hitting pending delete. i've also noticed a lot more competition in the both pending delete and pre-release as well. its very different than 5 years ago.

 

[Name Trader]

Thanks for the explanation @stub

So is it a matter of pot luck, deep pockets or scrapping for the left overs when it comes to Pre-Release? How does DropCatch manage to sweep up the good ones so effectively?

DropCatch don't participate in Pre-Release. They are a Drop-Catcher. They sweep up the dropping domains by having more registrars knocking on the doors of the registry after the domain comes newly available. I'm talking about 1/1000th of a second in timing (or there abouts).The last time I checked they had over 800 registrars doing this work. Probably more registrars than all the others put together.

As @Jasonn has said. It's a lot harder than 5 years ago. But you will find better domains generally in Pre-Release than in Drop-Catching. It's the nature of the beast. But for a noob with limited funds those minimum bids of $79 can soon add up, if you select the wrong domains. And most decent domains you will be bidding against other people. Some of whom have deep pockets