GoDaddy Back Orders > TDNAM Auction > GD's OFFICIAL POLICY

[airwav]

Recently I had some problems with GoDaddy regarding several GD back orders.
I should say rather, back orders through my Wild West reseller account, trust me it makes a huge difference!

I was told by my wild west account rep that by placing a b/o through my reseller account that the domain would not go to TDNAM -- THIS IS NOT TRUE.

I was also told by GD that back orders through my reseller account, should they go to TDNAM, get the first bid and subsequent email notifications of bid increases -THIS IS NOT TRUE.

I spent several hours this last weekend attempting to learn the GD process of domains within their registery and their policys for moving them to TDNAM for auction, even with an existing b/o. Many hours were spent listening to GD's voodoo music and listening to contradicting explations and several hours searching the net.

The reason for the "GD/TDNAM Domain Cycle" crash course was because I had 17 back orders on domains that were now listed @ TDNAM. Initially when I placed these back orders, starting on May 22nd, I searched TDNAM and did not see these domains. On May 26th I read a post here @ NP stating that these domains were up for grabs @ TDNAM.

I was given this explanition, from my wild west rep, of the TDNAM life cycle:

Event Timeline


1. Domain Name Expires

During the next 70 days, the customer may renew or redeem the domain name.

1.1 Day 0 – 9 Billing Grace Period

Billing emails sent to registrant
Name Servers remain as they are

1.2 Day 10-24 TDNAM Auction

Billing attempted
Domain is Re-directed (parked)
Domain is entered into TDNAM for a 14 day auction

1.3 Day 25 – 40 End of Auction

Auction ends domain is removed from TDNAM.

1.3.1 If someone bids on the domain name*

They are notified they won the auction and submit payment
The bidder then waits for the Mock Redemption period before they take ownership of the name

1.4 Day 41 - 70 Redemption/ Mock Redemption

1.4.1 If a Backorder Exists

· AND someone bids on the domain name, the bidder wins the domain name and the domain enters Mock Redemption.

· AND there are no bids for the domain name, the domain enters Mock Redemption.

1.4.2 If a Backorder Customer Calls in

· If no other bid exists, we will remove the backordered domain from TDNAM

· TDNAM Escalation Required

1.4.3 If NO Backorder Exists

· AND someone won a bid on the domain name, the domain enters Mock Redemption

1.4.4 If NO Backorder and no Bidder

· The domain enters redemption with the registry

· If there are two bidders and the first bidder does not pay for the domain name within 8 days, the domain is offered to the second bidder.

Ok, lets check out our time line-

These domains I back ordered expired April 23rd midnight - 9 days grace period takes them to May 2nd and to TDNAM on May 3rd.

The TDNAM two week auction takes them to May 18th, when the auction closes.

So why did these domains go to auction AFTER they sould have been out of auction?

It is my opinion, that due to the back orders I placed I alerted TDNAM to the existence of these domains and they were then placed into the auction.


I received this email today from "The Office of The President" stating that the above policy is no longer their official policy, but in fact, their policy changed just this last week!
Isn't that amazing...

Regarding the timeline of the domains in our system, the following
information should clarify this for you:

On the expiration date we attempt to renew if the auto-renew is enabled.
We attempt 2 more renewals, on the 5th and 12th day
The name is parked on day 5 to alert the customer
On day 12 if the renewal has not been processed, the name goes into a 30
day redemption period. The name can be renewed at the regular rate up
until the end of day 18.
On day 19 the renewal would also incur the $80.00 redemption fee.
On day 26 the name enters the expired domains auction where it remains
until day 36.
If there are no bids the name goes into the fire sale auction on day 37
where it remains until day 42.
On day 43:
If there is an auction winner the name is awarded to them.
If there is no auction winner, the name goes to a backorder in our
system should one exist.
If there is neither an auction winner or a backorder, the name drops to
the registry for 30 days plus deletion.
Of course, as per our legal agreements these terms are subject to change
at any time.

Your concerns regarding the amount of information pertaining to
backorders placed through reseller accounts has been submitted to our
Quality Assurance Team for review. While we cannot guarantee what might
be ultimately changed, or when this might occur, we can assure you that
many of the modifications to our systems/site/products are the direct
result of the feedback we receive from our customers.

Additionally, as a goodwill gesture for any inconveniences we have
renewed your hosting account for one year free of charge in addition to
the refunds.

Again, please accept our most sincere apologies for any incorrect or
conflicting information you may have received. We want you to know we
are addressing these matters internally as appropriate and where needed
more feedback and training will be provided.

Lessons learned-
If you have a GD reseller account, be aware that the same rules that apply towards a GD back order, do not apply to your reseller account.
Secondly, it has been stated that the best place to catch a GD registared domain is through GD back order -- Not True.

If you want a domain that is regg'd through GD, don't waste your time and money on a back order, go directly to TDNAM, because if that domain might be worth more than a back order fee GD is going to collect it.

 

[RyuKenLi]

Good post, I have one backorder at gd from last year, I will never buy one again.

 

[Spade]

An interesting read. However, I do want to point out that ALL (GD, BR, and WW) domains go to TDNAM when expired...

Now, 2-3 weeks ago there was an interesting occurance. Many domains came onto the market with 17 days on auction.... This process went on for 24-48 hours then stopped. It appears for approximately 2 Days GoDaddy opted for an extended auction period...

However, this reverted... either unintentional or intentional, something did happen this month.

Good researching and its interesting to hear what Office of the President said.

Justin

 

[Sameh]

Thanks for sharing .. interesting changes

Everyday drop catchers and backorder services just keep sharing our revenue (even before we sell the domain .. i meant buy it for resale ) , and make it harder for newbies or people with small money capitals to enter the game.

 

[airwav]

An interesting read. However, I do want to point out that ALL (GD, BR, and WW) domains go to TDNAM when expired...

I have to disagree. In the past I have picked up domains that were registared through GD and they did not make it to the auction. Granted, it is only a handful of domains, but I check TDNAM before I place a backorder.

One other point I would like to make is the fact that it was stated that even if these domains are @ TDNAM and with bids on them that GD WILL ACCEPT a backorder, if no other backorder exists.
So when there is no chance for you to catch that domain, GD will still take your :td:

 

[Name Trader]

A tad complicated to follow. I'll read it again. But I don't agree with some of the timelines. The Renewal Period is 12 Days. http://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/legal_agreements/show_doc.asp?isc=retgs&pageid=REG_SA#renewal

The Renewal Grace Period is currently 12 days

In practice, this is there minimum renewal period. It sometimes extends by as much as another 5 days ("but don't count on it' was the quote from my account rep).

I've let a lot of domains expire at GoDaddy. Here is my take on the timeline, which is also confirmed by their ToS.

0-12 Renewal Grace Period (can be up to 17 days)
The domain goes to TDNAM after the Renewal Grace Period ends.
+30 Redemption Grace Period
After which the domain sells to the highest bidder at TDNAM* or delete (+5 day Pending Delete)
There are occassions when GoDaddy keep the domain if it doesn't sell. And sometimes they delete after another 30-35 days (not sure of the exact timing).

* In practice it's already sold and the buyer is just waiting the 14 days before they can receive the domain.

 

[cache]

I am confused. I thought the gd back order does not catch you anything.

 

[Name Trader]

It won't catch you much if the domain not regged at GD/WWD/BR. It might catch you a non-GD/WWD/BR regged domain which is picked up by a domain taster and subsequently dropped (they're good at that).

 

[movingconcierge]

It sounds like you catch a headache

My opinion is that GD is leaving less and less money on the table for the likes of the aftermarket dweller.

I am confused. I thought the gd back order does not catch you anything.

 

[airwav]

It won't catch you much if the domain not regged at GD/WWD/BR. It might catch you a non-GD/WWD/BR regged domain which is picked up by a domain taster and subsequently dropped (they're good at that).

Right, but it is a double edged sword. GD can put all of the GD/WWD/BR domains into TDNAM. So what is the point of even trying to capture GD/WWD/BR domains if they are going to auction even with a backorder on them... :td:

 

[AdoptableDomains]

I did notice about a week ago that the waiting period to take ownership of a TDNAM win is now one weel instead of two as it was before. That should be less chance of winning an auction and then losing to a late redemption. however, the large NNN.us case this week is counter to that theory.

 

[airwav]

GD -- Update

I received this message today -- In response to this question:

Thank you for the explanation of your policy. However it is noted "Of
course, as per our legal agreements these terms are subject to change at any time."

Also you did not note your policy on backordering domains that are
not in expiration status.
My understanding is that:
If a domain that is in good standing and a backorder exists on that
domain, then the domain goes into expiration, that domain does not go into
TDNAM and the backorder is honored.

Is this true? If not, what are your policies?

The GD response is:

Thank you for your follow-up with the Office of the President.

In answer to your question, regardless of when a backorder is purchased
or at which entity, WWD or GoDaddy, the name will go through the
identical life cycle including the auctions. However if there is no
auction bid and no backorder, only then would it go into the Fire Sale
auction. A backorder would not be awarded until day 43 assuming there
was no auction winner.

So my question is, again, what is the purpose of a backorder when a domain is registared through GD/WWD/BR?

 

[AdoptableDomains]

So my question is, again, what is the purpose of a backorder when a domain is registared through GD/WWD/BR?

It's only a last chance catch for someone who doesn't know that tdnam even exists. Works okay for non-GD domains, but worthless for GD.

 

[Name Trader]

Right, but it is a double edged sword. GD can put all of the GD/WWD/BR domains into TDNAM. So what is the point of even trying to capture GD/WWD/BR domains if they are going to auction even with a backorder on them... :td:

Correct-a-mundo

I did notice about a week ago that the waiting period to take ownership of a TDNAM win is now one weel instead of two as it was before. That should be less chance of winning an auction and then losing to a late redemption. however, the large NNN.us case this week is counter to that theory.

Aha! so that's why I recognise the domains I've been receiving from TDNAM. I only bought them a week before ')

So my question is, again, what is the purpose of a backorder when a domain is registared through GD/WWD/BR?

There is no purpose.

 

[romm]

Response from GoDaddy Customer Support on Value of Backorder and TDNAM

First, here's my question to support:

I'm looking for further clarification:

I've paid for a domain backorder on a domain registered at GoDaddy.
When this domain drops, and GoDaddy acquires it, will I become the new
registrant of the domain?

According to GoDaddy Customer Support, all domains registered with GoDaddy that expires will go into TDNAM. Why would I want to spend $18.99 for a backorder on a domain registered at GoDaddy that will be going into public auction? I understand that my $18.99 would automatically be placed as a first bid on the domain, but this has absolutely no value to me because anybody can place a bid on the domain.
--------

Here is GoDaddy's response:

Thank you for contacting Online Support. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. The backorder does more then just put a bid on the domain name, if the domain goes to TDNAM there was also monitoring included in the purchase you have made. The monitoring and the backorder can be used on any domain name even third party domains. This means you can watch any domain to see when it is available to try to capture with the backorder or if any other changes are made. Since the domain that you want goes onto the bidding system and you are automatically placed as the first bid this will make a chance for you to grab the domain name. If in fact you do lose the domain to another person you will still have the credit to use for a backorder on other domains. The backorder is a great service as it in fact is not well known about with many domain buyers. If anything I believe that you have the upper hand with a backorder and apologize if you do not agree. We respect your opinion and thank you for your business.
--------

 

[Name Trader]

I'd forgotten about this post. It makes a great read the second time around too

This new response from GoDaddy is saying that your backorder IS placed as the 1st backorder on the domain. Previous communications to airwav were silent on that point. That silence implied that the backorder wasn't place as the 1st bid on the domain but was only activated before the fire sale.

@airwav - To answer your question There is no point in placing a GoDaddy backorder on ANY domain. Even GD/BW/WWD registered domains which ALL go to TDNAM.

I think the GD policy needs to be clarified on whether backordered GD/BR/WWD registered domains have the backorder placed as the 1st bid on the domain or not. I've asked my account exec.

 

[Name Trader]

Ok. My account rep said that provided you place the backorder on the domain prior to the start of the auction, $10 of your backorder will be placed as the first bit on the domain. If you placed a backorder on a domain whilst it is under auction, then provided nobody bids on the domain, your backorder will be successful before the $5 fire sale.

 

[airwav]

LOL, still makes no sense to place a bo on GD domains...

 

[Spade]

LOL, still makes no sense to place a bo on GD domains...

Actually, not quite true. As stub pointed out... there is a good reason to place a BO at godaddy. Consider this, if the domain name goes to Auction at TDNAM, but you want to conceil your bid, but at the same time dont want to lose the domain name (it may not go to the fire sale, or may be held) You can place a BO durring the auction, and if no one bids on the domain, you'll win it as it expires.....

Although not always the smart move, it stands to reason that someone who wants a name, but doenst want to stimulate bidding on it (or highlight it to other domainers) could use this method.

Other than that, a complete waste...

Justin

 

[AdoptableDomains]

LOL, still makes no sense to place a bo on GD domains...

One more thing. If you place the backorder, you can then forget about it and know you will be notified of something. If you don't BO, then you could forget to watch for the tdnam listing and it slip by. Once it does to to official drop, godaddy has no better chance of getting it than the other BO services.

I know I've meant to buy something coming up on tdnam but forgot to watch when it appeared and missed it.