discuss Has Anyone Had HugeDomains Purchase their BrandBucket Names?

[The Rover]

This actually happened to a domain that I had listed on BB for a fair price. I say "fair" because I would have actually liked to have listed it for higher, but obviously BB puts a limit on the price for any particular domain. For obvious reasons, I won't disclose the domain, however, I'm curious if anyone has recently had any of their BrandBucket domains purchased by HugeDomains? When this happened to me, immediately after they purchased the domain, it was then listed on their Hugedomains marketplace for literally 3X the price than what was allowed to be listed on BrandBucket.

Things are really beginning to look increasingly wicked in this industry as of late. If others have experienced this, it would make me wonder how often they deploy this type of strategy. After reading this thread, it certainly appears that we need more transparency regarding TurnCommerce. With the (alleged) business practices of bidding up their own listings at DropCatch using foreign bots or whatever else, if proven true, would really explain how they would be able to pay higher prices for other domains, in addition to bidding up auctions on both GoDaddy and paying "premium" prices on BB.

We should be greatly concerned that literally 50-60% of the active, expired GoDaddy inventory is being snatched up (and artificially bid up) by TurnCommerce. With those type of numbers, this ain't capitalism at this point, folks. It would simply be a rotten monopoly at best (and at worst) potentially violating antitrust laws if any of the other alleged business practices are ever found to be true.

Thoughts?

 

[wurdd]

Was just wondering what it was and, who knows, might could've answered your question, moving on now.

 

[domainer111]

...
3.) Many domain names with higher bids on DropCatch seem to be of shockingly poor quality.

Most likely those names have high backlinks, page rank or some other SEO thing going for them.

...
4.) Many here on NP (and other blogs) have expressed their concerns about TurnCommerce
5.) After reading these threads, I am now equally concerned and I wonder whether there's any validity to the accusations that others (not I) have directly accused them of.

I think they are only concerned because they can't get the domains they want, as Huge have grabbed them first.

 

[The Rover]

it's not likely OPs allegation will be substantiated any time soon.

Actually, here I am.

I wanted to step in here just once more, since "Grilled" mentioned the potential sale of Possibl.com, and I feel that it’s the right thing to do in order to set a few facts straight. As I have already mentioned countless times, I want to be clear that there has always been two main components to this thread:

#1 I was very curious if anyone has had any other BrandBucket domains purchased by HugeDomains. I wasn't sure whether this was something new. I had no data on whether it was or wasn't, nor did I say I ever had data. Part of my post was sort of like a poll, if you will.

#2 I was (and now more than ever) very concerned about the seemingly curiously high acquisition rate of domains purchased by HugeDomains on GoDaddy expired auctions. I wanted people’s opinions and feedback on this, since the activity seems to be at all time high.

I want to ensure that the two above points are made because everyone has been 100% fixated on component #1, and either attacking me for bringing up point #2 or simply avoiding discussing those concerns altogether. I find that rather strange, seeing that I'm definitely not the only individual to have ever raised these valid concerns.

Moving forward, Possibl.com was indeed the domain, so kudos to Grilled for getting that info. You must have a lot of time of your hands, and I do find it odd that you've spent so much energy on this, but thank you nonetheless for getting that info. I admit I didn’t check namebio at all, because I assumed that HugeDomains acquired my domains directly. I assumed this because I have distinct memory of checking back several times in 2018, very shortly after the sale, and the domain had already been listed on their inventory. So, it’s weird that NameBio is showing a "2019" GoDaddy acquisitions date. However, assuming again that namebio is correct, then I definitely wish to offer my apologies to HugeDomains and others here, for that specific reason.

If namebio is not correct (like you said occasionally there are hiccups) then that would be yet another strange anomaly that could be further discussed. Either way, I don’t personally have any further details on the domain, other than it was purchased on Oct 23 2018. The strange part is again, I really do have this memory of checking Possibl.com several times, and it being listed on HugeDomains back in in 2018. Either way, I am certainly a big enough person to admit that it looks like I have made a mistake that they directly acquired it from BB. However, I want to be clear that this post was created with solid, good intentions and out of genuine concerns. It was also created based on what I thought at the time, was correct data.

Moving forward, I want to make a final point:

Since it appears (thus far) that I was completely wrong about HugeDomains acquiring a domain from me via BB, unfortunately and ironically, it actually only further solidifies my second concern of this entire thread, which is that HugeDomains consistently acquires 50% of all expired GoDaddy auctions. So, yes, while it appears that I was way off base regarding the first component, this unfortunately, only adds credence to my second concern.

The curious thing to me is, despite there being a very legitimate concern for the expired auction issue (and despite there being countless other threads with others stating similar concerns) most people who chose to criticize me on this thread were absolutely hellbent on me simply disclosing the domain, as if that was the only concern that I had. Yes, it was the "title of the thread" because it was my first concern. I found it odd that HugeDomains would pay retail. However, clearly that was only part of my concern, yet very few people bothered to address the other concerns. Most people who responded, gave off the perception that they could care less of the very obvious issue over at GD auctions. Again, that's my personal take on it, and I think that really speaks volumes for the industry as whole, and to why there might be an issue to begin with. If you feel that there's no issue with a single company consistently acquiring 50% of all GD expired auctions, then fair enough. However, I and many many others (arguably more who just choose to remain silent) do sense the there’s something peculiar about that.

So, in closing, feel free to gloat on my honest mistake. I also admit that I was a little snarky in my previous responses, mainly due to the sheer level of absolute pushback for simply asking honest questions. Either way, I suppose I deserve some criticism, having not dug deeper on namebio.

However, in regards to my second and equally valid concern for this thread, I think anyone who chooses to “throw the baby out with the bathwater” in this particular case, is also making a terrible mistake. Those are my genuine two cents.

 

[branding]

. Nobody really wins an internet debate. It's all a waste of time and energy.

On the contrary! I agree nobody wins in a debate like this but it makes for an interesting read! No waste of time and energy at all.

I don't blame OP for being 'wrong' and he actually raised (again) some concerns that cannot be ignored. Love he manned up and dealt with the fact that his initial assumption was a tad off in a very mature way.

I think this thread was a fine example of how most debates should go. Both sides of the party eventually looked at the facts and drew their conclusion without getting overly aggressive.

 

[xynames]

Yet another thread title jumping the gun giving bad press before doing due diligence.

I’m inured to these sorts of threads by now and don’t always even give them my original content. Just copy paste what I’ve said before.

 

[YairDD]

Who cares? be happy that they bought your domain, otherwise, you might have it for a longer time, maybe never getting sold.
let them try to sell it for 3x, and even if they do, why do you care?

 

[The Rover]

All people are saying is that it was listed at a price and they decided to buy it. Why bother what they do with it.

A lot of people are working hard to sale their listed names at give away prices on slack channel and equally here on NP. I wouldn't mind their buying my entire portfolio on all brand market.

Enjoy your sale.

Try and look beyond the fact that I was "lucky" to sell something on BB. That isn't the issue. Stop looking at this on a mirco scale. That type of response and scarcity-filled, desperate mentality is precisely what that enables companies like TurnCommerce to (allegedly) abuse the system

 

[The Rover]

It is an interesting observation if HugeDomains are now purchasing names from the brandable marketplaces. In some ways I see both sides of this. They really are just doing what everyone else is, buying at lower prices what they feel they can sell for more. And more potential buyers helps us do what we all want to, sell domains.

I can also, though, see concern if one player were to become so dominant that they would become essentially the one place to buy domain names, or in some other way a monopoly unfairly push out others.

But overall I share the first view, as long as they have no unfair advantage, I think we should defend their right to purchase just like anyone else.

Bob

Good points. However, I think one of the concerns here, is again the question of both "why" and "how". The why question comes into why is HD (TurnCommerce) deploying this apparent strategy to buy domains on retail marketplaces such as BB, when there modus operandi has always been to scrape up lesser quality domains for cheap prices? Which then taps into the "how" question. How they are able to purchase a $2000 domain on BB? Surely that isn't sustainable right? Could it in fact be related to (again the alleged) practices of using domainer funneled revenue directly form their own DropCatch platform? That's where things get interesting...

The point is, without such alleged practices, perhaps TurnCommerce likely wouldn't have the ability to consistently purchase 60% of the active expired domains on GoDaddy, much less the opportunity to purchase domains over at BB merely list them on HD. I think people here need to think a little outside of the box instead of always focusing on whether they have been "lucky" enough to have had as domain purchased on BB or not.

It's really disappointing and troubling when fellow domainers show no concern as to how a single company has been able to literally own over 1K+ Registrars and consistently purchases 60% of the GD expired inventory, and yet refuses to question "how" they are doing this or how this is affecting the industry. Antitrust laws exist for a reason. I mean, I don't know about everyone else, but if the allegations turn out to be true, then obviously most folks would not be cool with HD bidding up their own domain prices on DropCatch. If that is indeed true, then many of us are unknowingly funding our own competition at this point. At the very least, it's awfully suspect when you take a quick look at how so many poor quality domains are consistently bid up on DropCatch. Obviously, I have no direct proof of any "wrongdoing" nor am I directly accusing HD of any foul play. What I am saying, is that I have read dozens of threads that alleged that this may be in fact, what they could be doing, and how they are able to have such deep pockets. My personal opinion, is that there seems to be enough smoke surrounding TurnCommerce on various blogs and forums, that there should probably be some oversight at this point.

With all of that said, if anyone has had a BB domain purchased by HD, feel free to chime in. I think it's very likely many who have sold a BB domain don't even realize it could have been purchased by HD.

 

[The Rover]

and who is going to oversight it or rule over it?

and... when they oversight that, then what's next for them to oversee?

just asking...

imo....

I'm just a fellow domainer asking difficult questions. Obviously, there's a chance they are doing absolutely nothing nefarious. I'm not in a position to answer those questions. However, the idea that it's completely normal for a single company to purchase 50% of all active GoDaddy expired listings should be troubling t you (and anyone else who respects this industry), no matter how you slice it.

Again, I'm merely reading what others have posted and what others have alleged. Since I found it strange that HugeDomains purchased one of my BrandBucket domains, I am simply asking if anyone else has experienced the same.

 

[myfavorite]

, I'm curious as to what the significance would be in you knowing the specific domain?

Verifying what you said.

 

[Arfy]

.

 

[branding]

Why would it be so hard for them to make the economics work on some retail purchases?

They may be doing it to cater to current clientele, owning similar domains. There are lots of reasons why this would make sense.

Anyway, never noticed them purchasing BB or other premiums so that's interesting. I'm not that harsh on them as they certainly are very end-user focused. Their names are affordable. Their pricing structure makes more sense than a lot of the prices you'd get quoted by domainers for names of similar value. In that sense they're actually helping the industry.

I read a lot about them over the years but the only thing that would concern me is if indeed they were bidding on backordered domains being auctioned within their own platform.

 

[wwwulff]

If you want to find out what people think about HD then there are 2 threads of substance you can read - I doubt you can find someone here who think it´s a problem that HD buys BB names and tries to resell them for 3 times as much.

Rather sad

The only sad things here are you not share the name.

 

[Chris Hydrick]

Nah, that's all fine with me. Its how this business works. Doesn't matter who picks up the expired name.

I'm more so saying, OP said the domain sold 10/23/2018. It expired 01/31/2019. And the NameServers changed to HugeDomains on 03/25/2019. The domain expired roughly 100 days after the sales date. And it's unknown if the new owner received renewal notices.

From a consumer standpoint, it would be pretty upsetting to spend $2,000 on a domain, and unknowingly find out the domain expired roughly 150 days after purchasing it, then come to find it no longer in your account and being offered for sale for $6,000.

I wonder if there was any wording, or notice to the buyer from BB that he/she will need to renew the domain soon. Just saying, for non domain specialists who hand reg, they may be accustomed to one year registration times, and renewal emails. It would be interesting to know if OP received the renewal notice emails.

 

[Chris Hydrick]

The fact that there were just a few, seems to suggest that only rarely do domains move from BB to HD

Oh, I'm sure there are WAY more than a few domains that have moved from BB to HD. I searched a very small sample size. And I only included a few to passively mask OP's domain, affording him the opportunity to chime in.

and even then it seems mainly or always after having expired for various reasons.

That's my belief until demonstrated otherwise.

But again, there are also domains that have moved/move from HD to BB.

 

[Chris Hydrick]

By your own admission, you accepted my mistake as being "seemingly honest".

However...

If the name would have been provided up front, it would have saved a lot of other peoples time. And the claim would have been quickly debunked by an extra set of eyes. That one action, or inaction, caused a trickle down effect to unnecessarily waste a lot of peoples time and/or energy. An issue all too common on nP.

Funny how you suddenly change your position right after being called out for your anti-american comments.

Anti-American comments? How delusional are you?!

As previously stated, it was a political joke. And there wouldn't be as much of an issue with fake news if more Americans fact checked.

That's precisely what happens when you're overconfident; there's this strange tendency to let your true nature slip out. However, I'm glad that happened, because it shed a little light on the nature of the person that I'm attempting to exchange with.

Not so much. More so what happens when I feel disrespected. I tried to be helpful and polite, but you've been rude throughout to anybody questioning the validity of the events.

You also literally suggested that I (and most Americans) are too dim to fact check correctly and discern the difference between real news and fake news.

True or False: HugeDomains bought your domain directly from BrandBucket?

However, I and many others will likely hold steadfast in our position.

I support that position.

P.S. It might not be a bad idea to offer an apology to those on NP who happen to be American.

Sure thing.

Dear NPer's,

I'm sorry some pretentious domainer failed to perform due diligence before trying to add fuel to a real crisis with false premises that HugeDomains bought his domain for X,XXX and immediately listed it for sale for only 3X on HD; an obvious contradiction to their known business and a would be anomaly to their known acquisition model. This type of reporting, or lack there of, gives a bad reputation for americans as fact checkers.

What can I say though, US military veterans generally have a better attention to detail than civilians. Which branch stereotypically has a better attention to detail is debatable amongst service members. I will continue to perform my duties as a proud NP member, and provide assistance whenever and wherever it's needed. Whether that means combating fake news, fact checking the willing, or aiding victims of stolen domains. I am here willing, and ready to assist.

Yours truly.

Nobody really wins an internet debate. It's all a waste of time and energy.

 

[biggie]

(allegedly) inflating your own domain auctions on your own platform

so, this really isn't about them buying your name on bb and whether it's a pattern or not?

I haven't used dropcatch, so they don't get my money to buy your names off bb
and if you use it, then you are contributing to whatever issue you think is going on

just saying....

imo...

 

[The Rover]

so, this really isn't about them buying your name on bb and whether it's a pattern or not?

I haven't used dropcatch, so they don't get my money to buy your names off bb
and if you use it, then you are contributing to whatever issue you think is going on

just saying....

imo...

Sure, I would love for people to chime in and confirm whether they have or haven't had a domain purchased on BB by hugedomains. Afterall, that was my opening question, right? However, thus far, people have merely chimed in to defend the fact that HD has a legitimate right to purchase the domain. I agree, of course they have a right. That wasn't my point. However, as soon as anyone goes out of there way to defend HD, I will happily remind them that perhaps it isn't whether they had the "right" to buy my domain over at BB, rather the question should be how were they able to buy the domain.

 

[Bob Hawkes]

It is an interesting observation if HugeDomains are now purchasing names from the brandable marketplaces. In some ways I see both sides of this. They really are just doing what everyone else is, buying at lower prices what they feel they can sell for more. And more potential buyers helps us do what we all want to, sell domains.

I can also, though, see concern if one player were to become so dominant that they would become essentially the one place to buy domain names, or in some other way a monopoly unfairly push out others.

But overall I share the first view, as long as they have no unfair advantage, I think we should defend their right to purchase just like anyone else.

Bob

 

[biggie]

My personal opinion, is that there seems to be enough smoke surrounding TurnCommerce on various blogs and forums, that there should probably be some oversight at this point.

and who is going to oversight it or rule over it?

and... when they oversight that, then what's next for them to oversee?

just asking...

imo....

 

[The Rover]

@The Rover - Just do a search on nP for Huge Domains and you will see multiple threads about HD - it's not that we have no concern - most here certainly do. It's just that in your case, they aren't doing anything other domainers would do. If I saw a good name on BB and thought I could sell it for more, I would buy it and do just that.

But instead, you just continue to debate every response to your post. You aren't getting responses to your question about HD buying their domain on BB because most domainers don't care who buys their names from them at BB - if their name sells on BB they are happy with it and move on.

Thanks for your opinion. As I have stated, the very reason I'm posting is precisely because of the various other threads and allegations revolving around TurnCommerce and HugeDomains. I thought that I'd open a thread up asking how many others have had a BB domain purchased by them, and perhaps engage in a convo of both why and how they are able to do so.

To be fair, the only "debating" going on, are to those who seem to have a knee jerk response to deflect my questions regarding BB names being purchased by HugeDomains, and at the same time ignore a potentially destructive practice which affects all of us. (if proven true). Again, I'm merely asking a simple question. I have absolutely no idea whether TurnCommerce is doing anything terrible. There are some very surprising facts regarding the sheer volume of their acquisitions, though, which I think is worthy of a discussion.

Also, your reply is a perfect example of why there's any debating in the first place. Instead of simply contributing to the thread and posting whether you have or haven't had a domain on BB purchased by HugeDomains, you took the time to insinuate that my question is a waste of time and that no one will likely reply. I find that weird. As a domainer, it would take 30 seconds to find out whether a domain sold on BB was indeed purchased by Hugedomains. I also suspect that there are many who do care whether our industry is being unfairly dominated by a single company, or not.

 

[The Rover]

I think one should have been troubled long ago, when gobaddy and other registrars first got in the business of auctioning off expiring names, instead of letting them drop from the registry.

nor do I think this "industry" is being dominated by a single company.

also, my replies aren't knee jerk
I thought about what i wanted to say in response to what you posted
however, I don't cater to allegations or spread rumors of such, and I don't overlook the facts.

and so far, the only factual information is that you sold a domain and the people who bought it, repriced it higher.
and since i don't know the actual name, then basically, i'm taking your word that, that is what actually happened.


imo….

As I have stated many times over, I am not directly accusing anyone of anything. I am merely discussing the many allegations that I have read (and you have no doubt read) on many other threads and whether the same company accused of these odd practices have now begun to make a habit of purchasing BB domains.

Here are the facts:

1.) HugeDomains purchased a domain from me via BB. It would be interesting if others had this experience.
2.) TurnCommerce has been repeatedly accused (via other threads and blogs) of acquiring a shocking % of active GoDaddy Expired auctions.
3.) Many domain names with higher bids on DropCatch seem to be of shockingly poor quality.
4.) Many here on NP (and other blogs) have expressed their concerns about TurnCommerce
5.) After reading these threads, I am now equally concerned and I wonder whether there's any validity to the accusations that others (not I) have directly accused them of.

If you're content with a single company consistently purchasing a large % of all GoDaddy expired listings on a daily basis, then good for you. However, if that particular allegation is indeed true, I can tell you that many here would not be content.

That's literally this post in its entirety. So what exactly is the problem?

 

[karmaco]

People are just happy when their domain sells and generally don’t care who bought it from a brandable marketplace. HugeDomains has somewhat of a monopoly. Not news and not anything that can be done about that.

 

[The Rover]

People are just happy when their domain sells and generally don’t care who bought it from a brandable marketplace. HugeDomains has somewhat of a monopoly. Not news and not anything that can be done about that.

I agree. It's sort of like the middle ages where the peasants are just happy to have crumbs. "Just be happy that you made that sale!" That's actually scarcity mentality. People are so blinded with ANY type of sale these days, that they run the risk of losing sight of a different strategy that could, in theory, be in play (if the accusations are true, that is) which could be hurting the industry in the long run. It's very naive, selfish, and short sighted thinking, imo.

As for TurnCommerce allegedly being a genuine monopoly, if they are indeed a serious monopoly, why should we be "ok" with that? This might sound like a crazy notion on this forum, but couldn't it very well be this "look the other way" thinking that allows monopolies to proliferate in the first place? At the very least, it certainly doesn't prohibit a corporation from growing dangerously large, if people continue to not care or feel as if there's nothing that can be done.

Again, I hope the accusations that we all have read over the years are false, but there's nothing wrong with discussing whether a corporation is out of bounds or not.

 

[BrandCougar]

@The Rover -

I agree - it's an interesting discussion.

Overpaying does not create scarcity, nor does overpricing..

Scarcity is based on supply, not pricing.

Along those lines, HD's collection of domains is like Jay Leno's collection of antique cars. Enviable - yes, but as long as the "collecting" practices does not prohibit others from selling their inventory, I don't see it as a limiting my assets value.

From my view, this is a simple Supply & Demand model. If they continue to collect, then scarcity (on a macro level) will likely increase the value of our assets, not reduce or hinder their value.

HD's acquisition of BB inventory would have a positive impact to listing and selling on the BB site. It would not reduce the value of the remaining inventory on BB.

If, however, HD purchased every sales channel that existed and then kicked us off every single site and, in the process, prohibited us from selling then oh-snap, that would be monopolizing access to customers (unfair benefit to HD and antitrust worthy).

Sales channel access is the kingdom. Inventory is an asset, not a market.

-Cougar