advice High-Profile Domainer Refuses to Transfer Sold Domain?

[DrJacoby]

Here's a question to the more experienced members of Namepros.

If you purchased a domain at BIN price at one of the two big marketplaces, and then the seller refuses to transfer it, claiming that he/she sold it at another venue shortly before you bought it, what would you do?

1) Do nothing and just move on.
2) Take legal action.
3) Name and shame.

Would it matter if the offender is a high-profile figure (that, for example, sits on the NamesCon Advisory Board)?

Worth mentioning is that the seller lowered the price just before I purchased it, so I find it hard to believe the he/she is no longer the owner. Besides, serious sellers only have BIN prices at one marketplace. Even beginners know this.

 

[DrJacoby]

It has happened to me more than once. A domain will sell on one venue, then sell on another venue before I was able to remove it.

It can't happen if you set BIN prices on only one marketplace (and use Make Offer on all others).

I am curious as to what steps have been taken in this case.

"Seller's account manager has reviewed the seller's account and have taken steps necessary."

Me too.

Are we talking minutes here? And can you give a rough indication of the price drop?

No not minutes. When I re-checked the listing the next day the price had dropped from 1300 or 1400 (if I remember correctly) to around 800.

As long as they refund right away, it is not a scam and there is nothing to shame about.

Why are you using the word "scam"? I've never accused the seller of scamming. I'm here trying to get advice from more experienced domain investors on how to handle the situation.

 

[DrJacoby]

@DrJacoby

If the domain sold or transferred, the Whois will reflect the change, date wise.

"Updated Date" was updated the day before I purchased it. Does that mean it sold or transferred 100%, or what exactly triggers the update?

 

[bmugford]

"Updated Date" was updated the day before I purchased it. Does that mean it sold or transferred 100%, or what exactly triggers the update?

It could be a whois change, renewal, dns change, lock/unlock, etc.

The timing though is a good indication that ownership could have changed.

Brad

 

[Keith]

"Updated Date" was updated the day before I purchased it. Does that mean it sold or transferred 100%, or what exactly triggers the update?

They probably had a legit sale and you were a dollar short.

 

[Future Sensors]

So, the price drop at Sedo happened after the assumed sale, is that correct @DrJacoby?

 

[DrJacoby]

It could be a whois change, renewal, dns change, lock/unlock, etc.

The timing though is a good indication that ownership could have changed.

Brad

Thanks. So the domain likely did sell to another buyer which makes me feel a little better.

 

[bmugford]

It can't happen if you set BIN prices on only one marketplace (and use Make Offer on all others).

I generally only have BIN on some domains at GoDaddy venues, but domains have a very low sell-through rate. It makes sense to maximize the odds of making a sale.

It's not really that unusual to list items for sale on multiple marketplaces, then remove them when sold.

Brad

 

[DrJacoby]

So, the price drop at Sedo happened after the assumed sale, is that correct @DrJacoby?

I didn't mention which marketplace I used, but the price drop most likely happened before the sale (I don't have an exact time for the price drop). It wouldn't make sense the other way around.

 

[bmugford]

Thanks. So the domain likely did sell to another buyer which makes me feel a little better.

I doubt someone with a strong history in the field is going to risk their credibility over a low dollar sale.

Brad

 

[Future Sensors]

It's not really that unusual to list items for sale on multiple marketplaces, then remove them when sold.

Yes. Removing the domain from other marketplaces is literally the first thing I always do when a domain is sold.

 

[DrJacoby]

I doubt someone with a strong history in the field is going to risk their credibility over a low dollar sale.

Brad

Sounds reasonable.

 

[bmugford]

Yes. Removing the domain from other marketplaces is literally the first thing I always do when a domain is sold.

Even then there can be an issue as some marketplaces, GoDaddy for instance, often have a delay until the listing is actually removed from their system.

Brad

 

[Future Sensors]

Even then there can be an issue as some marketplaces, GoDaddy for instance, often have a delay until the listing is actually removed from their system.

Correct, and beyond my control.

Relatedly, I'm still awaiting a response from @GoDaddy about something similar.

https://www.namepros.com/threads/afternic-official-thread.1295231/page-49#post-9156394

 

[Recons.Com]

Why are you using the word "scam"? I've never accused the seller of scamming. I'm here trying to get advice from more experienced domain investors on how to handle the situation.

Scam word was used by someone else and I am just following the usage in broadest possible sense.

Otherwise, what are we shaming him about? Just setting bin on multiple venues? That is normal accepted practice. E.g. almost all 250k sh names are also listed with bin on afternic.

So, ok, let's avoid scam word. Still no foul play.

It is different for auctions and private deals though.

 

[Sjpals]

Probably just a mistake. It happens. Just move on.

 

[DrJacoby]

Otherwise, what are we shaming him about?

We're not shaming him/her. I asked for advice, and Naming and Shaming was one of three possible options that I was considering. But thanks to the people in this thread I've decided to just move on.

 

[Recons.Com]

We're not shaming him/her. I asked for advice, and Naming and Shaming was one of three possible options that I was considering. But thanks to the people in this thread I've decided to just move on.

Please don't take it personal. I know you are were not planning to. It was just one of the options suggested and I am addressing that one.

The only situations I have come to expect the delivery of the deal is private negotiations with the "handshake" and auctions. You want the reputation factor in those, as otherwise it becomes pointless, wastes time and opens up the space to potential scamming. Hence the reputation scores here on NP, e.g.

 

[GeorgeK]

I've bought domain names at marketplaces, and then later had to get them removed from other marketplaces. Unfortunately, not all sellers are methodical in quickly removing their stale listings when transactions take place.

It's not 100% clear that that's what took place here, but it is plausible.

 

[ran_doank]

We're not shaming him/her. I asked for advice, and Naming and Shaming was one of three possible options that I was considering. But thanks to the people in this thread I've decided to just move on.

IMO, That's the wise thing to do, and if this make you feel better, I encountered with 3 bad sellers last month on auction (not at namepros) and 1 of the refunded payment still pending at my bank. so yeah, i know the feel. it's suck.

 

[Hui Siew Choong]

Here's a question to the more experienced members of Namepros.

If you purchased a domain at BIN price at one of the two big marketplaces, and then the seller refuses to transfer it, claiming that he/she sold it at another venue shortly before you bought it, what would you do?

1) Do nothing and just move on.
2) Take legal action.
3) Name and shame.

Would it matter if the offender is a high-profile figure (that, for example, sits on the NamesCon Advisory Board)?

Worth mentioning is that the seller lowered the price just before I purchased it, so I find it hard to believe the he/she is no longer the owner. Besides, serious sellers only have BIN prices at one marketplace. Even beginners know this.