Monikers Auction Blunders

[BOB STAHL]

My Opinion Of The Current Moniker Auction.

1) Auctioneer Went To Slow Throughout Entire Auction.

2) Multiple Mistakes Were Made Between Who Heard Whos Bid. At One Time I Heard Auctioner Ask The Winning Bidder If He Minded If They Re-auctioned The Sold Domain To Settle The Matter And Then Another Time He Tells A Bidder Who Was Late With A Bid, Too Late Sir.

3)no Control Over The Auction, I Felt As If Moniker Was All Ready Counting Their Profits Before They Even Finished Their Work. They Ran Through Names Quickly At The End Because They Didn't Work Fast In The Beggining. That Put Alot Of Hurts To Someones Wallet And Or Portfolio And Maybe In Their Faith In Moniker.

4)what Was The Point To Keep Anybody From Looking At The Silent Auction ? I Have Two Reasons. They Wanted Us To Pay $499.99 Which Would Go Towards The Price Of A Domain We Choose. But If Your Like Me, Im Selling Im Not Buying So I Would Not Pay. I Just Want To Look. What If The Other Reason Is To Actually Keep People Out Of The Auction ??? Except High Rollers And Such. That Would Leave The Floor Open To Them And Insiders To Buy At Rock Bottom Price. We Would In Fact Be Selling Our Domains Blindly. My Opinion Only

 

[sker]

4)what Was The Point To Keep Anybody From Looking At The Silent Auction ? I Have Two Reasons. They Wanted Us To Pay $499.99 Which Would Go Towards The Price Of A Domain We Choose. But If Your Like Me, Im Selling Im Not Buying So I Would Not Pay. I Just Want To Look. What If The Other Reason Is To Actually Keep People Out Of The Auction ??? Except High Rollers And Such. That Would Leave The Floor Open To Them And Insiders To Buy At Rock Bottom Price. We Would In Fact Be Selling Our Domains Blindly. My Opinion Only

I would agree on that point but i'm not sure if they have other reasons behind this

 

[floatingworld]

I remember when namepros started auctions it wasn't all smooth from the beginning...there was a learning curve...the same I think with Moniker who probably planned a light-hearted event to publicise the world of domain reselling...I would think that subsequent auctions will evolve procedures. The idea of the closed shop was probably to keep out the predicted wall of timewasters, but from a PR perspective it appeared as if there was an elite club. OK, never mind, lets move on....my opinion? use ebay piggy-back auctioning software together with an open session as do a number of auctioneers in the US.

 

[Keith]

I remember when namepros started auctions it wasn't all smooth from the beginning...there was a learning curve...the same I think with Moniker who probably planned a light-hearted event to publicise the world of domain reselling...I would think that subsequent auctions will evolve procedures. The idea of the closed shop was probably to keep out the predicted wall of timewasters, but from a PR perspective it appeared as if there was an elite club. OK, never mind, lets move on....my opinion? use ebay piggy-back auctioning software together with an open session as do a number of auctioneers in the US.

There is certainly a learning curve, but a full scale production in Vegas should run better than a namepros auction. The auctioneer was terrible. It was like it was his first time at the potium or something. Hopefully they only get better in the future!

keithmt

 

[Ronald Regging]

4) What If The Other Reason Is To Actually Keep People Out Of The Auction ??? Except High Rollers And Such. That Would Leave The Floor Open To Them And Insiders To Buy At Rock Bottom Price. We Would In Fact Be Selling Our Domains Blindly. My Opinion Only

The lowest opening bid I think I heard was for $500. So if someone didn't have the $500 to pay to get in (which was then applied towards a purchase) they certainly didn't have the money to be bidding in the auction to begin with... If I were selling a domain in the auction, I'd rather have a conference room full of people who were starting their bids at $500, rather than 10x as many people bidding on it who couldn't afford $500...

 

[Carlton]

Can only imagine the complexity of everything that goes into one of these auctions. It's safe to assume that each succeeding auction will improve based on lessons from prior ones.

On the upcoming New York auction, it could be a very high profile event (as in mainstream news coverage - CNN, FOX, NBC, etc.) and my hope is that Moniker will go for as streamlined and professional an event as possible. Good PR, press releases, targeted direct mailing such that New York players in finance/media/real estate (outside the domainer circle) get a heads up.

Could be another big springboard for Moniker and the industry ... like a GoDaddy Superbowl commercial, .

 

[hawkeye]

The lowest opening bid I think I heard was for $500. So if someone didn't have the $500 to pay to get in (which was then applied towards a purchase) they certainly didn't have the money to be bidding in the auction to begin with... If I were selling a domain in the auction, I'd rather have a conference room full of people who were starting their bids at $500, rather than 10x as many people bidding on it who couldn't afford $500...

Having a minimum bid is fine. But as one who had to deal with going to auctions in the early 90s, having a $500 unrefundable entrance fee is pure greed. If one wants to participate, they should have to pay a $500 'refundable' fee to get a paddle. That way if they don't buy, they get their deposit fee back. That is the way auctions are conducted. But to be charged $500 to lose a bid, because it was higher than you could afford or wanted to pay etc., or you just want to watch and learn for future auctions, again is greed. Many times once you are in and ready, you may see a name (item) you overlooked, or pick up some scoop on something that may make you decide to make bids you weren't planning on. But why limit the 'auction to' audience, by forcing to people to pay $500 just for the priviledge of being there, if not to keep potential new buyers out, and/or being greedy?

 

[cache]

it is not easy to organize such event, they still have a lot to learn.

 

[BOB STAHL]

alot to learn

It Would Be Nice If Us Domainers Could Have A Say On Which Names Are Entered, Say Some Sort Of Voting System For The Stronger Names. Hell Towards The End Of The Auction They Ask The Crowd To Just Call Out Numbers Of Domains They Were Interested In. Seemed All To Shabby To Me, Poorly Run.

$499.99 TO SEE THE AUCTION.


it is not easy to organize such event, they still have a lot to learn. ???



YOU CAN LEARN FAST WITH CASH LIKE THAT.

SIMPLY PUT - GREED, IF THEY CHOOSE NAMES THAT WERE STRONG TO START WITH THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE AS MUCH TROUBLE AS THEY ARE HAVING. BUT NAMES LIKE.


FRENCHTWINKS.COM AGAINST A NAME LIKE SAY HARDHABITS.COM

WHATS WORTH MORE ???

 

[HBK216]

It Would Be Nice If Us Domainers Could Have A Say On Which Names Are Entered, Say Some Sort Of Voting System For The Stronger Names. Hell Towards The End Of The Auction They Ask The Crowd To Just Call Out Numbers Of Domains They Were Interested In. Seemed All To Shabby To Me, Poorly Run.

$499.99 TO SEE THE AUCTION.


it is not easy to organize such event, they still have a lot to learn. ???



YOU CAN LEARN FAST WITH CASH LIKE THAT.

SIMPLY PUT - GREED, IF THEY CHOOSE NAMES THAT WERE STRONG TO START WITH THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE AS MUCH TROUBLE AS THEY ARE HAVING. BUT NAMES LIKE.


FRENCHTWINKS.COM AGAINST A NAME LIKE SAY HARDHABITS.COM

WHATS WORTH MORE ???

From what I can recall some sort of voting occurred to see which domains people were interested in. I recall this for the adult auction & I thought it was available for the Traffic one as well. I could be wrong about that though.

As far as which names are worth more, that is a pointless argument. Any name could be worth anything to the right buyer. So there is no right or wrong answer. The only answer would stem from what an average person might think which still leaves a lot to desire.

I agree with you about the $499 to see the auction being ridiculous.

 

[fonzie_007]

I'd be bidding on domains in the silent auction right now if it wasn't for the $499 non-refundable fee. As someone else already mentioned, I don't want the possibility I could be outbid in the final seconds and be out $499 with nothing to show for it. I understand Moniker is putting in a lot of work with this auction and I commend them for putting on such a great event; however, a $499 refundable fee would bring in more bidders.

 

[floatingworld]

one suggestion might be for those who put down the $499 fee and do not win anything...that they will have the deposit returned as $499 credit at moniker (no cash)

 

[scandiman]

one suggestion might be for those who put down the $499 fee and do not win anything...that they will have the deposit returned as $499 credit at moniker (no cash)

That is a great idea!

 

[fonzie_007]

one suggestion might be for those who put down the $499 fee and do not win anything...that they will have the deposit returned as $499 credit at moniker (no cash)

That would work for me. I'll easily spend that amount transferring in and renewing domains within the next few weeks.

 

[TT]

it is not easy to organize such event, they still have a lot to learn.

I have to disagree, With the money moniker took in on commissions and the money that Monte makes daily... There is plenty of credible event planners with auction experience to make an event like this run smoothly and flawlessly. This is just another questionable moniker event.

I have been to enogh auctions to know that if there is a specific number of lots available and each lot could take 1 minute to 5 minutes they need to better access a thier time management skills or at least contract someone.

Listening to the auction itself I was not impressed with the auctioneer, My impression was that this person seemed like he owned some of the names and when bidding did not get to what he expected he quickly looked down at Monte and said sorry Monte its not enough...

Monte should have had 2 corrals going for bidders and all names being offered would have had a better or more equal time for exposure to buyers.

 

[BOB STAHL]

I Agree, Few People Are Making Money.

I Agree, Few People Are Making Money. Matter Of Fact I Had To Damn Near Beg To Get My 3 Domain Names On, Last Auction I Was Told I Had Made The List Only To Be Told I Didn't Make It At The Last Minute, Come To Find Out Some Of Monikers Buddys Got Upwards Of 250 Names In The Auction , Don't Believe Me ? Look Into It. Seems Like Everyone Is Making Money But Us. Just Wish A Third Party Company Would Come Along And Shake The Cage A Little.