My GoDaddy Domain Broker Service Experience

[DomainRecap]

Against my better judgement, I responded to a GD Broker inquiry about 3-4 weeks ago, and amazingly I was able to get a price that worked and close the deal. Everything seemed to be running fine and there was high involvement and quick responses, but once they have the money and your domain is transferred, things totally change and the party comes to a screeching halt. Police are called and the guests are sent home.

There is no real system or infrastructure for the transaction like on Afternic, and it's just a single GD page with a 1-4 step format with no real information or interactivity at all. I may harp on Afternic/GoDaddy, but at least they send updates and outline future targets, but this Broker Service has zero transparency and everything is hidden behind a curtain.

When will I get paid? Who knows? Do I need to do anything else in order to get paid? Who knows! Is my money being held for some weird reason? Who knows! Will I ever get see the money? Who knows!

And there is also no one to talk to at GD (I have emailed and left messages with my broker, and later contacted GD support) so good luck if you experience issues with the transaction/payment or have any questions. You are totally on your own, and only have two things: a hope and a prayer.

From my point of view, there is absolutely no support system for the GoDaddy Domain Broker Service and you'd better pray nothing goes wrong. Even GD support can't get ahold of them.

To sum it up:

Dealing with GoDaddy Brokers when they're negotiating and making the deal, arranging the payment, and requesting a Transfer Code:

Dealing with GoDaddy Brokers once they've been paid by the buyer, your domain is firmly in their possession and your payment is in limbo:

The next time I receive an email from a GoDaddy Broker regarding a domain, it's goin' in da TRASH. The money is just not worth the hassle and confusion it entails.

 

[Gabriel360]

Thanks for the review. It's a very much needed PSA.

If I ever get a message from them, I'll force them to finalize the transaction on Atom. Or no deal.

 

[DomainRecap]

My primary issue with the GoDaddy Domain Broker Service is that it functions like a covert operation at the CIA.

While you were doing the deal, they were readily available and responsive, but once they no longer need you, all communication stops and you're left out to dry.

You call up GD and no one knows how to contact them, or anything about the operation, and disavows any knowledge at all of this mysterious "broker service". You email your broker and they ghost you, then you call and leave a voicemail that is never returned.

It's quite the system.

 

[DomainRecap]

I finally got someone live on the line and they're working on getting my payment released. It's not a lot of money, but it was creating a lot of aggravation, so I'm glad the transaction could be moving forward.

Just checked and the payment status has changed!

Halleluiah!

It's kind of sad that you need to physically call in and harass people in order to get paid, but when in Rome...