MY SAD STORY WITH SEDO [CASE CLOSED]

[tksfrm]

CASE CLOSED

Yesterday I saw expired domain STOCKSBROKERAGE.COM and I immediately checked on SEDO, if already exists on their market place.
Yes, it was there and it was listed with price of $11,950. I checked on AFTERNIC as well and also there IS (in time of writing this) with exactly the same price.
So I registered it good faith I am registering a good one. And here my story with SEDO company begins:
- I contacted support to remove old owner, because I am a new one now
- I also wrote in this first message, that domain is listed with price of $11,950 and I want the same price!

Answer came from SEDO employee I.A. - Customer Care Specialist. In short, we have a one hour email communication and he refused all the time
to list my domain with prise I asked, because of:
a) As to the pricing, they have a restriction limiting asking prices to less than 10,000 EUR/GBP. This is necessary to maintain the credibility of their site.
b) I can have the domain appraised by SEDO
c) Because of their long history of reasonable and accurate domain appraisals and their position as a worldwide leader in the domain industry,
an appraisal from SEDO is more credible than almost any other

I replied that I took a screen shot of already listed domain - this domain was already listed on SEDO - and already appraised by their team. I do not need another appraisal,
because domain remains the very same and only owner is changed. Needles to say that every my effort was not successful.

I will now wrote here some excerpts from our email discussion by I.A - SEDO Customer Care Specialist - here are some of his answers:

"Where are you saying this valuation is coming from? I don't see this domain in your history, nor do I see any appraisals for it in your account."
"If you could please elaborate on where you got that screen shot, I'd be happy to discuss the matter further."
"I'm not sure why you'd be listing this domain for sale if it was already for sale on our marketplace, with or without that pricing."
"I have no idea where that valuation came from as, as I mentioned in my previous emails, that domain wasn't listed by you in your account, you haven't had it appraised that I can see, and I don't see that you purchased it with us."
"Where, specifically, did you get this screen shot of our site? Also, if it was listed for sale, how did you come to own this domain? If you were the previous owner, what account was this listed on, and when? And why did you remove it only to re-list it?"

Do you see this arrogance, un-politeness, rudeness from SEDO employee I.A. - Customer Care Specialist!?

He forced me into another appraisal - to earn some money, he declined that domain was listed for price of $11,950 on SEDO, he asked me where I got my picture?

So I want to now YOUR opinion on this matter:
a) am I right do demand domain price it was obviously and de-facto listed with SEDO
b) can change of domain ownership cause drop of domain value
c) as I am also very said and angry how I was treated and behaved - I am thinking also on taking legal actions against SEDO - they want to squeeze money for something,
which they should not (at least in my eyes). They should be some standards and this is in my opinion against them. I am small domainer and I have not a lot of money,
but if there is in the world a legal office, they think my rights are refused and it was not a correct behaviour (if not even more!), which could be penalised - I invite them to represent me "pro bono",
or better to say - if they think I am right - they will earn their money on the end of legal court decision

So dear fellow domainers - I invite you to express your own opinion and experience - if a lot of positive feedback - well I will get even more courage to fight with giant, if not, well then I will
self-criticaly shut up and I will take the world opinion

 

[Ted.T]

I just don't understand, why do you need an appraisal? And why would you contact them to leave the price? You decide yourself what price to set when you list the domain(sure, following the rules).
And what would a screenshot influence? It's just a photo of a listing that has nothing to do with the actual situation.

First of all, try to calm down. Second, check your account for any security limits. Third, your issue is about a price you want, not a problem support can solve. As I understand, they have removed the listing? So, the following discussion is only about the price and appraisal. That's an issue you could solve yourself by reading FAQ and Terms.

Update:
Well, I found smth in the support and FAQ. So, these are SEDO terms, you have to follow them...
"How do I price my domain above the 10,000 USD limit?
How do I price my domain above the 10,000 USD limit?


You will not be able to list a domain on Sedo’s Online Marketplace for more than 10,000USD without first ordering an appraisal for the given domain, and without assistance from a Sedo associate. This policy is in place to help keep the marketplace fair and balanced for both buyers and sellers. The most proven method for selling domains is to set a minimum offer amount to encourage offers above a certain threshold, and negotiate upwards from there. Many high sales agreements are reached in this manner.

Sedo offers two tiers of appraisals: Standard for $29 US and Premium with more detailed information and analysis for $49 US. For more information about the two tiers of appraisals, or to order, please visit Sedo’s Domain Appraisal overview."

Update 2.
I agree with AEProgram. It could have been listed on another marketplace, like Afternic or Godaddy without any problems. So, you could try this solution.

 

[AEProgram]

its possible as part of sedo mls it was listed in the past and not so much directly by sedo alone.

 

[tksfrm]

My point is - if it was listed yesterday in real time with price of $11,950 - then this is a right price. What if somebody would pick it with this price - it would be not the first time previous owner would register domain again and sold it for THIS EXACT PRICE. And all would be happy.
I sent a screenshot as proof to SEDO - I did all in a matter of two minutes - so - do you think domain can drop price in 2 minutes.
Domain remains the same - only owner has changed.

And my last question - if previous owner would decide to register domain again - do you think he/she would have any problems to set domain price to the level of $11,950.

My answer is - I think he/she would have no problems - and nobody would ask or force for another appraisal...

 

[Ted.T]

First of all, sedo doesn't check dropped domains. There are a lot of available domains listed on SEDO. I mean dropped after being listed.

Second point, I think appraisal is made for a client, not domain. So, when a new client wants to list the domain, he must order an appraisal for himself, even if the domain is the same.

 

[tksfrm]

An appraisal is made for a client - but domain is appraised - not the client
Once domain is appraised, they can go through many hands - but it will still remain the same.

 

[Ted.T]

As I know, they give the client an Appraisal Certificate (an official and legal scam):D
So, do you own it? I guess not, the old owner owns it. So, how can you prove that it's worth the price you say?

 

[tksfrm]

My proof is it was ALREADY listed with this price on SEDO

It is not my problem if somebody dropped domain, worth more then $10 k.
Its value should remain in their system!
It is not about me or previous owner - it is about true worth of domain(s). My point is - once domain was appraised, it need no more to proof. At least not in very short time.

I hope you listen, what are you saying - just imagine the world's most known domain would appear again to sell on SEDO - do you think they would ask new owner to appraise it again!?

 

[tksfrm]

CASE CLOSED

 

[Ted.T]

it is about true worth of domain(s).

Domain is worth what someone else wants to pay for it. So, if you think that appraisal will bring you a 10k sale, then I have to disappoint you, it could never happen...

 

[DomainVP]

tksfrm, I definitely agree with you to an extent.

It would have been a nice courtesy for them to list your name at the same price, however they are not obligated to do so.

I think the customer service run around was a bit excessive as well. It was pretty clear what the situation was.

Like I said before, they are no obligated to give you the same appraisal that a previous owner paid for... but it would have been nice for them to do so. Waiving the small appraisal fee would have earned them greater customer loyalty... I think these domain marketplaces forget about things like that.

The domain industry isn't NEW but it's a lot newer than other industries that have been exercising exceptional customer service for 30+ years. They will learn sooner than later.

Now to address your immediate situation, just list the name for a Make An Offer at $10k minimum ... problem solved. That extra $1,950 on the listing price isn't going to kill your margin and you may make a higher sale.

Problem solved cheers.

 

[tksfrm]

@Shelby90
I hope you understand what you said just now: "SEDO has (obviously) appraised domain for that much - but I think it is not worth so much at all".

Here is statement I received from SEDO employee:

"Because of our long history of reasonable and accurate domain appraisals and our position as a worldwide leader in the domain industry, an appraisal from Sedo is more credible than almost any other."

So you disagree with them, if I understand you correctly

 

[DomainVP]

My main point is - if you really want I express myself so directly - that (many, many) prices on SEDO have nothing more to do with reality.

No domain price has to do with reality unless you are talking about an EMD using SEO & CPC metrics.

I don't think you even want to know your domains value using those metrics.

The domain is a brandable, and the pluralization of 'stocks' is bit of a killer for the name.

Now that doesn't mean someone won't want it for $10k, because the reality is that a domain is worth what someone will pay for it and it's perceived value in the namespace.

I wish you luck and success with your sale.

 

[Ted.T]

@Shelby90
I hope you understand what you said just now: SEDO has (obviously) appraised domain for that much - but I think it is not worth so much at all.

Here is statement I received from SEDO employee:

"Because of our long history of reasonable and accurate domain appraisals and our position as a worldwide leader in the domain industry, an appraisal from Sedo is more credible than almost any other."

So you disagree with them, if I understand you correctly

Do you believe appraisals?
I could give you hundreds, with sky prices... But will they prove you will sell the domain for that price? I doubt it...
You should understand that an appraisal does not guarantee the domain will sell for that price. It's just a price someone gives you and believes domain COULD sell for. Nothing more.

By the way, try the appraisal section here, on Namepros. You will be amazed what appraisals members will give you.

 

[tksfrm]

@DomainVP

thanks, but I can not agree completely with you.

Some questions to you:
- how many domains are listed on SEDO for 1 million or more
- how many do you think are REALLY worth that much
- if you agree with previous point - how the heck are so high:
a) unrealistic appraisal
b) user can do what he/she wants - no appraisal was ever made


And back to my domain:

I would agree with you, if this particular domain would desapear from their listing, but it WAS there.
ALL THE TIME.
If they do not clean up - is this my problem= No, it was just smooth change of ownership.
What IF IT WOULD BE BOUGHT FOR THIS PRICE BY SOMEBODY!?

Would they say - "hey sorry sir, we made a mistake".

I repeat - it is not about domain, it is about PRINCIPLE - domain WAS listed there for this EXACT price - so tell me how one domain - which actually NEVER DISAPEARED form listing can drop price, just because of change of ownership. In a matter of one or two minutes..

It WAS there in they PUT ME into false behaviour of thinking DOMAIN IS WORTH THAT MUCH.

 

[tksfrm]

In prospective buyers eyes domains listed over $10k have more value - as they are supposed to be "more valuable".
I personally never check on this, even not on valuate, estibot, etc.
I have my personal vision of every domain I hand register.

BUT - if domain was listed for so much I want it to be listed exact the same
I have a true belief in this - as it would have it a buyer, who could decide to buy domain for the price it was listed on SEDO.

If it would be cleaned up - I would agree with the point I need another appraisal.
Sorry, but if it exists - I want the same "benefits".

Am I asking too much...

 

[wot]

You can list it at £10,000 which is around $16,800

 

[tksfrm]

CASE CLOSED

 

[Ted.T]

No, I just want EXACT listing for $11,950.

In USD dollars!

Then continue to fight with the windmills...

 

[wot]

No, I just want EXACT listing for $11,950.

In USD dollars!

Oh dear, surprised the Sedo rep was so polite.