Not cool.

[sasan]

Was browsing Flippa last night and came across a domain I liked. Hit the BIN button and started an Escrow.com transaction.

Woke up this morning to a message from the seller:

Googled his name only to find out that he’s a domainer, runs a website for domainers, has been a speaker at NamesCon, etc. Basically: should know better.

I get it. Sometimes you list a domain and forget to update its price. It’s happened to me. But that’s on the seller, not the buyer. And in these cases, I’ve always honoured the transaction without question and quietly given myself a talking-to after.

It would also be another thing if he had let the domain expire or no longer owned it — but he does.

Honest mistake or not, responses like this really paint our industry in a negative light. In this case, I hit BIN – that’s pretty cut and dry. But also, if you’re going to negotiate with someone (as a buyer or a seller), keep your word. If we want the industry to be respected in the mainstream, it’s our responsibility to make that happen.

Anyway, getting off my soapbox now. This was my reply:

Haven’t heard anything back yet but have no qualms about naming or shaming if the seller doesn’t follow through with this transaction.

 

[gilescoley]

Ive sold a few names over the years that I have accidentally listed incorrectly. It hurts like hell but you honor the deal and sell the name. You need to remember who screwed up here, it certainly wasnt the buyer. Your reputation is everything in this business.

I am sick of seeing people do this. I have no problem with these people being named and shamed.

 

[Abdillahi Abdillahi]

Was browsing Flippa last night and came across a domain I liked. Hit the BIN button and started an Escrow.com transaction.

Woke up this morning to a message from the seller:


Googled his name only to find out that he’s a domainer, runs a website for domainers, has been a speaker at NamesCon, etc. Basically: should know better.

I get it. Sometimes you list a domain and forget to update its price. It’s happened to me. But that’s on the seller, not the buyer. And in these cases, I’ve always honoured the transaction without question and quietly given myself a talking-to after.

It would also be another thing if he had let the domain expire or no longer owned it — but he does.

Honest mistake or not, responses like this really paint our industry in a negative light. In this case, I hit BIN – that’s pretty cut and dry. But also, if you’re going to negotiate with someone (as a buyer or a seller), keep your word. If we want the industry to be respected in the mainstream, it’s our responsibility to make that happen.

Anyway, getting off my soapbox now. This was my reply:


Haven’t heard anything back yet but have no qualms about naming or shaming if the seller doesn’t follow through with this transaction.

Give him a chance to see whether or not he decides to proceed with the sale. Things like these happen. Back in October of this year I had sale on Afternic that bad terrible BIN. I dont even know how I priced so low on there because I knew the name had many end users with deep pockets that could affors it and have it as a huge upgrade. I went ahead with the sale. Guess who bought the name? One of those companies I saw could use an upgrade and had a lot of money.

 

[1Darko]

It's very simple - You only have one face and one reputation - don't lose it!
Therefor never back out and always honor the deal!

 

[D Haynes]

I agree with the general sentiment in the thread that your reputation is everything and the price should be honoured.

I do wonder though, at what point would you not honour the price? I mean if somehow you accidentally listed a clearly high 6 to low 7 figure name for $995 (maybe you had a few too many eggnogs and the kids were acting up and the dog was try to impregnate your leg so you hit the wrong keys) would you STILL honour the price? There has to be a limit doesn't there or should the same principle apply whatever the cost?

 

[bmugford]

I agree with the general sentiment in the thread that your reputation is everything and the price should be honoured.

I do wonder though, at what point would you not honour the price? I mean if somehow you accidentally listed a clearly high 6 to low 7 figure name for $995 (maybe you had a few too many eggnogs and the kids were acting up and the dog was try to impregnate your leg so you hit the wrong keys) would you STILL honour the price? There has to be a limit doesn't there or should the same principle apply whatever the cost?

Sure accidents can happen, but in this case it appears that it was just an old listing at the price. I think an accident is something different.

For instance you want to list a price of like 9000, and you type 9000 and the site automatically populates 90.00 or something and you don't notice.

Accidents can and do happen. I realize at some point it is simply not reasonable if there was an obvious mistake.

Brad

 

[karmaco]

I want to know who it is. If we are being honest, there are many in this business with questionable ethics. Not being pessimistic. Its just a sad fact.

A domainer should always know what platforms their names are on and what prices and adjust accordingly. He was too lazy to change the price or forgot about it? People are always looking for underpriced names and the known domainer should have known better and now honor the deal.

 

[FolioTeam]

Give him a chance to see whether or not he decides to proceed with the sale. Things like these happen. Back in October of this year I had sale on Afternic that bad terrible BIN. I dont even know how I priced so low on there because I knew the name had many end users with deep pockets that could affors it and have it as a huge upgrade. I went ahead with the sale. Guess who bought the name? One of those companies I saw could use an upgrade and had a lot of money.

This is why I routinely check my BINS at Afternic. No one is above making a mistake.

Can't also rule out a hack into my Afternic account. Don't know why they still won't provide 2FA or at least an instant notification when there's a login there

 

[Kenny]

Thanks, everyone. Going to give the seller until 12 PM (PST) tomorrow to make good on this transaction. I don't think this is a decision that should require a lot of thought.

If he chooses not to honour it, I'll post his name.

Also, just sent him a link to this thread, so he can see what the community has to say.

^^^ This ^^^

I'm hoping the seller does honor the sale.
It would be an (another) embarrassment to the entire industry if a (another) big shooter reneges on his obligation.

Good luck.

Peace,
Kenny

 

[MapleDots]

I hope to see this settled privately between buyer and seller?

I am hoping the seller contacts the OP and gets this settled amicably.

Merry Christmas everyone

 

[Samer]

Set the timer

 

[NickB]

I don't think threatening to publicly shame someone to get a deal done is the right course of action

Yes, the person is in the wrong (see my previous post to know my feelings) but threatening to oust them unless they complete the deal is morally dubious in it's own right......

 

[Way3]

I don't think threatening to publicly shame someone to get a deal done is the right course of action

Yes, the person is in the wrong (see my previous post to know my feelings) but threatening to oust them unless they complete the deal is morally dubious in it's own right......

Yes. Feels very Nathaniel Hawthorne-ish.

 

[Windoms]

And people being eager to see evil is even more disturbing..

 

[Windoms]

And by evil I dont mean OP's actions are evil.
I mean being very eager to see someone's name in the mud just because they forgot to update flippa.. you should try to take it easier.

 

[BRANDERX]

OP should have given a name in the opening post, & I would mask it. The idea is to make the domaining public (not the general public) aware of the incident.

Maybe I missed it, but what was the BIN & what was the domain name?

imo

 

[Windoms]

OP should have given a name in the opening post, & I would mask it. The idea is to make the domaining public (not the general public) aware of the incident.

Maybe I missed it, but what was the BIN & what was the domain name?

imo

On the Rick Schwartz thread next door, Rick pubicly asks people to post their names they are willing to sell now for $2500.
Guy pubicly posts his, Rick pubicly buys it, owner privately tries to back out. I see no problem with Rick pubicly letting us know that owner didn't honor the deal.

But here its a whole different situation, and its private. We don't know the domain or what it's worth, OP could just move on.

And although you might bother seller's reputation, it won't help with people trusting you either because your standings grounds are not as serious as they could be..

 

[BRANDERX]

But here its a whole different situation, and its private. We don't know the domain or what it's worth, OP could just move on.

Then no need for such a thread.

imo

 

[MasterOfMyDomains]

To the seller who should be reading this

Many people try and be honest in this business. If you cant do your job and price your products accordingly then its your loss.
Name and shame. People need to be held accountable for their actions
Most like the thrill of the kill, but honesty trumps. Dont dicker and do the deal

 

[roblasch]

Some people need a nudge to do the right thing sometimes.

 

[TauseefKhan]

This scenario is common in domain investing. A deal is not done unless and until the domain or the cash comes in or goes out successfully.