Sedo becomes an ICANN accredited registrar

[Sameh]

From DomainNameNews.com

We noticed that during a recently updated list, Sedo is now amongst the ICANN accredited registrars. We contacted Mark Klein, Director of Business Development for some more information.

“We are very excited about being ICANN accredited. Our goal is to support and represent our partners more effectively.” Mark Klein further stated that Sedo has no intention to compete with it’s registrar and reseller partners, but rather is planning to use the accreditation in order to actively participate in the political process to further the industry’s goals. “In addition the services that we will gain access to will enable us to enhance our existing services, such as the transfer/escrow service”.

Article Link

 

[Broker]

Thats actually laughable as they cant even provide customer support for domain auctions. I wouldnt buy squat off them. Just a glorified 1and1 with similar horrible customer service probably.

 

[labrocca]

Doubtful they will sell domains to anyone but themselves.

 

[Ronald Regging]

It is laughable. I can't see how having their own registrar would aid in the transfer/escrow process at all. Most people will have their domains registered elsewhere... Sedo already has accounts setup at all major registrars in order for domain sellers to push the domain to them, though I've rarely seen them actually process a sale in this manner. Usually they just request the AUTH code and make the buyer initiate a transfer. So it almost sounds like they may plan to force the buyer to transfer the domain to their registrar to ensure a "safe and secure exchange."

Financially speaking, it may net them some extra income, but I imagine if this is the route they are pursuing, there will be enormous backlash.

I imagine if they were planning to start a drop auction service, they would have bought an already established registrar or 10.

I think the fact that they seem to be doing this quietly is rather ominous, though I personally could live without Sedo to be honest.

 

[.jd.]

Did anybody think, maybe this will elimanate fake sales? Being able to transfer the domain or them forcing it.. That could prevent fake sales, of domains.. Not sure of non paying bidders though.

 

[SharonTucci]

For those of you that might not be aware of this, Moniker's infamous auctions require transfer of domains to them as part of the escrow/transfer process. I'm not sure how this would differ.

You know, I used to knock Sedo before.... almost every transaction I had with them in 2005 and 2006 went poorly. Even a case of double billing that took a few months to resolve. But this year, especially the past couple of months, all of my dealings have been quite smooth on their side. The only exception was where I questioned why I had to pay an extra 3% to pay mass pay Paypal for a transaction when *they* incur no extra costs. It took several days to get an answer on that which delayed closing the transaction. I'd like to think they are getting their act together.

 

[mwzd]

I can't see them adding any value to their users by this,

When they can't even verify your ownership of domains you list with them for sale,
I shudder to think if the domain was registered with them what would happen.
And their customer service is already legendary...

Seems to be another money making scheme and that's why it's been done on the qt.

 

[DylanButler]

This would be the first step towards any type of improvement or modifications to their business. Personally I am happy for Sedo as this is a form of security or stability in their model. It can only go up from here, especially in terms of value for the [Sedo] owners.

 

[malibumobile]

I think this is part of Fabulous' DDN project.

 

[labrocca]

For those of you that might not be aware of this, Moniker's infamous auctions require transfer of domains to them as part of the escrow/transfer process. I'm not sure how this would differ.

You know, I used to knock Sedo before.... almost every transaction I had with them in 2005 and 2006 went poorly. Even a case of double billing that took a few months to resolve. But this year, especially the past couple of months, all of my dealings have been quite smooth on their side. The only exception was where I questioned why I had to pay an extra 3% to pay mass pay Paypal for a transaction when *they* incur no extra costs. It took several days to get an answer on that which delayed closing the transaction. I'd like to think they are getting their act together.

I believe the pressure from Moniker and even Afternic is forcing them to really evaluate their busines model. Competition in the industry is always good for consumers.

 

[Charley]

Thats actually laughable as they cant even provide customer support for domain auctions. I wouldnt buy squat off them. Just a glorified 1and1 with similar horrible customer service probably.

Not only customer support. Also include parked earnings delay, sold names transfer delay. Overall I dont see this thing going to be of any success.

 

[champ_rock]

i think it is a strategy to register high traffic domains. being in a parking business they already know which domains recieve how much traffic and other details

therefore, if they are a registrar then they will simply register the profitable domains for themselves through an automated process

 

[kemjika11]

It doesn't hurt to be a domain registrar. Google recently became one, and i don't see it having many negative implications. It can only expand sedo's horizon.