Sedo.com - Official Thread

[Sedo]

Hi All! :hi:

By request, we've decided to start a thread dedicated to Sedo. We're looking for invaluable insight into what domainers want and need out of our parking program (and marketplace, of course).

Questions, comments, suggestions, tips are welcome! We're hoping this will be a great discussion about what works at Sedo and what might not (please be constructive and respectful to others in your feedback) so that everyone involved can benefit and learn from it.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas! Happy Holidays!

Always,
Keith
(on behalf of Sedo)

 

[dotnom]

regarding the "meet the seller" section - privacy breach of sedo

Country of origin: x
Value added Tax (VAT) Status: for EU
Sedo community member since: x
Seller activity indexBETA)

Tell me which features do you find worth reading as a buyer

1. Country of origin : (Privacy Breach) I don’t remember to allow sedo displaying my country in a public profile

2. VAT : The same apply for VAT for any person related with EU

3. Ok this shows if this member is old or not. Old members can cheat , new members can cheat too. Not too clever addon but doesn’t hurt

4. BETA or not why I have to care if the buyer/seller had any activity the last 6 months

IMO Sedo violated their privacy policy without any warning or an option to apply or not at this modification and I’m willing to request an account cancellation

The last months the only good sedo provides me is simply a DNS. Even my simplest blog at blogger or wordpress makes $5 a day

 

[netmeg]

On the Offer page you may link to your own website.

-Stephanie

That's not what I meant. I want to link on my website to my offer page. This is not allowed? I'm supposed to just hope people stumble across any domains I have for sale?

 

[dotnom]

You can link from your website to the offer page
The only link is not allowed from your website is the parking page of the name

 

[netmeg]

That's what I thought, but #501 seems to offer a different opinion.

 

[BitcoinDK]

I think that I misread his original question. So, your response is only in regards to placing links in our "Sedo Description", right? If we were to advertise a name for sale somewhere else, for example here on Namepros, we would want to use a link to the listing, right?

No, as far as I know, that would not be allowed.

-Stephanie

Stephanie, I think his question is, is this allowed:

https://sedo.com/search/details.php4?domain=doors.ws&tracked=&partnerid=&language=us

And as far as I know, it is allowed

 

[uber]

1. Country of origin : (Privacy Breach) I don’t remember to allow sedo displaying my country in a public profile

I agree with this one ... is there a way to opt out of this?

 

[namenut]

Got a glitch ....

A name I recently added (8-14-08)
to SEDO showing the infamous:

We are currently verifying the following domains:
domainname.com

For about 2 weeks now. The whois has changed and reflects my info. The bid page has 6 views and 1 bid. WordTracker is over 1400 so I assuming there is some PPC income going ??? The page opens to a SEDO parked paged but it is not in my account yet. Could be a previous owner and I understand that. At what point do I get the credit for traffic rev (if any) and access to bid/bids durring this transition time (8-14-08)

My question is about the bid. Will I see that? Will it be forwarded to me?

namenut

Awesome response time to my email.
Problem fixed. I did not ge traffic or bid info but the name is in my account.

Thank You SEDO/Stephanie

 

[Sleepys]

I agree with this one ... is there a way to opt out of this?

I don't think that you can currently opt out of it. They do have the comment box. Everyone who doesn't like the new stuff should definately send their comments along and try to make them as constructive as possible (if there is anything that you like about it, point out what should stay, or if you think that they are fine if you can opt out of any particular part). I am sure that they will react if the get a majority of comments one way. Maybe some features will stay and some will go.

 

[thenext88]

This should not be a problem so long as the domain is not linked to a parked page. However, you may want to paste the domains you also have listed within our marketplace in your description. Our system to will automatically link your domains to their corresponding offer pages.

That's what I was initially going to do... but I don't want to update every single listing every time a domain is added or removed from my portfolio.

 

[Sedo]

No, as far as I know, that would not be allowed.

-Stephanie

I apologize, I misread this. I thought you were referring to linking *from* your Offer page to another website, and not from another website *to* your Offer page. You can certainly link to your Sedo Offer page listing from another website. However, it would not make sense to link from your Sedo Offer page to another website's listing.

Sorry about the confusion,
Stephanie

 

[netmeg]

Ok, good. Thanks; I was about to have a heart attack.

 

[Sleepys]

Sedo Domain Optimizing Error

I am writing here to report an error with the Sedo system. I was not sure what course of action to take here, but it could affect other people's earnings at Sedo and I have figured out a solution to the problem, so I felt the need to share here, in case any one else is having the same problem (you are possibly unaware of it if you are). Please, Carolyn and Stephanie, take this as an official bug report. I reported it once to my previous account manager, but he is no longer with Sedo and was unable to recreate the error at the time anyway. I am using Windows XP and Sedopro, so I would guess those systems are the most likely to be hit.

Here goes. When you add names on the Sedo system, occasionally it gives you a pre-determined suggestion for a proper category. Sometimes it gives no suggestions and leaves it Uncategorized. I always change them to whatever makes sense, if the system's choice is wrong or if it is uncategorized. I noticed a long time ago that almost every time my changes were not actually saving. It would just revert back to uncategorized or whatever was originally suggested. Normally this would only affect the sales part, but here is the problem. The picture correlates to your category. If the category goes to uncategorized, so does the picture. Now for the worst part. When I would change the picture, it would look like it was changed properly, but when I would click "save changes", it would revert back to what it was on before. I could not get a picture to save on most of them, on the "Domain Optimizer".

Here is the solution I discovered: Go to the "Domain Manager" instead of the "Domain Optimizer". On the top left of the page, you will notice a drop down menu that says "Please Choose:". Change it to "Category Selection". Now make sure that "Category One" has something in it, not uncategorized. You can choose extra categories in slots two and three, if you want, but I believe those only affect what categories people can find your name in when they search the Sedo "for sale" listing, and they will not have an affect on your ads (corect me if I am wrong here). You should be able to save your categories on this page. Once you have a category for everything, you should notice that your pictures now correspond to your category :kickass: . I have noticed an increase in CTR/RPM since I changed the categories and was thus able to change the pictures. This will only help those who cannot change their pictures in the optimizer, like me.

Yes it is annoying having to do the extra step. Hopefully Sedo figures it out. Then again, I have a sinking feeling that it does not affect many people other than me To check if you have the same problem. Just go to the domain optimizer, make sure you do not have a bunch of uncategorized's, and if you do, try to change them and hit "save changes". If the changes don't save, follow the step above for a quick improvement in your parking performance.

 

[DnPresident]

Yes it is annoying having to do the extra step. .

Cool, I haven't tried it yet but thanks and rep given.

For me SedoPro, works out good for some of the most unusual categories/domains.

Oh well I gues I should keep this to myself......After all , Parking is a SECRET :tri:

 

[Sleepys]

Thanks for the +Rep. Hopefully this does help some of you. :tu:

 

[dotnom]

Stephanie i don't see any comment about the privacy post i mentioned above
What is the functionality of these options and also please share with me the spot where we agreed as sellers to display this information (that were taken from our account profile) in public

With this action :
1. you decrease the sales rate (honestly tell me if a buyer sees a seller from Malaysia [for example] has the same interest for similar names from someone from US, UK, Europe)

2. You share without any warning, personal data in public without any option to opt-out

3. You try to create a totally irrelevant status by defining what happened to this seller/buyer the last 6 months. You are not twitter to track the action of your members and display them in public. However this option is not rare but alone is totally worthless

4. You expose financial details which is also privacy breach regarding VAT for European citizens

I'm really concerned not only from the arbitrary ruling but also from way you enforce them and as you saw from just one post i'm not the only one

 

[Sedo]

Stephanie i don't see any comment about the privacy post i mentioned above
What is the functionality of these options and also please share with me the spot where we agreed as sellers to display this information (that were taken from our account profile) in public

With this action :
1. you decrease the sales rate (honestly tell me if a buyer sees a seller from Malaysia [for example] has the same interest for similar names from someone from US, UK, Europe)

2. You share without any warning, personal data in public without any option to opt-out

3. You try to create a totally irrelevant status by defining what happened to this seller/buyer the last 6 months. You are not twitter to track the action of your members and display them in public. However this option is not rare but alone is totally worthless

4. You expose financial details which is also privacy breach regarding VAT for European citizens

I'm really concerned not only from the arbitrary ruling but also from way you enforce them and as you saw from just one post i'm not the only one

Including the country of origin on the offer page not only adds more transparency in the marketplace but allows for more frequent and successful sales, as now buyers and sellers can negotiate fair sales with the tax in mind.

Viewing the seller’s country of origin is important in determining if a VAT tax is included, influencing the final sales price of the domain. The VAT status of a member indicates if the member is trading as a VAT-liable company. When the VAT Status shows as “Applicable” the member has specified within their Sedo account that they are trading as a VAT-liable company. All offer/counter-offer prices and auction prices are inclusive of VAT (if applicable). No additional taxes and/or VAT will be added to the final price on completion of negotiation.

Our international platform enables buyers and sellers to connect wherever they may be located. When sending your offer and comment remember that negotiation strategies vary by culture. A member’s listed country of origin should not be looked at as a reliability indicator, but may be helpful in setting a fair price (by knowing if the sale is tax is applicable) and knowing in what language to submit comments.

Please note that country of origin is only visible when a user is logged into their Sedo account.

-Stephanie

 

[uber]

Including the country of origin on the offer page not only adds more transparency in the marketplace but allows for more frequent and successful sales, as now buyers and sellers can negotiate fair sales with the tax in mind.

Viewing the seller’s country of origin is important in determining if a VAT tax is included, influencing the final sales price of the domain. The VAT status of a member indicates if the member is trading as a VAT-liable company. When the VAT Status shows as “Applicable” the member has specified within their Sedo account that they are trading as a VAT-liable company. All offer/counter-offer prices and auction prices are inclusive of VAT (if applicable). No additional taxes and/or VAT will be added to the final price on completion of negotiation.

Our international platform enables buyers and sellers to connect wherever they may be located. When sending your offer and comment remember that negotiation strategies vary by culture. A member’s listed country of origin should not be looked at as a reliability indicator, but may be helpful in setting a fair price (by knowing if the sale is tax is applicable) and knowing in what language to submit comments.

Please note that country of origin is only visible when a user is logged into their Sedo account.

-Stephanie

That is all well and good but:

A)The question of whether is it legal or a privacy breach in several juristictions is not addressed.
B)Why would a simple "vat included" flag not suffice for the purpose you describe? To be honest, as a buyer, I have no interest in whether the seller has to pay VAT or not. As a seller I will factor it into my selling price.

 

[Corey]

I have received an email about a credit note for parking.

When does this go into my paypal account?

Cheers
Corey

 

[dotnom]

Stephanie excuse me to say that i totally disagree with the concept of all these you mentioned above :

1. You don't have the permission from the seller to display anything from his account data to "help him" look more transparent even if these data are visible from sedo's members and not random visitors and more important you DON'T have an opt-out option for all these

2. For your comment "All offer/counter-offer prices and auction prices are inclusive of VAT (if applicable). No additional taxes and/or VAT will be added to the final price on completion of negotiation"

In few words the price the buyer sees is the final price that will pay, the reference of the VAT (if applicable) where will be more beneficial for the buyer ?
The buyer pays the VAT upfront to you, which one will issue the invoice and include his tax ?
In which name the invoice will be issued and how it will be send since you mask and protect the data of buyer/seller
If Sedo issue the invoice you know the data of both seller and buyer so what's the point of this reference ?
If you want the buyer to see if he can get a VAT tax reduction then offer the seller an option to mention it (if applicable)

3. For your comment "A member’s listed country of origin should not be looked at as a reliability indicator, but may be helpful in setting a fair price (by knowing if the sale is tax is applicable) and knowing in what language to submit comments."

So this is MAYBE helpful as you said only for the tax of EU ?
Also which language i can write if i see someone from Canada (French or English) or someone from India (that i don't know Indian). Offer them a language field to write which language are comfortable to communicate and don't judge them from the flag.

Also tell me/or the readers honestly if you see a SIMILAR NAME one from USA,UK,Europe and another one from a Malaysia,India,China (not implying anything, the country reference is just a sample) or any other country not included at the "civilized" set i mentioned above do you have the same will to buy from them or you go straight to the ones you are more familiar with, your neighbor territory for example

In any case i don't like to enforce me something when there is no logical advantage to this and i underline this point that this is not a optional or required selectable field but a public export of the account's data

Let your supervisors discuss this issue because i'm sure that when people notice it will not just skip the whole issue

At least i'm willing to cancel the sedo membership, withdraw all my domains and make this public not because i think i will go from 100% to 0% sales rate but as i said before i don't like to enforce me things i'm 100% against

 

[Sleepys]

That is all well and good but:

A)The question of whether is it legal or a privacy breach in several juristictions is not addressed.

I am not sure why this would be illegal. I am being serious here and not condescending. I always thought that Sedo was a little too secretive with the buyer and seller before. I see people on here mentioning a breach of contract that Sedo is performing by adding this information. I have not seen anyone post the line or lines from the Sedo User Agreement that this is supposed to be infringing on. I cannot make an informed decision without seeing what they are supposedly breaking. Also, almost every agreement I read online, includes a provision that says that the agreement can be subject to change without prior notice.

The way I see it. They are trying some new things here. They have left a "comments" section to gauge the users' response (seems negative). They notified us as soon as the changes were made, and if we are that upset about the changes, then we can simply stop using the Sedo program, as dotnom suggested. It seems to me that if Sedo had always been this way, it would not be a problem. Ebay makes people say where they are from, maybe Sedo thought it would be a good idea. I will say that as a seller, it does affect my bargaining, if I know that the buyer has purchased a lot over the past 6 months vs buying nothing. I assume that an enduser bidder might not buy much, while a domainer would be more active on Sedo.

Anyway, this is just my opinion on the matter, and not Sedo's.