Something New at TDNAM Expired Domains Auctions?

[markfromslo]

I'm looking at the TDNAM.com Expired Domain Auctions, as I usually do every morning, and I'm starting to see something new. There are "Expired Domains" with minimum bids over $10. Never seen this before.

As an example (if it's still up when you look at it) is CheapTicketFinder.com (https://www.tdnam.com/trpItemListing.aspx?miid=1039431&). Bidding starts at $70.

Can anyone explain this to me?

Hmmm....I think I've discovered something about all this. TDNAM.com has started somethign called "High Traffic" names. I clicked on this and it produced a list of domain names that are expiring domains, yet have minimum bids higher than $10. Some are in the thousands of dollars.

So, I looked at the FAQ's to try and figure out what is going on. Here's what I found:

Q) Why are the minimum bids higher for High Traffic names?


Our analysis on the traffic patterns of these domains suggest that the pay per click revenue potential is high. We've adjusted the minimum bid upward to reflect a percentage of the revenue potential.

Q) Why do the High Traffic minimum bids vary?

The minimum bid amount is based on the traffic patterns we expect over the next 12 months. Regardless of the minimum bid amount, we feel the pay per click potential per year exceeds the minimum bid.

Q) Can you provide specific traffic information?

No. Our analysis is based on actual traffic today and expected traffic in the future. Our analysis model predicts future traffic based on many factors. Even though we are confident with our analysis, we understand traffic and click-through rates can vary.

So, what I'm gathering from all this is that Godaddy (TDNAM) got greedy and decided that some names are worth more money than $10 and they want to make sure they pocket it. The days of getting great names for $10 are over.

What's really interesting is that they are deciding which are "high traffic" names not by historical traffic reports, but by their expectation based upon the name. In other words, based upon what they think the name is worth.

Now, I don't think they are doing a very good job at valuing them. here are the names over $300 this morning:

footloocker.com - $2,010
vietlovefinder.com - $1,490
club-jovencitas.info - $1,400
windturbine-analysis.com - $1,230
ultrabbw.info - $1,100
allahpundit.com - $1,100
womens-healthcard.com - $980
freecreditreport-credithelp.com - $850
pntmmediakit.com - $800
tiewroblok.com - $580
inforsist.net - $560
lovemariah.com - $540
abbu-didou.info - $530
naruto-fr.net - $520
emrnetwork.com - $510
algarverestaurantes.com - $490
asiancrack.net - $470
rockypointrentalinfo.com - $430
nightdreamslingerie.net - $410
candine.info - $380
real-estate-classifieds.us - $370
trannytrouble.info - $370
civilwaroxon.org - $360
buysoccerjerseys.com - $320

 

[markfromslo]

I did reseaarch on this and have just published an article on the subkect in my blog:

GoDaddy’s TDNAM Expired Name Auction Changes

It seems that many Expired Domains at TDNAM have just gotten way more expensive!

 

[daze]

i've noticed this too, and i do agree that it is a pretty crappy "update" to their system. thankfully, it is usually the really awful names that are auto-priced into the $XXX range, though i've seen a few decent ones for $20-40 starting (which isn't unreasonable, though $10 would be nicer).

 

[wildbest]

If a domain has a minimum price of $10, most likely it is backordered through GoDaddy or some of the WWD reseller stores.

 

[-db-]

If a domain has a minimum price of $10, most likely it is backordered through GoDaddy or some of the WWD reseller stores.

I'm not sure what you mean by that. Can you elaborate?

BTW, the only way a backorder will win an expired domain is if nobody bids on it at TDNAM, because TDNAM users/bidders have top priority. Very few good names (expired, with $10 min bid) slip thru the system without a single bid.

 

[markfromslo]

If a domain has a minimum price of $10, most likely it is backordered through GoDaddy or some of the WWD reseller stores.

No, that's not right. Most all expired names are a $10 min bid; before the pricing change, ALL were $10 min bid. No way every one of these tens of thousands of names each day are also backordered.

 

[Malaysia]

hmm interesting...............

 

[JMJ]

Just another reason why ICANN needs a stiff kick in the a$$.. They may actually have data but are probably wording it that way for legal purposes. If you think Godaddy is a money monger wait until Verisign gets control of the drops.

 

[floatingworld]

I had to laugh when I saw abbu-didou.info - $530
shurely shome mishtake here?
...or not...looks like an attempt to auto-value names is going to get verrry silly...!

 

[Sam]

Cls! Here We Come!

 

[mole]

abbu-didou.info - $530

:gn: