Domainers are best known for flooding expired domain name auction services like SnapNames.com, Pool.com, NameJet.com and GoDaddy Auctions because they often hold the "chance" at getting a good domain at a fair price.

I have often heard many people and even some sites claim sites like the above mentioned as "Wholesale Markets". I do agree they could be considered wholesale markets but most of the time, prices paid would not be what I consider "wholesale".

Keep in mind that domain names are one of a kind and you do not need to belong to a club or association to bid at any of the above markets either. This also means that end users bid at those auction services.

Today Arbel Arif posted a comment about a domain name that I reported sold and he said he wished he knew about the domain name before it sold, as he would of been interested in the domain.

I think Arbel’s comment brings up an interesting topic and also points out a pretty interesting point.

Consider this. A domain investor purchases a domain name at an expired auction. We all know that many times people get caught up in the bidding frenzy and may overpay for the domain. A couple years pass and the buyer comes to notice… shit, I overpaid on this domain X so if I want to sell it, I am going to have to sell at a loss of X.

Since many domain investors list domain names for sale like I do at Sedo.com and Afternic.com, this is also the likely place that I would make my price adjustment and have the domain listed for sale.

How often do you search domain names at Afternic? Sedo? or using Whois compared to expired domain name list?

I think many domainers get so caught up in the "expired" and "partner expired" domain name lists, they often skip over domains they could purchase on sites like Afternic and Sedo or directly using whois that might even be better domains then the ones in the expired auction for around the same price the auction ends for.

It is clear Arbel did not see the domain (BoxingBlog.com) listed on Afternic.com or he would of likely placed an offer.

The one downside to Afternic and Sedo are Prices… Well, a lot of domains are listed with prices and you can search BY price. I myself have all my domains listed with a minimum offer and Buy It Now price. You can search by category as well. It should be pretty easy to figure out for those that do have their domains priced, if it can be in your price range.

Price or no price… why not submit an offer! You never know what will happen.

The next time you are considering filling up SnapNames or NameJets pockets and get caught in a bidding frenzy, do a search for the keyword(s) of the like domain at Afternic and or Sedo and see what is available for sale. Use the whois database as well. You may just be surprised what you have been missing and is available for sale in the aftermarket already.

5 Responses to Do Not Only Shop Domains At Drop Services


  1. Leonard Britt
    Oct 06, 2009

    While a relatively newcomer, you should include BIDO in the list. My primary intent at BIDO is to sell domains but I saw a sports-related domain I liked there, and won for well under $100.


  2. Arbel
    Oct 06, 2009

    Interesting Point, My friend…

    Thank you for the link.


  3. has2hands
    Oct 06, 2009

    You ever try and buy a name listed at sedo or other houses from a fellow domainer? I have had initial offers from $1million to $25,000; I think that was the lowest. Other times, the name someone wanted to sell me for $20 and I declined due to quality, it is now listed for $21,000!

    Their eyes get way to big immediately and all they/you/me see are dollars. That name you were going to drop or forgot about ….well, now it is worth $500,000.

    It is a little assembly line..buy, park, list, wait, drop.

    I buy a lot and don’t mind paying fair prices, but most times, almost all times, it is a useless effort.

    Now, you are right, it is another venue to get name(s)you like and want…I am just giving another view.

    Sorry Jamie, just adding to conversation.


  4. Jamie Zoch
    Oct 06, 2009

    @has2hands
    You bring up very valid points and I agree it does happen. Now does it happen every time, not likely. I think I list the vast majority of my domains at fair prices on Afternic for an example. NameMedia owned domains are not always extremely crazy listed.


  5. Available Domain Names
    Oct 07, 2009

    I agree with you Jamie and will follow your advise.

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