I ran by a pretty nice 3 letter domain name today while browsing some domains at auction. IPS.com (ips.com) You can view the IPS.com auction here.
The domain name is not expired but on auction by a seller. There was a reserve price set for the domain.. $5K and it has been met with the current bid currently at posting of $7,505 with 6 days remaining in auction.
I would be lying if I didn’t feel a little fishy about this auction but somethings do line up that it is a legit auction.
Red Flags:
- Domain was transferred from Network Solutions June 1, 2009 and went to Privacy Protected
- The DNS never changed during privacy and stayed the same until 5/7/2010, the same day the first bid took place
- If auctioning the domain, why not forward traffic to the auction page instead of a standard Godaddy parking page
- $5K reserve would be considered low for this domain by most
- DNS changed the day the auction started
- ISPCO.com not listed
What makes it line up that the auction is legit?
$5K reserve is more than most thefts would ask for a starting price. They would likely use a $5K buy it now.
IPSCO Inc the owner before the privacy, was purchased by Evraz Group S.A. (“Evraz”) and OAO TMK (“TMK”), although that took place in June 2008. They could simply be auctioning off the domain if they fell they do not need it.
IPSCO.com is still live and provided some information about the IPSCO sale if that may further help you in deciding if the auction is legit or not.
Based on cache results on Google, IPS.com redirect to IPSCO.com .
Please be sure to use caution if you are bidding to win! Contacting the Evraz Group would be the safest to find out if they are selling the domain but since I am not bidding 
It isn’t worth my time in trying to contact them. 
Here is a contact link for the Evraz company.
UPDATE: Bidding ended at $37,505 on 119 bids! The bidding page on GoDaddy received 2,090 hits (views). The domain is privacy protected but currently doesn’t appear the domain is "sold" yet. In order to be a sale, the domain must be paid for and change ownership. (in my book)
sin
I love this blog, thanks again!!!!!! for this very researched throughly post.!
Attila
wow, its already at $15k.
Ms Domainer
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I agree that it pays to be cautious in such auctions.
Highly desirable domain.
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domains for sale
yes, best to be cautious
i actually think the domain went very cheap. its a premium domain for sure