Has ANYONE been successful selling via Afternic/Buydomains recently?

[JuniperPark]

I'm considering throwing in the towel with them after many years, and just saw another post where another domainer is removing their domains from Afternic as well.

I did reasonably well selling through them for years, then sales there plummeted last year, and are even worse this year.

About the time of the plummet they got a new 'sales manager', who at first ignored my emails asking why sales through his site were down 80% while sales through other outlets was UP, then responded that it was because my pricing is 10% more on his site -- which is because they charge 10% more commission, and THAT has not changed in many years so cannot be the cause of the sales plummet. Now he is ignoring all emails.

I did a lot of unpaid testing and consulting on their buggy platform, just hate to see it all be a waste...

 

[A D]

I have sold in the past but nothing in the last 6-8 months.

-=DCG=-

 

[Gerry]

Just had my very first sale ever, mid x,xxx - the odd part is its as if someone had just discovered them and me. Offers coming in daily, notices to set prices, and negotiating.

I will say that I was not too impressed with BuyDomains delay in releasing funds. Seems they don't work weekends like Sedo.

 

[JuniperPark]

Just had my very first sale ever, mid x,xxx - the odd part is its as if someone had just discovered them and me. Offers coming in daily, notices to set prices, and negotiating.

I will say that I was not too impressed with BuyDomains delay in releasing funds. Seems they don't work weekends like Sedo.

One of the many problems I have had with them is that they require that their staff set up a new eNom account when a sale is made, except that it's NOT one of their escrow steps. This means their staff often "forgets" about escrow transactions.

Example of a typical domain sale at Afternic/Buydomains:
TUESDAY: I sell a fixed price domain.
WEDNESDAY: (all quiet)
THURSDAY: I send message to escrow - "Hello -- we have an escrow transaction here... please tell me where to push the domain!"
FRIDAY: (all quiet) (also, no payment!!)
SATURDAY: (all quiet)
SUNDAY: (all quiet)
MONDAY: (all quiet)
TUESDAY: I send 2nd message to escrow - "HELLO HELLO??? IS ANYONE AT WORK AT ALL???"
WEDNESDAY: Message back from escrow to push domain, followed by confirmation
THURSDAY: (all quiet)
FRIDAY: (notice of payment)
SATURDAY: (all quiet)
SUNDAY: (all quiet)
MONDAY: payment visible in my account

So, typically you're looking at 2 weeks between closing an easy fixed-price sale and payment. More often than not they miss their own Friday "pay day" because nobody in their escrow dept does their job for days at a time.

 

[Gerry]

I had no knowledge of the eNom issues (whom I hate).

My only other experience with Afternic was an auction years ago that was never paid for.

However, you are spot on with the (all quiet) comments.

 

[doc24]

Havent had any sales on Afternic ... Horrible responses
Sedo had to refund my money on a domain I just purchased 2 weeks ago at the great domains auction
They want their money immediatly and then when I wanted the codes to transfer...I never got them after 2 weeks
So refund the money and they tried to throw a bunch of legal stuff at me..Come on Sedo Wake Up
Not every sale is in the several thousands

 

[BostonDomainer]

I have sold a decent number in the past at Afternic. But it was through the expanded promotion option- with it's high commission (but worth it depending on sales range imo). There after much action has dropped. I think I have gotten only 2 sales so far this year but it was pretty fast and smooth.

 

[domaingeneration]

Overall I'd say major marketplaces have increased commissions without increasing performance ...

With so many domains in their listings, don't expect too much. Even a 'successful' negotiation
by a rep (when an offer arrived at Afternic) ended up with the buyer not paying/not responding
to them. Happened recently.

Best to sell your domains actively yourself, save on escrow fees and complete sales efficiently.

Alexander
Domain Educator
http://www.RapidInvesting.com - special at fixed price

 

[JuniperPark]

I was just about to update this -- just had 3 good sales this month with them already, and all processes in a timely manner. They seem to have improved!!

 

[domaingeneration]

Glad to hear that, congratulations.

If you domains are parked with SmartName, you'd get 5% cash back.

If you're able to find buyers yourself, don't forget to use
ShowcaseManager.com to save big!

Alexander
Domain Educator
Free Webinar: "How to Make Money with Other People's YouTube Videos"
http://www.tojv.com/cmf10472yt