Tom,
Would it make more sense for Sedo's customer service to answer to and to respond to emails in a timely manner rather than post our complaints on a public forum?
Two weeks ago I emailed Sedo regarding one of my domain names. Traffic and PPC and CTR suddenly stopped. When I checked the domain name everything appeared fine on the landing page.
Yet not a single link worked. I immediately notified Sedo to please fix this problem.
I have yet to receive a response from anyone at Sedo. For four days, this domain name did nothing. And it was my historically second highest paying and my number one traffic domain that I have had at Sedo for more than 2 years.
It will do no good to post this name here or PM you the domain name so you can look into it as it has been taken off Sedo and moved somewhere else.
The reality to all of this is it is a shame to have to air concerns on a public forum rather than a firm like Sedo do what it should be doing to begin with...basic customer service.
If Sedo needs more customer service personnel, there is a solution to that also.
I have had countless domain names sold or go to auction on Sedo this year. 80% of them have gone unpaid. Now, I am just one domain holder. If I don't get paid then Sedo does not get their cut. It's that simple.
It is also that simple on how to fix this issue. Have a real buyer certification process. Since the beginning of Sedo's Auction service, I have been complaining about this entire farce of a buyer certification. If I am but one domainer who has sold $20,000.00 unpaid for and there are an additional 100 like me, that is $200,000.00 on lost commission.
I would suspect the reality is that figure goes well into the millions. So how is it Sedo can continue to write off such a loss? Sedo on paper may be profitable. But the reality is it can be more profitable.
That is what does not make sense to me. Why settle for a substandard and out of date system or modality that is of no benefit to Sedo or to it's customers. And when I mean customers, I am talking about the domain holders, sellers, and those parking. Does Sedo make a penny off a buyer? No.
I mean, what does this Sedo policy really say?
In the continued effort to maintain a successful and secure marketplace, we ask that all buyers certify their accounts before making an offer. This improved protection benefits all members of the Sedo marketplace and shortens the transaction process.
Please note: Sedoâs Buyer Certification program does not guarantee that a buyer will perform their obligations when agreeing to purchase a domain name.
There is no guarantee in anything. But to have a system where no system is in place to prevent fraud of bogus bidding is absurd. A verified credit card on file would go a long way to alert many bogus bidders to stay away. For the truly verified bidders, they will have an option in the end to pay for the domain, but in the mean time something (like say 10%) of the auction's or sale's final price is being billed to this card. That amount will be returned or credit to the buyers should they choose an alternative payment. But failure to complete the sale will result in the forfeiture of the 10% deposit.
But for me, I would really rather have the money for the sale, would be glad to give the commission, and continue on with business as usual.
Why is that such a difficult concept to grasp in this or any other business?
, I guess I hold out for some illusion that one day SEDO will change.
