NameJet.com, the domain auction platform, recently implemented a change to how they display backorder information for dropping domains; i.e. domains in “pending delete” status.
Since late-April NameJet is no longer displaying backorder or bid information for domains with less than 3 backorders on pending delete domains.
This might make it more difficult for customers to find domains that already have some interest and value, but it will prevent people from leveraging the research efforts of domain investors and could also result in lower auction prices.
However, it could help improve NameJet’s success in the drop by limiting the focus on these domains by other auction platforms.
Obviously as people see backorders on pending delete domains on namejet.com they will backorder them on the other drop catcher platforms as well, basically using Namejet’s information to create competition for Namejet.com on the drop.
Jonathan Tenenbaum, the General Manager of NameJet told thedomains.com
“We instituted this change to benefit our customers. While displaying the backorder information provides some insight into which domains have traction and this leads to more backorders on those names, it also frustrates customers who spend a good amount of time finding hidden gems in the drop. This also allows other aftermarket platforms to target these same domains. So we wanted to try to better safeguard our customers’ efforts in order to provide them with better results and an overall better experience. So far we have been happy with the impact and we will continue to evaluate and adjust things as needed.”
I this suggested change to Namejet.com executives a few years ago.
Personally it was very frustrating for me to spend hours going through drop lists only to see those domain names that only I had backordered appear on what was the top 50 backorder list mailed every day out to Namejet.com customers or easily searchable on namejet.com system.
I personally stopped backordering many dropping domains on Namejet for that reason.
This means a few things.
The list we all are used to getting of pending delete domains is now only going contain domain names that have 3 or more backorders
While the old list was the 50 top pending delete domains, the vast majority of the list was domains that had one and two backorders.
The new list that we have been receiving in the last couple of weeks does not have a set number of domains.
The pending delete list will be as long or short as it needs to be based the number of on pending delete domains which have 3 or more backorders and will go out during the pending delete cycle so you may see the same domain name on multiple days lists.
NameJet is betting on is that customers will backorder more dropping domains not fearing that if they find a gem no one else finds that other customers won’t use their hard work to jump on board.
This change does NOT apply to pre-release domain names, which are domains dropping directly from registrars that drop their domains directly to Namejet.com like NetworkSolutions.com, Register.com, Enom.com and Name.com, nor does it apply to privately owned domains that are put up for sale by their owners on Namejet.com.
Anthony says
A couple of years ago I picked up an exact match country .com, travel destination no less, in Spanish from NameJet as the only bidder. I was in the UK so I had to set my alarm and Sniper that bad boy.
I wondered why people would bid in advance on a name if no one has placed a bid but I am guessing quite a few of the 1 bid names are people who placed that bid a year ago, or whatever it was renewed for.
This system is much better and credit to NameJet because, although Michael says it could lead to more sales, I think the people who it appears are not doing any research, and just bidding on nigh on everything with a bid, drive revenue a lot.
John says
Well, I’ve got one really nice one now from the days of the original $39 single SnapBack orders. Sure miss those days when you didn’t have to be nearly as concerned about insider fraud or visible bids blowing the whistle.
DonnyM says
Yeah, about time this was done. Maybe others will follow. GD needs to remove estimated traffic per month on domains it is hurting new domainers that think they are getting type in traffic. If you can’t figure out if a domain name is getting type in traffic then you should not be buying the name.
Snap and nameJ also need to remove who the alias names are when they auctions go to bidding. It’s costing the well known alias bidders more IMO.
Domain Shame says
If domaining is a real business then there should be transparency I think Flippa and go daddy are actually going to be moving to a bidder id system. and at the end of the day as far as what name Jets doing if it’s anywhere decent drop catch is kicking their ass on most names.
Daniel Pfanzagl says
I can only congratulate Namejet for implementing this long necessary step as i have also been fed up lately about having to fight over domains which originally i had only backordered until the last day, just to find myself in an auction later on with several other bidders..
Alan Dodd says
Wow better late than never…great news.
Logan says
Given the rationale, why not just stop showing the number of bidders on any and all domain names? What does it gain us true researchers and hunters?
Jill says
Exactly. This is not transparency but its their system. We dont have to play there if we dont want to.
todd says
You don’t think Namejet employees analyze every name that goes through their system? They know what names need bids and what names don’t. Namejet will not lose money just to be nice guys. Good names are going to get bids by outsiders or insiders and foolish to think otherwise.
Omar Negron says
I think this is a good move by Namejet.
Sometimes if I am in a rush, yes I do look at what other people backordered whether it is a pr release, pending delete etc. But most of the time I put in long arduous hours into scanning lists and it’s not a good feeling when someone else could just piggy back off the work you may have put in.
Thanks for the article.
-Omar