Is Go Daddy Bidding Against Your Backorders?

[gopher2]

Going forward, customers who have placed a backorder on the same name will have the opportunity to bid on the name at a private auction (only for backorder holders). As always, the backorders can be re-assigned if you did not successfully win the auction or capture the backordered name.

first of all: if you go to the backordering page, click the 'Domain Alert Pro Investor's Edge' tab in the info box, click the 'How does this work?' link, there's a popup with an explanation of 'How does this work?', which still states: 'Select the names you want to capture directly from the list, and once you’ve selected that name, no one else may do so. '... you may want to change that.

Secondly, what really bothers me is the policy of the fee being non-refundable. For people who do not backorder often and in large quantities, this is not a big issue.
But for those who do backorder in large quantities, even with a discount on backordering, available to those with an Investor's Edge subscription, with the new policy, the no-refund is even more of an issue.

In the past if I had backordered a domain, I did so secure with the knowledge that if Goddady did secure the dropping domain, I would be the new registrant.

Now, if I backorder, and there are competing backorders for the same domain, I have several options.
a) Bid to win, and pay more for the domain.

b) Not wanting to compete in auction, I just forget about it. With the name going into private auction I will end up paying more than I want to. So now I'm left with an extra credit that I would not have been stuck with under the old policy. In addition, my net success on catching domains will drop accordingly.

or..

c) I can backorder more domains. If in the past I set aside a budget for backordering 20 domains, with the goal to catch 2 or 3 domains, (assuming GoDaddy has a 10%-15% success rate, against other dropcatchers) now knowing I'm up against competition, I can backorder let's say 40 domains, forget about the 2 or 3 that go into auction, and win for myself 2 or 3 that have no competing backorders. Doing so, I now have twice as many non-refundable backorders.

This new policy will increase the number of backorders at Godaddy 2 - 3 fold, if not more. And being non-refundable, think about this cash windfall just sitting there gaining interest for Godaddy! Basically Godaddy has figured out a way to get a nice interest free loan, and make interest off of it. Nice.

And you thought the economy was bad.

I can understand Godaddy's new policy from a business point of view.
Why not expand their revenue streams when it can be done so easily, and is already being done so by other dropcatchers? However, the backorder fees just piling up in the Godaddy vaults, with no commitment to a refund, all the while gaining interest, seems overly greedy.

<- that's not me laughing, that's Godaddy, laughing at you, all the way to the bank...

[ksinclair]

Whats the point of paying GoDaddy $18 for the backorder, if you dont get the domain?

You just donated $18 so they can put it to an auction. Its bizarrely bad.

[Scorpiono]

Ouch, thanks for the heads up!

[fuelcells]

I had a PENDING DELETE name on backorder at Go Daddy this week that Go Daddy's 'Go Canada' Domains caught. Usually that would become yours automatically via Go Daddy's MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE backorder backorder system. When the auction was over I go a notice that the domain's status had changed and then got this:



After several support questions that got a variety of answers, I got this:



My backorder currently says 'Attempting Capture' and recommends that I leave the domain on backorder through 5/14. There is no way to bid on this name via the front page of TDNAM.COM (auctions.GoDaddy.COM) and there was never a way to request domain name that was in the PENDING DELETE stage there.

My guess is that Go Daddy is now catching domains for themselves (or for people inside Go Daddy) and is bidding against you for whatever they feel the domain is worth. Go Daddy has, to my knowledge made no announcement of a change in policy. You would think that people who spend five figures with you yearly would get a little respect no to mention that everyone else should too. It now seems to be 'buyer beware' at Go Daddy. If they catch a name that you ordered on at MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE basis and they think that it is a decent name, they will bid against you!

Way to go 'Daddy'! I guess that Bob Parsons is working hard everyday to build a better product. That is a paraphrased comment attributed to him in a continuing 'Great Domain Sayings' post here on DNF.

Anyone else have this happen? Any public comment from anyone at Go Daddy so we all know what's going on??!!

It's hard to get a straight answer from them. I've had numerous conflicting emails and phone conversations because the people that work there don't even know about their own policies.

[Onward]

First of all charging for a backorder (on a non-godaddy drop)...then on a non competitive name (meaning you were the only back order) putting that name up for auction? that is terrible - especially without telling anyone.

Of course we are not talking about GoDaddy drops...that is a different story....the godaddy drops automatically go to TDNAM....which is business asual - no issue there.

We are talking about drops from other registrars - ones that have already been through the drop process and not picked up on any onther venue in many cases (with that registrars drop partner). Godaddy's backorder service is the worst in the business...the only reason I would ever pay them that $18 - is for a name I did not want to spend $60 on for a backorder on Namejet - or one that I missed on name jet (that no one wanted and went through the real drop process) I would take the risk at $18 that godaddy could pick up a very much - non competitive drop. It actually worked for me quite a bit....meaning they earned their $18...I got the name at $18 instead of taking the risk and hand regging it when I was predicting it would actually drop.

Well godaddy has basically changed a prior useful service. too bad.

[Go Daddy]

First of all charging for a backorder (on a non-godaddy drop)...then on a non competitive name (meaning you were the only back order) putting that name up for auction? that is terrible - especially without telling anyone.

If there is only one back-order on a drop-caught name, there is no Auction. The backorder holder is awarded the name.

I know there is a lot of confusion out there about the backorder process that was changed in April 2009. If there are direct questions about the process and how it works, we'll do our best to explain. Please PM "Go Daddy" or call the Go Daddy Exec. Accounts team at 480 505-8885 and someone will answer all of your questions.

[Onward]

If there is only one back-order on a drop-caught name, there is no Auction. The backorder holder is awarded the name.

I see. That is a different story. Is there anyway to tell is there is anymore than 1 back order on a name? (I know you said to PM, but I'm sure more people have this question as well).

[fuelcells]

If there is only one back-order on a drop-caught name, there is no Auction. The backorder holder is awarded the name.

I know there is a lot of confusion out there about the backorder process that was changed in April 2009. If there are direct questions about the process and how it works, we'll do our best to explain. Please PM "Go Daddy" or call the Go Daddy Exec. Accounts team at 480 505-8885 and someone will answer all of your questions.

The people at your call center are kind of rude. I asked to speak to someone more experienced with backorders and they would not forward me. I had to waste my time explaining to them the whole process.. they still could not help and finally transferred me.
Then the previous call to GoDaddy, I called to reset my password and when he was through with helping me, he asked why I wanted to log into my account, I said i was going to purchase a domain.. then he asks if i use those domains for business or personal use... I asked why it was relevant and he said he was just curious. ????
they really need better training over there. a waste of time talking to people who don't know what's going on. at least brief them in on the new backorder system! they seem quite confused over there about that!

[Go Daddy]

Onward: There is no way to tell if more than one backorder exists for a name. When the changes were made, multiple backorders were not allowed for names that had a backorder placed on them prior to the change.

Fuelcells: I apologize for the experience you had with our Customer Support and I will pass along your feedback. Please note the phone number in the signature line below. That number is routed to a different group (Executive Accounts Team) at Go Daddy. This group has been trained and they are experienced in dealing with domain investing and monetization related topics.

Thanks for the questions and feedback

[Onward]

That makes sense. I use the back order service every once in a while...for a particular purpose...This new system may make it not useful for me...at least I know. Thanks for the response.

FuelCells: IMO customer service has never been a problem with GoDaddy...I have never had anyone act in a rude way...even when I was upset. I have few beefs with them...but when I do...it usually gets resolved by an account rep who knows their stuff.

[fuelcells]

Onward: There is no way to tell if more than one backorder exists for a name. When the changes were made, multiple backorders were not allowed for names that had a backorder placed on them prior to the change.

Fuelcells: I apologize for the experience you had with our Customer Support and I will pass along your feedback. Please note the phone number in the signature line below. That number is routed to a different group (Executive Accounts Team) at Go Daddy. This group has been trained and they are experienced in dealing with domain investing and monetization related topics.

Thanks for the questions and feedback

Thanks!
I will make sure I use that number the next time I need specialized advisement.

That makes sense. I use the back order service every once in a while...for a particular purpose...This new system may make it not useful for me...at least I know. Thanks for the response.

FuelCells: IMO customer service has never been a problem with GoDaddy...I have never had anyone act in a rude way...even when I was upset. I have few beefs with them...but when I do...it usually gets resolved by an account rep who knows their stuff.

That's good to hear that's it's not a consistent problem, but unfortunately I've never had good customer care with them lately. I guess it depends on who is at the call center at the time or who happens to answer your tickets.
If they don't know the answer to an enquiry, I'd appreciate if they ask someone who does instead of pretending to know what they are talking about and respond with misinformation.
I've wasted a lot of time with their "customer service"; too aggravated with them lately.

[Gerry]

Going forward, customers who have placed a backorder on the same name will have the opportunity to bid on the name at a private auction (only for backorder holders). As always, the backorders can be re-assigned if you did not successfully win the auction or capture the backordered name.

WHOA! Since when???

This has never happened and I am a very, very active backordering customer of GoDaddy.

It seems to me that I would have not only gotten an email on this, but would have already been involved in an auction between backordering customers.

When is this or has this supposedly taken effect???

[Go Daddy]

WHOA! Since when???

This has never happened and I am a very, very active backordering customer of GoDaddy.

It seems to me that I would have not only gotten an email on this, but would have already been involved in an auction between backordering customers.

When is this or has this supposedly taken effect???

This change was made in April, 2009. It's possible that you were the only one that backordered those select names. Remember, this only applies to names "drop-caught" from other registrars. If some one else backorders the same name, and we capture that name (from another registrar), you will be notified of the auction.

[Gerry]

This change was made in April, 2009. It's possible that you were the only one that backordered those select names. Remember, this only applies to names "drop-caught" from other registrars. If some one else backorders the same name, and we capture that name (from another registrar), you will be notified of the auction.

Um, no. I am talking about GD dropping names on TDNAM.

If I place a backorder on a name dropping that appears on TDNAM's list and no one bids on that name in the 10 day course of bidding, it drops.

Then it may go into their closeout ranks for 5 days.

Now, after the 10 days in the auction, and then after the 5 days in the closeout ranks, then where does it go?

If I had placed a back order on that name and no one ever bids on it, then why do I not get it?

And if I don't get it through a backorder because someone else backordered it also, then why have I not been involved in these supposed auctions for multiple backorders?

[thevirtual]

This is not the only problem with GoDaddy backorders. Just today I backordered a domain for $18, next thing you know I check and the domain is available. I ended up manually registering the domain.

Isn't this service supposed to catch domains as they become available?

This service is unreliable and now it is even worse with these non exclusive backorders.

[Gerry]

This is not the only problem with GoDaddy backorders. Just today I backordered a domain for $18, next thing you know I check and the domain is available. I ended up manually registering the domain.

Isn't this service supposed to catch domains as they become available?

This service is unreliable and now it is even worse with these non exclusive backorders.

That's what I am referring to.

They either drop or they don't.

They are either caught or not.

Not once have I been involved with one of these one on one auctions.

I GoDaddy warehousing their domains?

[Go Daddy]

Doc Com - Sent you a PM. Not sure I completely understand your issue so I want to speak with you. Once I speak with you and do some research, I will post a reply to your questions for the benefit of everyone else following the thread.

[ksinclair]

If you bid $18 and you are the only person at GoDaddy bidding, then you should get the domain when godaddy manages to grab it.

That is how it used to be.

But it no longer is. I dont recommend godaddy for backorders anymore.

[Gerry]

Rod,

Thanks for the conversation.

It did clear up some of the confusion and I thank you for your time. Seems we both learned something from that talk.

What GoDaddy (and you) are planning sounds great.

But one thing that is bothersome is the TM names. Without question, at some point in time (not far off into the future) registrars and drop auction services like TDNAM are going to get nailed for stuff like I see currently being auctioned off:

sonylaptop.org - 17 Bid $270 5D 9H
photobuckrt.com 3570 8 Bid $265 $306 1D 23H
wmyspace.com 7028 20 Bid $395 $288 1D 21H

Just because there is a market for these (based on the bids) does not make these legal and legitimate to sell.

GD and Bob have more money than any of us here. That would appear to be the best target for sony to file suit and seek damages.