I posted on this forum a few days ago some questions about the godaddy backorder service, i was told that it was not so good and that i should give for granted the lost of the (5 character word) domain.

I confirmed that when on february 17 i recieved a mail from godaddy "DomainAlert: mydomain.com Capture Unsuccessful", then i went to snapnames to check, and it was there ready to bid so i resigned to lost the name.

Here comes the funny thing, today i woke up in the morning 6 days later and i see on my inbox a mail from godaddy "DomainAlert: mydomain.com Successfully Captured", wtf?(in a good way of course) i go to my godaddy account and i see there my new shiny and captured domain name, then i go to check the internic whois database to confirm that this isnt a error and i see the domain registered to my name... cool, of course i had to open a few beers to celebrate.

This is my first time in backordering, so this is the question, all this weird process is normal?

:peace:

This is my first time in backordering, so this is the question, all this weird process is normal?Actually, yes, this happens all the time and here is why.

There is a little rule that some registrars use to their advantage. Basically the rule allows ICANN accredited registrars to register a domain name and then "return" it to the registry within five days and get their money back.

So, some registrars simply register any and all dropping domain names and then immediately set them up as PPC sites and test the traffic. It there is a sufficient amount of traffic or revenue, they keep the domain name as an investment. If not, they return it to the registry where it then becomes available again.

GoDaddy is not that great on drop day because they only have three registrars vying for the dropping domains and other services have dozens (it's simply a function of probability). But, I do use GoDaddy in addition to the other services for just this reason (and it also gives me satisfaction of depriving others of using the GoDaddy backorder service to compete against me for that name :dgrin: ).

Congratulations on getting your domain! :agree:

There are a number of drop registrars who are doing this at around 200-300K names each month

capitaldomains
belgiumdomains are two of them

Hey congrats barrueta8. You got the name because it didn't sell at auction and really did drop from the registry, and nobody else had backordered the domain at any other backorder service like snapnames, pool, etc. The little twist that 4solutions mentions just cause the delay to be 5 days rather than 1. If anyone else had backordered the domain, the chances of you winning with GoDaddy's backordering services is slim to none, because their resources at capturing dropping domains is pitiful compared to the likes of pool.com, for example.

I'd surmise it wasn't as desireable a name as you were suggesting originally, though. Incidentally, what was the domain?

I don't agree with 4solutions about his thoughts on backordering at GoDaddy. If you want the domain, it's a big risk. In your case, I would have bid in the snapnames auction, to ensure getting the domain. Still, $18.95 is better than $60, so well done :)

I don't agree with 4solutions about his thoughts on backordering at GoDaddy. If you want the domain, it's a big risk. In your case, I would have bid in the snapnames auction, to ensure getting the domain. Still, $18.95 is better than $60, so well done :)You're right, stu2, I would NOT just rely on a GoDaddy backorder.

To clarify what I meant, if you REALLY want a domain name, you place bids at ALL the backorder services, including GoDaddy. But, through the years, GoDaddy has picked up enough for me that I still include them ALONG with the all the other backorder services.

If you buy a lot of GoDaddy backorders you can get them for cheaper through their sister registrar, BlueRazor.com for $12.95 (membership fee required). And they're good for up to a year for different domains (I just keep recycling them until they are successful).

What I really have a bit of difficulty understanding 4solutions, is, if you are ordering at snapnames, pool, namewinner, clubdrop, and godaddy, how is it that you are winning so many names at GoDaddy? I'd say the chances of GoDaddy's success rate might be what? 1000:1? (just a guess to illustrate my thoughts).

I'm starting to really like you, stu2... You ask a lot of questions and you want explanations for everything! You would make a REALLY good auditor (As a former IRS auditor, myself - that's a real compliment ;) ).

So, just for fun, I posed this as a dreaded MATH problem to my 17 year old daughter. She was just soooo excited to hear about your question... :eek3: In fact, I think she was going to make a voodoo curse on all internet domains - it's good when teenagers show interest in your work. :D

So, I had her count the number of current ICANN accredited registrars. She came up with 541 (don't know if that's 100% accurate with MTV playing in the background). GoDaddy/BlueRazor/WildWestDomains are the three Bob Parsons' (GoDaddy) related registrars that I know about. We assumed that perhaps 90% of the accredited registrars participate in the drop system in some way (private or public) leaving 541 * .90 = 487 drop registrars. GoDaddy's 3 registrars leaves them about a 0.6% probability PER REGISTRAR (3/487 = 0.6%).

But, you have to remember that, this does not take into account how MANY domains each registrar is trying to process when drop time comes each day, OR the perceived QUALITY that the domain names have (obviously, in the domain world, SEX.com would have a higher perceived commercial value than MayWeAllPrayTogether.com and would be processed first by most backorder registrars). So, because the number, quality and priority of domain names varies per day, per registrar, then so does the probabilty of you acquiring any one domain name dropped on any given day from any one specific registrar.

But, my rough, personal experience has been that, with the SPECIALIZED domain names that I attempt to acquire, GoDaddy has probably a 3% success rate on the date of drop.

Now, not all backorder services work the same. GoDaddy checks everyday to see if the domain is available... even AFTER the drop date. It is my experience that most backorder services seem to focus on ONLY the DAY of the drop. After the day of the drop... they don't seem to monitor the name anymore. But GoDaddy does. It seems GoDaddy keeps monitoring the name until the subscription expires.

You also have to factor in, stu2, that I pay less than $12.00 for a GoDaddy backorder. Why wouldn't I put one on EVERY domain that I want to backorder? What's the downside? Let's see... pay a minimum of $60 for Pool and SnapNames... ClubDrop just increased their minimum to $30 plus registration... NameWinner is a minimum of $40 for the public. OR... the albeit SMALL chance to get a domain backordered for less than $12?

YES... put backorders at Pool, SnapNames, ClubDrop, and NameWinner ... but putting in a backorder at GoDaddy has NO downside to me. In addition, for these domains that DO get released six days later... GoDaddy OFTEN picks them up. The other services are focused on the drops for the day... not the re-releases. Plus, paying less than $12 for a drop versus, say, $60 at SnapNames? Over hundreds of acquisitions, that adds up!

If you do a search on my previous posts... you would see that I am no big fan of GoDaddy as a registrar. Their backorder system is just another tool I use. One of many to get what I want. No, it's not a great service. But, ultimately look at it as if you are trying to capture a renegade domain name that is trying to escape. You get a BIG bonus ONLY if you can capture it. Why would you concentrate ONLY on the main roads and not the 1 to 3% probabilty that it will use the back road? If you have an extra reserve officer, wouldn't it be a good idea to try to block off the back road, too?

Anyway... I had actually went on here and said more than I wanted to say about my business. But my daughter reminded me that "loose lips shrink ships" and that I have said too much already. LOL... :D

:) I'll read your post again in the morning :) I'm an ex-accountant for my previous sins :)

Ok. We're on the same page. I think your daughter's and your calculations also didn't factor in the number of servers each dropcatcher uses to knock on the doors of the registry in order to capture an expiring name which is being released. GoDaddy's resources are dwarfed by the likes of Pool and others. That's why they basically have little to no chance of obtaining the name at the day of the drop. Any domain that has any desireability will never drop. There are of course, always exceptions to the general rule. The 3% you mention would fall within that category, methinks. How much of that 3% is won on the date of the drop compared to how much is won 5-6 days later? If it all is captured later, then it supports my contention that it's (almost) useless to backorder any desireable domain at GoDaddy. Only those domains which never get snapped up will be won with a GoDaddy backorder. Also, How much of that 3% did you also have backorders on all the other dropcatchers? I'd be surprised if you say all :)

One last thought. If you backorder a domain at BlueRazor, does that prevent somebody else placing a backorder at GoDaddy or Wild West Domains?

My philosophy regarding backordering, is that if it really is a MUST HAVE domain, then you are better off negotiating with the existing registrant, thereby cutting out virtually all competition. You may pay more or less with that strategy rather than waiting for the drop, but you are always more certain to obtain the domain.

If the domain is already in the drop and it's a MUST HAVE domain, then by all means you HAVE to bid at every available dropcatcher. If it is something LESS THAN A MUST HAVE name, then it really isn't necessary to bid at all dropcatchers but only at the most likely dropcatcher, ie NetSol registered domains selling at SnapNames auctions, etc. You'll have covered your bases 95% but you won't get too disappointed if you don't get the domain. There a very few MUST HAVE dropping domains in my book.

One last thought. If you backorder a domain at BlueRazor, does that prevent somebody else placing a backorder at GoDaddy or Wild West Domains?

99% sure -- no.

Then why backorder at BlueRazor when you are trying to prevent other GoDaddy customers from backordering the same domain?

Bump! 4Solutions?

Sorry, stu2... I guess I've got too many irons in the fire. :blush:

First of all, I have purchased backorders from GoDaddy, BlueRazor and a WWD reseller which gives me great prices. I can say that from my experience (and I just now confirmed it by testing it) that when you buy one backorder on ANY of the three GoDaddy affiliated sites, then you have the EXCLUSIVE backorder for GoDaddy's three registrars: GoDaddy, BlueRazor and WWD. That is, no one else can buy a backorder on that domain name from any of the three registrars after you.

As far as your previous observations, I have to say that you do make a good point concerning my backorders. That is: (1) I should probably have kept better records as to which backorders had other bids in at Pool, SnapNames, NameWinner and ClubDrop; (2) many of the names that I do go after are very specific to a certain industry and perhaps are not as well sought after (again, I'm taking a long-term view... which was well rewarded in a deal today ;) ); and (3) the truth is that the overwhelming amount of my domains were captured by eNom's ClubDrop because I'm cheap and I don't like to pay $60 to $8,000 for domains at SnapNames and Pool.

I buy low... hold on for a long time and then wait for the right "motivated" buyer to come along so I can sell high. I'm not in this for the $40 or $100 profit per domain name. I think I've got something that's been working and I'm reasonably happy with it for the time that I am investing.

Hope I answered your questions and again sorry for the delay.

LOL! How things change! :D I found this old thread (http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=156659&) from June of 2003 where Bashar was having good luck with GoDaddy and I just couldn't catch a cold with them! So, I guess things are all relative to how you're doing at the time. ;)

I buy low... hold on for a long time and then wait for the right "motivated" buyer to come along so I can sell high. I'm not in this for the $40 or $100 profit per domain name. I think I've got something that's been working and I'm reasonably happy with it for the time that I am investing.

If you're a cheap charlie, you should try tdnam, $18.95 :) I'm not really interested in waiting for a motivated buyer who may never come along. I'll settle for a quick 1000% profit :)

I'll settle for a quick 1000% profit :)If that's what you'll settle for...

Sometimes 2 :)

Hi guys

So a few years have passed since this conversation ended. How would each of you rate GoDaddy & the other domain backorder / auction services nowadays?

I am considering a backup order on a domain, but am still unclear on precisely what the process is, and precisely what I am paying for. Is it crushingly important to have the domain - no. But, it would be ideal to have it. I just want to understand what I'm getting into when I do it. :)

Thanks,
ZAG

Snapnames/NameJet/Pool are the three main backorder services. On each you place an opening bid (approx $69) but only pay if you win. If you are the only person to backorder the domain at one of these companies and they catch the domain, then mostly you will win the domain outright. If there is more than 1 bidder then usually it will go to a private auction between the bidders.

With GoDaddy, you still pay for the backorder up front (approx $20), but can transfer the backorder to another domain if not successful. I wouldn't transfer immediately after losing the domain because as 4solutions has stated, they still monitor the domain in case you were beaten by a dropcatcher who decides to drop the domain after 5 days. This dropcatching is not a prevalent as it once was but does still goes on.

GoDaddy have lots of Registrars, GoChinaDomains, GoAustraliaDomains, etc trying to catch the domain for you. They dwarf BlueRazor, WildWestDomains (who only have one each) but are dwarfed by SnapNames/NameJet/Pool who have many more registrars trying to register the domain at the time it drops.

In terms of success, I'd say 1 SnapNames, 2 NameJet, 3 Pool 4 GoDaddy. In terms of strategy I'd say bid on SnapNames & NameJet would be enough to capture 90%+ of the domains you bid on. But why not bid on all three since it's a free backorder? A backorder on GoDaddy might catch you the odd domain and worth it to prevent anyone else backordering it at GoDaddy. It's $20 spent once which can then be transferred to another domain if unsuccessful.

This is the basics. But you should visit this thread and read it all for some of the nuances... http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=477474

PS: Thanks for resurrecting this thread. It was interesting to read what was being said about backordering 5 1/2 years ago. Mostly this is still true today.

When was the domain you want expired and who is the current Registrar.

Congratulations barrueta8!