Making offers via Sedo

Reddy · Aug 20, 2007

Hi,

I regularly make offers on domain names via Sedo, and usually there is a bit of to-ing and fro-ing with counter offers etc. until a price is agreed, or the negotiations cancelled if we are too far apart.

Recently, however, on a number of occasions during the negotiations we have been close to agreeing a price, then the seller decides to use my latest offer as a starting bid for a Sedo Auction. This is very frustrating as I feel we were close to a deal, then I have to wait another week for the auction to complete, with the risk of other buyers coming in.

I expect sellers love this idea, but as a regular buyer if I want to put an offer in for a domain, I want my offer to be rejected, counter-offered or accepted - not used a base bid to start an auction.

Can buyers not have an option on Sedo where we can choose whether our offer can be used as a starter for an auction? Maybe, if the seller wants to use an offer to start an auction, the buyer should be asked to agree this is ok before the auction is started.

regards
David

Nigel · Aug 20, 2007

Hi David,

Sometimes you win on the new system - sometimes lose. But I agree it seems a lot harder buying a domain in a straightforward fashion. You know that as soon as you reach a certain level the buyer is likely to go to auction.

We've seen a few sales where the buyer has accepted our counterbid without too much haggling. On the other hand we've let a few go to auction on a lowish bid and they've been sold without any further bids. It also feels as if buyers are, on the whole, not bidding their full amount as they're saving some in case an auction is started. I would personally like to have an option on our portfolio. 'The seller of this domain has opted out of the auction system.' I think it would encourage more realistic bids and encourage some people to bid who are put off by the auction scenario.

Regards,

Nigel

sedo · Aug 22, 2007

Hi Reddy, Hi Nigel,

We appreciate your concerns and input on this. It’s true that the seller’s option to push the domain into auction during regular negotiations is a feature which can sometimes be to the disadvantage of buyers, but it ensures that the seller is getting the fair market value for his or her domain name.

Regards,

Shaun

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