Selling a .co.uk domain name via Sedo

[sedo]

Hi Guys,

Aqls: I can certainly get the powers that be to change things on specific pages, but changing anything on the front page is nigh impossible. The higher-ups don't like to change the front page at all. Believe me, I've tried. Remember also that this 100 figure doesn't just apply to .co.uk's, but also to .fr, .es, .se, etc., and all of those related front pages would have to be updated too.

LeeOwen: I think the reason an option like that has not been implemented (and will most likely not get implemented in the near future) is because if available, every seller would choose this option, and would essentially get to list their domains on sale at Sedo for free. As for the minimum bidding level, you can set minimum bid levels on all of your domains, or we can set those levels for you. But you do bring up a good point, setting your minimum bid price too high can scare off buyers. I've seen this more times than you can imagine: someone starting off with a bid for $60, and upping it through the course of negotiations to $10k, $20k, and higher.

But please, both of you and anyone else, keep the suggestions coming.

Ash

 

[olebean]

I think the reason an option like that has not been implemented (and will most likely not get implemented in the near future) is because if available, every seller would choose this option, and would essentially get to list their domains on sale at Sedo for free.

Ash

Currently, domains are listed foresale on Sedo for free??

I can't see it happening anyway "it wouldn't be politically wise", hiding the fees and letting the buyer and seller thrash it out distances sedo from the issue. LeeOwens comments sums it up, he just didn't know and the terminology didnt help

 

[aqls]

Hi Guys,

Aqls: I can certainly get the powers that be to change things on specific pages, but changing anything on the front page is nigh impossible. The higher-ups don't like to change the front page at all. Believe me, I've tried. Remember also that this 100 figure doesn't just apply to .co.uk's, but also to .fr, .es, .se, etc., and all of those related front pages would have to be updated too.

But please, both of you and anyone else, keep the suggestions coming.

Ash

Would the "higher ups" listen to you if you said that you saw an ad on the front page saying "no minimum commission" and that someone pointed it out to you and said that it wasn't true but that Sedo did charge commission and that people would think that you weren't charging commission but in fact you were?

Do you think they might listen if you said that?

-aqls-

 

[sedo]

Olebean,

It is of course free to list them for sale. But everyone who lists them knows about the fees if a sale is concluded. The fees were what I was talking about.


Ash

 

[bb99]

... an ad on the front page saying "no minimum commission" ... it wasn't true but that Sedo did charge commission

I think the Advertising Standards Authority would take a dim view of this!

 

[retired_member6]

Re 'buyer pays fees' I meant transfer cost on sales not the 10%. I should have made that more clear. Most sellers would include the 10% anyway I would think. But then the seller paying the transfer fee probably ensures less hold ups on the buyer's side.

I started at a price on one today and was trying to work out the 10% which would leave me with the initial counter off haha, I just included it in the end claiming too much hard work to figure it out. So they've already got a bargain

I didn't think a seller could up a counter offer once it had started? and I think a general minimum bid would make more sense than individual minimum bids, for if I saw a minimum bid amount I'd take that as a gauge of price rather than a starting level. But if it was as standard to cover the £130+/- costs, I don't think that would be too bad.

I've only had a handful of offers outside of sedo and within, but I'm slowly getting to grips with it. I didn't want to start using minimum bid techniques or disallowing low offers as I need to learn. I've already lost one private sale worth £1000, reason unknown at present and two others which were too low as they didn't appear to understand sedo's fees.

I've got a possible serious interest going through the bidding process now, we'll see what happens, all costs factored in, thankfully £35.25 isn't a problem this time. I don't wish to pay for an appraisal yet as I'm not too convinced they work at the present time so I'll have to go with my better or worse judgement for now.

Cheers
Lee

 

[aqls]

imagine having a company like that negotiating big figure sales for you . . .

-aqls-

 

[olebean]

Ash

Thanks for the reply.

It was nice to see you missed the context of my reply.

Your view on free listing was spurious and pointless in summarising your points, it didn't do you any favours either.

While there isn't a credible alterative to sedo, most of us will have to blow hot air and suck through our teeth at the fee's. sedo charge.

Happy days guys!

 

[fred]

As I see it, there are a few different aspects to Sedo that people feel are unfair and/or misleading.

1. The Exchange rate issue.
Charging a different fee depending on the currency the domain is sold in is unfair.
£100 is approximately €146 or $178
$100 is about £56

2. The bigger fees for UK domains
You claim that uk domains take more work yet it is never explained why. As I understand it, these are the steps required:

.com’s
1) sale agreed
2) buyers sends money to sedo
3) buyers registrar requests transfer
4) admin contact agrees transfer
5) sedo pays seller

.uk’s
1) sale agreed
2) buyers sends money to sedo
3) seller sends paperwork to buyer
4) buyer completes paperwork and sends to Nominet
5) Nominet update records
6) sedo pays seller

Hardly difficult or time consuming for sedo?

Also, as per the exchange rate issue, if you can do this for $100/£56 why can’t you do it for £50 anyway?

3. The "no minimum commission"
If you say "no minimum commission" then you need to charge "no minimum commission" OR change it to a more specific message.

4. The Nominet fee
You obviously know the domain in question for any particular offer. It therefore would not be impossible to have a “buyer pays Nominet fees” option to tick or somehow select.

5. Let the buyers know about the fees.
If a buyer knew that a minimum £100 fee was being deducted from the price, they would understand why many sellers are reluctant to sell even mediocre domains for £150.

 

[aqls]

They have also not helped out with VAT issues in the past.

They have promised to change it but I don't see any change in the last months.

Sometimes it is not obvious to the buyer that the price includes VAT, even though the small print says it does.

It can become a very big issue, especially when Sedo don't even understand the problem.

-aqls-

 

[aqls]

And as has been stated before, they must be clear about on whose side they are negotiating.

If you are paying their fee to negotiate for you, you would automatically expect them to be on your side.

Just be clear about it.

-aqls-

 

[olebean]

lol @ aqls

Yeah right!

 

[sedo]

Hi Guys,

We've seen all of these complaints a couple of times on this board, and we can't keep on running around in circles. Any of us are more than happy to discuss any other questions, concerns, or suggestions you may have. But I think the topic of minimum commission for .co.uk domains is closed, at least on our side. There's really nothing more we can do here for the moment. If anything changes, I ensure that you all will be the first to know.

If you need some help selling some good domains for more than 500 GBP, so you can avoid that minimum commission, then please drop me a line at [email protected].


Ash

 

[wwwdomain.name]

Well done SEDO

Slightly off topic BUT clearly shows another reason why DOT COMS reign...

2006-01-13 Agreement reached
2006-01-16 The buyer of the domain has yet to confirm his personal details and contract type. Every effort is being made to contact the buyer in order to get him to complete this information. Once this has been done, the transfer can proceed to the next stage.
2006-01-18 We have invoiced the buyer for the sale of your domain. As soon as the payment reaches our escrow account we will inform you and begin the technical transfer.
2006-01-19 We have received full payment for this domain. Please await further instructions from your transfer agent. It is often the case that we have to wait for certain details from the buyer so please be patient during this period.
2006-01-19 We have instructed the buyer to create an account at your registrar and send us the information needed for you to initiate a push of the domain. Please be patient whilst we are waiting for this information.
2006-01-26 2. Reminder: We have instructed the buyer to create an account at your registrar and send us the information needed for you to initiate a push of the domain. Please be patient whilst we are waiting for this information.
2006-02-01 In order to facilitate this transfer we need you to push the domain into our account with your registrar. You should have received an email containing the information needed to process this push.
2006-02-03 The domain has been successfully pushed to our Sedo account. We shall now process your payment. Your part in this transfer is now complete, and we shall assist the buyer in taking control of the domain. Once the buyer has control of the domain, the listing will be deleted from your Sedo account.

Only delays in time frame:

1) Weekends.

2) Buyer response times.

3) Buyer 'Push to Sedo' request.

All in all - 10/10.

Well done SEDO.

 

[sedo]

Quick update all. As requested, we have made a note on the escrow service price list that clearly states that transfer fees are not inclusive of any Nominet fees.

http://www.sedo.co.uk/services/prices.php3?tracked=&partnerid=&language=e

Ash

 

[Terry Patterson]

SEDO whereabouts

On the subject of Sedo, does anyone know what their correct UK postal address might be. Their wesite lists it as being 155 Regents Park Road, London but I've had mail returned with 'not known at this address'
I've also checked with the Royal Mails post code finder and there are a few outfits listed with that same address but no Sedo. Fictitious?

 

[retired_member11]

I think it is Media Park, Koln.

 

[hunkydorey]

I think the Sedo process is secure and that by acting as the broker Sedo gives the buyer confidence which is essential when they are handing over £300+ maybe not so imortant on small time £40-£50 ebay domain listing but on the bigger stage I feel having a 3rd party is a good move.

I payed £90 to have 3 .eu domains featured on Sedo's homepage for a month
(I already listed them in the sales thread so I will desist here) hoping to boost the £50 bids they were attracting on Ebay...so I'll need to get bids on£120 before I see a profit on the strategy but you can but try!!!

 

[Azam.net]

We sold a .eu domain name through Sedo several weeks ago. We agreed a figure with the buyer nearly two months ago. I am disappointed to report that despite 20 emails back and forth we have not received payment.

Each and every step has required my intervention. For example, the domain name has been transferred to the buyer's details in the whois days ago, but I haven't heard anything from Sedo. So I have to email them again.

It's disappointing - you'd think that for their sizeable commission on each sale they'd do more of the leg work

Puts me off the whole domaining business: if each sale will involve 20 emails back and forth who can be bothered?

Hopefully it is just bad luck in this case. The one thing I will say is Sedo have responded to each email within 48 hours.

 

[wwwdomain.name]

Thanks SEDO - Couldn't have been easier!

FASTER TRANSACTION ON A .CO.UK THAN ON A DOT COM - WOW!
Mabe should edit my post above...

Well done SEDO... 10/10...

Superb .co.uk transaction.

Less than 11 days to complete.
Excluding weekends.

Thanks to all.

History:

06/28/06 Agreement reached.
06/28/06 The buyer of the domain has yet to confirm his personal details and contract type. Every effort is being made to contact the buyer in order to get him to complete this information. Once this has been done, the transfer can proceed to the next stage.
06/28/06 We have invoiced the buyer for the sale of your domain. As soon as the payment reaches our escrow account we will inform you and begin the technical transfer.
06/29/06 We have received full payment for this domain. Please await further instructions from your transfer agent. It is often the case that we have to wait for certain details from the buyer so please be patient during this period.
06/29/06 The buyer has started transfer request. Please confirm the next transfer request from Nominet (ALL .co.uk. domains), or contact us to verify the request to be confirmed.
07/13/06 The domain transfer has been successfully completed! We will now process and send you your payment for the domain.
07/13/06 We have processed and sent you your payment for this domain.