Recently, I saw that SnapNames was increasing their minimum fee on deleted names from $59 to $69. I can understand this decision to keep up with NameJet.
Much to my surprise I logged on to SnapNames today and came across OrangeRoofing.com, a recently expired domain that was scheduled for a pre-release auction. Unlike the usual $119 for Register.com pre-release names, this domain had a minimum offer of $950!
A $950 expiring domain at SnapNames
And below is the Whois record.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
You may have missed the “In Auction” button on the far right? Technically, “In Auction” domains would not be expired/deleting domains.
Whois has been updated to 2012 (may be auto renew), but still shows the expired DNS.
Register.com is know to warehouse domains.. but you did catch something interesting since they are listing an “expired domain”, as “in auction” and the $950 you stated!
The detailed whois shows 1/11/2011 but the basic whois shows 1/11/2012, which is something that is pretty common with expired domains. On a few occasions, I’ve seen the detailed whois never update even after a name has renewed. Maybe that is the case here?
As you mentioned, it still doesn’t explain the $950 expired domain.
I sent an email to Jonathan over at Snapnames, so we will see what he can provide. No reason for an expired domain to be listed as “in-auction” and starting at $950.
If Register.com “renewed” the domain and is warehousing it.. and listed it for $950, that is a different story.. because then they are clearly showing that they warehouse and try to sell during this process (aka AutoRenew). If it doesn’t sell at the $950, and they don’t see much traffic with it parked… I would bet it follows the “normal” $119 and backorder process at some point or they let it go pendingdelete!
Here are the email replies that I got:
“RCOM sets minimum bids for expiring domains at their discretion. This has been their practice for some time”
Me: “Don’t expired domains go into the “Available Soon” status and not “In Auction”?
I can understand that they set prices, but not the status?”
“It probably has with more our change in process. We’ve been tinkering with the timeline of loading domains into the platform. That would be my first take on it. I don’t think it’s RCOMs problem.”
So no real answer IMO.
Wow… there’s a difference between setting expired domain prices at $59, $79, $119 and then setting expired domain prices near end-user pricing of $950. I guess if they can’t sell it for $950 in the expired name auction, it goes back into the warehouse.
Thanks for checking into it. Maybe you can get some traction over at your blog to help bring it to the community’s attention.
The domain is now set to $69 and “backorder”.