We have often complained that NameJet.com basically advertises domain names in auction with only one back order by including them in their Top 50 or 100 Backordered list” published daily; one for general drop domains and one for exclusive pre-drop domains.
Today however its seems that it doesn’t even take one backorder to make the “Top 100” backorder NameJet list
From today’s list:
“””Dear NameJet Customer:
The following list of domain names contains the top 100 Pre-Release Names currently available for backorder by 07/05/2011, 8:00 PT.
To backorder a name, simply click on one of the below domain names and you will be taken to the individual backorder page.
Don’t miss your final opportunity to own one of these great domains!
The following is a list of the top 100 Pre-Release Names :””
Included in today’s list is the domain name
DocumentDrop.com
but if you click on the backorder page you will see not one backorder has been placed on that domain.
Guys come on now.
You know its not proper to list a domain with only 1 back order to a most active list, but if you have to start putting domains with no backorders on the top 100 most backordered list then it just makes you look silly.
To save you the trouble looking here you go:
Everyone hates it. But how can we complain? All they are doing is promoting their auctions.
Isn’t that what we would do if we were running NameJet? The thing I hate is that they run auctions contrary to terms and conditions. Eg Section 4 of the terms states:
“Participation is limited to certain NameJet users that have placed a backorder on the domain name slated for auction and have agreed to these Terms of Use.”
Yet for some auctions, if you are the only bidder (backorderer), the house automatically ups your bid, up to some apparently secret reserve.
How can the house do that when they have not “backordered” the name? According to the terms, they cant. But they do.
Seems like the increased exposure is generating a lot of bidders where only 1-4 are active. In the old days 50+ bidders invariably meant $xxxx with 10+ bidding higher. Now there’s names with 30+ bidders, 2 active that go out at low-mid $xxx.
So it doesn’t seem to be adding to the desired effect, more bidders = higher price. And a higher chance of bidding frenzy. Or maybe my sample size is too small and it is indeed working.
NameJet is trying to drum up business and I can’t really blame them as who isn’t? In 2008-9, very mediocre names would go for mid x,xxx and I’d shake my head everyday at the prices. Nowadays, some pretty good names are going for very reasonable prices regardless of number of bidders.
The first 3 months of 2011 were some of the best to catch expired domains or win expired domain auctions. I’ve seen competition pick up since then to the point where I rarely am the only one that backorders a decent name any more. But it still does happen. I got pachymetry.com yesterday as the sole backorder (not on NameJet).
The entire drop process needs to be redrawn.
It shouldn’t be defined by private entities and how many shell registrars they hold solely for the purpose of barraging the registry with requests. It shouldn’t be defined by registrars withholding customers expired names and funneling them to be auctioned, for a cut.
Some would argue that changing the drop game at this point in time is simply closing the gate after the horses have already bolted- and others would seriously question who is in bed with who, as far as for-profit entities in the drop game being in bed with certain decision makers at ICANN- but any start is a good start.
The whole game has become a joke. It shouldn’t revolve around domain speculators.
I don’t like the thing they are doing. Suck it.
@Anon This Time
You do not want the alternative to the current system. There is one in place and it isn’t pretty and will completely lock you out entirely.
Thank ICANN for the backroom deal with Verislime.