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How to Lose a Snap Names Domain Auction

Yesterday I lost a domain name auction at SnapNames (I refuse to link to them).

For those who don’t know, Snap Names is the exclusive domain name expiration dropper for Network Solutions. If you’re monitoring a domain name that’s due to expire and see that it was registered at Network Solutions, you have to use Snap to try to acquire it.

If you want the domain name, you need to put in a binding bid for $60. If anyone else wants that domain name, then you go into an auction and (s)he who wins the ensuing bidding war gets the domain.

In May of last year I picked up 1 domain name that no one else bid on. In August, I was going after floridaphotos.com but was outbid - there were a few people in the race and somebody ended up snagging it for $1,155.

Yesterday was the auction day for floridajewelry.com and I received an email that I was outbid. When I clicked the link to raise my bid, I kept getting a “can’t find snapnames” message, then a “undergoing scheduled downtime” message. I checked back a few more times, but it wouldn’t load up. So I couldn’t log on to raise my bid before I got out of work. Grrrrrrrr.

This morning I found out the winning bid was $130 at the expiration. Luckily I didn’t care THAT much about the domain name, otherwise I’d be reeling.

March 14, 2007 · Filed under domains, lame 2.0

Adi said,

June 8, 2007 @ 1:26 am

Once the auction end, how long it takes to fully get the domain?

Greg Deskin said,

August 8, 2007 @ 11:42 am

Yesterday,

I bid on two names for $99.00. I assumed that there would be an auction, because the min. bid was $99.00.

Today, I look at the bid history and I am the only one bidding. Yet, Snapnames not only does not issue me the names for 99.00, but runs an auction for others to join.

There FAQ clearly states that the min. bid is to be only 60.00, and if no one else bids, they charge your card and transfer the domain over to the sole bidder.

They will not respond to calls or emails. They seem to be making up their own rules as they go.

Markus said,

August 8, 2007 @ 12:02 pm

Yeah, that whole process is strange and I wouldn’t be surprised if they made up rules as they went.

Check out this article: http://www.dailydomainer.com/2007124-expired-but-not-gone.html

john sturtevant said,

September 29, 2007 @ 12:13 am

it’s a friggin racket. i was the ONLY person who back ordered a certain domain at network solutions. when the domain expired, NetSol didn’t contact me as they promised they would, instead CRAP names gave it to buydomains.com

it’s a mafia of slimy liars.

fuck ‘em.

ryo said,

September 29, 2007 @ 11:05 pm

I did a few times back order, but i in the end never got the domain because the bidding price is $2500. I find it is hard to get good names unless you pay top dollar.

Shane said,

November 26, 2007 @ 6:13 am

Great article. Attention everyone: DON’T WASTE YOUR MONEY. DON’T MAKE CRAPNAMES RICH (same goes for all the other sleazy domain grabbing/extorting companies). Also, using “backorder” and “domain broker” services are as useful as taking a dump and lighting it on fire. Makes you feel good but in the end you just have a smoldering heap of crap.

I have learned that the best (and cheapest) way to acquire an expired domain is to sit tight, pretetend it’s worthless, don’t tell anyone that you’re interested (least of all the sleazy domain grabbers), and you’ll see they’ll release it back to the public within 3 days.

The whole bidding process is a scam. It’s not an auction. It’s just their way of learning if anyone is interested in the name. Bidding on a domain is the equivalent of telling them “Woohoo I have $$$$$$ 4U!!!” You may be the only bidder, but they will mysteriously raise the bid price (see Greg Deskin’s post above).

Don’t play their game. Just sit tight and wait for them to release the domain after 3 days. Then you can register the name for $5 at the registrar of your choice. This has worked for me in the past, no frustrations.

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