Slim Pickings on TDNAM
March 23rd, 2008Up until about the beginning of last year, TDNAM was a bargain basement for Domainers who knew to look. Quality expired domains could be found at even better prices. Once the word got out though, the place became a festering ground for overpriced junk and rookie domainers buying into the traffic estimates. Still, occasionally there are some nice deals and decent domains running the course.
Today when I went to check a scan of domain names that were ending at auction in the coming week, I was a bit surprised that I only saw one domain name I had any interest in. Although the domain buyers are still buying, just seems to me that the pond isnt being stocked as much as it used to be….
Perhaps Mr. Parsons is holding back some for a private collection?
Justin
I doubt he is holding them back. Godaddy got in much later to the game and therefore the quality of expiring names is bound to be a downward trend.
I also find the traffic numbers to be fairly accurate. The problem is most of this is junk backlink traffic. True gems with type in traffic on tdnam are rare.
Comment by phillips — March 24, 2008 @ 12:24 am
Philips,
Im a former Godaddy Employee myself and although im quite aware of Godaddy’s late start in the registrar game, they typically have better quality domain names expiring per week. Although I have not run the zone files to see if certain domains were being withheld, I am considering it now.
Justin
Comment by admin — March 24, 2008 @ 2:11 am
There is no doubt something changed at TDNAM. I was a huger buyer in 2005, 2006 and 2007, but by the end of 2007 is when I saw quality plummet tremendously.
I went from buying about 10 domains a day in the $100 to $700 range in 2007 down to about $300 a week now, or less.
I actually had developed a method at TDNAM that only worked there of buying profitable names. I did very well, but I have to admit things have changed to where the return now is not worth it anymore really. I just keep a third eye on it now as it is dying a slow death.
I also have found that the numbers are not as accurate as before. Lately I have found that many domains in the 15 to 30 unique range can be much higher than they report and the domains with higher traffic and coming in lower than they report - and I am talking about generics only, not expired traffic.
Comment by CCC — March 24, 2008 @ 11:50 am
Domain name value is determined by the person willing to get a certain domain name.
Some people consider some domain names overpriced, junck or otherwise and some consider them Diamonds.
The value is determined by the buyer.
Great post
Comment by Damir — March 24, 2008 @ 1:18 pm
Damir,
Absolutely correct. This is of course written from my perspective. The domains I used to find being quality and good prices have since faded away, and as of late, just aren’t their anymore.
Justin
Comment by admin — March 24, 2008 @ 2:04 pm
I agree Justin, godaddy is just coming in with a lot of low quality domain names and the bids are going up for even these low quality names.
And one thing I never liked about TDNAM is that they hold on to your payment and release the name only after a week or two (giving a chance for the original registrant to claim it back).
And the real quality is now with namejet and snapnames exclusive.
Comment by Anwar Mehdi — March 24, 2008 @ 9:59 pm