Facebook Starts Using FB.me While Google Uses Goo.gl As a URL Shorteners

Both Facebook and Google Have entered into the world of URL shorteners. At present, Google’s goo.gl will only be used for Feedburner and Google Toolbar while Facebook’s FB.me is currently used on links from mobile versions of it’s site. This is not be good news for bit.ly, currently the most popular shortener service. I am sure it’s only a matter of time before Google and Facebook expand these services.

Why are they starting these services? It all about the data thats collected. Very valuable and very scary to think about the information these companies collect and use.

Do I see this a move away from .com’s? Not at all. Both companies went for a 2 letter TLD as opposed to the 3 letter .com in order to shorten the URL as much as possible

Over 600k in Afternic Sales Last Week

There were ~500 domain sales representing nearly $600k worth of domain sales. Additionally, there were many private sales, including one’s for $67.5k, $12.5k and $12k, that could not be reported.

FireproofSafe.com and Stressmanagementprogram.com sticks out to me as a nice name for the price.
Here is the complete list:

Domain Price
personalisedgifts.com $13,249.00
MysteryFlights.com $8,000.00
whyyoga.com $7,700.00
FireproofSafe.com $6,500.00
NewHomeCommunities.com $6,500.00
sonsi.com $6,388.00
nimr.com $5,400.00
manageyourstress.com $5,188.00
smartindia.com $5,000.00
UnMomento.com $4,500.00
sgionline.com $4,088.00
homesun.com $4,000.00
foreclosurelawyer.com $3,988.00
beautifulwedding.com $3,800.00
ilms.com $3,600.00
ipara.com $3,400.00
MyPartyFavors.com $3,400.00
shantiyoga.com $3,388.00
autisticchild.com $3,288.00
opticalcable.com $3,100.00
soundresearch.com $3,100.00
funcooking.com $3,000.00
totalfishing.com $3,000.00
geoter.com $3,000.00
readability.com $3,000.00
rockboard.com $3,000.00
franchisedevelopment.com $3,000.00
printpro.com $3,000.00
origin-africa.com $2,988.00
roycorp.com $2,988.00
boldbusiness.com $2,988.00
paynation.com $2,888.00
drugfx.com $2,888.00
caregivernetwork.com $2,888.00
scannow.com $2,788.00
stressmanagementprogram.com $2,788.00
adtr.com $2,750.00
1special.com $2,688.00
innerbit.com $2,588.00
designclick.com $2,588.00
stressindex.com $2,521.00
optionselling.com $2,488.00
artstech.com $2,488.00
loveisreal.com $2,488.00
techieworld.com $2,388.00
golfclubsexpress.com $2,388.00
identityexpress.com $2,388.00
boybanned.com $2,388.00
liquidbase.com $2,300.00
kaipan.com $2,300.00
greatestgifts.com $2,300.00
puppyconnection.com $2,241.00
firstexpress.com $2,230.00
cogonline.com $2,200.00
arrowboards.com $2,200.00
macrotrade.com $2,188.00
professionaltranslation.com $2,100.00
elautomatico.com $2,100.00
breastsurgeryguide.com $2,088.00
universalpayments.com $2,000.00
workclimate.com $2,000.00
globerunner.com $2,000.00
naturalconnection.com $2,000.00
sagear.com $2,000.00
pickatour.com $1,969.20
excellentlimo.com $1,900.00
motorsportphotos.com $1,900.00
gigshop.com $1,888.00
microscapes.com $1,888.00
cabandchassis.com $1,888.00
learn2code.com $1,888.00
powerheat.com $1,888.00
cartlogic.com $1,888.00
readall.com $1,888.00
doubleharvest.com $1,879.20
cabinetview.com $1,850.00
internationalharvest.com $1,800.00
cateringbusiness.com $1,800.00
greensalamander.com $1,788.00
mbody.com $1,750.00
toponet.com $1,750.00
organicscience.com $1,700.44
futurerobot.com $1,700.00
lambertwilson.com $1,700.00
schoolhousesupplies.com $1,688.00
medicalcurriculum.com $1,688.00
skyisblue.com $1,688.00
sleepsuccess.com $1,688.00
forgetstress.com $1,688.00
motherswisdom.com $1,688.00
blumhardt.com $1,650.00
restauranttablecloths.com $1,606.80
welcomingspaces.com $1,605.00
inaturally.com $1,600.00
archivea.com $1,588.00
fishingforaliving.com $1,588.00
lastingconnection.com $1,588.00
menorcaapartments.com $1,588.00
buybuild.com $1,510.00
leadnation.com $1,500.00
cubedigital.com $1,500.00
livinglightly.com $1,500.00
giftcardworld.com $1,500.00
infrastructureworks.com $1,500.00
powerofplay.com $1,500.00
birdhunters.com $1,500.00
prospectavenue.com $1,500.00
excelhelp.com $1,500.00
lifeproductions.com $1,500.00
horizonnetwork.com $1,500.00
xcede.com $1,500.00
beyondgiving.com $1,500.00
smsagency.com $1,500.00
chowline.com $1,500.00
firstlinemanagement.com $1,500.00
freedomforlife.com $1,500.00
debthelpdesk.com $1,500.00
homesecuritysystemcompany.com $1,500.00
Aspirers.com $1,500.00
evbattery.com $1,488.00
littleblacknumber.com $1,488.00
preciseadvice.com $1,488.00
pierrelouis.com $1,450.00
easycv.com $1,435.00
neonight.com $1,400.00
officialstore.com $1,400.00
starkcontrast.com $1,388.00
customizedforyou.com $1,388.00
tvgroup.com $1,388.00
ownyourname.com $1,350.00
givingwisely.com $1,350.00
doeverything.com $1,350.00
bookaservice.com $1,300.00
tipcity.com $1,300.00
highperformancehomes.com $1,300.00
holidaycostume.com $1,294.00
tortillastrips.com $1,288.00
nutritionphysician.com $1,288.00
powerstrategy.com $1,288.00
seanrodriguez.com $1,288.00
nragroup.com $1,250.00
salesunion.com $1,250.00
singleplatform.com $1,221.00
funkyfinds.com $1,200.00
earthdoctor.com $1,200.00
aisforapple.com $1,200.00
boostbusiness.com $1,200.00
structuralanalysis.com $1,200.00
totalmarkets.com $1,200.00
firetruckparts.com $1,200.00
couponsdaily.com $1,188.00
flamencoshows.com $1,159.00
horkan.com $1,150.00
metropolismortgage.com $1,100.00
designnavigator.com $1,100.00
winlife.com $1,100.00
ashcourt.com $1,100.00
cocoexpress.com $1,100.00
bullhornmarketing.com $1,100.00
kidswithautism.com $1,088.00
covertmarketing.com $1,088.00
couponfriend.com $1,000.00
transitadvertising.com $1,000.00
samplemarket.com $1,000.00
mainstreetinvestors.com $1,000.00
feelsatisfied.com $1,000.00
shelterit.com $1,000.00
southwestbooks.com $1,000.00
valuesafe.com $1,000.00
horizonnetworks.com $1,000.00
onthedole.com $1,000.00
gatewayjapan.com $1,000.00
bidgarage.com $1,000.00
znanost.com $1,000.00
sunnyrentacar.com $1,000.00
xquote.com $1,000.00
sport-master.com $1,000.00
europeancustoms.com $1,000.00
marketmanagement.com $1,000.00
nowware.com $1,000.00
DigitalEquality.com $1,000.00
verylight.com $995.00
FENIXLIGHTS.com $995.00
graniteblock.com $988.00
currency-conversion.com $988.00
perfectpart.com $954.00
crispybits.com $900.00
megaelectronic.com $900.00
vintagemachines.com $888.00
storm-shield.com $888.00
roomboss.com $888.00
backtoschoolsavings.com $888.00
7587.com $888.00
quickinstall.com $880.00
riskexcellence.com $877.00
loveyoursmile.com $825.00
netboutiques.com $800.00
printersmart.com $800.00
cablepower.com $800.00
findingsales.com $800.00
extremebeam.com $800.00
ophthalmicconsultants.com $800.00
hometownautos.com $800.00
totalrunning.com $800.00
urbanaquaponics.com $800.00
itruckrentals.com $800.00
DRWILLARD.com $795.00
aestheticcenter.com $788.00
cruisesltd.com $788.00
trackmileage.com $788.00
vivaamerica.com $750.00
nyphotography.com $750.00
endusersales.com $750.00
discoverfilms.com $750.00
dealerresearch.com $750.00
junglefoods.com $750.00
puregravity.com $741.00
supplementation.com $708.00
insocial.com $708.00
travelfreebie.com $708.00
topick.com $708.00
blippy.com $708.00
imortal.com $708.00
nutritionweb.com $708.00
downergroup.com $708.00
coolpuzzle.com $708.00
datacenteroperations.com $700.00
annwest.com $700.00
theintelligentinvestor.com $700.00
aromapflege.com $700.00
promocentre.com $690.00
hollywoodcuts.com $690.00
travelticketsonline.com $688.00
americandirections.com $688.00
getalyfe.com $688.00
enterpriseguide.com $688.00
e-commerceconsultant.com $688.00
notsureyet.com $688.00
dogsoftware.com $688.00
citizensforfreedom.com $688.00
coolcaffeine.com $688.00
ice-away.com $688.00
collegebookie.com $688.00
heartlandhills.com $688.00
welcometoiran.com $688.00
goldensoul.com $688.00
writersbookshelf.com $688.00
nationalcorporation.com $688.00
environmentalinc.com $688.00
siliconmarket.com $688.00
tableclothsandnapkins.com $688.00
prostmahlzeit.com $688.00
margaretandrews.com $688.00
clothing4kids.com $677.00
swingvoters.com $650.00
ptsa.com $628.00
ivystone.com $620.00
ourrelationship.com $600.00
bikinicalendars.com $600.00
thomaspreston.com $600.00
getbranded.com $600.00
matchbest.com $600.00
piemakers.com $600.00
creditincorporated.com $600.00
E-FOODGIFTS.com $600.00
defendingisrael.com $588.00
kellynow.com $588.00
financialwave.com $588.00
livreelectronique.com $588.00
yourbeautysalon.com $588.00
educatoraid.com $575.00
hoteljungle.com $544.00
southcoastventures.com $525.00
menuadvertising.com $516.00
insurancesale.com $504.00
5480.com $504.00
8243.com $504.00
forcedigital.com $500.00
ezdraw.com $500.00
cafecentraal.com $500.00
soccerpsychology.com $500.00
mysticalentertainment.com $500.00
idprotectors.com $500.00
lisaandrews.com $500.00
spectrumfederal.com $500.00
smoothentertainment.com $500.00
elevatorconsultants.com $500.00
jagstudios.com $500.00
nacao.com $500.00
smallbusinessadvertisingservices.com $500.00
maechler.com $500.00
idealcarpet.com $500.00
stitchntime.com $500.00
medgenie.com $500.00
ogstyle.com $500.00
TrustDeedsFORSALE.com $500.00
bubbleteacafe.com $499.00
spiritofeurope.com $488.00
zavina.com $477.00
academicemployment.com $410.00
shawnwilson.com $400.00
milestonecommunications.com $388.00
electricbikeparts.com $388.00
pokerpc.com $359.00
purplepenguin.com $359.00

alt TLD’s

sherwood.net $6,400.00
exchanges.net $5,691.00
bandits.net $5,288.00
paymentprocessing.net $4,588.00
sleepwear.net $3,888.00
samadhi.net $3,588.00
allthings.net $3,388.00
moneyonline.org $3,100.00
curbstone.net $3,088.00
babycare.net $2,888.00
visiting.net $2,850.00
boubou.net $2,788.00
healthylifestyle.org $2,588.00
internetmedia.net $2,500.00
empowered.net $2,500.00
kwick.net $2,400.00
kidu.org $2,288.00
droid.org $2,000.00
asien.org $2,000.00
down2earth.net $1,888.00
thesportsnetwork.net $1,788.00
figureskates.net $1,750.00
cowboyhats.net $1,750.00
funet.net $1,750.00
autographed.net $1,750.00
controlfreak.org $1,730.00
asainternational.net $1,688.00
knowinggod.net $1,500.00
treadmillreviews.net $1,500.00
responsiblegovernment.org $1,488.00
drugtests.net $1,350.00
nethunter.net $1,288.00
vitaminstore.net $1,200.00
VocationalSchool.org $1,200.00
vinylflooring.net $1,188.00
meinegesundheit.net $1,049.00
soulspace.net $1,000.00
globalbrands.net $1,000.00
naturalacnetreatment.net $1,000.00
lichterkette.net $1,000.00
veterinaria.net $1,000.00
korting.net $1,000.00
hebrewbible.org $988.00
zamosc.net $900.00
stickit.net $900.00
employeeassistance.net $888.00
specialtycare.net $888.00
formbuilder.net $888.00
flexmaster.net $888.00
easybill.net $850.00
hollywoodnews.org $850.00
vitaminstore.org $800.00
voicesofhope.org $788.00
makesense.org $788.00
bierzapfanlagen.net $788.00
gingerbread.org $750.00
valentinesdaygifts.net $688.00
careconsult.net $688.00
villageproperties.net $688.00
auto-mall.net $688.00
paymentprocessing.org $688.00
boostbusiness.net $688.00
downloadshop.net $666.00
birthannouncement.org $650.00
playadelcarmen.org $600.00
smallbusinessdirectory.net $551.00
greenhousegas.org $500.00
bulten.net $500.00
simplycountry.net $500.00
limoexpress.net $500.00
bizdomains.net $500.00
preciseadvice.net $500.00
healthypaws.org $500.00
churchofisrael.org $500.00
ilovediamonds.net $488.00
jedipraxeum.net $448.00
metromaintenance.net $400.00
oado.org $388.00
apdn.net $388.00
lpad.org $388.00
qink.org $388.00
tpmg.net $388.00
giftcardworld.net $388.00
allstarplumbing.net $388.00
scnp.org $388.00
rjsc.net $388.00
chso.org $388.00
EnvironmentToday.net $388.00
blla.org $349.00

Seo’d Generic Domains Are Selling For Lots Of Money

I have a friend who happens to be an SEO expert. He has shown me a number of properties he has built and sold for both 6 figures and 7 figures. The basics are always the same. First he finds a highly searchable category that its users would either buy that categories product or generate sellable leads from individuals going to that site. Next he tries to buy the .com and only the dot com. The domain can be 1, 2 or 3 words as long as its .com. I have seen him buy names as low as the low 5 figure range. Next he builds a site that is search engine friendly. The site has to have lots of fresh content. A link building campaign is the last part.

It sounds as easy as making a cake but of course its tougher than that as many domainers are looking for the holy grail. But if you have or can hire someone with the right skills and follow that approach, you will be going in the right path to success.

Latonas.com Becomes The “Christies” of Domain Auctions

Rick Latona is an amazing businessman. He is professional and puts 1000% into everything he does. Recently he rebranded to Latonas.com. It’s a very logical move. The major auction houses in the US are Christie’s and Sothebys. Now we have Latonas to join that impressive rank. Rick and his gang have been working behind the seens to revamp the site and include a new proprietary auction platform. The first auction using this technology is a charity auction being held with WhyPark. Please read the details below and bid for a good cause.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rick Latona Auctions starts charity auction on behalf of WhyPark.com – Registration and Bidding now open on beta platform.

Atlanta, Georgia USA – December 14, 2009 – Rick Latona Auctions has been working on a proprietary auction platform in collaboration with its sister companies. This week only, it’ll be open to preview and beta test at www.latonas.com. Once the auction is complete the system will be locked back down.

The WhyPark.com charity auction is a real auction with people bidding for real domains and spending real money” stated Rick Latona, CEO of Rick Latona Auctions, “however, it is a beta test of the software and website. The full version with many more features will be released in early January, well ahead of our Main Event at T.R.A.F.F.I.C. Las Vegas. This is only a sneak preview of what we have been working on”.

The WhyPark/Latona’s auction has already started and it ends on Friday at 3:00pm EST at www.Latonas.com. Rick Latona Auctions would like to invite you to take a look at the system, register for the auction, bid, and give comments on the your experience. Don’t bid unless you want the name, however! This is a live auction.

“We have our team standing by to make improvements,” said David Clements, President of Rick Latona Auctions. “We see this as a valuable opportunity to wind up with a platform that is custom suited to our industry, and we really would like to get honest feedback from participants of this first auction.”

Registration and bidding for the auction will be at www.latonas.com all week. This is where you will go to view the catalog and register and bid in the auction.

For any technical questions related to the auction software and to report bugs, please email bugs@latonas.com. For any questions about Rick Latona Auctions, please email David Clements at david@ricklatona.com.

About Rick Latona Auctions:
Rick Latona Auctions is an industry leader in the brokerage of domains and domain auctions. This industry has exceeded 428,000,000 US Dollars in total sales1 representing over 54,000 individual domains sold since October 2003. Auctions attract branding managers and executives looking to buy domains to increase their company’s market share against their competitors. Registered bidders from a live audience and those watching the live online video and audio broadcast compete with one another buying domain names. Rick Latona Auctions is proud to be the exclusive auction company for all six T.R.A.F.F.I.C. Conferences in 2010. Rick Latona Auctions also can assist you by acting as your domain name broker for a domain purchase or sale. For additional information, please visit www.RickLatona.com/auctions.

For further information:
David Clements
Partner/ President
Rick Latona Auctions
+1.678.468.9228

1Source: Ron Jackson, DNJournal.com

Sedo weekly sale list – SPB.COM Leads the list at 65k

Sedo’s weekly list starts off with a 3 letter domain SPG.com being the highlight at 65K. Of interest, I’m curious to see the site started with the domain bowels.com which sold for $2850.

Complete list:

Domain name Date Price Currency

spb.com 2009-12-09 65,000 USD
arenal.com 2009-12-07 40,000 USD
mylikes.com 2009-12-11 40,000 USD
airportinfo.com 2009-12-09 22,222 USD
poolmerchants.com 2009-12-07 15,000 USD
howtown.com 2009-12-11 10,000 USD
thinkspot.com 2009-12-14 9,999 USD
diamondtrading.com 2009-12-11 9,800 USD
freestock.com 2009-12-07 9,650 USD
supertrends.com 2009-12-10 8,500 USD
3210.com 2009-12-08 7,500 USD
strikeit.com 2009-12-13 7,500 USD
parfm.com 2009-12-11 7,005 EUR
enyc.com 2009-12-07 5,800 USD
kinderfahrzeuge.com 2009-12-07 5,700 USD
videofire.com 2009-12-10 5,500 USD
asiaclassified.com 2009-12-14 5,500 USD
classement.com 2009-12-08 5,300 EUR
aky.com 2009-12-08 5,200 EUR
sweetspot.com 2009-12-14 5,000 USD
soccer24.com 2009-12-07 5,000 USD
flexiheat.com 2009-12-07 5,000 USD
auditoire.com 2009-12-08 5,000 USD
0033.com 2009-12-10 5,000 EUR
synergus.com 2009-12-10 5,000 USD
peerquiz.com 2009-12-09 4,000 USD
pureau.com 2009-12-10 4,000 USD
goodzone.com 2009-12-10 3,860 USD
livek.com 2009-12-10 3,600 USD
assuranceautomobile.com 2009-12-07 3,500 EUR
item24.com 2009-12-09 3,250 EUR
entradasonline.com 2009-12-11 3,000 EUR
adultblogpress.com 2009-12-07 3,000 USD
audiojungle.com 2009-12-10 3,000 USD
shortsaleinvestor.com 2009-12-10 3,000 USD
zuzu.com 2009-12-07 3,000 USD
indicia.com 2009-12-10 3,000 USD
bowels.com 2009-12-09 2,850 USD
gaybies.com 2009-12-10 2,750 USD
lufo.com 2009-12-13 2,622 USD
techgig.com 2009-12-08 2,500 USD
uhoop.com 2009-12-09 2,500 USD
telecall.com 2009-12-10 2,500 EUR
talkbook.com 2009-12-11 2,500 USD
thenectar.com 2009-12-07 2,250 USD
warcraftsecrets.com 2009-12-08 2,250 USD
puppyconnection.com 2009-12-09 2,241 USD
codaauto.com 2009-12-08 2,111 USD
locaben.com 2009-12-07 2,000 EUR
luxlotto.com 2009-12-10 2,000 EUR
letsgotogether.com 2009-12-07 2,000 USD
naturespassage.com 2009-12-07 2,000 USD
baitbox.com 2009-12-08 2,000 USD
wooot.com 2009-12-08 2,000 EUR
intervina.com 2009-12-08 2,000 EUR
toplisted.com 2009-12-10 2,000 EUR
samowar.com 2009-12-10 2,000 EUR
visitingescorts.com 2009-12-07 2,000 USD
toray-acs.com 2009-12-08 2,000 USD
egoza.com 2009-12-08 2,000 USD
homebuyertaxcredit.com 2009-12-12 2,000 USD

ccTLDs
büromöbel.de 2009-12-09 69,000 EUR
zh.com.cn 2009-12-08 18,000 USD
newsletterboy.de 2009-12-10 10,100 EUR
paintballing.co.uk 2009-12-08 10,000 GBP
webmaster.se 2009-12-09 7,500 EUR
corbatas.es 2009-12-11 5,400 EUR
altersvorsorge24.de 2009-12-08 5,000 EUR
olivenöl.org 2009-12-10 4,500 EUR
yy.de 2009-12-07 4,100 EUR
saharasolar.de 2009-12-11 3,600 EUR
diejobmacher.de 2009-12-11 3,570 EUR
sparangebote.de 2009-12-07 3,000 EUR
shoppenundsparen.de 2009-12-07 2,880 GBP
coffretcadeaux.fr 2009-12-08 2,600 EUR
filmpassage.de 2009-12-10 2,600 EUR
vendor.fr 2009-12-10 2,500 EUR
metropolis.me 2009-12-10 2,500 EUR
trikotsatz.de 2009-12-08 2,350 EUR
porn.mx 2009-12-11 2,050 USD
mcc.fr 2009-12-09 2,000 EUR
eisbär.de 2009-12-08 2,000 EUR
ebrc.eu 2009-12-07 2,000 EUR
myautohaus.de 2009-12-07 1,950 EUR
fotoladen.de 2009-12-11 1,800 EUR
hotels.gp 2009-12-11 1,750 EUR
energy-agency.de 2009-12-08 1,600 EUR
designerfabric.co.uk 2009-12-11 1,575 GBP
bespaarsite.nl 2009-12-11 1,550 EUR
blowjobs.co.uk 2009-12-11 1,550 GBP
pinnaclesports.ca 2009-12-08 1,500 USD
coverstar.co.uk 2009-12-10 1,500 GBP
payback.in 2009-12-11 1,500 EUR
geomonitoring.de 2009-12-08 1,430 EUR
schools.at 2009-12-07 1,309 EUR
goldensun.ch 2009-12-07 1,300 EUR
toctoc.de 2009-12-10 1,250 EUR
autowert.de 2009-12-10 1,200 EUR
freebrowsergames.de 2009-12-08 1,200 EUR
annonces.eu 2009-12-07 1,150 EUR
footballbettingtips.co.uk 2009-12-07 1,100 GBP
forumfree.eu 2009-12-10 1,100 EUR
immoverlosung.de 2009-12-08 1,100 EUR
2h.de 2009-12-09 1,050 EUR
shoretel.de 2009-12-07 1,000 EUR
elektrotankstelle24.de 2009-12-10 1,000 EUR
klk.ch 2009-12-07 1,000 EUR
fotoanuncio.es 2009-12-11 1,000 EUR
gamer.la 2009-12-11 1,000 USD
joaquincortes.es 2009-12-09 990 EUR
efpa.be 2009-12-07 950 USD
piratenmarkt.de 2009-12-11 950 EUR
globalnews.eu 2009-12-09 900 EUR
eutel.eu 2009-12-09 900 EUR
dailydeal.de 2009-12-10 885 EUR
kartenlegen.tv 2009-12-08 850 EUR
linum.co.uk 2009-12-08 850 GBP
biometrie.cz 2009-12-11 800 USD
ltehandy.de 2009-12-07 800 EUR
china-import.de 2009-12-14 760 EUR
aquatherm.eu 2009-12-09 750 EUR
hlskens.de 2009-12-08 750 EUR
immobewerter.de 2009-12-11 750 EUR
betterbusiness.eu 2009-12-07 750 EUR
floodprevention.co.uk 2009-12-11 750 GBP
supermart.de 2009-12-07 700 USD
ballkalender.de 2009-12-09 700 EUR

Other
apps.net 2009-12-10 25,900 USD
constructionmanagement.net 2009-12-07 12,500 USD
cheapestautoinsurance.net 2009-12-08 7,495 USD
qec.org 2009-12-10 7,140 USD
unsigned.net 2009-12-10 3,000 USD
babycare.net 2009-12-07 2,888 USD
visiting.net 2009-12-09 2,850 USD
boubou.net 2009-12-08 2,788 USD
daswetter.net 2009-12-11 2,500 EUR
billigflge.org 2009-12-10 2,500 EUR
backpackers.org 2009-12-09 2,500 USD
sunscreen.net 2009-12-08 2,250 USD
fleisch.info 2009-12-08 950 EUR
cardscanner.org 2009-12-09 799 USD
bierzapfanlagen.net 2009-12-09 788 USD
corsage.org 2009-12-10 778 USD
damenfahrrad.net 2009-12-11 757 EUR
dxdd.net 2009-12-08 750 USD
tireratings.org 2009-12-09 749 USD
vinylflooring.net 2009-12-07 717 GBP
meinegesundheit.net 2009-12-09 700 EUR
aereo.net 2009-12-09 700 USD

The Best Generic Domain Portfolio Sale in Years – The Multi-Million Domain Auction That No One Knew About – Part 5

We are now in the final moments. Both bidders, me being one, are on a conference call with the company selling the domains. The conference call started a few bids earlier. Up until then, we had been receiving phone calls from the company. The company would then tell us the bid status and then we would tell them our increased bid. Since the bidding has gone on so long they decided to put us together on a conference call. I now knew who I was bidding against. It turned out to be the party I thought it was. At that moment I knew what the outcome would be.

Time can sometimes fool you. A few seconds can feel like an eternity. Using that logic I probably took years off my life during the few moments I waited after we gave our last bid. Our last bid was a large increase. I then hear the other party say…. 25k more. It’s over.

Was I disappointed? Of course I was. However, you can’t win every battle you go into but I do feel I did everything possible that I could have done. I also feel if we had went millions higher, he would have come back with 25k more.

Who was the other party? He was the former chairman of the company that was selling the domains. He is someone I have spoken with in the past and have the utmost respect for. I thought he had already owned these domains. However, as it turns out he did indeed own many great names, but these particular names were owned by his old company and not by him.

I believe he feels as strongly about generic domains as I do. I do not know for certain, but he probably was the one who registered them for the company originally and might have felt that they were like a part of him, sort of like children. I know that is the way many domainers feel about their domains. In the end, I feel he deserved them.

Here is the sec report filing on the sale:

On February 25, 2009, we entered into an agreement to sell the assets of Domain.com, our wholly owned subsidiary, to A. Emmet Stephenson, Jr., Inc. (“Mr. Stephenson”) in exchange for cash of $7,075,000. The assets of Domain.com consist of domain names, trademarks and corporation names. We conducted an auction for the assets and received bids from multiple parties, including Mr. Stephenson. Mr. Stephenson presented the highest bid, which represented the selling price, of $7,075,000 and the sale was completed effective February 25, 2009. Mr. Stephenson is one of our co-founders, has managed the Domain.com subsidiary since 2006 and owns approximately 20% of our common shares outstanding. Because the transaction involves a related party, the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors considered and approved the transaction.

Here is a list of the domains:

Domain Names
401-K.com
Airlines.com
Anniversary.com
Annuities.com
Birthday.com
Bookings.com
Bookshelf.com
Bourses.com
Car-Rental.com
Christmas-Gifts.com
Communications.com
Cumpleanos.com
Currencies.com
Dining.com
Distributors.com
Dividends.com
Doctors.com
Electronics.com
Exchanges.com
Excursions.com
Frequentflyer.com
Guidebooks.com
Hospitals.com
Investments.com
Municipals.com
Museums.com
MyValentine.com
Products.com
Profits.com
Royalty.com
Ships.com
Taxfree.com
Technology.com
Tee-Times.com
Ticketrez.com
Wedding.com
Wholesale.com

The Multi-Million Domain Auction That No One Knew About – Part 4

A day or 2 before the bidding starts, a wrench is thrown in. It is told to us that google has blocked their top revenue name. It is being switched to yahoo but we may not here revenue figures before the bidding starts. While we were not buying based on revenue, it was a material number and had to be considered. One thing I forgot to mention. When we originally bid in part 1, we had no revenue figures. The only party to have the figures was one of the other bidders that had been managing the domains.
The auction starts with our bid as the starting bid. There is a few million on the table. Bid increases have to be a minimum of 100k. One party tops us and we come right back. The third party drops out quickly. So now 2 parties remain. I have an idea of who the remaining party is and my gut tells me there is no way to beat him. I’ll explain why later. The other party has requested minimum bids to be reduced now to $25,000 from $100,000. This could be read 2 ways. Either they are near their maximum or they want to win and tell feel we are near ours and they would only have to go up 25k on their last bid instead of 100k. As it turns out neither of us was close to being done.

The board then asks that they want a final bid from each party. We don’t like this as we feel that it could favor the other party and demand that the current rules apply. It turns out the other party was also insistent that the bidding continue. The board relents and lets the bidding stay the same way.

The bids go back and forth by telephone. At first 25k bids are going back and forth. Then slightly higher. We have topped another million dollar mark and the bids kept coming. When we go up a 100k they go up 25k more. When we go up 500k more, they go up 25k more. We are now in the mid to upper 7 figures. The domains are worth considerably more in my opinion but since the toys.com auction has still not finished its process, it starts to weigh in the decision.

Then the next hurdle is put before us. The rules of the game get changed and there is no way to stop it. The other party guarantees that if he wins he will submit all funds by close of business the next day. The board tells us that this is what they are going to do. This most likely a tactic by the other party to get us out of the game. However, that would not be the case just yet. I call for a hail Mary. I quickly call partners to see what the max cash we can get together in 24hours and decide that is the number we have to do. I have no choice. Even if we don’t get this I want to make sure I squeeze as much blood as I can out of this. Its their court and ball and we have to play by their rules. We keep going up by 500k. Each time, the other party counters 25k more. We make our last bid.

Come back tomorrow for the last part in this series.

The Multi-Million Domain Auction That No One Knew About – Part 3

So now, we sit back and put our thinking caps on. We were told we were the highest offer . they are asking all parties to make a minimum bid of 100k higher than our last offer. We have a few days for discussion. I assume that we need to blow everyone else out of the game and when its time to present our offer we raise our bid $800,000 (note to all, the bids are now in the low to mid 7 figures. I assumed (really hoped) that coming in with the highest bid would close it down. Lesson to all – don’t assume.

Here’s the notification letter:

I am pleased to inform you that your bid of $Y,YYY,YYY for the domain names and trademarks owned by our wholly owned subsidiary, xxxxxxxxxxxx represents one of the three highest bids received as part of xxxxxxxxxxxx’s sale process.

On Monday, beginning at approximately 10:00 a.m., we will be conducting a round robin auction, consisting of individual phone calls to the three remaining participants seeking the highest bid. We will continue the calls until two of the three bidders drop out, leaving the buyer that we will move forward with toward closing.

At the conclusion of the bidding on Monday, we intend to have the winning bidder execute a letter of intent, and immediately wire funds representing 10% of the purchase price to xxxxxxxxxxxx. We intend to structure this transaction as an asset sale, and consideration shall be in cash payable at closing, anticipated to be no later than xxxxxxxx, xx, 2009. I will be distributing the form of the letter of intent and asset purchase agreement over the weekend.

Please note that the Buyer shall rely solely on the revenue data previously supplied as support for any bid, and closing of the transaction shall not be contingent upon the buyer performing any additional due diligence with respect to statistical data related to the domain names.

Thank you again for your participation in this sale process, and I look forward to speaking with you on Monday.

Stay tuned for the auction in part 4

The Multi-Million Domain Auction That No One Knew About – Part 2

I pace around my desk the next day as I await the boards response to my offer. As I mentioned in my Part 1 post, We had discovered an amazing portfolio of generic domains that was being offered for sale. I was told by the company selling the domains that they were examining a few offers and to get an offer in quickly if we were to be considered, which we did. Our bid would be reviewed and would be be responded to with 24-48 hours.

After wearing out the carpet on my floor, I receive the phone call that I was waiting for. I am informed that the board has reviewed our offer and found it to be viable. However, they do not accept it. They inform me that they have decided to ask a few parties to make another bid.

The company forwards a letter with the following:

1 – The complete list of names with revenue per name
2 – Ask for offers on individual names and for the whole package
3 – 3 days to bid
4 – Bids will be evaluated and a next step decided
5 – Letter of Intent signed quickly by party chosen
6 – non refundable down payment by chosen party
7 – closing in about 2 weeks

Parties are told that there will be a minimum portfolio bid. The minimum turns out to be $100,000 higher than our last bid, which was the highest bid at the time.

Stay tuned for Part 3

The Multi-Million Domain Auction That No One Knew About -Part 1

There has been much happening in the domain business this year. Unfortunately, many of the larger deals go unreported.

It’s not the Toys.com auction that this post is about. Earlier this year I was involved in the Toys.com bankruptcy auction. While this was both exciting and frustrating, ANOTHER major auction was going on. It seems that a large company decided to divest its domain portfolio and wanted to do it rather quickly. I found this out about it purely by accident. Their board was meeting the next day to decide and looked like they would approve a low 7 figure offer, which was at a rate of 5 times cash flow. While the cash flow was nice, the names were nicer. I immediately sent an offer, which was higher than the current offer. Since the company was public and the difference was material, I knew that I they would have to consider my offer. See later in the week for part 2.