Do You Need To Be A BOT To Bid On GoDaddy Auctions?

[wwwweb]

So been watching Godaddy auctions, there is a character in play who bids $5+ at a time, every few minutes, thought it was a one off event, but across numerous domains, this can go on for over an hour if need be.

So Godaddy has been shy with usernames, but maybe it is time bidders get some integrity on this.

The user experience for us human bidders, is quite time consuming, Godaddy has to value the time of their customers better. Level the playing field.


4/4/2018 11:46 AM
Bidder 13 $1,200
4/4/2018 10:39 AM $4
Bidder 8 $1,196
4/4/2018 11:43 AM $25
Bidder 13 (Auto) $1,171
4/4/2018 11:40 AM $25
Bidder 8 $1,146
4/4/2018 11:40 AM $25
Bidder 13 (Auto) $1,121
4/4/2018 11:37 AM $25
Bidder 8 $1,096
4/4/2018 11:37 AM $25
Bidder 13 (Auto) $1,071
4/4/2018 11:34 AM $25
Bidder 8 $1,046
4/4/2018 11:34 AM $25
Bidder 13 (Auto) $1,021
4/4/2018 11:31 AM $15
Bidder 8 $1,006
4/4/2018 11:31 AM $10
Bidder 13 (Auto) $996
4/4/2018 11:28 AM $10
Bidder 8 $986
4/4/2018 11:28 AM $10
Bidder 13 (Auto) $976
4/4/2018 11:25 AM $10
Bidder 8 $966
4/4/2018 11:25 AM $10
Bidder 13 (Auto) $956
4/4/2018 11:22 AM $10
Bidder 8 $946
4/4/2018 11:22 AM $10
Bidder 13 (Auto) $936
4/4/2018 11:19 AM $10
Bidder 8 $926
4/4/2018 11:19 AM $10
Bidder 13 (Auto) $916
4/4/2018 11:16 AM $10
Bidder 8 $906
4/4/2018 11:16 AM $10
Bidder 13 (Auto) $896
4/4/2018 11:13 AM $10
Bidder 8 $886
4/4/2018 11:13 AM $10
Bidder 13 (Auto) $876
4/4/2018 11:10 AM $10
Bidder 8 $866
4/4/2018 11:10 AM $10
Bidder 13 (Auto) $856
4/4/2018 11:07 AM $10
Bidder 8 $846
4/4/2018 11:07 AM $10
Bidder 13 (Auto) $836
4/4/2018 11:04 AM $10
Bidder 8 $826
4/4/2018 11:04 AM $10
Bidder 13 (Auto) $816
4/4/2018 11:01 AM $10
Bidder 8 $806
4/4/2018 11:01 AM $10
Bidder 13 (Auto) $796
4/4/2018 10:57 AM $10
Bidder 8 $786
4/4/2018 10:57 AM $10
Bidder 13 (Auto) $776
4/4/2018 10:54 AM $10
Your bid $766
4/4/2018 10:54 AM $10
Bidder 13 (Auto) $756
4/4/2018 10:53 AM $10
Bidder 8 $746
4/4/2018 10:53 AM $10
Bidder 13 (Auto) $736
4/4/2018 10:50 AM $10
Your bid $726
4/4/2018 10:50 AM $10
Bidder 13 (Auto) $716
4/4/2018 10:48 AM $10
Bidder 8 $706
4/4/2018 10:48 AM $10
Bidder 13 (Auto) $696
4/4/2018 10:45 AM $10
Bidder 8 $686
4/4/2018 10:45 AM $10
Bidder 13 (Auto) $676
4/4/2018 10:42 AM $10
Bidder 8 $666
4/4/2018 10:42 AM $10
Bidder 13 (Auto) $656
4/4/2018 10:39 AM $10
Bidder 5 $646
4/4/2018 10:39 AM $146
Bidder 13 $500
4/4/2018 10:16 AM $1
Bidder 1 $499
4/4/2018 10:04 AM $94
Bidder 1 (Auto) $405
4/4/2018 10:16 AM $5
Bidder 13 $400
4/4/2018 10:16 AM $26
Bidder 1 (Auto) $374
4/4/2018 10:04 AM $5
Bidder 3 $369
4/3/2018 11:53 PM $4
Bidder 2 $365
4/4/2018 4:34 AM $61
Bidder 3 (Auto) $304
4/3/2018 11:53 PM $5
Bidder 1 $299
4/3/2018 6:23 AM $44
Bidder 1 (Auto) $255
4/3/2018 6:23 AM $5
Bidder 13 $250
4/1/2018 9:42 AM $70
Bidder 13 (Auto) $180
4/3/2018 5:45 AM $5
Bidder 6 $175
4/3/2018 5:45 AM $10
Bidder 13 (Auto) $165
4/2/2018 9:56 AM $5
Bidder 7 $160
4/2/2018 9:56 AM $5
Bidder 13 (Auto) $155
4/1/2018 9:42 AM $5
Bidder 10 $150
3/29/2018 5:11 AM
Bidder 13 $150
4/1/2018 9:42 AM $24
Bidder 10 (Auto) $126
3/30/2018 11:24 AM $5
Bidder 12 $121
3/30/2018 11:24 AM $5
Bidder 10 (Auto) $116
3/29/2018 5:11 AM $5
Bidder 12 $111
3/29/2018 2:21 AM $16
Bidder 12 $95
3/29/2018 2:21 AM $5
Bidder 10 $90
3/28/2018 6:22 AM
Bidder 12 $90
3/29/2018 2:21 AM $5
Bidder 10 (Auto) $85
3/29/2018 2:20 AM $5
Bidder 12 $80
3/29/2018 2:20 AM $5
Bidder 10 (Auto) $75
3/29/2018 2:20 AM $5
Bidder 12 $70
3/29/2018 2:20 AM $5
Bidder 10 (Auto) $65
3/29/2018 2:20 AM $5
Bidder 12 $60
3/29/2018 2:20 AM $5
Bidder 10 (Auto) $55
3/29/2018 2:20 AM $5
Bidder 12 $50
3/29/2018 2:20 AM $5
Bidder 10 (Auto) $45
3/29/2018 2:20 AM $5
Bidder 12 $40
3/29/2018 2:20 AM $5
Bidder 10 (Auto) $35
3/28/2018 6:22 AM $5
Bidder 4 $30
3/25/2018 11:16 AM $3
Bidder 9 $27
3/27/2018 9:33 PM $5
Bidder 4 (Auto) $22
3/27/2018 12:31 AM $5
Bidder 11 $17
3/27/2018 12:31 AM $5
Bidder 4 $12
3/25/2018 10:53 AM
Details

 

[WhoaDomain.com]

Why not give it a shot and check for a domain that you and any of your domainer acquaintances are planning to bid on? (Note: I'm NOT condoing or suggesting shill bidding. Please do not do so). Really, you can form conspiracy theories all you want but without evidence, they merely that, theories with no basis. I'm no fan of GD but making such assumptions harms no one but you. I'd be hard pressed to believe a public company would engage in deceptive practice as such (Not that others haven't done so). But without proof, there is no basis

Further, does your suspicion of proxy bidding extend to other platforms as well?

You don't see such rampant immediate bot bidding as on GD.

It's purpose? Obvious. Just look at the guy who started this thread? He's pissed yea but like most. pissed or not. They will bid regardless. Maybe up until 5-6 bids max.

You multiple that by however many buyers on GD?

And it guarantees prices go up to the benefit of GD.

I think it's the instantaneous automatic bid that turns an auction into a (d*ck measuring contest)

And a total sword fight.

People definitely get "triggerred" for sure.

I'm guilty if this.

 

[anantj]

You don't see such rampant immediate bot bidding as on GD.

It's purpose? Obvious. Just look at the guy who started this thread? He's pissed yea but like most. pissed or not. They will bid regardless. Maybe up until 5-6 bids max.

You multiple that by however many buyers on GD?

And it guarantees prices go up to the benefit of GD.

I think it's the instantaneous automatic bid that turns an auction into a (d*ck measuring contest)

And a total sword fight.

People definitely get "triggerred" for sure.

I'm guilty if this.

I understand the frustration of the OP. Not illegal, not shady but a pain to have bots doing what is illustrated in the OP. That said, bots are controlled by other bidders/users and NOT by GD. GD is not doing anything shady. You're trying to mix two issues: 1. Bots participating in GD auctions (usually with a fairly high budget) and 2. Your suspicion that GD is scamming users in their implementation of proxy bidding. They are very different issues. The former is legal and allowed (but makes for an uneven playing field). The latter is not allowed and most likely illegal.

You multiple that by however many buyers on GD?
Do you mean however many buyers = however many bots? Or that all buyers keeping incessant bidding against bots so prices on the whole rise up? If the latter, again, bots or not, prices are not directly related. I'd actually counter that the bot behavior illustrated in the OP actuall would reduce prices since a lot of buyers will not have the time or the energy to keep outbidding the bot and hence the bot will, more than likely, win the auction at a lower price.

Prices going up on GD is actually (very strongly, imo) a function of multiple other factors:

1. The new GD appraisal system which is also much more front and center. A lot of buyers use this as a proxy for the value of the domain and hence bid higher than wholesale prices
2. HD buying swathes of domains (at higher prices than before) which leaves fewer domains available at reasonable prices for the rest of us
3. More and more expired domains going to GD causing more users to participate in auctions (as GD is now, pretty much, the largest expired domain aftermarket), thereby increasing competition dramatically

There might be other factors also at play but, again imo, the ones above are likely the prime reasons.

 

[WhoaDomain.com]

Actually GD appraisal system is a great way to price your domains. I've had domains almost go into redemption

They went to auction.

So of course GD's appraisal will be on there.

Need free appraisal by an expert ? This is an option. Just screen shot it. Then transfer domain out before auction is over.

I think GD sends domains about 5 days before the 30th day of redemption.

I wouldn't suggest this as you might go over the 30 days and domain will go into redemption. it is a slick option to get free appraisal from a big respectable company everyone knows. How much does GD or SD or other outfits charge for appraisals? Just use the screenshot show it your future buyer. Lol

 

[anantj]

Actually GD appraisal system is a great way to price your domains. I've had domains almost go into redemption

They went to auction.

So of course GD's appraisal will be on there.

Need free appraisal by an expert ? This is an option. Just screen shot it. Then transfer domain out before auction is over.

I think GD sends domains about 5 days before the 30th day of redemption.

I wouldn't suggest this as you might go over the 30 days and domain will go into redemption. it is a slick option to get free appraisal from a big respectable company everyone knows. How much does GD or SD or other outfits charge for appraisals? Just use the screenshot show it your future buyer. Lol

I hope this was a joke and that you're aware that the GD appraisals are available through their appraisal tool and that you do NOT need to let the domains expire to have them go to auction and then get a free appraisal!

Anyway, not to digress and derail the thread

 

[WhoaDomain.com]

I hope this was a joke and that you're aware that the GD appraisals are available through their appraisal tool and that you do NOT need to let the domains expire to have them go to auction and then get a free appraisal!

Anyway, not to digress and derail the thread

Wasn't a joke. Just saying. Plus between that free tool you mention and my idea. I think since GD has more to gain in an expired domain they use a better tool than the free GD tool.

That free GD tool might as well be ESTIBOT.

And we all know how accurate Estibot is.

Free is never as accurate as paid. At least that's the general assumption.

Doesn't GD charge for their more professional appraisal like Sedo's $100 per appraisal?

 

[anantj]

Wasn't a joke. Just saying. Plus between that free tool you mention and my idea. I think since GD has more to gain in an expired domain they use a better tool than the free GD tool.

That free GD tool might as well be ESTIBOT.

And we all know how accurate Estibot is.

Free is never as accurate as paid. At least that's the general assumption.

Doesn't GD charge for their more professional appraisal like Sedo's $100 per appraisal?

The valuations displayed for expired auction is the same as the valuation provided by the free tool. Feel free to compare and experiment

 

[tonyk2000]

I am watching this "+$5" bot for a second day in raw. Interesting . As a curiosity, I entered a $150 proxy on a domain that barely worth regfee, where I was the only bidder with <5 minutes remained. Was immediately outbid with $155. So he does not have any reasonable limits set, or any limits set at all. GoDaddy shareholders should be happy.

 

[mr-x]

I am watching this "+$5" bot for a second day in raw. Interesting . As a curiosity, I entered a $150 proxy on a domain that barely worth regfee, where I was the only bidder with <5 minutes remained. Was immediately outbid with $155. So he does not have any reasonable limits set, or any limits set at all. GoDaddy shareholders should be happy.

Domain name?

 

[tonyk2000]

Domain name?

Nothing special, really... Lets say it was a two words .com with limited enduser base. I simply do not like to disclose on a public forum what I watch or bid on

 

[mr-x]

Nothing special, really... Lets say it was a two words .com with limited enduser base. I simply do not like to disclose on a public forum what I watch or bid on

Then tell us what it was. What's the purpose of keeping it from us?

If you're going to make public accusations, you need to provide proof.

 

[tonyk2000]

Accusations?? What accusations? I put a proxy bid which I would've honored if won. Somebody elected to outbid me, obviously automated, and likely without any manual check of a wholesale value of the domain in question. Just a technical notice which I beleive is useful for the purposes of this thread.

 

[mr-x]

You just claimed a bot was bidding on worthless names, running the price up for the benefit of Godaddy. But refuse to say the domain name so we can check who wins the auction.

 

[tonyk2000]

You just claimed a bot was bidding on worthless names

Not a big news indeed

 

[mr-x]

If you thought a bot was bidding on Godaddy auctions to benefit Godaddy, how can we either catch them or prove assumption wrong without knowing the domain?

I don't believe you.

 

[tonyk2000]

I never stated that these bots are controlled or owned by GoDaddy if it is what you are talking about.

As for the bot bidding issue not being a new one, see also start date of
https://www.namepros.com/threads/hu...50-of-expiring-domains-at-godaddy-com.988898/
thread - Dec 9, 2016

 

[mr-x]

I never stated that these bots are controlled or owned by GoDaddy if it is what you are talking about.

As for the bot bidding issue not being a new one, see also start date of
https://www.namepros.com/threads/hu...50-of-expiring-domains-at-godaddy-com.988898/
thread - Dec 9, 2016

You implied it more than once.

 

[Daniel Owens]

If, it's a bot thus not proxy bidding then it is a misdemeanor and publishable by up to 6 months in jail and $10,000 fine. Not, sure everyone knows that though. Also, thus it is highly unlikely to be a bot and if it is you should report it to law enforcement right away.

 

[wwwweb]

I understand the frustration of the OP. Not illegal, not shady but a pain to have bots doing what is illustrated in the OP. That said, bots are controlled by other bidders/users and NOT by GD. GD is not doing anything shady. You're trying to mix two issues: 1. Bots participating in GD auctions (usually with a fairly high budget) and 2. Your suspicion that GD is scamming users in their implementation of proxy bidding. They are very different issues. The former is legal and allowed (but makes for an uneven playing field). The latter is not allowed and most likely illegal.

You multiple that by however many buyers on GD?
Do you mean however many buyers = however many bots? Or that all buyers keeping incessant bidding against bots so prices on the whole rise up? If the latter, again, bots or not, prices are not directly related. I'd actually counter that the bot behavior illustrated in the OP actuall would reduce prices since a lot of buyers will not have the time or the energy to keep outbidding the bot and hence the bot will, more than likely, win the auction at a lower price.

Prices going up on GD is actually (very strongly, imo) a function of multiple other factors:

1. The new GD appraisal system which is also much more front and center. A lot of buyers use this as a proxy for the value of the domain and hence bid higher than wholesale prices
2. HD buying swathes of domains (at higher prices than before) which leaves fewer domains available at reasonable prices for the rest of us
3. More and more expired domains going to GD causing more users to participate in auctions (as GD is now, pretty much, the largest expired domain aftermarket), thereby increasing competition dramatically

There might be other factors also at play but, again imo, the ones above are likely the prime reasons.

Well stated, now also estimated parking revenue is being displayed, which should push prices even more higher. Every time I bought domains in the past based on estimated traffic via that godaddy stat, majority of the time it never really developed, or by the domain hit my account it had gone down to nil.

The two domains in my original report were outzone.com, and clicksecurity.com, both of which I pushed over $1K, the auctions for both domains extended about 2 hours, and then some from when they were supposed to finish by this $5 at a time bidder, it was 2 random domains, both decent, but even when I went into 4 digits the bids did not stop, or slow. It's a good strategy, many human users have used it for years, as the phone rings, we get distracted, and you forget to bid, and the domain is gone.

 

[anantj]

If, it's a bot thus not proxy bidding then it is a misdemeanor and publishable by up to 6 months in jail and $10,000 fine. Not, sure everyone knows that though. Also, thus it is highly unlikely to be a bot and if it is you should report it to law enforcement right away.

Hope you realize that proxy bids are placed by a piece of software that can be classified as a bot!

 

[wwwweb]

How do you know it's the same bot or the same user account behind the bot from this information?

Both of the auctions I was watching clicksecurity.com, and outzone.com the $5+ min bids for over 2 hours was won by the same company


Level 2 LLC
[email protected]
internet traffic nameservers

Looking further into this it seems this persons namejet username is markmon

There is some allegations I found via online search that have been posted in the comments of this blog below:

https://onlinedomain.com/2018/04/10...-this-time-with-an-oliver-hoger-owned-domain/

 

[wwwweb]

Some further follow up found at namepros about Level2


https://www.namepros.com/threads/faheem-chapnames-level2-scam.944946/

 

[mr-x]

Both of the auctions I was watching clicksecurity.com, and outzone.com the $5+ min bids for over 2 hours was won by the same company


Level 2 LLC
[email protected]
internet traffic nameservers

Looking further into this it seems this persons namejet username is markmon

There is some allegations I found via online search that have been posted in the comments of this blog below:

https://onlinedomain.com/2018/04/10...-this-time-with-an-oliver-hoger-owned-domain/

API access only given to a few companies.