32 replies
I saw a few listings where the sellers are stating the age of the domain is not from when the seller registered it but from when it was first registered.

Example i registered a domain xyzabc.com in 2005 and then let it expire in 2006 and then lets say this seller on flippa registered the same domain in 2012 then he will state in his/her auction that domain age is 7 years (2012-2005) and not 0 years.

Now i am 99% sure this is just a fake strategy but there are many sites sold like this and many many bids are made on auctions that are still going on.

Are bidders just dumb or my seo knowledge is going from bad to worse ?


Regards,
Ashish Thakkar
#flippa #scam
  • Profile picture of the author ltrain_riders
    I don't know... I would imagine it's more important what was/is on the site rather than how old it is. If their main selling point is the domain's age and they were doing as you mentioned, I would probably stay away because it's clear they are trying to sell you an aged domain rather than the domain/website.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    No ... this doesn't rise to the level of scam. A lot of people pick up aged domains with a history, even if they've been dropped at one time. A domain has a history from the first time it was registered. However, they can't claim that the site itself is aged if it's on a dropped domain.
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  • Profile picture of the author ashishthakkar
    A lot of people pick up aged domains with a history, even if they've been dropped at one time.
    Lot of people pick up lot of things but i dont think once a domain has expired and it is available to general public to register , you go and register it and claim it to be an aged domain ?!

    However, they can't claim that the site itself is aged if it's on a dropped domain.
    Exactly. You cant call a 15 day old domain as aged domain !


    Regards,
    Ashish Thakkar
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by ashishthakkar View Post

      Lot of people pick up lot of things but i dont think once a domain has expired and it is available to general public to register , you go and register it and claim it to be an aged domain ?!

      Exactly. You cant call a 15 day old domain as aged domain !

      Regards,
      Ashish Thakkar
      Well, if that's what you believe ... believe it, but I buy domains that are aged even if they have been dropped at one time. There is a very large market for dropped domains. Hmmm, I wonder why.

      What I said was the SITE cannot be claimed as aged. Only the domain. People are so quick to call everything a scam when there is no scam.
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  • Profile picture of the author ashishthakkar
    What I said was the SITE cannot be claimed as aged. Only the domain. People are so quick to call everything a scam when there is no scam.
    I had 1% doubt that is why the thread. Thanks for your input.

    Anyways the moderators agree with me thats why they suspended a couple of listings.
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by ashishthakkar View Post

      I had 1% doubt that is why the thread. Thanks for your input.

      Anyways the moderators agree with me thats why they suspended a couple of listings.
      There are many reasons that listings get suspended and I am 100% certain that Flippa did not tell you the reason they were suspended. Sites are suspended for things like shill bidding. That's a big one on Flippa and there's no way for the average user to know why a listing is suspended but since I've seen many aged domains selling on Flippa, I seriously doubt that was the reason.
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  • Profile picture of the author vCr8
    I think it could have been as simple as listing the domain's first registration, dropped points and re registration dates. Then it will be the bidder's choice if dropped domains are still worth the shot. I'm not sure to call it a scam but it is definitely a misrepresentation.
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by javajunkie View Post

      I think it could have been as simple as listing the domain's first registration, dropped points and re registration dates. Then it will be the bidder's choice if dropped domains are still worth the shot. I'm not sure to call it a scam but it is definitely a misrepresentation.
      Actually, when you list a domain as aged that has been dropped, Flippa automatically provides the newest registration date on the listing and puts a Warning that the stated age and the latest registration age are not the same.

      If this were against Flippa's TOS, listing an aged/dropped domain would not be allowed at all. You'd have to state the latest registration date only.

      EDIT: One of the benefits that people think that buying a domain with history is the number of existing backlinks and perhaps the domain had Pagerank, etc. ... basically SEO benefits. Whether or not those benefits will stick is information that only Google really knows and they won't tell you.

      I buy them because people let go of some great domain names. As for the history, you still have to do due diligence to make sure that Google didn't ban the domain at any point or that the domain isn't blacklisted for spam, etc.
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      • Profile picture of the author vCr8
        Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

        Actually, when you list a domain as aged that has been dropped, Flippa automatically provides the newest registration date on the listing and puts a Warning that the stated age and the latest registration age are not the same.

        If this were against Flippa's TOS, listing an aged/dropped domain would not be allowed at all. You'd have to state the latest registration date only.

        EDIT: One of the benefits that people think that buying a domain with history is the number of existing backlinks and perhaps the domain had Pagerank, etc. ... basically SEO benefits. Whether or not those benefits will stick is information that only Google really knows and they won't tell you.

        I buy them because people let go of some great domain names. As for the history, you still have to do due diligence to make sure that Google didn't ban the domain at any point or that the domain isn't blacklisted for spam, etc.
        u

        Exactly, since old/dropped domains have value for some if not for most... Why this option is not added by Flippa I certainly don't know but if they had...well it was just that easy for bidders to ascertain the value of the domain listed.
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  • Profile picture of the author Adie
    This case cannot be labeled as scam. Although it is a misleading information, still there is a way to check it if the buyer is not dumb. As buyer, you should check everything before you spend your hard earned money. But of course its unethical and unprofessional. I think Flippa has domain age verification feature.
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  • Profile picture of the author ashishthakkar
    I seriously doubt that was the reason.
    I have no doubts because they told me that was the reason !
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by ashishthakkar View Post

      I have no doubts because they told me that was the reason !
      Show me the listing
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  • Profile picture of the author MaryPabelate
    Banned
    I think there is any tool that tells you if any domain was dropped and it was registered again by other.
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  • Profile picture of the author ashishthakkar
    Private message sent to you !
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  • Profile picture of the author ashishthakkar
    I think there is any tool that tells you if any domain was dropped and it was registered again by other.
    That is true. But the question here is "How does one determine domain age" ?

    You count from when the domain was first registered or when the domain was last registered ?

    Read the first post : Would you say xyzabc.com is 7 years or 0 years ?
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  • Profile picture of the author latestnewsheadline
    Banned
    Originally Posted by ashishthakkar View Post

    I saw a few listings where the sellers are stating the age of the domain is not from when the seller registered it but from when it was first registered.

    Example i registered a domain xyzabc.com in 2005 and then let it expire in 2006 and then lets say this seller on flippa registered the same domain in 2012 then he will state in his/her auction that domain age is 7 years (2012-2005) and not 0 years.

    Now i am 99% sure this is just a fake strategy but there are many sites sold like this and many many bids are made on auctions that are still going on.

    Are bidders just dumb or my seo knowledge is going from bad to worse ?
    This is NOT a scam.
    The domain age is calculated from the first registration. This is a fact, not a scam.
    Don't mix the domain age with the site age.
    I think, we're wasting the time to answer on this topic, no offense.
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by latestnewsheadline View Post

      This is NOT a scam.
      The domain age is calculated from the first registration. This is a fact, not a scam.
      Don't mix the domain age with the site age.
      I think, we're wasting the time to answer on this topic, no offense.
      Actually there's plenty of debate over that. Normally, people buy dropped domains for the SEO value they think they'll be getting.

      As for this auction, it clearly shows that the domain was last registered in August

      Claimed Site Age
      Site Established 14th Aug, 2012

      Verifying domain history in whois is quite simple, so I don't see any big scam here other than using the url appraisal link to "verify" the value of the site. Haven't seen traffic referrals, so can't comment on whether or not the traffic is real.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    Funny, he's claiming the domain was first registered in 2011, but actually, in whois, it was registered in 2009.

    The domain does have backlinks (which is one of the reasons people buy dropped domains) and the content appears to be unique. I would want to see screenshots of his traffic referrals.

    The use of How Much Is Your Site Worth? | URLAppraisal.net to value a site is completely bogus. No automated sites can accurately value a site, so that's fairly deceptive.

    I'd like to hear from the Flippa staff on this forum about the reason for the suspension. It is only temporarily suspended at this time, so it could go live again at any time.
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  • Profile picture of the author BAC
    I will sy here that...50% of buyers on flippa are fools....they just fooled by fake earnings too, recently I have reported about one auction on flippa which was claiming revenues but false, I reported to flippa about that and he got banned and listing was also deleted.


    Be aware of fake things on flippa, good point @ashishthakkar


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  • Profile picture of the author ashishthakkar
    I think, we're wasting the time to answer on this topic, no offense.
    None taken.

    This is NOT a scam.
    The domain age is calculated from the first registration. This is a fact, not a scam.
    Don't mix the domain age with the site age.
    Well i am learning new things here because i thought if a domain expires then it loses its value and it cant be called an aged domain.

    I have seen one more listing from the same seller which was sold a few months back and the review he got was negative because the seller claimed the site to be 2 years when it was just a month old.

    So i am not the only one i guess.
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  • Profile picture of the author ashishthakkar
    The use of How Much Is Your Site Worth? | URLAppraisal.net to value a site is completely bogus. No automated sites can accurately value a site, so that's fairly deceptive.
    If a site is showing high value of my domain or site then why not use it

    The domain does have backlinks (which is one of the reasons people buy dropped domains) and the content appears to be unique. I would want to see screenshots of his traffic referrals.
    I am afraid you have checked it the wrong way ? Even the content is NOT unique like it was claimed.


    I'd like to hear from the Flippa staff on this forum about the reason for the suspension. It is only temporarily suspended at this time, so it could go live again at any time.
    I will msg if i get any message and can post it in public.


    regards,
    Thakkar
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  • Profile picture of the author TeamTCW
    I have gone through the all the replies and I found no correct answer to this question..
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    • Profile picture of the author Adie
      Originally Posted by ashishthakkar View Post

      I think how the listing is presented is very important.

      If a seller states :
      Site Established 14th Aug, 2012
      Domain Age 2 Years

      Then the person reading it automatically assumes and understand that the user held the domain for 2 years and has just recently put up a site for it.

      Which is wrong i guess...
      If this is always the assumption, the sellers are always happy to check domain history before registering and selling it after putting some content.

      Originally Posted by TeamTCW View Post

      I have gone through the all the replies and I found no correct answer to this question..
      Because you knew that all answers are wrong, I think you are the only one who knows the correct answer. Can you post the correct answer for the below question?

      Are bidders just dumb or my seo knowledge is going from bad to worse ?
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  • Profile picture of the author ashishthakkar
    Claimed Site Age
    Site Established 14th Aug, 2012
    I think how the listing is presented is very important.

    If a seller states :
    Site Established 14th Aug, 2012
    Domain Age 2 Years

    Then the person reading it automatically assumes and understand that the user held the domain for 2 years and has just recently put up a site for it.

    Which is wrong i guess...
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by ashishthakkar View Post

      If a site is showing high value of my domain or site then why not use it
      Because people who know what they're doing, know that automated valuation of a site is bogus.

      Originally Posted by ashishthakkar View Post

      I am afraid you have checked it the wrong way ? Even the content is NOT unique like it was claimed.
      Originally Posted by ashishthakkar View Post

      I will msg if i get any message and can post it in public.
      Unless you're a close relative or friend, they normally just post in the thread to clear up any misconceptions.

      Originally Posted by ashishthakkar View Post

      I think how the listing is presented is very important.

      If a seller states :
      Site Established 14th Aug, 2012
      Domain Age 2 Years

      Then the person reading it automatically assumes and understand that the user held the domain for 2 years and has just recently put up a site for it.

      Which is wrong i guess...
      Some may. I wouldn't, but then I don't buy sites blindly. Due diligence.
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  • Profile picture of the author abinboston
    It all depends on the name, the quality of the site, and how valuable it is to YOU, or another buyer. If the name was new, or aged, and it was a domain name you needed, or wanted, then it is more valuable to you.
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  • Profile picture of the author OLechat
    Ophelie from Flippa chiming in here.

    We have some official guidelines on stating site age here. Notice this relates to *site* age, not domain age. As mentioned upthread, we automatically pull the latest registration date to the listing, and a warning is displayed if the "date established" is older than the last registration.

    Without having seen the listing in question, I can't directly answer why it was suspended. I can certainly give insight if someone PMs me the link.
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by OLechat View Post

      Without having seen the listing in question, I can't directly answer why it was suspended. I can certainly give insight if someone PMs me the link.
      Great ... very curious as to why it was suspended and if it had anything to do with the domain.
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  • Profile picture of the author ashishthakkar
    I have sent you a PM

    Without having seen the listing in question, I can't directly answer why it was suspended. I can certainly give insight if someone PMs me the link.
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  • Profile picture of the author therichb
    This is possible in some cases where the domain buyer doesnt knows much about how to find age of the domain.

    If they knew it, it comes easy to understand the value they are buying for $$$
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  • Profile picture of the author OLechat
    Thanks for the PM, ashishthakkar.

    No, in this case, the suspension had nothing to do with the domain age or the domain itself. There were other issues with the listing which have now been rectified, and the listing is now live.
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  • Profile picture of the author ashishthakkar
    No, in this case, the suspension had nothing to do with the domain age or the domain itself. There were other issues with the listing which have now been rectified, and the listing is now live.
    Thanks for clarifying but i am saying that the writing of domain age in that manner can be misleading.

    That was one of the reasons why that seller has got a negative review.

    Also you cant say the website has over 100 unique articles when they have none.

    Anyways thanks for clarifying - will help me put up my next listing on flippa.


    regards,
    Ashish
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