TC
A very cute con
A very cute con. I received an email about a domain that may be up for sale soon. I jumped in with both feet with an offer for $500 - which was accepted a few days later. When I looked at the who is data for the domain. I realised that they hadn't actually brokered any kind of deal from a domain seller. Their speculative sales email is very cleverly worded to indicate that this is what they'd be doing. What they are actually doing is looking at expiring domains, paying market rate of a few dollars - purchasing them, then having you 'bid' for the domain. So they had a huge markup for a domain I could have just purchased for a few dollars from the open market. Entirely my fault, I should have done my due diligence. 2 Stars, for the fact the process was very good despite feeling a bit ripped off.
Response from Domain LionsNov 27, 2025
Hi Trevor, Thank you for your review. We appreciate your honesty and are glad to hear that, despite your reservations about the pricing model, you found our transfer process to be very good and smooth. We would like to clarify a significant misunderstanding regarding the "open market" and the scope of our services. You mentioned that the domain could have been purchased for "a few dollars." In the modern domain aftermarket, specifically with valuable expired domains, this is rarely the case. High-value assets are almost never available for a standard $10 registration; they are instantly contested by specialized services and investors. Our business model encompasses diverse acquisition strategies, ranging from direct brokerage negotiations to strategic captures. In cases like this, we utilize enterprise-grade technology and resources to capture these assets the millisecond they drop; something that is virtually impossible for an individual to do manually against professional competition. The price reflects the service of successfully securing a contested asset, the technology required to do so, and the guarantee that the domain is secured for you rather than a competitor. We understand that in hindsight, the DIY route seems cheaper, but the risk of missing the domain entirely is very high. We are happy we were able to successfully secure this asset for you. Best regards, The Domain Lions Team