Catching domains manually

[cannybagotudor]

I'm new to domaining so I have alot to learn.I see alot of half decent domains dropping and of course like most here I am looking to grab some half decent ones and sell on for a profit.

I realise the really sought after domains will be impossible to catch manually and I have seen some software which claims to catch domains(of course I realise there are no guarantees etc).I have caught a few manually,so I am guessing certain registrars may have a certain time for releasing them(could be very wrong though lol),I used 123 for a while but noticed a dropped domain would show available there first I even bought couple but they did not show in my account despite money being taken and I immediately reregged them with namecheap and they showed straightaway.Namecheap was around a minute slower to show them as available but when bought they should in my account immediately so not sure what 123 are playing at.

Are scripts available to buy,I am not after the best domains,of course it would be nice but as someone new I do not expect to catch the premium drops I don't have the experience.

Much to learn and I guess even when you get a half decent domain you need to possibly approach businesses\organizations which may have a use for the name and be more direct in selling.

 

[Systreg]

As you've seen, anything worth regging will usually be caught, so no chance of a hand reg on decent names.

With the likes of 123-reg, things aren't always instant, they take the payment but don't always send of the registration request straight away.

Yes, you can buy catching scripts, or use a hosted catching service, but you'll need Nominet membership to do either of those so that you get your own registrar tag and DAC access, the fees are here:

http://www.nominet.org.uk/become-registrar/fees

You'll need:

Membership Joining fee: £480.00
Domain Availability Checker (DAC) Annual fee: £30.00
Annual subscription: £120.00

I am guessing certain registrars may have a certain time for releasing them(could be very wrong though lol)

It's Nominet who release the domains, not the registrars, they are dropped from midnight to midnight every day and are dropped randomly.

 

[monaghan]

If the domain has any value, then it is usually caught by a catcher, don't assume that an "odd" name is going to remain free to reg as I see some obscure names on my system that I'd never have thought have a value to anyone.

If you want to catch domains, then the easiest option is usually to book it with as many catch services as possible to give you the best chance of getting it, many are no catch no fee. Even if you produce the best catch system in the world and host it in the same rack next to Nominet's server, you would still have the usage rate limitations so someone could still catch the domain during your wait cycle.

As for 123, just use the search facility here and in your favourite search engine to discover the issues there and any many other budget registrars.

 

[cannybagotudor]

Thanks for the great info guys,much to learn.

 

[retired_member29]

I have seriously considered becoming a drop catcher, but it seems like a bit of a gamble really. It's a lot of money to pay out considering how many catchers there are. I mean how many catchers will be going after names worth £200+ 30, 40 + maybe, could be a lot of hassle, time and luck in getting back the money put into getting setup.

 

[Jamie101]

I have seriously considered becoming a drop catcher, but it seems like a bit of a gamble really. It's a lot of money to pay out considering how many catchers there are. I mean how many catchers will be going after names worth £200+ 30, 40 + maybe, could be a lot of hassle, time and luck in getting back the money put into getting setup.

I've also thought about it, but now that Nominet could give the .uk to the oldest registration I think now isn't the time to get started with drop catching.

Then again this could mean less people bothering to drop catch a domain = more chance to get it yourself. But it is risky.

 

[monaghan]

I have seriously considered becoming a drop catcher, but it seems like a bit of a gamble really. It's a lot of money to pay out considering how many catchers there are. I mean how many catchers will be going after names worth £200+ 30, 40 + maybe, could be a lot of hassle, time and luck in getting back the money put into getting setup.

I wrote my system for the fun of it and then made a bit of income from opening it to customers, but I was already a programmer, Nominet member and ran servers so the only additional cost was the DAC subscription. Today there are far more variety of TAG names showing up in missed catches than there was a few years back.

 

[timter51]

I've also thought about it, but now that Nominet could give the .uk to the oldest registration I think now isn't the time to get started with drop catching.

Then again this could mean less people bothering to drop catch a domain = more chance to get it yourself. But it is risky.

I'm still catching brandable domains but of course this is a concern. All I would say is that domains are still fetching good money at auction on sites like domainlore, many that wouldn't be eligible for the .uk.

 

[cannybagotudor]

Don't have an issue with the nominet fees etc but no one will be selling a script that is really effective,afterall they'll be keeping that to themselves.I am no coder.Nominet may have other benefits though if you can buy the domains cheaper from them.

I wouldn't see it as a full time gig anyway,be nice to get a good one once in a while.I tend to collect domains lol

 

[Murray]

Don't have an issue with the nominet fees etc but no one will be selling a script that is really effective,afterall they'll be keeping that to themselves.

They don't sell, but you can get hosted catching which you just use an online control panel.

domainview or dropsystem are options.

I'm on dropsystem, started in feb and have already made more than my money back + sitting on a few nice domains + still have over 6 months left on my plan.

 

[cannybagotudor]

They don't sell, but you can get hosted catching which you just use an online control panel.

domainview or dropsystem are options.

I'm on dropsystem, started in feb and have already made more than my money back + sitting on a few nice domains + still have over 6 months left on my plan.

Appreciate that Murray,I'll look into those

 

[lethal0r]

using the public catchers I catch maybe one in ten I book. i've never caught anything thats worth more than £50 this way. seriously think about whether you really want to do it bigtime, you're gonna need more power than public catchers. also, its moving into an established market, why not consider something up and coming? theres ALWAYS something new, even involving sitting at a computer all day.