Reason why I will NEVER use Flippa in future

Hello and Assalamo Alaikum,

Time flies so quickly and I just noticed that it’s over a month since I published the last post. Well, everything is great at my end. Had some nice acquisitions recently but not much sales.

Today I wanted to share something very important because many of us domainers uses Flippa. I am their member for over 3 years and for quite some time Flippa promoted their service through my blog by placing banner ad in past. I am giving you the background just to know everything in detail and you guys better decide if their decision was fair enough for me?

Reason-why-I-will-never-use-Flippa-in-future

Last month my Flippa account got banned with reason “multiple account operation”. Since I have opened my account with them (over 3 years), I had only 1 account for personal use. Looking at my domain business, some of my family members wanted to involve in this industry and asked for my guidance. I started giving them all material/resources and whatever guidance I could give and one of which was Flippa. Couple of my close family members are at my home to get complete knowledge about this business so later they can do on their own. I am always happy to share whatever I can.
The day I received email from Flippa, I wasn’t sure about which multiple accounts they are talking about but their support team provided those 2 new accounts which were created several months back!

I tried to explain them but no one bothered to listen me and stopped responding to my emails.

I contacted Luke McCormack (Director, Business Development) who initially contacted me in the same month for promoting their affiliate program. I wrote him and explained him everything but he too didn’t responded which wasn’t really looking good because when writing for promoting their affiliate program, he was efficient enough in writing me but when I needed him, he didn’t bothered to reply back. That shows how cooperative their team is! At least Luke could have said it’s not his job to look into this issue. This shows how good you are!

Finally I contacted Kevin Fink and got automated response of being out of office. I was desperate to get my account unbanned because the status shown banned at Flippa along with my profile isn’t good no matter I use Flippa or not.

I than emailed Kevin through NamePros and he reached out to me as soon as he was available. He told me that “Marketplace Integrity team does not have confidence that those accounts are operated by separate people.” He was right because they didn’t knew me and my background. But Kevin knew me very well except meeting in person. Anyhow, he said that he could reinstate just one account only, but it would then be limited per IP address; if your family members wanted to utilize an account, they would have to have WhoIs info / IPs / etc different from yours.

Seriously? That was just nonsense to me. If my family member wanted to use an account from the same place, they should get different internet connection just for the purpose of using Flippa!!

I responded “But that’s crazy for us to have a different internet connection just to operate Flippa because your MI team keeps banning such type of accounts. Using one sole account is not possible because I want them to operate their own domains and buy/sell themselves so they learn all stuff without my guidance in future.

It’s better for all of us not to use Flippa again in future unless you guys unban all our accounts.

Once again thanks and hope we keep our good relationship intact.”

Kevin responded back:

“I hope you understand why the answer is no; unless your family members can provide separate identifications for each new account, our team will continue to uphold the ban. We take this very seriously, and as much respect I have for you, and hope to continue to work with you where possible, this is simply out of my personal control. It is a ToS / marketplace integrity issue, and we cannot cut anyone special treatment.

Let me know if you have ideas as to how your relatives can work with us to adhere to this.”

Instead of sending passport copies and documents which will prove their different identifications, I decided that all my family members wouldn’t use their service any more. Overall, it’s their loss because there are plenty of places to buy/sell domains.

Apart of that, Kevin is a good guy and he responded in time and appreciate him taking steps to get my account unbanned.

Care to share what you guys think in regard?

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73 Comments
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Jide
8 years ago

Hello Abdul, I don’t know where you reside, but over here in Nigeria, modem or what others call broadband, cost less than $30 and those family members of yours should already have a their own personal laptops. Therefore, there is no point trying to use your own PC if truly they are serious about learning, but I do understand. Also, creating an account at flippa is achievable with use of smartphones which is another alternative to using your own PC. Flippa has a program that alerts them when a single IP is used on 2 or more accounts. It’s against… Read more »

Ray
Ray
8 years ago

Hey Abdul I’m sure you’re telling the truth but I’m glad flippa did this. Shows they take suspicious activity seriously nowadays. I personally know some brokers who shill bid there and made me extra cautious in using their platform. So kudos to flippa for taking steps from preventing such activity. Now specifically about your situation, who are these “couple family members”? It sounds really shady. Not saying it isn’t true…but it sounds suspicious. Plus all you have to do is comply with their request. Send in the docs. Simple as that. Anyway, hope all works out for you. In the… Read more »

Jordan
Jordan
8 years ago

Flippa’s customer service has gone down a lot recently and I totally agree with your decision.
DO NOT send them copies of your Passport or other important personal data because they have a very poor Data SecurityStorage and a slack Security Team and they were hacked last year and its just a matter of time before they have a bigger data breach and you definitely dont want your passport details in the wrong hands.

Gary B
Gary B
8 years ago

EBAY is the same way.

I know your pain.

🙁

Joy Antony
Joy Antony
8 years ago

The same happened to me with sedo. They banned me and I asked reason, sent several emails…, but no reply from them. Also they kept my parking revenue them!

Later I changed to another platform, Now I get 50x inquiries for my names than at sedo. Thanks to sedo for banning me.

Fatih
Reply to  Joy Antony
8 years ago

Which one is it that you get 50x inquries? Would you let us know?

Joy Antony
Joy Antony
Reply to  Fatih
8 years ago

dns.

I get lot of inquiries for my domains, mainly for .xyz.

Raymond
Reply to  Joy Antony
8 years ago

Sounds like good platform to get 50 plus enquiries. Which platform did you go to? GoDaddy? Afternic? or others? DNS? I am looking for good platform to sell as many domains as I can.

nick
nick
Reply to  Joy Antony
8 years ago

You have been banned at SEDO because you list the domain there but do not honor the sale. Changing your mind and your words for little extra money, ALWAYS. sad, you are not at all reliable.

nick
nick
Reply to  AbdulBasit Makrani
8 years ago

It is not for you, Abdul. It is for JOY ANTONY.

Joy Antony
Joy Antony
Reply to  nick
8 years ago

To Mr. Nick, Who are you? Are you from sedo? Or do you have any bad experience with me before? Have you tried to buy any names from me? If yes, show me, I will answer. You have to prove your words. I sold hundreds of domains this month, direct to buyers, not thru any brokers, mostly to buyers from China, they are very friendly and best to do business. I sold domains for more than usd60k this month and offers for another 60k now. No one has any complaint against me. I am a gentleman and do not like… Read more »

nick
nick
Reply to  Joy Antony
8 years ago

JOY,

You have been permanently banned from SEDO,for your unreliable actions. What other proof you need!!

Nick
Nick
8 years ago

Kevin responded back: “I hope you understand why the answer is no; unless your family members can provide separate identifications for each new account, our team will continue to uphold the ban. We take this very seriously, and as much respect I have for you, and hope to continue to work with you where possible, this is simply out of my personal control. It is a ToS / marketplace integrity issue, and we cannot cut anyone special treatment. Let me know if you have ideas as to how your relatives can work with us to adhere to this.” This seems… Read more »

Nick
Nick
Reply to  AbdulBasit Makrani
8 years ago

I understand the trust issue and understand that you are not in the same boat as others who renege. By asking them to bend their TOS for you, is asking for special treatment and breaking the rules. You may not see it that way though. Quote Kevin : It is a ToS / marketplace integrity issue, and we cannot cut anyone special treatment. Let me know if you have ideas as to how your relatives can work with us to adhere to this.” They didn’t close the door on you and asked you for suggestions to work with you. I… Read more »

Ron
Ron
Reply to  AbdulBasit Makrani
8 years ago

People knew Adam Dicker very well also, what a mess that has become.

Nick
Nick
Reply to  AbdulBasit Makrani
8 years ago

Again you are giving them reasons and not willing to work within their rules. Sites update TOS all the time and you are expected to adhere to them and not be a rebel without a cause.

Trust and rules are entirely different aspects.

I might trust with my car, but expect you to follow the rules.

As for giving them your id’s, it’s not a big issue.

DN.com expects one and so do major auction places eg Sedo etc. if you are bidding over a certain limit.

Quoting you : it’s their loss

See the bigger picture, you lose too.

Dave
8 years ago

Sorry to read about your problem. Maybe try prycr dot com. Hope it works out.

Robert Golden
8 years ago

I had a similar experience with Flippa.com, My daughter signed up for their service under three accounts,not knowing about the multiple accounts rule. The reason she signed under under three accounts was merely to reflect my different domain collections of baby domains, business domains, and gambling domains. All my accounts were suspended, and despite my explanatory efforts to reinstate a single account, I was thereafter treated as a felon, for wanting to support their service.

Ron
Ron
8 years ago

Don’t deal
With John W at flippa worst, rudest, most unprofessional minimum wage customer rep in history.

Flippa has failed to maintain a good exchange, just get spam of the same dumb auctions that keep being relisted by idiot sellers with unreal expectations.

I can understand why they banned you, same family members will similar accounts can collude to bump auctions, and extend, and raise bids. I guess previously they had a lot of this go on.

Flippa escrow avoid like the plague.

Shane Cultra
8 years ago

I don’t quite understand. Your nephew and your brother in law come over to your house just to use Flippa? Or do they all live with you. I have to admit, I can’t think of any reason to have multiple accounts on one IP unless its a place of business. It probably does look very fishy. Unless they have data showing that those accounts bid on each others names OR put up comments in the listings then they should at least let you keep your main account open Did any of the accounts ever comment on each others listings? Or… Read more »

Travis
Travis
8 years ago

To be honest here and this is long overdue in some respects, Flippa (domain-side) gets dumped on this way and that, especially on forums like namepros. Which to be honest (IMO), Flippa is the most “accessible” market for the majority of its members, especially if they’re trying to make a quick buck. It’s the ebay of domains lol. Anyways… You have people complaining that the security is too lax, and then you have people (like this example) who are complaining it’s too strict. I don’t know you personally, but whenever you do post, your posts are always ones that I… Read more »

Travis
Travis
Reply to  AbdulBasit Makrani
8 years ago

Thanks…just wanted to make sure you didn’t think I was attacking you!! haha. And good to hear. Not the best solution. But at least you have your account.

Domain Observer
Domain Observer
8 years ago

One IP can be shared by many people using the same house. from what you wrote on this post, I think Flippa should have checked with the accounts to see if there were any malicious activities from those accounts. If there were no wrong doings from those accounts, their accounts shouldn’t have been banned imo.

Domain Observer
Domain Observer
Reply to  AbdulBasit Makrani
8 years ago

There are a lot of IP sharing devices on the market for people using the same office, house or building. And I don’t think that’s illegal.

Domain Observer
Domain Observer
Reply to  AbdulBasit Makrani
8 years ago

LOL. Good luck for you and have a nice day.

DC
DC
8 years ago

Hi, I understand your frustrations but I am pleased they take this stance. Regardless of how trustworthy you are they simply do not have the resources to track activity and history on multiple accounts under the same IP address. If it was me I would delete the other accounts, get your original account re-instated (you don’t have to ever use it again) and move on. Keep your reputation at the highest possible level, it’s one of the most important things in this business. Things change with time.

Ritzdomains
Ritzdomains
8 years ago

First thing is the response of the customer service team.
Accounts are banned because they are suspicious….this should have cleared after your reasons
They should have made the accounts in a group to avoid bidding/commenting among themselves.

Finally I think Flippa should have made some way out of this issue

Omar Negron
8 years ago

Sorry to hear about this Abdul.

I remember some time back I had something similar happen to me with eBay. They suspended me (for no real reason) and also suspended my father and friend because they said we were linked together!

I do hope it works out for you though.

Good luck Abdul.

-Omar

Williams
Williams
8 years ago

I’ve not been long in the industry and it’s good reading all of this.
Both you and Flippa have good points but I’d like to suggest for things like this, why not use I.P cloning devices like http://www.hide.me or others for creating unique connections?

I’m not affiliated, just suggesting.

Cheers!

Kevin Fink
8 years ago

Hi AbdulBasit – and Hi to Everyone 🙂 I’d love to bring you back into Flippa, but it has to be under one account. Your family members can (and are welcome!) to get involved in the marketplace, but if you’re helping them, the IP addresses cannot match or be linked – even via faint suspicion. For all the bunk we take on banning accounts (we have stepped up security measures and suspended or banned 2x as many as we have in past years), this is a necessity to uphold the integrity of our Marketplace. While I oversee the Domains division… Read more »

Den
Den
Reply to  Kevin Fink
8 years ago

@kevin, i’m sorry but it seems you have limited knowledge in marketing (maybe not) , for this czse there is a solution, why you are not proposing to pay 2 ip connection bills ? this will make Abdulbasit think about your proposal, because your TOS are limited to the imagination of your lawyers that did not think about a situation where a person can live in one place and do domaining, it can be a couple of domainers where both him and her are doing great domaining, so what you are asking ? use different ip’s ? are you serious… Read more »

Paolo
Paolo
Reply to  AbdulBasit Makrani
8 years ago

Hello Abdul It is always sad to hear an user that have to send email everywhere to have an answer from an event happened in a reputable service. Btw I would like to suggest you a little trick. You could use your flippa account with your IP address and when your nefews are at your home they can also surf flippa without to be logged in into their account. As I’m sure they each have their own smartphone, when they want to do “actions” with their own account, they can turn on the hot spot mode on their mobile phone… Read more »

Andrea Paladini
Andrea Paladini
8 years ago

Good choice, IMHO Flippa is just a waste of time …
It’s way better dealing directly to end-users.
Congrats for your last sales!

Andrea Paladini
Andrea Paladini
Reply to  Andrea Paladini
8 years ago

I mean “latest sales” … oops, typo! 🙂

Ab
Ab
8 years ago

Pls help me out, I have similar case , but more pathethic, I do not even have any account, after I register 4yrs ago on flippa, last month and this month was the only time I was active, yet I was charged with multiple accounts and shilling, after much mail, they resolved that I was not shilling but insist that I have multiple accounts, I have 3 people to pay and they looked up my account, I am 120% sure that no one uses my laptop except me, Kindly help me on how to go about this, as if that… Read more »

Kevin Fink
Reply to  AbdulBasit Makrani
8 years ago

Sorry to hear, @Andrea.

@Ab, I believe I have access to your case and will take a look.

, will you be at Namescon?

Ab
Ab
Reply to  Kevin Fink
8 years ago

Thank you, as I state in the mail, I will be more than willing to show you all private or public details, proofs and verification.

Sergio
Sergio
8 years ago

Hi AbdulBasit. Similar problem here. I have been for a long time on Flippa but the only transaction I have made is buying a site a couple of months ago. The transaction hasn’t even been completed because the seller has yet to transfer me the site files. However two days ago I received the same email saying that my account was banned due to “multiple account operation”. I wrote Flippa support and Josh W. replied saying that my account will not be reinstated. That’s all I got. I only have one account and have never opened more accounts, and nobody… Read more »

faraz ali
faraz ali
6 years ago

hi abdulbasit,
I just want to get some advice regarding flippa as i am a new user from pakistan.Last week i made a listing of website and i got one bidder but i when i tried to send payment request there was no payoneer accoutn option and i am using just payoneer account for all my online business.
Can you tell me if there is someother payment menthod in pakistan that can be used on flippa or any third party from where i can transfer money to my payoneer accounts?.
REally need your guidence.Thanks in advance

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6 years ago

[…] no longer a trustworthy platform and I don’t plan to use them in future like I stopped using Flippa which is another dreadful platform… at least for […]

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6 years ago

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