Back to a commission business model — DNWE switches

Subscriptions are out. Commissions are back in.

Domain Name Wholesale Exchange (DNWE, no relationship with DNW) is switching back to a commission business model.

The marketplace for investor-to-investor domain sales was initially launched with a traditional commission model. In January 2021, it switched to a paid subscription model. Both buyers and sellers paid a $ 149-a-year fee to participate. Sellers paid no commissions, and buyers covered the 5% Dan.com transaction fee.

Now, the marketplace is switching back to its original model. Sellers will pay a 12% commission, and buyers won’t pay anything.

The switch will occur on April 1, and all existing listings will expire immediately ahead of the switch.

I subscribed to DNWE for the first year, but let my subscription lapse since I wasn’t using the service much. I will take another look now that it will be free to access. My only concern is that sellers who don’t pay a fee will flood the site with listings.