/    Sign up×
Community /Pin to ProfileBookmark

Is there domain shenanigans going on?

Copy linkTweet thisAlerts:
May 29.2014

Twice in the last 3 days I have encountered a very fishy situation when searching a domain to buy.

I usually start by just typing in the desired domain to the address bar and take a peek.

If “Page not found.” is returned I know I might be on to something. But yesterday, and 3 days before that I got domain not available at the registrars. First time was GoDaddy and second time was IWantMyName.

***************************************

So the whois details said this:

For yesterday’s domain search…
eNom.com has control.
Updated Date: 28-may-2014 (THE SAME DAY AS INQUIRY!)
Creation Date: 15-mar-2002
Expiration Date: 15-mar-2014 (72 DAYS BEFORE INQUIRY)

The domain 3 days ago said this…
GoDaddy.com has control.
Updated Date: 25-may-2014 (THE SAME DAY AS INQUIRY!)
Creation Date: 12-mar-2002
Expiration Date: 12-mar-2014 (72 DAYS BEFORE INQUIRY)

***************************************

I have been looking up domains for over a decade now and am certain that this type of coincidence is virtually impossible. Even if it only happened once!

I am posting here to ask advice on how to deal with these jack@$$es who appear to be pointedly targeting good domains and setting themselves up behind the scenes to gouge buyers or create a price war.

Brandon

to post a comment
Web Hosting

4 Comments(s) ↴

Copy linkTweet thisAlerts:
@deathshadowMay 30.2014 — It's called "domain leading", and both Network Solutions and GoDaddy have been caught doing it multiple times. It's a sleazeball practice -- and honestly just indicative of everything wrong with domain registration.

GoDaddy in particular are a bunch of scam artist jackasses; there's a reason they have to advertise with tits and ass on TV, they sure as shine-ola couldn't get by on their merits.

So far I've had good luck with namecheap; I've not once looked up a domain to come back later and find it already registered; something I can't say about most other registrars.
Copy linkTweet thisAlerts:
@Blazin_BauthorMay 30.2014 — It's called "domain leading", and both Network Solutions and GoDaddy have been caught doing it .....[/QUOTE]

Thanks. I will try NameCheap next time.

Do you have any advice on how to get these others to be fair with the domains I am now forced to wait for?
Copy linkTweet thisAlerts:
@deathshadowMay 30.2014 — Do you have any advice on how to get these others to be fair with the domains I am now forced to wait for?[/QUOTE]
IF they've been sniped by a registrar, don't hold your breath. They will hold out for top dollar for YEARS... and there's really not a lot you can do about it what with ICANN being poorly managed and overall toothless in terms of enforcement. There are no REAL rules being enforced on what registrar's can and cannot do -- note I said ENFORCED. They exist, but good luck having them do anything.

The only real advice I can give is don't get hung up on or your heart needlessly set on a domain name -- if you have content of value you can use complete gibberish and be successful; Google, eBay, Amazon, Yahoo, Zoosk, SlashDot -- these have exactly what to do with what those sites are about? That's right -- NOTHING. Yet these are major successful sites.

Just something to keep in mind. [b]IF[/b] you have content of value people care about, visitors will come to you and the domain regardless of what that domain is -- so pick something random, short, memorable, and treat it as branding. I know this flies in the face of what a lot of SEO "experts" will tell you, but honestly anyone who would call themselves a SEO "expert" is probably just trying to scam you.
Copy linkTweet thisAlerts:
@Blazin_BauthorMay 30.2014 — IF they've been sniped by a registrar, don't hold your breath...

[b]IF[/b] you have content of value people care about, visitors will come to you and the domain regardless of what that domain is...[/QUOTE]

Sound advice. Thanks again.
×

Success!

Help @Blazin_B spread the word by sharing this article on Twitter...

Tweet This
Sign in
Forgot password?
Sign in with TwitchSign in with GithubCreate Account
about: ({
version: 0.1.9 — BETA 5.20,
whats_new: community page,
up_next: more Davinci•003 tasks,
coming_soon: events calendar,
social: @webDeveloperHQ
});

legal: ({
terms: of use,
privacy: policy
});
changelog: (
version: 0.1.9,
notes: added community page

version: 0.1.8,
notes: added Davinci•003

version: 0.1.7,
notes: upvote answers to bounties

version: 0.1.6,
notes: article editor refresh
)...
recent_tips: (
tipper: @AriseFacilitySolutions09,
tipped: article
amount: 1000 SATS,

tipper: @Yussuf4331,
tipped: article
amount: 1000 SATS,

tipper: @darkwebsites540,
tipped: article
amount: 10 SATS,
)...