Domain name owner thinks he got his web site back because he was savvy. He just go lucky.
I came across a blog post by Zack Katz titled “How I got my domain name back from cyber squatters“. In a fit of stupidity, Katz let his domain name expire to make it easier to transfer to another “host”:
I was given the domain zackkatz.com for my 17th birthday by my mom…I owned the domain (and let it stagnate) until around 2006, when I wanted to switch hosts. I waited for my domain to expire so that I could transfer it to another host (I was lazy!). Well, it was registered out from under me, and I lost my domain.
Katz tried to get the name back by threatening the new domain registrar of the domain, but after a few months the domain was sold to what Katz calls a “”Traffic Monetization Firm†that was using my site as an ad spam website (you know those sites with a bunch of ads.” There was a link on the page to purchase the domain, so Katz made a $10 offer:
My domain had a link to “Make an Offer on this Domain,†and I offered them $10…I wanted to see what they were going to do. They wanted $150.00.
I countered with an offer of $100.00, which they accepted. I was not willing to pay $100.00 for my domain back. So I just waited. The offer expired, and they didn’t renew their registration.
So what’s the lesson, at Katz sees it? He thinks that by making an offer and then not upholding his end of the bargain he frustrated the domain owner, which caused him to just let the domain expire:
I believe the last straw for this company was me offering them money, them accepting the offer, and me never taking them up on it.
If you want your stolen [sic] domain back (and don’t want to go through a legal battle), make offers on your website, then let them expire. I believe this was a major contributor to me getting my domain back.
Yikes! That’s terrible advice. Making an offer on a domain signifies that someone is interested in it, and this is one reason someone will go ahead and renew it even if it’s not making much money. (This also ignores the fact that Katz make a legally binding offer that he didn’t go through with.)
[Editor’s note: I’m not a fan of registring firstlastname.com combos for resale, but the point is the same regardless of the domain Katz was writing about.]
Jorge says
Wow. That’s gotta be the worst domaining advice I’ve ever seen. I sometimes can’t believe the stereotype people have of the “evil ad-spam domainers” that “practically steal” expired domains from people. Are people who buy foreclosed homes evil too? If the owner of a domain isn’t responsible enough to maintain his investment, he should be willing to pay the consequences just like in any other business. This guy got off LUCKY when the company accepted his offer. By not paying, he only made himself look ridiculous.
Sammy Ashouri says
LOL! What a story to start off my day.
Mak Ossa says
I think the guy is just ignorant. Next time. he is not going to be that lucky if he let that name expire again.
Lda says
The term ‘airhead’ springs to mind.
Most airheads operate on a single level.
However, a special few are airheads on so many different levels.
Jeff says
So…first he lets the domain expire, then comaplains because he lost it, then blows the chance to get it back for $100, then bails out on a transaction, then brags about the whole thing. Sounds like “Iamadamnidiot.com” might be the perfect domain for this guy.
Zack Katz says
First: I was happy I got my name back after a debacle. I had my mind on other things and didn’t focus my attention to my domain management – I was more focused on my job and my life. Happens to a lot of people.
Second: I realize it was my fault. My being ignorant was perhaps not emphasized enough in the post.
Third: I made the offer for my domain to test the waters. I then realized that $100 is better spent on something other than a domain I have no immediate plans for.
Fourth: It was a good lesson to learn. It’s learned.
Fifth: I got lucky. Cool.
I was sharing my experience, whether it was an informed experience or not.
Steve M says
…and let anyone among us who’s never made a domain mistake (even if not quite as big as Zack’s) cast the first aspersion. 😉
Stephen Douglas says
Hi Zack,
I understand your “misunderstanding” on how domain investing works. You get a domain, and either you want that domain and protect or you don’t. If you don’t, it expires and someone else wants it and buys it because you gave up your rights to own it by not renewing it in time.
Now, you think you know how to “advise” others on how to retrieve their lost domains. You’re young, so I’m going easy on ya. Your advice was wrong, which I’m sure you’ve been told enough by now.
My advice to you is, renew your domain, Zack. Do it on time. Build out that domain right now for a blog, because YOU, my friend, are getting internet coverage at this very moment. Take advantage of it, make a blog, open up some google adsense links and make money the way you are supposed to do it… by thinking ahead, making wise purchases, taking your luck to heart, and then benefiting from it.
Oh, and you should post that reading publications such as DomainNamewire.com and DNjournal.com is a very wise thing for people who want their domains or other domains that they need to promote their business.
Lesson learned. Now go out into the world, young man, and make a million!
peaceout
Stephen Douglas
DR. DOMAIN says
One can’t help but hope that the holder of SEX.COM feels the same as ZACK.Rather astute fella’.Probably worked the desk @ BEAR STEARNS.