My friend is upset about a recent experience buying his fullname.com in a drop. He has a point.
A couple months ago a good friend emailed me about his fullname.com because it expired. He said he had placed a backorder at GoDaddy and wondered what else he needed to do to capture the name. The name was at a no-name registrar, so I told him to place backorders at SnapNames and NameJet.
When the domain went into pending delete he emailed again to see if there was anything else he needed to do to make sure he didn’t lose the domain. Although it’s not very relevant anymore, I told him he should backorder the domain at Pool.com because they sometimes get domains that actually drop (as opposed to direct transfer).
Later that night my friend called and he was angry.
Friend: These Pool.com people sold me out!
Me: What do you mean?
Friend: They just sent out an email blast titled “Hotlist” and there’s fullname.com on it.
Me: Oh yeah, they do that.
Friend: Don’t you think that’s a bit shady? If I hadn’t backordered the domain they wouldn’t have advertised it to thousands of people in the email.
He had a point. He’s looking at the process from someone outside the domain industry, and it’s important to consider that view. Think if you were a trademark holder and decided to backorder some expiring typos. Suddenly, they’d be published for the whole world to see.
I explained that all of the major expired domain sites publish lists of domains with bids. I asked him how he felt about that.
He said it’s one thing to note on the web site — or include the domain in a downloadable list — when there’s a bid on it. That didn’t bother him much. What bothered him is that Pool actively promoted his name to its email list, and only because he backordered the domain.
He told me “it’s stuff like this that makes me leery of dealing with domain name companies.”
If you’re reading this post, you likely know already how the expired domain game works. But I think he has a point, and I value his opinion as an “outsider”. What do you think?
Chris says
Well…when you back order a domain name, (especially across different companies) you are telling the world that you are finding value in it.
Who here has never sorted domain lists by the number of bids? I sure do. I’m always interested in what the market thinks.
It’s just the domain industry’s version of Bid/Ask.
Chris says
And part II:
I blew it with two domains last year. I let them lapse on purpose – only to realize later that I did have a real need for them.
I did not place back orders for them….knowing that doing so would draw attention to them.
Sure enough, with a little patience, I re-registered them for the basic fee because they flew beneath the radar.
alan dodd says
This is it.
A lot of domainers completely bypass namejet now. You are just inviting trouble. If there’s nobody bidding, then you might get it after it drops.
Personally, I think the bid is private data, and I dont think the auction houses should share that info with the general public, or indeed I dont think they have the right. jmo.
Rob Sequin says
Did your friend get the domain?
There are many reasons to never bid early in any auction and this is another one.
Andrew Allemann says
@ rob – I forgot that part. He did get it — from SnapNames.
Food for thought says
Alan,
I understand your point but you are not being realistic.
You want to pay the least amount possible for a particular domain.
The drop catchers are in the business of catching domains and auctioning them for the max. price they can receive.
Are they running a charity?
Only requiring their cost and a min. profit.
Or, are the catchers following the same business strategy of domainers?
Buy low, sell high.
Believe me, I’m not defending the catchers. I don’t trust any of them. All of them will sell you out for a nickel.
Tim says
This is a dirty business and as it gets more mature it is getting dirtier.
It’s too bad it’s not cleaner b/c at some point regulation will rear its ugly head, which will be worse than the dirty business.
mrx says
He’s lucky the registrar wasn’t Tucows or Register.com. He’d have to pony up more then a drop fee.
Food for thought says
Your friend was fortunate that he had a friend like you that is knowledgeable about the domain industry.
He would had to pay 20 to 30 times more for the domain if someone like NameMedia had won the auction.
Mansour says
I think this is self serving, I use to buy domains from pool.com auction a while back, back then you will be only invited to bid on a domain name if you were originally among the group who bid originally $60 you cannot come from the outside and bid. since they change the format I never bought a domain from them it is waste of time.
Joe says
The most important thing is that your friend eventually managed to grab his domain! Hope he’ll never let it expire again.
Ms Domainer says
*
It’s all about money, folks, rarely about what’s right.
The TM’s also get featured in the Pool (and other) emails. Then they play ignorant or say that they have no way to filter out TM’s. That’s BS and insulting to our intelligence.
You’re right: this business gets dirtier each day.
*
stewart says
Heres what I think…I and the domain name wedriveyou.com for two years as i built up my company and a reputation waitng for the day I was ready to declare my service on the net, then one fine day I found out that I lost the name to some body in Korea.
I called the folks who got the renewal payment but hey? It wasnt their fault, they are in India you know?
No one at the California number really is in California anyways…
So, I get ahold of the folks who managed to get my domain and asked for it back, and wow, was I surprised at what my domain name was, and is worth to those people know that I lost it?
Suufice to say? I couldnt not afford what they were asking, and I took the hit, till Nelson Brady, aka halvarez came along and snapnames and oversee became the dfendants in the class action suit that was tossed because the thfts did not exceed 5 million dollars, and now oversee sues Brady for 33 million instead?
Talk about runaway inflation huh?
The point is? You asked? I responded.
why would any one ever want to build a business in this example?
Adam says
I had someone email me about a domain of mine they wanted and offered me $60 because they know backorders cost that much.
The world of domains is confusing to the outsider. Although some of it is, they’ll just call it all shady to make themselves feel better.
stewart says
Adam? Shady is as shady does, and there is alot of shady things going on here, other wise sites like this one would not be tracking and then reporting them to me and you?
Adam says
Stewart there’s shady people everywhere in the world. The domain space is no exception. Your “example” has nothing to do with shady. You forgot, mishandled, mismanaged your domain renewal and are blaming someone else. That’s what I call shady.
stewart says
Adam, if the domain world were not so crooked the crash of the 90’s would have never occured, the shady deals that are being perpitrated are being noticed by gvt’s all over the globe, and unlike your modus opperendi? They are not given a laizee fare pass because every body does it.
From the US to the UK and on to China Australia and back again?
Regulators are dealing with crooked shady domainers as corporations intent on protecting their trademarks turn loos their lawyers to enforce those, even bad actors like Nelson Brady for 33 million dollars, my domain never had a chance to take root, it was tainted from day one Adam, Nelson Brady is a common thief and you Adam are cut from the same cloth if you accept, condone and defend unscrupulous and shady deals.
Adam says
To be clear I am not condoning anyones behavior but I also won’t sit here and let a you paint the entire space as unscrupulous because you don’t have the sense to take responsibility for your own incompetence and a very simple mistake that you made. Nobody caused your mistake but you.ouTou should be ashamed to try and throw the blame around. Take some responsibility! Nelson Brady has nothing at all to do with your issues.
Barry Lebovitz says
1. Your friend has NO POINT! Depending on what his name it could have already been on the hotlist. He is just some noob that doesn’t know about the domain process.
2. He is just like every other non-domain owner that wants a piece of the pie. They all are “entititled” to the domain, and if somehow you win it at auction it is the registrars fault.
It’s typical pedastool personality ego disorder. It is apart of all business, everyone is in it for them self/money – So stop whining if you can’t compete. That is LIFE.
stewart says
adam you really havent much of a clue…heres one example?
eport: #439486 Report: SnapNames, Media Web Plus, Oversee.net, Moniker, Kjel Holmberg, Protondomains, & Nidal Elkadri
Reported By: (Brooklyn New York)
Snapnames, Media Web Plus, Oversee.net, Moniker, Kjel Holmberg, Protondomains, And DirectISnapNames, & Nidal Elkadri – Scam Company & Shady Registrar Partners – Protondomains & Media Web Plus Portland Oregon
…
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Respond to this report!
What’s This?
Are you an owner, employee or ex-employee with either negative or positive information about the company or individual, or can you provide “insider information” on this company?
Victim of this person/company?
What’s This?
Are you also a victim of the same company or individual? Want Justice? File a Rip-off Report, help other consumers to be educated and don’t let them get away with it!
SnapNames, Media Web Plus, Oversee.net, Moniker, Kjel Holmberg, Protondomains, & Nidal Elkadri
115 NW 1st Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland Oregon 97209
U.S.A.
Phone: 503-219-9990 x236
Web Address:
Category: Search Engine Optimization
Submitted: Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Posted: Tuesday, March 31, 2009
SnapNames.com – Scam Company & Shady Registrar Partners -Protondomains & Media Web Plus
ICANN has to do something about Snapnames and their Shady Registrar Partners – Protondomains & Media Web Plus, and what they get away with.
For several months we’ve had to contend with registrars that includes Directnic, Intercosmos, DirectI, Snapnames, Protondomains, and now Media Web Plus.
Back in July, My company asked DirectNIC/Intercosmos (through emails and faxes) to release a specific inactive and parked domain name to the public because of our trademark. They did so by expiring and deleting the domain (Thank you Intercosmos!) and we waited patiently for over thirty days to purchase the name when it became available.
Snapnames grabbed it first through their domain drop and snatch service and then auctioned it off to THEIR shady registry partner and SUBSIDIARY – PROTONDOMAINS. According to Whois:
“Domain Name: *.COM
Registrar: PROTONDOMAINS.COM LLC
Whois Server: whois.protondomains.com
Referral URL: http://www.protondomains.com
Name Server: NS1.SEDOPARKING.COM
Name Server: NS2.SEDOPARKING.COM
Status: ok
Updated Date: 20-dec-2008
Creation Date: 10-dec-2008
Expiration Date: 10-dec-2009″
So first it was under the name of DirectI, a company in India. We called them, and they informed us that they weren’t the owners, and then we contacted Oversee and they said that the domain name was being managed by Snapnames under its subsidiary: Prontodomains.
We then made numerous attempts to reach Protondomains. The Whois information was incorrect, so we made a formal complaint with ICANN about their phony Whois information. The recently restored accurate information to the whois, so hopefully we’ve led to helping to prevent them from misleading the public in the future.
We made attempts to contact KJEL HOLMBERG over at Snapnames, but he hasn’t replied since December of 2008 (It’s now approaching April 2009), only to our surprise that Protondomains might share an office with the folk at Snapnames.
Recently, the name was sold to or registered by MEDIA WEB PLUS, cybersquatters in the search optimization business. We did reach out to them and they have asked us for $5000 for the name and then to f*ck off when we refused to pay. We forwarded their request as well as our response to [email protected]. I spoke to a couple of folk at Moniker, as they were the only ones answering their phones and they were wondering why Snapnames hadn’t responded to our voicemail messages and emails.
Next We learned that the same domain name is on the Moniker marketplace being sold for $1600 as of 1:38PM EST. Dec. 22nd, 2008. We were confused and so we contacted their customer support line and Moniker explained that Media Web Plus is most likely involved in a practice that is in likelihood violating their terms and agreement as customers of theirs. The domain name also appears on the SEDO marketplace for an unknown bid amount.
All we want is our name. Media Web Plus along with SEOSEO and OnlineDomains.mobi are also the owners and administrators of websites that would tarnish our brand name, and for what, so they can make a quick buck?
We have rights to THIS domain through our business registration in the State of New York and we hold a USPTO trademark and relevant pseudo-mark registration for THIS name, and have engaged in commerce under THIS name, and we were also issued a Tax ID by the IRS number under THIS name and will be filing for our company 2008 tax returns under THIS name.
On March 26, 2009, Media Web Plus informed us that the name will be sold through SEDO. That means they’ve had literally no traffic on the name and have been attempting to sell it for their outrageous sum since December 22, 2008!!!
This was our response (sent the same day):
“As I mentioned on my previous email, we have a trademark for the name, so anyone who, to their misfortune purchases the name, we will inform them of our rights over the name and what they do from there to get there money back is up to them. I don’t think it’s even fair for them to be buying into a domain dispute and then delivered cease and desist letters by our lawyers. As long as they want to engage in any activity involving the United States, they’ll be confronted by the USPTO as using our name illegally. Who wants that? Is that worth $5000?
There’s a reason why it has taken you so long to sell the name. No one wants it and would have to be reckless to buy it if they did their research. We are cool with buying the name for a $100 and that’s it – quick & easy. We already have money set aside for the legal fees and arbitration fees to pursue this issue from start to finish.
Do what you have to do in the name of business and commerce. Best of luck to you and I hope you guys are successful in your accomplishing your wishes and hopes. We will still always be {inserted domain name}, and doing good by that name for all our world’s kids.”
We want our name and won’t stop fighting until a transfer is made.WE sent ALL our supporting documents to the above parties, and we will not send them again. We wanted to avoid an arbitration process (it’s expensive), but it may come to that. However, we will make sure that any customer, ICANN and anyone who has to deal with SNAPNAMES, PROTONDOMAINS, and MEDIA WEB PLUS will find this board posting, and be fearless in the pursuit of their dreams.
Fight them!!!
Anyone wishing to contact me about resolving this matter or have any questions or tips, please do so (to avoid spam) through this site’s messaging process. We will get back to you as soon as we can.
Email addresses of those mentioned in this posting. Contact them if you face similar issues Good luck future business owners and social entrepreneurs, and thank you ICANN for establishing new policies against those who are a part of why our US economy is bad. We need more oversight and regulations. This issue has made me an advocate for them. Here are the email addresses you won’t find as available on the web:
{Contact me if you need email addresses}
Also try:
Attn: Legal (Moniker)
1600 Southwest 4th Avenue, Suite 400
Portland, Oregon, 97201
If you have trouble with MEDIA WEB PLUS, their public whois information (made public) is:
Registration Service Provided By: MANAGE.SNAPNAMES.COM
Contact: +1.5034595739
Website: http://Manage.SnapNames.com
Domain Name: BOOKBROS.COM
Registrant:
Media Web Plus
nidal elkadri
125 marcel chaput
gatineau
qc,j9a 3b3
CA
Tel. +1.8197761113
Kjel P. Holmberg
SnapNames, Business Development Manager
115 NW 1st Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, Oregon 97209
503.219.9990 ext. 236
Kal L.
Brooklyn, New York
U.S.A.
stewart says
Here Adam…note the verbiage here…
adding funds-gateway account-transexecute all very forwatd terms except they never applied the money they were in reciept of, they just kinda kept it, they didnt steal it, nobody knew they had it is all, shadeeeeeeeeeeee !
Stewart
It took us a while to investigate and find out why the Renewal failed. On checking your previous Transactions with the Billing Team, we found out that instead of Paying (Settling) the Invoice, you ‘Added Funds’ to your Account.
Adding Funds to your Account only helps you maintain an Advance Amount (balance) for future transactions and it does not settle any Invoices. So your Domain Renewal Invoice was never settled and hence your Domain wasn’t renewed, and your Current Debit Account Balance still shows USD 7.49.
Moreover, instead of informing us, Answerable.com, about the issue, you mailed in to Transecute.com, which is just the Payment Gateway. And the address that you maled in to was [email protected], which is not a valid email address. I am attaching the Emails here, for your reference.
Nonetheless, you can take a Refund of the unused Funds in your Account (USD 7.49), by logging into your Control Panel and clicking on My Billing >> Request Refund.
Please feel free to get back to us if you have any other queries.
Regards,
Leeann Almeida
Business Development Specialist
Adam says
Stewart, yea I’m new to this whole domain thing. You seem to have it all figured out.
stewart says
You’re welcome Adam, have a very nice day.
Hoyin says
I think this type of game sucks and should stop!! All the domains that have expired should go public immediately or within a reasonable time without going auction by reselling! so that those greedy registary would not make a value of their advance and sell it because someone who owned it before don’t want it and the user actually and already paid to them. They have no right at all! The registary just take it and earn it without paying!! Is it fair?