It turns out the domain hadn’t expired and shouldn’t have been auctioned at SnapNames.
Last week, I wrote about an issue I was having with Crazy Domains.
After trying and failing to resolve the issue with Crazy Domains’ support over several weeks, I didn’t know what else to do other than write about it. And that worked; I quickly received emails and a phone call from the registrar’s support group.
I bought an expired domain at SnapNames that was added to a Crazy Domains account. But when I logged into Crazy Domains, I found that I couldn’t update the nameservers for the domain. Worse, the domain was resolving to the prior registrant’s website.
It now makes sense that it was forwarding to that website because it turns out the “former” owner is really the current owner! The domain hadn’t actually expired.
The domain was previously at Crazy Domains, but the registrant transferred it to Public Domain Registry (PDR) about a year ago.
Crazy Domains told me via email:
Upon investigation, we have identified a technical error within our system that led to the misleading availability of the domain for purchase through SnapNames. I sincerely apologize for any confusion or inconvenience this may have caused you.
Regrettably, the domain in question has been registered to someone since 2014, and the registrant subsequently transferred it to PDR, which is one of our sister companies. Unfortunately, this means that the domain is not available for purchase as previously indicated.
A Crazy Domains representative called me and, after a brief discussion, agreed to work with SnapNames to refund my original $365 purchase.
The registrar is investigating what caused the domain to be listed to prevent this from happening again.
Trevor West says
The issue was resolved, but the resolution wasn’t favorable for you. You’ll receive your money back, but not your time.
AbdulBasit Makrani says
Absolutely!
Andrew Allemann says
This is true, and I add it to the time cost of buying domains on SnapNames
Nic says
“It turns out the domain hadn’t expired and shouldn’t have been auctioned at SnapNames.”
Sounds like you acted very reasonably. These situations can cause a lot of ruckus. Not so bad when it is $365.
Years ago, Moniker ran an auction for a valuable domain. I had no knowledge of it. But I bought the domain on Sedo just before the auction and it was transferred. Moniker came to me and wanted the domain and threatened, legally, to unwind my transaction. That was a nonsensical argument and I told them so. The vendor had good title when I bought it (before the auction) and the fact that the vendor did not make good with their exclusivity agreement with Moniker was, I explained, a matter for Moniker and the vendor to argue about. Not my concern.
Meanwhile, an auction buyer of a valuable name was very unhappy.
Andrew Allemann says
I’m writing a story somewhat related to this that I’ll publish later this week.