Company acquires domain name registrar with a checkered reputation.
Epik has acquired domain name registrar IntrustDomains for an undisclosed account.
In a blog post, Epik founder Rob Monster explains that the acquisition will provide a number of services for managing your domain name assets. In addition to registering domain names, Epik customers will get access to a self-service backorder system. They will also be able to manage their domains at other registrars from within their account.
IntrustDomains has more than 27,000 clients.
If the name IntrustDomains rings a bell, its because you’ve likely received unsolicited email from them about an expiring domain name similar to one you own. When I googled “Intrust Domains”, the first page doesn’t include a link to the site. It’s mostly filled with complaints about the company. [Update: Epik says it didn’t acquire the email marketing part of what is commonly known as Intrust Domains.]
It certainly seems like an interesting acquisition, although Monster has clearly spelled out why he thinks it will be beneficial to his company.
Adam says
Intrust has a rather large stake in the drop game Andrew. Rob’s been using them for awhile. Cheaper to buy ’em out maybe than to keep paying them.
Andrew Allemann says
@ Adam – yeah, I’ve noticed their name come up a lot on backordered registrations.
Michael says
They grab loads of names. And since they keep doing it, I guess it is profitable…
UDRPsearch says
Hi Andrew,
In response to your comment about IntrustDomains having a checkered reputation, UDRPsearch received SPAM from Epik on April 17, 2011.
As you will see, there is no similarity between kapaluacondos.com and udrpsearch.com that would warrant our receipt of such a SPAM as you will see below:
> Hello,
>
> I am writing to let you know that the domain name kapaluacondos.com is for sale. After visiting udrpsearch.com, I thought this domain name would be of interest to you.
>
> For more information about the auction listing, please visit the site: http://auctions.epik.com/kapaluacondos.com .
>
> By way of introduction, Epik is a leading developer and broker of domain names. We are behind some of the largest domain name developments.
>
> If you have questions or are interested in purchasing kapaluacondos.com outside of the auction process, please contact me.
>
> Regards,
>
> David Jennings
> Sales Department Manager
> info@epik.com
> 801-821-5107
> PO Box 52686
> Bellevue WA 98015
>
> Click this link: http://www.epikdomains.com/remove.php?email=net-admin@virtualpoint.com to remove your email from our mailing list.
>
> Please consider the environment before printing this email.
RKB says
Don’t we already know about the business practices of the company?
Is anyone surprised?
Mike says
Looks like the purchase also comes along with some federal legal baggage:
http://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/tennessee/tnmdce/3:2010cv01235/49498/16/0.pdf
Ms Domainer says
*
I received incessant emails from this company.
I finally had to block its email address.
*
Andrew Allemann says
Good lord, I’ve received 3 emails from InTrust about the same domain name over the past week.
Kevin Ohashi says
Reading the praise for InTrustDomains makes me want to vomit. I think it’s a horrible acquisition in terms of branding and even worse considering the type of people he would be bringing on board. That’s a company I wouldn’t touch with a 1,000 foot pole. Thus, Epik by the transitive property also just became a company I wouldn’t touch with a 1,000 foot pole.
Nick says
I mistakenly bought a domain from epik.com. It expired so I called up and asked if I can get it back. He said no, but it will be on sale tomorrow at a certain time. Tomorrow comes and it’s not available. I call him back and he said he bought it and wants to sell it to me for hundreds of dollars. Don’t trust this clown. The company is shady and I’ve been reading a bunch of articles that say the same thing.