RSS Feeds: Domain Name Registration Problems
I made a major mistake when I attempted to transfer one of my domains to someone else. As a result, I created domain registration problems for him and the end result is that the domain name is no longer available. I have transferred domain names from registrar to registrar over the last 3+ years and this is the first time I ever lost a domain name. Well, it's not actually lost, but I refuse to pay more money to get it back than it's worth for me.
All Domain Registrars Have Faults
I had my web hosting set up with my first domain registrar and that was a mistake. While they were good at the domain part, they sucked at the site hosting part. My site was fairly new and incredibly slow, with a lot of downtime. That problem went away when I moved the web hosting part to another company.
I eventually moved all my domain names to my current registrar and the only problem I had was that it took them 24 hours to activate the domain names at the new registrar. Transferring domain names from former registrars to this one was simple, but transferring a single domain name away from this one was not so simple and I should have seen it coming.
The Mistake
I don't know if it was my mistake or a server error on their part. Either way, the effect ended up being the same. I thought I unlocked the domain name transfer before I actually told the system to cancel the contract at this registrar. Perhaps I failed to do that or perhaps their server application had an error. It doesn't matter. Since the domain name was locked when I did the cancellation, I sent the domain into limbo.
What really irks me is that it took them 24 hours to set the domain up, less than a year ago. It only took them a couple of hours to completely wipe it from their system. I found that out when my friend couldn't register the domain at his end. What bothers me the most is that their system generated a transfer authorization code which wasn't of any use to anyone.
Domain Name Redemption Period
What I meant by limbo is the domain name redemption period. I have no idea why they sent the domain name into a redemption period since there's more than two months left on the contract. They could have held it in their system until then.
The purpose of the redemption period is for people who accidentally let their domain names expire (such was not my case at all) to prevent domain name grabbers from snatching them up before you get the chance to fix your blunder. A blunder, I might add, which is normally the fault of the registrar more often than the individual. In many cases, their automated systems (which they guarantee will notify you when your domain name nears expiration) fail to send you anything at all.
There is one thing I like about my current registrar. They automatically renew my domain names and charge the amount to my PayPal account without me having to do anything at all. It's the only reason I always keep money in the PayPal account (at least $100 at all times). My domain name renewals along with my monthly VPS web hosting fees are deducted automatically.
The End Result
My friend ended up getting the .net version of the domain name and will probably snatch up the .com version (the one I lost) as soon as it becomes available. If he doesn't, it's not a big deal to anyone but the people who try to access the .com version which is still indexed by Google and probably will remain there for a month or two.
I could actually get the domain name back, but not without help (because they're in the US and I'm not) and not without paying a fee of $40 USD. Since I only paid $8 for it in the first place, I don't think $40 for a domain I'll no longer use (or charge him) is worth it. That requirement, plus printing and faxing a form to them (which would cost a bit from the Philippines), makes it far less than desirable.
I guess the point in telling you about all this is so that you don't end up making a similar mistake. Be careful with your domain name. One mistake is too many, especially if your domain name is actually worth something.
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I recently changed my registrar from my first host to namecheap. I did so because I didn't want to tie my domain name to the hosting provider. I now have my domain names separate from my web host.
Luckily for me, the process went off smoothly though the transfer took up to 5 days to complete (my old hosting provider probably didn't read my e-mail asking him to release my domain).
This will allow me to easily move hosts when I want to and just have to update the nameserver.
My other advise to people registering or transferring domains is to look for discount coupon codes on the internet. Almost every host/DNS provider has these coupons which can save you considerable cash when you have to register multiple domains.
My last blog: A fresh new look
The worse that could go wrong other than a blundered domain name registration is a very unhelpful customer service of supposed domain name registrars.
And one thing I learned after all the wrong things that happened related to domain name renewal is to renew the domain name at least a month before expiry.
My last blog: SIMPLE HEROISM
Had my first experience with domain transfers few years ago and all went smoothly. I was lucky enough that the domain registrar it was on had good documentation on how to transfer domains. It also took us few days to get everything transferred. I think with domain transfers, shouldn’t have any cancellation function since all is done automatically. It is understood that once the transfer occurs and completed it should cancel the previous registrar automatically. Another tip is, do not change registrar if you are like 10 days away from your expiration date. It moves smoother this way and less complications.
I also face same problem last month when i resisted my new site domain name.i buy a domain name and when i transferred it,i face some unaccepted problems,i contact my domain resisted company customer service than they solve my problem and now i get my domain name but i paid some extra money for it.
Acne Treatment
I ordered 3 domains yesterday, but, when it came to the paypal payment I ran into a problem with my balance (not enough in there) so I clicked on START OVER and registered just 2 of the 3 domains I tried ordering a few moments before. This time the paypal payment worked, I got my receipt from paypal and from spry thanking me for the payment, but, I can't use the 2 domains I just paid for.
In my spry billing page, the 3 domain order invoice is marked as unpaid, which I guess means that when you hit the payment page, there is no optrion to cancel the order and the start over link just starts with a new fresh order.
My last blog: Smoker's Cease Fire – Cigarette Receptacle
I have had my shair of mistakes with domains (including accidentally buying one with a typo – dumb me). I have not been transferring any domains but I am sure that I will buy a bunch of domains just to be able to sell them later for a higher price, when I see the potential somewhere.
My last blog: Getting Cash Without Waiting
Sorry to hear that. I've had a couple of things go wrong over the years. I try to stick with Godaddy for most of my registrations. Should something go wrong, they can usually get the domain name back.
Ouch man, that sucks. Was that domain name making you any money? If it was, pay that fee! I know that I would.
And DB, I hate using DB, hahaha. I use bluehost for hosting/domains. Seems to be the best so far.
My last blog: How Dermacai Works
Thanks for listing the common faults in registrars! I'm sure the readers will look for such tenets now onwards before choosing a registrar.
I used MakeWords.com to find my domain name and took help of LimeDomains to get it registered. Today I'm happy with my domain & my choice of registrar as my website is running successfully on the Web.