Registrar wont release my domain.

domainabilities · 03-23-2005, 02:28 PM

HELP !
I had 3 domains registered at a-plus.net that were due to expire on 3/23 and 3/26 I transfered them on the 19th. Two of the domains went fine the third they put a lock on and blocked the transfer. When I called them they said there policy is that it must be done 30 days prior to expiration. They have an icann accredited emblem so I checked icann policy, it reads like this...
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/domain-name-discussion/77307-registrar-wont-release-my-domain.html

Registrars are not permitted to deny transfer requests arbitrarily. ICANN has no policy that permits or requires registrars to deny outgoing transfer requests solely because the registration is within X number of days before expiration. In any case where a "losing" registrar does deny a transfer request, it is required to provide the "gaining" registrar with a notice of the denial and a specific reason for the denial.

They stuck there nose up at it and said thats icann's policy not there's. I've got 3 days and these f------s are holding a gun to me saying I have to reregister with them. What can I do ?

**Dave Zan** · 03-23-2005, 03:38 PM

Interesting why a-plus suddenly locked the third name. See if you can unlock
it manually.

Don't ask a-plus to unlock it for you. They won't, unless they authenticate
you first.

You can also point that out to them and complain to ICANN about it here.

Good luck getting it out of there.

Mark · 03-23-2005, 03:48 PM

At the very least - Don't let it go by the Exp Date ! .... That may open another can of worms and a lot more money depending on their policies -
and none of this is a reason to lose your domain over a renewal fee !

Went through +/- the same thing a while back with another reg - Thought my domain was safely on it's way to another reg through transfer .... Ended up paying $110 to renew it at the same sorry $^*#$()^ register it was with ! - Then transferred it anyway .... But those folks won't EVER See my business again

RJ · 03-23-2005, 04:10 PM

As ICANN's policy says, they have no reason they need to be blocking the domain because it's within 30 days. I recently transferred a .com domain from one register to another and initated the transfer only the day before expiration. (I don't recommend waiting that long to anyone though!

)

Does A-Plus let you unlock the domain yourself? If not, request firmly that they allow the transfer to go through or you will report them to ICANN. Good luck!

Riceman · 03-23-2005, 05:12 PM

aplus.net is a pretty bad company. They are know for getting phone numbers from whois and cold calling

domainabilities · 03-23-2005, 06:13 PM

Thanks for the responses. I did go to the control panel and unlocked it before the transfer. They just kicked back the transfer for this 30 day crap. I have most of my names with omnis and there working with me to get it done. I did file a complaint on them with icann we'll see what that does.. I'll be workin on it. Another crappy registrar Remember a-plus.net, Stay away !

Peter · 03-24-2005, 01:13 AM

in this instant I would say you would have to renew with them, but at the earliest time possible transfer away also I would report them to ICANN and send them as much proof as possible.

They cannot blatantly ignore ICANN rules and regulations just because they dont like them.

domain4u · 03-24-2005, 01:40 AM

Try to get this in email, phone is not good enough.
Then send it to icann and hope they will take action.

1rrr1 · 03-24-2005, 02:24 AM

aplus is a crappy registrar. There are many problems with it all the time. Don't get fooled with the price.

AdoptableDomains · 03-24-2005, 05:33 PM

Registrars do have to follow ICANN's minimum rules, but many write their own TOS policies that go beyond the ICANN policies. For example, godaddy's rule that you can't transfer within 60 days of a registrant change. Unfortunately, if you agreed to that when you purchased, (you did read the agreement, didn't you?....Yeah, right.) then you agreed to terms beyond those of ICANN. You could fight them if they specifically go against an ICANN rules, but generally they can make some additional rules.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=77307

The best bet is to attempt all transfers 60+ days before expiration to make sure snags like this don't catch you. On some drop catches where I didn't pick the registrar, I transfer as soon as I possibly can, often 10 months before expiration. Read the rules when you buy or cathc a name and then take some action or put in on your calendar. Better to pay $8 now and have extra time to sell or develop than get stuck with a $35 renewal fee somewhere like namescout or NSI.

If you do get stuck with a high priced renewal, renew, quickly transfer that and any other names out and make sure they know you did and why.

Good luck.

marisolblue · 03-25-2005, 08:12 AM

You may trying to contact icann. This seemed to work with a very difficult korean drop registrar I had problems with

primacomputer · 03-25-2005, 08:52 AM

I had this happen recently on a few domain names. I initiated the transfer, confirmed the email from the winning register, and waited. About two weeks later they still hadn't gone.

I renewed them, and recommend you do the same. I sent of an email to the loosing registrar informing them that I believed they were violating the ICANN policy. They wrote back categorically denying any violation and viola the transfer was completed the next day.

I'm demanding a refund for the difference between the regfees from the loosing registrar. I assume they'll just give it to me, as they have always been a good registrar.

**Dave Zan** · 03-25-2005, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by primacomputer

I had this happen recently on a few domain names. I initiated the transfer, confirmed the email from the winning register, and waited. About two weeks later they still hadn't gone.

I renewed them, and recommend you do the same. I sent of an email to the loosing registrar informing them that I believed they were violating the ICANN policy. They wrote back categorically denying any violation and viola the transfer was completed the next day.

I'm demanding a refund for the difference between the regfees from the loosing registrar. I assume they'll just give it to me, as they have always been a good registrar.

Is it okay to ask who's the registrar? Generally registrars don't refund, but an
exception or so does occur.

What many people don't know either is that if they transferred the domain to
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=77307
another registrar less than 45 days from its last renewal, no extra years will
be added to it no matter what.

03-25-2005, 01:14 PM

You are touching on an area that is very near and, (not at all), dear to me. I went back and found these threads relating to difficulties encountered in making transfers, and prying names loose from difficult registrars, (and these are only from threads that I started!):
http://www.namepros.com/domain-name-discussion/75126-confusion-by-design.html
http://www.namepros.com/domain-name-discussion/71190-another-perplexing-issue-w-a-registrar.html
http://www.namepros.com/domain-name-discussion/71190-another-perplexing-issue-w-a-registrar.html
http://www.namepros.com/domain-name-discussion/60550-between-rock-and-a-hard-place.html
http://www.namepros.com/domain-name-discussion/59212-wtf-bad-auth-codes.html

Over the past 4 mos, have transfered 300+ names from roughly 30 registrars and thought that I had seen it all, but I must say, no one has just out and out lied to me, which appears to be what has happenned in your case. Deceitful? Yes. Disingenuous? Yes? Confusing? Yes. Unavailable? Yes. Unresponsive? Yes, Yes and Yes! Lied to? Not yet.

-I have encountered registrars that have re-locked names after my unlock was successfully made- after 2-3 unsuccessful tries I finally resorted to using screen captures as evidence that I had indeed unlocked my names and that I was being jerked around.
-I have encountered at least 3 registrars, (drop service partners), who had no CP interface to manage names from and everything had to be done via email, or worse yet, via fax or snail mail. In 2 instances, all changes had to be done by proxy- ie informing the drop service of my desired changes and than waiting for the drop service to approve the changes and get back to the registrar w/ them.
-I have made, (what I thought were), global changes, only to find out later, that I had been deceived by a confusing interface that led me to believe that all contact info had been updated- only to find out that the info had to be changed using three seperate processes, using three seperate site sub-links.

It's gotten to the point where, in some instances, a successful transfer calls for a personal holiday and cause for much celebration! (Have I been conditioned-or what?)
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=77307
This is the chronology of one transfer that finally went through successfully today!

Login to correct Registrant contact info w/ (outgoing) registrar (leave believing I had changed all contact info)->Initiate transfer->Approve transfer->2 days pass-> Failure #1 (re: incorrect contact info)-> search site for 20 minutes, but can't find way to access global info-> email Cust Serv -> Auto Response -> 2 days pass -> email Customer service-> 1 day passes -> receive email response w/ directions and link to make Admin/Tech contact changes, (Somehow, billing info was correct... hmm)-> make admin changes-> re-initiate transfer-> Accept transfer from receiving reg ->2 das pass-> Failure #2, (re:none given, "Canceled - The current registrar has rejected transfer (please contact them for details)" -> recheck whois and lock status- everything OK-> email registrar requesting explanation-> 1 day passes-> call up registrar, explain the problem- response: "Did we receive an email from you informing us that you would be transferring away from us? We require an email from the email acct we have on record requesting the change." "uhh.. excuse me, but where on the site does one learn about this procedure?" "Well, we are what you call a "High Security" registrar and all names registered w/ us, use this protocol... blah blah." -> receive reply to Cust Serv email request sent prior to phone call, w/ procedure-> send email informing registrar of intent to transfer-> receive email back requiring that I use link in email to make transfer request *and* to send email explaining *why?* I was transferring away, (for "security reasons")-> use email link to make transfer request- state reason why I was transferring out-> reinitiate transfer (attempt #3)->accept transfer confirm from receiving registrar-> receive email from outgoing registrar w/ link to accept/deny transfer within 72 hours-> Accept transfer-> receive email from outgoing reg, that transfer has been made-> Success!!! This procedure, for a name that I own rights to and had already paid Pool no less than $60 for.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=77307

This is the odyssey of one name transfer. Now imagine attempting 20 name transfers simultaneously, (because they are all drops from the same month and coming due at same time), using 20 different registrars, all operating w/ procedures that are different. I have been so beaten down by this whole, prolonged process, that I am not even emotional about it, anymore.

What have I learned? Persistence, persistence, persistence? When a transfer fails, immediately jump on it w/ an email to the outgoing registrar requesting an explanation. Flag the email until an answer is received. (Don't file and forget). If a response isn't received within 24 hours, call the registrar. Make sure all "i's" are dotted, all "t's" crossed. If transfer fails again, prepare a complaint email to ICANN, and att it to your follow up emails.(another NP member's good suggestion).

I have stored the paper trail, have begun unraveling and writing down specifrics about these twisted paths/experiences- keeping a journal of my transfer travails. After all of the, (still), pending transfers are completed, (and some time is, correspondingly, freed up), I am going to post this info on one of my domain name sites, along w/ reviews of approx 40 registrars. Each review will be followed up w/ tips and advice on how to avoid the pitfalls that are unique to that registrar. Stay tuned. Coming Soon.

**Dave Zan** · 03-25-2005, 02:49 PM

Looking forward to it, Michael! Do keep us posted.

03-25-2005, 03:17 PM

I will do that.
In sorting things out, I do want to be careful to distinguish between problems that I may have been responsible for, those that are a result of site/TOA idiocyncricies, and those that are clearly the result of poor procedures, planning, management and or/scheming by the registrar.

primacomputer · 03-26-2005, 12:28 AM

Originally Posted by davezan

Is it okay to ask who's the registrar? Generally registrars don't refund, but an
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=77307
exception or so does occur.

Sure, the loosing registrar was DirectNIC. I'm very happy with them. They offer a great service. But on many names I simply don't need all the extra features they offer that cost me an extra $4/year. I'm sure they'll at least credit my DN dollars. They'd be insane to risk a dispute and loose a customer forever in order to get paid $20 now instead of getting paid $20 in a few months.

primacomputer · 04-07-2005, 12:00 AM

I just wanted to follow up on this to say I got the refund. DirectNIC handled this very professionally.

03-23-2005, 02:28 PM	THREAD STARTER #1 (permalink)
domainabilities NamePros Regular Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 321	Registrar wont release my domain. HELP ! I had 3 domains registered at a-plus.net that were due to expire on 3/23 and 3/26 I transfered them on the 19th. Two of the domains went fine the third they put a lock on and blocked the transfer. When I called them they said there policy is that it must be done 30 days prior to expiration. They have an icann accredited emblem so I checked icann policy, it reads like this... ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/domain-name-discussion/77307-registrar-wont-release-my-domain.html Registrars are not permitted to deny transfer requests arbitrarily. ICANN has no policy that permits or requires registrars to deny outgoing transfer requests solely because the registration is within X number of days before expiration. In any case where a "losing" registrar does deny a transfer request, it is required to provide the "gaining" registrar with a notice of the denial and a specific reason for the denial. They stuck there nose up at it and said thats icann's policy not there's. I've got 3 days and these f------s are holding a gun to me saying I have to reregister with them. What can I do ?

03-23-2005, 03:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dave Zan Electrifying Guy Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 4,749 Follow @DaveZan	Interesting why a-plus suddenly locked the third name. See if you can unlock it manually. Don't ask a-plus to unlock it for you. They won't, unless they authenticate you first. You can also point that out to them and complain to ICANN about it here. Good luck getting it out of there. __________________ *Vidi, Vici, Veni!* Follow My Tweets \| Check My Blog

03-23-2005, 03:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mark Hi :) Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: NC Posts: 9,567	At the very least - Don't let it go by the Exp Date ! .... That may open another can of worms and a lot more money depending on their policies - and none of this is a reason to lose your domain over a renewal fee ! Went through +/- the same thing a while back with another reg - Thought my domain was safely on it's way to another reg through transfer .... Ended up paying $110 to renew it at the same sorry $^*#$()^ register it was with ! - Then transferred it anyway .... But those folks won't EVER See my business again __________________ When the man at the door yelled "Alcohol , Tobacco , and Firearms" .... I just assumed it was a delivery !

03-23-2005, 04:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
RJ NamePros Webmaster Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 12,930 Follow @DomainBuyer	As ICANN's policy says, they have no reason they need to be blocking the domain because it's within 30 days. I recently transferred a .com domain from one register to another and initated the transfer only the day before expiration. (I don't recommend waiting that long to anyone though! ) Does A-Plus let you unlock the domain yourself? If not, request firmly that they allow the transfer to go through or you will report them to ICANN. Good luck! __________________ @DomainBuyer facebook

03-23-2005, 05:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
Riceman Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,015	aplus.net is a pretty bad company. They are know for getting phone numbers from whois and cold calling __________________ :gl:

03-23-2005, 06:13 PM	THREAD STARTER #6 (permalink)
domainabilities NamePros Regular Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 321	Thanks Thanks for the responses. I did go to the control panel and unlocked it before the transfer. They just kicked back the transfer for this 30 day crap. I have most of my names with omnis and there working with me to get it done. I did file a complaint on them with icann we'll see what that does.. I'll be workin on it. Another crappy registrar Remember a-plus.net, Stay away !

03-24-2005, 01:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
Peter NamePros Expert Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 5,069	in this instant I would say you would have to renew with them, but at the earliest time possible transfer away also I would report them to ICANN and send them as much proof as possible. They cannot blatantly ignore ICANN rules and regulations just because they dont like them. __________________ Manage your portfolio using my new Domain Portfolio Management script. Securing Your Domain Name From Theft

03-24-2005, 01:40 AM	#8 (permalink)
domain4u We Buy We Sell Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: payperclick.biz Posts: 972	Try to get this in email, phone is not good enough. Then send it to icann and hope they will take action. __________________ Pay Per Click Forum - Hot night clubs - Holiday Forum - British Petroleum - BGR Bloomer - Poker Forum - charity-gift.com - payperclick.biz - ahmadyar.co.uk - jmlcoupons.com - hotclubs.co.uk - totallymoney.info - bgrbloomer.com - edinburghinternetmarketing.com - efficientsearch.co.uk - HolidayForum.co.uk - BritishPetroleum.info - Adpreviewtool.com

03-24-2005, 02:24 AM	#9 (permalink)
1rrr1 NamePros Expert Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 6,240	aplus is a crappy registrar. There are many problems with it all the time. Don't get fooled with the price. __________________ Drop Catching Services - Click here for more info Especially effective for .co, .in and .co.in domains. I also offer drop lists for these extensions.

03-24-2005, 05:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
AdoptableDomains Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 4,027	Registrars do have to follow ICANN's minimum rules, but many write their own TOS policies that go beyond the ICANN policies. For example, godaddy's rule that you can't transfer within 60 days of a registrant change. Unfortunately, if you agreed to that when you purchased, (you did read the agreement, didn't you?....Yeah, right.) then you agreed to terms beyond those of ICANN. You could fight them if they specifically go against an ICANN rules, but generally they can make some additional rules. ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=77307 The best bet is to attempt all transfers 60+ days before expiration to make sure snags like this don't catch you. On some drop catches where I didn't pick the registrar, I transfer as soon as I possibly can, often 10 months before expiration. Read the rules when you buy or cathc a name and then take some action or put in on your calendar. Better to pay $8 now and have extra time to sell or develop than get stuck with a $35 renewal fee somewhere like namescout or NSI. If you do get stuck with a high priced renewal, renew, quickly transfer that and any other names out and make sure they know you did and why. Good luck. __________________ AdoptableDomains.com ~~~~~Finding Good Homes for Good Names~~~~~ FuelPrices.mobi - Fish.us - ManhattanNewYork.net - Salesmen.info - SoundSystems.org Dickering.com - JobPlacement.biz - LotteryTickets.ws - Deleted.cc - Names.im - MP3.hn

03-25-2005, 08:12 AM	#11 (permalink)
marisolblue NamePros Regular Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 371	You may trying to contact icann. This seemed to work with a very difficult korean drop registrar I had problems with

03-25-2005, 08:52 AM	#12 (permalink)
primacomputer Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,402	I had this happen recently on a few domain names. I initiated the transfer, confirmed the email from the winning register, and waited. About two weeks later they still hadn't gone. I renewed them, and recommend you do the same. I sent of an email to the loosing registrar informing them that I believed they were violating the ICANN policy. They wrote back categorically denying any violation and viola the transfer was completed the next day. I'm demanding a refund for the difference between the regfees from the loosing registrar. I assume they'll just give it to me, as they have always been a good registrar.

03-25-2005, 01:14 PM	#14 (permalink)
Grrilla Guest Posts: n/a	You are touching on an area that is very near and, (not at all), dear to me. I went back and found these threads relating to difficulties encountered in making transfers, and prying names loose from difficult registrars, (and these are only from threads that I started!): http://www.namepros.com/domain-name-discussion/75126-confusion-by-design.html http://www.namepros.com/domain-name-discussion/71190-another-perplexing-issue-w-a-registrar.html http://www.namepros.com/domain-name-discussion/71190-another-perplexing-issue-w-a-registrar.html http://www.namepros.com/domain-name-discussion/60550-between-rock-and-a-hard-place.html http://www.namepros.com/domain-name-discussion/59212-wtf-bad-auth-codes.html Over the past 4 mos, have transfered 300+ names from roughly 30 registrars and thought that I had seen it all, but I must say, no one has just out and out lied to me, which appears to be what has happenned in your case. Deceitful? Yes. Disingenuous? Yes? Confusing? Yes. Unavailable? Yes. Unresponsive? Yes, Yes and Yes! Lied to? Not yet. -I have encountered registrars that have re-locked names after my unlock was successfully made- after 2-3 unsuccessful tries I finally resorted to using screen captures as evidence that I had indeed unlocked my names and that I was being jerked around. -I have encountered at least 3 registrars, (drop service partners), who had no CP interface to manage names from and everything had to be done via email, or worse yet, via fax or snail mail. In 2 instances, all changes had to be done by proxy- ie informing the drop service of my desired changes and than waiting for the drop service to approve the changes and get back to the registrar w/ them. -I have made, (what I thought were), global changes, only to find out later, that I had been deceived by a confusing interface that led me to believe that all contact info had been updated- only to find out that the info had to be changed using three seperate processes, using three seperate site sub-links. It's gotten to the point where, in some instances, a successful transfer calls for a personal holiday and cause for much celebration! (Have I been conditioned-or what?) ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=77307 This is the chronology of one transfer that finally went through successfully today! Login to correct Registrant contact info w/ (outgoing) registrar (leave believing I had changed all contact info)->Initiate transfer->Approve transfer->2 days pass-> Failure #1 (re: incorrect contact info)-> search site for 20 minutes, but can't find way to access global info-> email Cust Serv -> Auto Response -> 2 days pass -> email Customer service-> 1 day passes -> receive email response w/ directions and link to make Admin/Tech contact changes, (Somehow, billing info was correct... hmm)-> make admin changes-> re-initiate transfer-> Accept transfer from receiving reg ->2 das pass-> Failure #2, (re:none given, "Canceled - The current registrar has rejected transfer (please contact them for details)" -> recheck whois and lock status- everything OK-> email registrar requesting explanation-> 1 day passes-> call up registrar, explain the problem- response: "Did we receive an email from you informing us that you would be transferring away from us? We require an email from the email acct we have on record requesting the change." "uhh.. excuse me, but where on the site does one learn about this procedure?" "Well, we are what you call a "High Security" registrar and all names registered w/ us, use this protocol... blah blah." -> receive reply to Cust Serv email request sent prior to phone call, w/ procedure-> send email informing registrar of intent to transfer-> receive email back requiring that I use link in email to make transfer request *and* to send email explaining *why?* I was transferring away, (for "security reasons")-> use email link to make transfer request- state reason why I was transferring out-> reinitiate transfer (attempt #3)->accept transfer confirm from receiving registrar-> receive email from outgoing registrar w/ link to accept/deny transfer within 72 hours-> Accept transfer-> receive email from outgoing reg, that transfer has been made-> Success!!! This procedure, for a name that I own rights to and had already paid Pool no less than $60 for. ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=77307 This is the odyssey of one name transfer. Now imagine attempting 20 name transfers simultaneously, (because they are all drops from the same month and coming due at same time), using 20 different registrars, all operating w/ procedures that are different. I have been so beaten down by this whole, prolonged process, that I am not even emotional about it, anymore. What have I learned? Persistence, persistence, persistence? When a transfer fails, immediately jump on it w/ an email to the outgoing registrar requesting an explanation. Flag the email until an answer is received. (Don't file and forget). If a response isn't received within 24 hours, call the registrar. Make sure all "i's" are dotted, all "t's" crossed. If transfer fails again, prepare a complaint email to ICANN, and att it to your follow up emails.(another NP member's good suggestion). I have stored the paper trail, have begun unraveling and writing down specifrics about these twisted paths/experiences- keeping a journal of my transfer travails. After all of the, (still), pending transfers are completed, (and some time is, correspondingly, freed up), I am going to post this info on one of my domain name sites, along w/ reviews of approx 40 registrars. Each review will be followed up w/ tips and advice on how to avoid the pitfalls that are unique to that registrar. Stay tuned. Coming Soon. Last edited by Grrilla; 03-25-2005 at 01:33 PM.

03-25-2005, 02:49 PM	#15 (permalink)
Dave Zan Electrifying Guy Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 4,749 Follow @DaveZan	Looking forward to it, Michael! Do keep us posted. __________________ *Vidi, Vici, Veni!* Follow My Tweets \| Check My Blog

03-25-2005, 03:17 PM	#16 (permalink)
Grrilla Guest Posts: n/a	I will do that. In sorting things out, I do want to be careful to distinguish between problems that I may have been responsible for, those that are a result of site/TOA idiocyncricies, and those that are clearly the result of poor procedures, planning, management and or/scheming by the registrar.

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04-07-2005, 12:00 AM	#18 (permalink)
primacomputer Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,402	I just wanted to follow up on this to say I got the refund. DirectNIC handled this very professionally.