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EPIK.com Backorders - Is it just?

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So i backordered successfully a domain yesterday with Epik.com (costs $199 upfront to place a backorder), they caught the domain but the domain resolves to the 'For sale' page where it is being sold for low $xxxx (and the 'For sale' page appeared right after they secured the domain, so it was on auto-pilot regarding this domain in advance and the for sale service [email protected] is the one i saw on the domains i observed that Epik caught and all the drop-catchers I backordered with lost to Epik.

I contacted Epik.com support and asked why is that the i placed the backorder and the domain is now for sale without an auction (if there are more backorders on it) or awarding me the domain.

my question:
Hello

I have placed a BO with Epik and Epik caught the domain. But if I go to the site it is currently being sold. Why is that?
freewear.com

let me know please.

thanks
Bogdan

And the support (Rob ) replied:
Bogdan,

There were 8 backorders for that one. You are in position 8. So, unlikely that you will get that one.

Rob

Epik Support
[email protected]

Tel: 425-202-5160

* Legendary customer service



And now they just refunded to the in-store credit my backorder with the status 'Missed'.

Why 'Missed'? they caught the domain successfully.

Currently i can't get my head around this practice. Is it really how a backorder-service works?

The domain is freewear.com
Domain Name: FREEWEAR.COM
Registrar: CLASSDOMAINNAMES.COM, INC.
Whois Server: whois.epik.com
Referral URL: http://registrar.epik.com
Name Server: NS1.HOSTJAR.COM
Name Server: NS2.HOSTJAR.COM
Status: ok
Updated Date: 15-nov-2013
Creation Date: 15-nov-2013
Expiration Date: 15-nov-2014



update: just sent (Saturday, 16 November 2013, 03:46:07 EST) a link to the thread to their support so that they would have every opportunity to react here if they care.
 

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The views expressed on this page by users and staff are their own, not those of NamePros.
EPIK.com = IntrustDomains

Read about it and you will get your answers.
 
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I would not backorder any domains with Epik after reading this -

An Epik Backorder on An Epic Domain

Brad

inconsistencies there as well.
this:
As for our backorder model, we award backorders on a first-come-first-serve basis.
People do submit backorders and then cancel them. So, the winning backorder goes to
the first active backorder.
does not make any sense.

update, just got another reply from EPIK after starting this thread:

Bogdan,

We send out an email after the backorder is submitted. It tells you your backorder position.

If the position is too high, you can just cancel the backorder for a refund.

As for this particular domain, we have asked GoName to release the domain but they have not done so yet. If they do release it, Epik will NOT keep it for ourselves but rather honor the backorder priority that was signed AUTOMATICALLY by our system at the time the backorders were submitted.

As for the history on Intrust, that is just not correct. We acquired their registrar operations. People constantly get confused on this issue. There are people who are having a very successful relationship with Epik. If you don't like the service we provide, please don't use it as I am deeply offended by your online bullying tactics.

Thanks
Rob

Epik Support
[email protected]

Tel: 425-202-5160



i apologize for harsh words but there's no point in placing a backorder without knowing the position in advance for the first-come first-served business model!, asked for the refund (which was quickly processed, thanks Epik).
after years of using all backorder services (including name.com and domainmonster.com which employ 'first-come first-serve' model) except Epik I was totally confused about how things work with EPIK, i was expecting an auction if you are allowing multiple backorders, don't read those pages called TOS, where it described the advanced business-model which you now clarified, i now understand how it works but it's not my cup of tea. sorry for offending you Rob!
 
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There is no point in using epik for backorders if you will be competing against their friends intrust aka gonames.
Get your $199 back.
 
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a lot of inconsistencies there as well.
this:

does not make any sense.

update, just got another reply from EPIK after starting this thread:





i apologize for harsh words but there's no point in placing a backorder without knowing the position in advance for the first-come first-served business model! i'm done with it. asked for the refund.
after years of using all backorder services except Epik I was totally confused about how things work with EPIK. sorry for offending you Rob!
"if they release it" ... so gonames will keep it for themselves. and the relationship between gonames and epik is..?
 
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Thanks for letting us know. I'll never use Epik.
 
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Interesting reading but I ran out of popcorn.
 
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DiscoverGold-banner-770x250.png

So we are led to believe. Best things in life are free..Domains not included​
 
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$199 looks like overpriced for a backorder and the fact they refunded not cash but insite currency is abusive. Thanks for the information I will never use epik.
 
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Got this one on my domain (with a another registrar, not EPIK) today :
Hello,



I am contacting you about your domain name DOMAINNAME.com which is scheduled to expire on December 30, 2013. You are listed as the registrant.

Assuming this domain is not being renewed, I am wondering if there is a price at which you would be willing to sell this expiring domain today.


Sincerely,

Jessica Roberts
Domain Specialist
Epik.com

Email: [email protected]


so the company is in conflict of interests with its clients who place their backorders with them as facts show this. right? The domains are very early in the expiring cycle that they can still be renewed by the registrant at a regular renewal rate.
 
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Note I received a similar inquiry from EPIK several weeks ago on a hyphenated .COM I decided to let drop. Without the hyphen it would have been a killer domain but hyphenated domains are not easy to sell. When you delete a name at Godaddy it likely kicks in a nameserver change which can alert EPIK that you may be letting it drop. Since there is such rabid demand for .COM drops, bypassing the backorder line (in this case at Godaddy) at a modest price could potentially pay off.
 
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^^ they do it on any registrar
 
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Sounds like an epic failure.

I'll never use them.
 
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I just got the same email as lincolndsp for a name that expires today.
I am thinking they have received a backorder and are trying to procure the name...don't know that, I am just guessing it might be what is happening.
 
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So i backordered successfully a domain yesterday with Epik.com (costs $199 upfront to place a backorder), they caught the domain but the domain resolves to the 'For sale' page where it is being sold for low $xxxx (and the 'For sale' page appeared right after they secured the domain, so it was on auto-pilot regarding this domain in advance and the for sale service [email protected] is the one i saw on the domains i observed that Epik caught and all the drop-catchers I backordered with lost to Epik.

I contacted Epik.com support and asked why is that the i placed the backorder and the domain is now for sale without an auction (if there are more backorders on it) or awarding me the domain.

my question:


And the support (Rob ) replied:




And now they just refunded to the in-store credit my backorder with the status 'Missed'.

Why 'Missed'? they caught the domain successfully.

Currently i can't get my head around this practice. Is it really how a backorder-service works?

The domain is freewear.com




update: just sent (Saturday, 16 November 2013, 03:46:07 EST) a link to the thread to their support so that they would have every opportunity to react here if they care.


Guess what? You've been played for a fool (unless they told you there were 7 earlier backorders on the same name BEFORE you gave them your money), and sounds to me like they made a sucker out of you, while enriching themselves with your hard-earned cash. On the other hand, if they in fact did inform you about your bleak chances and why prior to you handing over money, then you have no one else to blame but yourself.

Maybe you'll think twice about giving that company one more red cent of your money. Good for you for posting the screwing here, that's the first step.
 
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Guess what? You've been played for a fool (unless they told you there were 7 earlier backorders on the same name BEFORE you gave them your money), and sounds to me like they made a sucker out of you, while enriching themselves with your hard-earned cash. On the other hand, if they in fact did inform you about your bleak chances and why prior to you handing over money, then you have no one else to blame but yourself.

Maybe you'll think twice about giving that company one more red cent of your money. Good for you for posting the screwing here, that's the first step.


Kind of harsh, don't you think?

This is an old post, back before it was widely known that Epik was a douche bag drop catcher.

I'm sure that OP has been beating himself up for placing his trust in Epik.

:(
 
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I've never read it, and don't intend to
but does it state in the TOS that they only accept first B/O but will continue collect money
from as many as 8 other B/O customers?

And does it state that once they have your money, it'll remain where it is - tell you that "you're out"
and place your money towards instore credit instead of refunding what you paid for, and with?

but according to the TOS 1st come 1st serve, so 8 makes no sense
the system should lock - if the guy bails - open it up?

just curious
 
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The truth is the truth. I like the truth. Sometimes the truth is harsh.


I can appreciate that, HeyNow, but if you're always harsh, it, like the f-bomb, loses its impact after a while; I'm just not sure that this particular harshness rises to a high standard.

Back when OP first posted this, Epik did not yet have its awful reputation. In fact, because of lincolndsp, the word got out faster than it might have had he not alerted us to the problem.

I think he deserves a pat on the back for putting himself out there!

Don't get me wrong; many of your comments hit where they need to hit, and I do admire your no-nonsense way of expressing yourself.

:)
 
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I can appreciate that, HeyNow, but if you're always harsh, it, like the f-bomb, loses its impact after a while; I'm just not sure that this particular harshness rises to a high standard.

Back when OP first posted this, Epik did not yet have its awful reputation. In fact, because of lincolndsp, the word got out faster than it might have had he not alerted us to the problem.

I think he deserves a pat on the back for putting himself out there!

Don't get me wrong; many of your comments hit where they need to hit, and I do admire your no-nonsense way of expressing yourself.

:)

I appreciate and will digest your criticisms. Thanks. That said, if the impact of the truth will be cast aside by some members here who don't appreciate the manner in which it was delivered, then I implore them to deliver the truth here themselves, in the touchy-feely manner they prefer.
 
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