Domains sold by forum member repossessed by GoDaddy

draco · Nov 25, 2018

I bought two domains, 28924.com and 82742.com, that were advertised by Omer Doron on NamePros.

https://www.namepros.com/threads/82742-com-28924-com-350-each-sold.1101500/

I paid with PayPal and the domains were pushed to my GoDaddy account. Three weeks later, I was notified that the domains were repossessed by GoDaddy. They told me,

"The original purchases of the domains in question were charged to an invalid payment method, resulting in the repossession of products and subsequent refund for initial cost. If the seller reverses charges for the services they purchased on your behalf, we “repossess” the purchase meaning the products are removed from your account. The original price of the domains must be paid in full before they may be returned to your account. We offer you the option of purchasing the domains for the original price of $761.34. This price is the cost of the original receipts connected to these domains which has been refunded.".

The Seller is claiming that they bought the domains from someone, and they weren't the ones that paid with the invalid payment method or did the chargeback. The $761.34 GoDaddy wants is actually more than I paid for the domains. The Seller claims I'm trying to get a refund from the wrong person, because they didn't do anything wrong. I feel it's their responsibility, since they sold them to me. They should go after the person they claim they bought them from.

Originally he said he would give me a refund after he verified the information with GoDaddy. Then he said he wouldn't do it because he thought they were stolen. Then he asked me to post here anonymously and he would issue me a refund if he was convinced it was 100% the right thing to do. When I asked him what it would take to be 100% convinced, he wouldn't answer.

I opened a dispute with PayPal. He lied in the response, claiming GoDaddy told me there was something wrong with my account. GoDaddy never told me there was anything wrong with my account. They just gave me the option to buy the domains back from them. It's an option, not a debt I owe them.

equity78 · Nov 27, 2018

andNames said:
Excellent point. If the winner of an auctions turns out to be a non payer (or scammer or whatever). The real final price of the auction should be

= (Highest bid by the 3rd highest bidder + 1 increment)*

*Understand that this price may be much lower than the actual highest bid the second highest bidder had made in pressure of the "fake" highest bidder who had no intention of paying in real money.

So in a way Godaddy encourages fraud bidders because fraud bidders raise the prices of domains on their behalf, and once an auction is finalized, it does not matter whether the fraud auction winner pay or not/pay via "invalid method", because Godaddy can force second highest bidder or subsequent owner (like Draco) to pay this inflated final price (or less one increment) not real price.

Similarly if the second highest bidder is also fake (provided you have to catch him in advance). The final price should be
= Highest bid by the fourth highest bidder + 1 increment.
and so on. these real prices may be ten times lower than inflated final bids.

That is a good question, @Joe Styler why didn't the names get offered to the next bidder like you do with other auctions on GoDaddy, like Dispute.com.

DAN.COM · Nov 27, 2018

@Joe Styler if there's non-public information available around this case we'd love to receive it. You've been hinting to having more info on the case. Please do share privately.

Since the problem at hand seems to not going to be solved for Draco & Omer, Undeveloped will take responsibility, not because we have to or are obliged to but because we want to.

We'll refund Omer today and take the hit for this situation to avoid individual domainers having to pay up. Marketplaces/Registrars should take responsibility for the payments they secure and never forward the bill to parties that have nothing to do with a certain fraudulent transaction.

Omer can then refund Draco and clear his name as he has nothing to do with the initial auction bidder outside of our platform.

I'd still advice Draco to pursue and potentially escalate this case just to make sure that the original auction bidder doesn't get away with this so easily. Undeveloped will provide all information & data we have.

This is a one time action from us as we're now cleaning up other peoples mess. Anyone that feels emboldened to try to abuse our generosity or marketplace in the future will be met with the full force & resources of Undeveloped and it's legal team. Scammers beware.

Kind regards,

Reza

xynames · Nov 27, 2018

Silentptnr said:
No retail business sells something and gets stiffed (because they didn't properly secure payment) , tracks down the item (to an innocent 4th party), then takes the item back by force from an innocent 4th party.

That just sounds so crazy that it is unimaginable that GoDaddy would do something like that. But then we've seen this sort of behavior from them before too.

xynames said:
How GoDaddy is able to justify suspending the hosting and denying access to the data, and not refunding the prepaid portion of the hosting, is beyond comprehension.

Perhaps if enough pressure is put on them in this case too, they will capitulate.

xynames said:
* Update *

After an outside agency complaint that I directed client to make, GoDaddy has come back and offered a refund for the unused (prepaid for the next five years) portion of the hosting and email accounts, if the client will cancel these.

GoDaddy STILL refusing to return the data however.

rentmynames · Nov 27, 2018

This really scares everyone out. For safety reason, domainers should transfer out their valuable domains that they've purchased in the past. Myself only keep domains that I registered or bought at very low price at Godaddy's . Google LLC / Name.com are the only two that I can trust at this point. None of my valuable domains stay with Godaddy's . I don't trust them for some reasons.

Internet.Domains · Nov 27, 2018

Undeveloped said:
@Joe Styler if there's non-public information available around this case we'd love to receive it. You've been hinting to having more info on the case. Please do share privately.

Since the problem at hand seems to not going to be solved for Draco & Omer, Undeveloped will take responsibility, not because we have to or are obliged to but because we want to.

We'll refund Omer today and take the hit for this situation to avoid individual domainers having to pay up. Marketplaces/Registrars should take responsibility for the payments they secure and never forward the bill to parties that have nothing to do with a certain fraudulent transaction.

Omer can then refund Draco and clear his name as he has nothing to do with the initial auction bidder outside of our platform.

I'd still advice Draco to pursue and potentially escalate this case just to make sure that the original auction bidder doesn't get away with this so easily. Undeveloped will provide all information & data we have.

This is a one time action from us as we're now cleaning up other peoples mess. Anyone that feels emboldened to try to abuse our generosity or marketplace in the future will be met with the full force & resources of Undeveloped and it's legal team. Scammers beware.

Kind regards,

Reza

WOW! Absolutely honorable! I've said it before and I'll say it again, Undeveloped continues to raise the standards!

uglydork · Nov 27, 2018

Undeveloped said:
@Joe Styler if there's non-public information available around this case we'd love to receive it. You've been hinting to having more info on the case. Please do share privately.

Since the problem at hand seems to not going to be solved for Draco & Omer, Undeveloped will take responsibility, not because we have to or are obliged to but because we want to.

We'll refund Omer today and take the hit for this situation to avoid individual domainers having to pay up. Marketplaces/Registrars should take responsibility for the payments they secure and never forward the bill to parties that have nothing to do with a certain fraudulent transaction.

Omer can then refund Draco and clear his name as he has nothing to do with the initial auction bidder outside of our platform.

I'd still advice Draco to pursue and potentially escalate this case just to make sure that the original auction bidder doesn't get away with this so easily. Undeveloped will provide all information & data we have.

This is a one time action from us as we're now cleaning up other peoples mess. Anyone that feels emboldened to try to abuse our generosity or marketplace in the future will be met with the full force & resources of Undeveloped and it's legal team. Scammers beware.

Kind regards,

Reza

I just gained much respect for you and your company!

maya-zir · Nov 27, 2018

shame on godaddy.

Olasunkanmi Taiwo · Nov 27, 2018

I guess I will have to seek another credible and customer friendly registrar to transfer some of my names to, GoDaddy is really getting scary these days.

rentmynames · Nov 27, 2018

BUYER!
From now on, never ever use “push” method when buying domains at Godaddy’s. You will be risk losing the domain to Godaddy’s . Transfer to a different registrar, keep the escrow receipts for the proof of purchase .

I swear, this is a MUST when I buy a domain that’s with Godaddy’s in future.

maya-zir · Nov 27, 2018

rentmynames said:
I always move my domains out of godaddys, after 60 days purchased. I just don’t trust godaddys for some reasons

I do the same.
GD is horrible and user non-friendly interface, horrible support and now results they make pay thier costumers for GD own errors and mistakes.
What a "great" anti-GD campaign made GD on the most popular domaining comunity

Silentptnr · Nov 27, 2018

Shame on GoDaddy. All that money, 17 million customers, 6000 employees, and yet, increasingly poor customer service and terribly inefficient internal processes. Their shareholders and customers should demand more.

Kudos to Undeveloped! Don't hesitate to let this community know how we can be supportive of your business. Your gesture of support in this situation is remarkable.

BRANDERX · Nov 27, 2018

Reza & the team are today's heroes, will not take it away from them, thanks.

I just would like to remind you all, none of this would've been possible without this platform "NamePros",
thank you for being the platform for all of us.

MS

1Darko · Nov 27, 2018

Undeveloped said:
@Joe Styler if there's non-public information available around this case we'd love to receive it. You've been hinting to having more info on the case. Please do share privately.

Since the problem at hand seems to not going to be solved for Draco & Omer, Undeveloped will take responsibility, not because we have to or are obliged to but because we want to.

We'll refund Omer today and take the hit for this situation to avoid individual domainers having to pay up. Marketplaces/Registrars should take responsibility for the payments they secure and never forward the bill to parties that have nothing to do with a certain fraudulent transaction.

Omer can then refund Draco and clear his name as he has nothing to do with the initial auction bidder outside of our platform.

I'd still advice Draco to pursue and potentially escalate this case just to make sure that the original auction bidder doesn't get away with this so easily. Undeveloped will provide all information & data we have.

This is a one time action from us as we're now cleaning up other peoples mess. Anyone that feels emboldened to try to abuse our generosity or marketplace in the future will be met with the full force & resources of Undeveloped and it's legal team. Scammers beware.

Kind regards,

Reza

Reza - thumbs up

Undeveloped is really GREAT !

golan · Nov 27, 2018

Joe Styler said:
The best advice I can give is use a reputable marketplace with protection and a payment method that protects you.

Joe, do you realize that with this event Godaddy just ruined their reputation? I think everybody on this forum admire you personally, but regarding your company - i think no one in his sane mind can call GD a reputable marketplace after reading this thread anymore.

golan · Nov 27, 2018

Undeveloped said:
Since the problem at hand seems to not going to be solved for Draco & Omer, Undeveloped will take responsibility, not because we have to or are obliged to but because we want to.

Big big RESPECT!!!

That's how everyone needs to care their clients. Shame on a big corporation.

Silentptnr · Nov 27, 2018

It was announced that GoDaddy will be handling the auction at NamesCon this year instead of NameJet.

I wonder if this years auction participants realize that they might end up having their domains repossessed because GoDaddy might later realize that someone that previously owned the domain disputed the charge and refused to pay.

The GoDaddy policy makes no sense.

Mister Funsky · Nov 27, 2018

Olasunkanmi Taiwo said:
I guess I will have to seek another credible and customer friendly registrar to transfer some of my names to, GoDaddy is really getting scary these days.

They took a name from me years ago after it was in my account for months...that is when I discovered Rob at Epik. I've never looked back or regretted moving my domains to his platform.

rentmynames · Nov 27, 2018

Mister Funsky said:
They took a name from me years ago after it was in my account for months...that is when I discovered Rob at Epik. I've never looked back or regretted moving my domains to his platform.

After it was in your account for months?

Mister Funsky · Nov 28, 2018

rentmynames said:
After it was in your account for months?

Yes. One day (still considering my options) I will post all the details for people to see. It was a very unfortunate action and very eye opening for me. I was a huge fan of gddy back then. I NEVER got a personal response to my queries regarding the issue...it has cost them thousands of registrations since. I know that is a drop in the bucket to them but a customer is still a customer and should be treated accordingly.

edit add: I have to activate an old hard drive to get the info on exact reg times but I might have been just short of 60 days....seems I have always felt it was a little longer.

Olasunkanmi Taiwo · Nov 28, 2018

Mister Funsky said:
They took a name from me years ago after it was in my account for months...that is when I discovered Rob at Epik. I've never looked back or regretted moving my domains to his platform.

Great, I will check them out. Thanks for the info.

Skyvisum · Nov 28, 2018

Wish Dynadot can offer renewal at same price at Godaddy discount club.I would move all my names there in a week.Shame on Godaddy.Already transfering all my .org names to dynadot as its cheaper..com is next.How dare they exploit a customer ?

xynames · Nov 28, 2018

After GoDaddy pulled this sh*t
https://www.namepros.com/threads/av...-if-even-one-trademark-claim-is-made.1110373/
our thought was to start a forum something like paypals*cks.com , but godaddys*cks.com but guess what...guess who already owns the domain, and also owns the singular godaddys*ck.com obviously to head off disgruntled customers from creating such venues....

NameOmnia · Nov 28, 2018

Joe Styler said:
@draco . We do not know as I said without transactions happening on our platform. What we do know if the person who bought them from us didn't pay. It is in our terms of service that we can take the domains if the money is no good, no matter what account they are in.
I really think this is a bad situation for you to be in. I am sorry to hear it. I never like to hear of someone buying stolen domains and losing money.

GD will always, ALWAYS hide behind their TOS which, btw, have worsened and worsened in the next couple of years to the point were having domains @ GD has become something to avoid at all costs.

Even with selling at auction. They ALWAYS find a way to delay payment...the last news is that if the domain moves out after 5 days ( even if depending ON THEM or the BUYER paying in 2-3 days -- they have 15 btw!!! ) you automatically get paid IN 20 DAYS!!!! How's that????

How about GD learned something from Undeveloped?

Undeveloped said:
@Joe Styler if there's non-public information available around this case we'd love to receive it. You've been hinting to having more info on the case. Please do share privately.

Since the problem at hand seems to not going to be solved for Draco & Omer, Undeveloped will take responsibility, not because we have to or are obliged to but because we want to.

We'll refund Omer today and take the hit for this situation to avoid individual domainers having to pay up. Marketplaces/Registrars should take responsibility for the payments they secure and never forward the bill to parties that have nothing to do with a certain fraudulent transaction.

Omer can then refund Draco and clear his name as he has nothing to do with the initial auction bidder outside of our platform.

I'd still advice Draco to pursue and potentially escalate this case just to make sure that the original auction bidder doesn't get away with this so easily. Undeveloped will provide all information & data we have.

This is a one time action from us as we're now cleaning up other peoples mess. Anyone that feels emboldened to try to abuse our generosity or marketplace in the future will be met with the full force & resources of Undeveloped and it's legal team. Scammers beware.

Kind regards,

Reza

JOE stated that repossessing is a rare, very rare case...well in this thread only it has happened to 4 people if I counted correctly...plus me.

The same happened to me a couple of years ago.

I bought a couple of names here on the forum and shortly after GD took them from my account asking me to pay the amount that the previous owner supposedly owed them

Luckily for me the guy just had an issue with his credit card and was not a scammer so everything was solved but only after many phone calls to GD by both of us with support giving us contradictory information and attempting to blame us for what happened etc.

It was an awful experience and I am still flabbergasted by how GD is even legally allowed to behave this way.

At that time to me it felt almost like GD had stolen the domain from me and I am still 100% convinced that as a business they should take into consideration the risks of conducting such business and deal with them themselves.

They never lose while, instead, we all do.

DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR and move your names to a different and better registrar.

Bob Hawkes · Nov 28, 2018

These are my, perhaps simplistic, views on this sorry situation.

Feel very bad for both @draco and @Omer Doron, apparently although neither had bad intentions they have been put through a strressful situation.
While the word stolen was used, I would say that it is (apparently) more accurately a domain not paid for (perhaps it is splitting hairs, but to me stolen would be when something is hacked and a domain moved without authority, etc).
Just because a company is a registrar, should not give them rights to simply take domains away without justifying to a third party. To me that is the essential problem with what GoDaddy has done.
If they are not paid for something there are standard legal means companies use to get relief. That requires them to make a clear and open case of the situation to a third judicial party. GoDaddy should not be able to take it back based on their own view alone.
There might be value in a simple, binding third party system for handling disputes like this. A party who did not get paid would make the case to an independent ICANN approved adjudicator. They would have to openly disclose particulars including the purchaser and the steps taken to receive payment. All subsequent owners and selling companies would receive notification and the right to submit documents. Then a decision would be made on what was to be done.
Those who feel strongly might want to lobby NamesCon about who is running the auction. I realize late for any change, but any effort would at least send a message.

Kudos to @Undeveloped for stepping up re this. In my mind they did the honourable thing, even though clearly it should not be a precedent that GoDaddy can just take any domain they want after a sale somewhere else.

Bob

carob · Nov 28, 2018

xynames said:
After GoDaddy pulled this sh*t
https://www.namepros.com/threads/av...-if-even-one-trademark-claim-is-made.1110373/
our thought was to start a forum something like paypals*cks.com , but godaddys*cks.com but guess what...guess who already owns the domain, and also owns the singular godaddys*ck.com obviously to head off disgruntled customers from creating such venues....

There used to be Nodaddy.com but GD bought them out:
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/07/12/godaddy_shuts_down_nodaddy

2010:
https://web.archive.org/web/20100428181747/http://nodaddy.com:80//

Introduction

Many people don't think much about choosing a registrar, and simply pick one they have heard of. This often leads them to GoDaddy, who may be the leader in money spent on marketing and advertising (on the Super Bowl and elsewhere). Unfortunately GoDaddy doesn't seem to focus much on stability, security, or customer service. Instead that have devised innovative ways to overcharge customers and thwart customer attempts to transfer to superior registrars.

This site was created by Gordon Lyon (AKA Fyodor) after GoDaddy intentionally shut down one of my most important sites (SecLists.Org) without even giving me a reason. When GoDaddy noticed their blunder and reporters started calling them on it, they resorted to libeling me. A wired reporter even caught them in a lie as their General Counsel Christine Jones contradicted herself in a single interview. Since this site isn't just about my story, I've moved the full details here.

I created this site to document instances of customer abuse at GoDaddy. The goal is for GoDaddy to either improve their policies and customer service, or suffer continued loss of market share to their customer-focused competition.

While I gave this site its bare skeleton, it has become a community effort. As noted in the acknowledgments section, the site logo, some HTML work, the forums, and legal help have all been donated by volunteers. Even this domain name itself was donated by someone with his own horror stories about GoDaddy!

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