jd854
Established Member
- Impact
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This is a story of how Epik's Anti-Competitive Transfer Practices take customer domains Hostage, leading customers to loose Domain Sales and Domain Control.
Some on namepros are big fans of Epik... The original post for this story was moved on Epik fan request, and lost in the move. The issue is still very much ongoing though. I take the time to re-post separately so among the plethora positive Epik messages people would realise you may get badly hurt at Epik.
Starting from the beginning:
ICANN does not impose registrars any domain name lock at transfer in. Registrars are free to decide whether they feel it is fair or not to lock their customer domains upon transfer in. See numerous threads on the subject, like this one.
Given people on namepros are mostly positive about Epik, I decided to move some domains to Epik. The above mentioned link shows there ought not be a "domain hostage" transfer lock at Epik. Moreover, Epik reps (including CEO) on the forums are quite active, so would have chimed-in offering transparency on the subject should there be any Epik limitation.
Soon after moving, I get a (lucrative) buyer request for one of the domains. Deal agreed, I wish to fetch the transfer auth code, which Epik states: "Blocked by the date of purchase: ..."
So I kindly request Epik support for the domain to be unlocked and to get the auth code. A long discussion unfolds. The key element: for anti-competitive measure Epik allows a transfer within 60 days of transferring into Epik only by pushing to another Epik account. If you want/need to move to another registrar within 60 days of a transfer in, you can't at Epik. I stated: anti-competitive and hostage ...
The buyer was quite explicit not wanting to have to deal with Epik (apparently a nightmare experience) My buyer, not wishing to deal with Epik issues again, wishes me good luck with Epik and confirms he buys another domain instead. Domain name sale lost.
I tell Epik and after a few days of discussion Epik blabla's "exceptionally" they will allow a domain name to transfer out within the 60 days of transferring in. Thank you Epik, domain name sale lost, and then you allow to transfer out as a gesture of goodwill? I get the auth codes.
I take a few days time researching which registrar does not have anti-competitive or hostage measures in place, and then decide to move the domains.
SURPRISE !
While the auth codes may seem to work, Epik: "Blocked by the date of purchase"
A new discussion with support whereby they refuse to release the domains. Epik assures me they will not stop the transfer, but I can not confirm the transfer, nor will they confirm the transfer either. I just have to "wait" 5 days and believe their word.
What arrogance this company has? Whose domain name is it? They confirm I can move, they send the auth codes, and then, oups, well, wait another 5 days, 5 more days being held "hostage". Another anti-competitive customer domain ownership disrespecting measure by Epik to keep the domain another 5 days.
For anyone seeing the positive reviews about Epik on namepros, I can certainly never suggest this company to have customer respecting or fair practices. In my short experience with them, they impose unilateral rules not required by ICANN, which are anti-competitive, taking your domain name hostage, forcing you to stay with their first 60 days arrogant sub-standard service.
Save you the hardship of dealing with Epik, I can only recommend to stay as far away from Epik as you can. By the way been with domains for two decades, never had dealings with such appalling company.
Some on namepros are big fans of Epik... The original post for this story was moved on Epik fan request, and lost in the move. The issue is still very much ongoing though. I take the time to re-post separately so among the plethora positive Epik messages people would realise you may get badly hurt at Epik.
Starting from the beginning:
ICANN does not impose registrars any domain name lock at transfer in. Registrars are free to decide whether they feel it is fair or not to lock their customer domains upon transfer in. See numerous threads on the subject, like this one.
Given people on namepros are mostly positive about Epik, I decided to move some domains to Epik. The above mentioned link shows there ought not be a "domain hostage" transfer lock at Epik. Moreover, Epik reps (including CEO) on the forums are quite active, so would have chimed-in offering transparency on the subject should there be any Epik limitation.
Soon after moving, I get a (lucrative) buyer request for one of the domains. Deal agreed, I wish to fetch the transfer auth code, which Epik states: "Blocked by the date of purchase: ..."
So I kindly request Epik support for the domain to be unlocked and to get the auth code. A long discussion unfolds. The key element: for anti-competitive measure Epik allows a transfer within 60 days of transferring into Epik only by pushing to another Epik account. If you want/need to move to another registrar within 60 days of a transfer in, you can't at Epik. I stated: anti-competitive and hostage ...
The buyer was quite explicit not wanting to have to deal with Epik (apparently a nightmare experience) My buyer, not wishing to deal with Epik issues again, wishes me good luck with Epik and confirms he buys another domain instead. Domain name sale lost.
I tell Epik and after a few days of discussion Epik blabla's "exceptionally" they will allow a domain name to transfer out within the 60 days of transferring in. Thank you Epik, domain name sale lost, and then you allow to transfer out as a gesture of goodwill? I get the auth codes.
I take a few days time researching which registrar does not have anti-competitive or hostage measures in place, and then decide to move the domains.
SURPRISE !
While the auth codes may seem to work, Epik: "Blocked by the date of purchase"
A new discussion with support whereby they refuse to release the domains. Epik assures me they will not stop the transfer, but I can not confirm the transfer, nor will they confirm the transfer either. I just have to "wait" 5 days and believe their word.
What arrogance this company has? Whose domain name is it? They confirm I can move, they send the auth codes, and then, oups, well, wait another 5 days, 5 more days being held "hostage". Another anti-competitive customer domain ownership disrespecting measure by Epik to keep the domain another 5 days.
For anyone seeing the positive reviews about Epik on namepros, I can certainly never suggest this company to have customer respecting or fair practices. In my short experience with them, they impose unilateral rules not required by ICANN, which are anti-competitive, taking your domain name hostage, forcing you to stay with their first 60 days arrogant sub-standard service.
Save you the hardship of dealing with Epik, I can only recommend to stay as far away from Epik as you can. By the way been with domains for two decades, never had dealings with such appalling company.
