1and1 claims account was cancelled took domain

[gray929]

Hey,

I recently found out that my account on 1and1 was recently cancelled though I don't ever recall doing that, considering the only domain I have registered with them is a website I have put hours and hours of work into.

The only reasoning I could have is I never check that account. I changed the name servers last year and that was it. I only log in 2-3 times a year so maybe they cancel inactive accounts?

Every time I ask them for specific reasoning as to why/who/how it was deleted, they take 2-3 days to reply and say the same thing everytime:

http://uqyg.com/oDHZd.PNG

Is there anything I can do about this? They are basically making a false claim about me canceling the account. The domain isn't even worth a lot except to me but I guess they are trying to make money off of the redemption program they have which is a $40 fee.

Is there anything I can do to get it back? Or am I pretty much stuck. If not, what will they do with the domain? How long will it take before I can re register it?

Thanks for any help.

 

[cartoonz]

Pay the fee.
Today.

If the name is even vaguely interesting there is no guarantee at all you'll ever get it if it goes through the deletion process...

 

[Name Trader]

I thought 1and1 did not have any redemption period. Once the domain expires then it's taken from you and you cannot renew it. It will be dropped in 30 days time. So I'd just wait for it to drop and the register it elsewhere.

 

[Dave_Z]

I thought 1and1 did not have any redemption period.

Currently they don't do redemption. No registrar is required to, though some do so anyway.

 

[gray929]

Currently they don't do redemption. No registrar is required to, though some do so anyway.

1&1 Webhosting FAQ | Domain Redemption form.

I think they do. . . I am just wondering whether or not to wait or pay the fee. They shouldn't even have it in the first place. I never cancelled my account.

 

[Name Trader]

If it ain't worth anything I'd just wait for it to drop. But if it's valuable I'd pay the redemption fee.

 

[Dave_Z]

Ah, so they finally do.

And from reading that screenshot, they said there was a billing issue. They never said you cancelled it, although one can think that.

From what I gathered there, sounds like the domain indeed expired and wasn't renewed. You can do either what cartoonz or stub said, although first check if the domain is indeed in redemption period.

If it is, count 35-36 days from its last updated date to guesstimate when it'll be available. And pray no one else gets it.

But if you don't want the risk of someone else getting it, then paying the $40 fee might be a better guarantee. Your call.

 

[cartoonz]

$40 is cheaper than you'll get the name later from any of the drop services...

This is a no brainer... if the name is worth $40 to you, pay it now!

 

[izmas]

1and1 is the biggest scam company in the domain business. I don't know how they can get away with all the bs they pull. Stay away in the future!

 

[Pommy - The DN Doc]

1and1 is the biggest scam company in the domain business. I don't know how they can get away with all the bs they pull. Stay away in the future!

I agree wholeheartedly, based on my personal experience of 1and 1 . See my blog entry here. After you have sorted this out, take great care how you move your domains across to a new reg, to avoid billing annually for "phantom registrations". Just my experience and opinion.:p