Epik, We have a problem. Domain removed from account without permission.

[bmugford]

I am sure as many of you are aware I have had issues with Epik in the past, but decided to give them a chance when I saw a domain I wanted on Name Liquidate.

I purchased the domain PianoMoving.com on 7/20. It was transferred into my account then.
This was the only domain in my account.

It was in my WHOIS information.
I updated the nameservers.

When I just checked it is magically no longer in my account.
The nameservers were changed.
I received zero contact about the domain being moved.

I have all the receipts -

1.) The purchase/renewal from Epik.
2.) The Paypal charge.
3.) Email of when the domain was moved into my account @ Epik.
4.) Email when the nameservers were updated in early August @ Epik.

I don't see any indication that the domain was removed from my account.
On top of zero communication, there also appears to be nothing under "Outgoing Pushes" or "Task History".

I sent a DM to @Rob Monster about this earlier this morning, but have not received a response yet.

I was just notified I received a refund. I don't want a refund.

I want the domain I won, that was in my account, which I had full control over.
It was removed from my account without permission or even notification.

I do not find this acceptable in any way.

@Epik.com, you have some explaining to do.

Brad

 

[disaac81]

Oh come on Braden...what do you mean auctions are reversed all the time?

The name was removed a MONTH after!

Absolutely disgusting, how can you shrug your shoulders like this, this is a BIG deal.

Theft.

 

[Keith]

@Braden Pollock isn’t a top domainer, despite news. However, he’s gained some notoriety and as Rob admitted, he’s an investor in @epik

@Braden Pollock said auctions can be reversed which is a bullshit statement. If he can show us a reversal after a month let’s see it.

Brad, we may want to start a fund for you to sue @epik because this is very wrong and registrars can’t act as gods over our property. I’ll be the first to contribute.

 

[bmugford]

Oh come on Braden...what do you mean auctions are reversed all the time?

The name was removed a MONTH after!

Absolutely disgusting, how can you shrug your shoulders like this, this is a BIG deal.

Theft.

Yeah, I think it is kind of trivializing what happened here.

This timeline, chain of events, lack of notification and explanation does not happen "all the time".
If it happens all the time, then we have much bigger problems.

https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/registrar-compliance-program-03nov16-en.pdf

Epik clearly did not "obtain express consent" from me for a change of registrant.

They also did not "notify both registrants of COR per policy".

Brad

 

[Recons.Com]

I have bought over 21000 names at auctions/ closeouts and it has happened to me exactly ... ZERO times.

Now wins have been canceled many times due to late renewals or partner registrar issues, but never a name has been pulled out from my account after hitting it.

 

[Future Sensors]

as Rob admitted, he’s an investor in @epik

Apparently yes.

So the act of leaving the board was essentially window dressing?

https://domaininvesting.com/braden-pollock-resigns-from-epik-board/

 

[disaac81]

I'm still stunned how Epic replied to this issue with a self-promotion...

Shows you they don't consider what happened strange...so imagine how many other people have had names removed from their accounts and don't even know.

Lucky you noticed the name was gone, otherwise they probsbly would have never told you and kept it a secret.

You may have never noticed.

 

[Recons.Com]

Apparently yes.

So the act of leaving the board was essentially window dressing?

https://domaininvesting.com/braden-pollock-resigns-from-epik-board/

It is not the same. Board involves being part of decision making, albeit not day to day one, while as an investor you might have little leverage and, therefore, little responsibility.

 

[Future Sensors]

It is not the same. Board involves being part of decision making, albeit not day to day one, while as an investor you might have little leverage and, therefore, little responsibility.

I get that, but if it was so principled, why remain a shareholder? Apparently the ties are still very close. Exotic.

 

[Keith]

I’ll just say exactly how this went down.

@Braden Pollock domain sold on a payment plan. Escrow was handled by epik which is where the domain was registered.

During payments the domain expired and epik double dipped by sending it to auction. Why? To get a higher price than $12k.

Uh oh, at auction it sold for less than expected. Now epik has to reverse, renew, steal, and make up a bs story to cover their ass.

Never use epik.com

 

[Start]

epik double dipped by sending it to auction. Why? To get a higher price than $12k.

No, it seems that you apparently don't use NameLiquidate.

At NL, it's just a reverse auction... the price starts at $998 and gradually goes down. Therefore, the most a domain can sell for on there is only $998.

So there's no point sending a $12k sale domain there, when it will sell for at most $998.

This was clearly just a mistake, not some conspiracy to get more profit.


From what I can see from the info we've heard, it actually would have been in Epik's financial interest to let the domain sell for $998 at NL, because I think they would then get the profit.

But I think returning it to the payment plan buyer is the fairest thing to do. The problem is just that they took a few weeks and were slow to communicate, but the end result would have been the same.

 

[bmugford]

I am working on the ICANN complaint now.

Brad

 

[Braden Pollock]

Apparently yes.

So the act of leaving the board was essentially window dressing?

https://domaininvesting.com/braden-pollock-resigns-from-epik-board/

As an investor in private companies, the only way to “exit” your investment is for another party to buy your shares. Typically that’s when the company has been sold. Epik has not been acquired, therefore no “liquidity event” yet.

 

[Braden Pollock]

I have bought over 21000 names at auctions/ closeouts and it has happened to me exactly ... ZERO times.

Now wins have been canceled many times due to late renewals or partner registrar issues, but never a name has been pulled out from my account after hitting it.

I’ve had GoDaddy claw back names from me after I’ve won them. Although the clawback was relatively quick. I once had a name sell accidentally via Fast Transfer on Afternic. They reversed it and I got it back.

 

[Braden Pollock]

I’ll just say exactly how this went down.

@Braden Pollock domain sold on a payment plan. Escrow was handled by epik which is where the domain was registered.

During payments the domain expired and epik double dipped by sending it to auction. Why? To get a higher price than $12k.

Uh oh, at auction it sold for less than expected. Now epik has to reverse, renew, steal, and make up a bs story to cover their ass.

Never use epik.com

This makes zero sense. I’m the one that sold the domain. While the domain was in escrow, during the payment plan, it accidentally expired. Expired names at Epik automatically go to NL. There was no double dipping.

 

[Braden Pollock]

@Braden Pollock isn’t a top domainer, despite news. However, he’s gained some notoriety and as Rob admitted, he’s an investor in @epik

@Braden Pollock said auctions can be reversed which is a bullshit statement. If he can show us a reversal after a month let’s see it.

Brad, we may want to start a fund for you to sue @epik because this is very wrong and registrars can’t act as gods over our property. I’ll be the first to contribute.

@Braden Pollock isn’t a top domainer, despite news. However, he’s gained some notoriety and as Rob admitted, he’s an investor in @epik

@Braden Pollock said auctions can be reversed which is a bullshit statement. If he can show us a reversal after a month let’s see it.

Brad, we may want to start a fund for you to sue @epik because this is very wrong and registrars can’t act as gods over our property. I’ll be the first to contribute.

I’ve never called myself a “top domainer” but I wonder what you would consider to be the qualifiers?

 

[theinvestor]

Well, I just went through this thread from start to finish. I have to say this is a tough situation. The domain was sold and not renewed (Epik’s problem) and since they have control they simply just transferred the domain to the new owner.

Unfortunately, do I think $500 is fair compensation for @bmugford ? Absolutely not.

While the domain was registered to him it was obviously valued at 12K$ since that sale occurred. Whether prior to owning the domain or not.

So what would be fair in this case? I believe it is one of two options.

1. A transfer of the domain back since he is rightful owner since the domain did expire.

2. Epik needs to take the loss and send $12K to @bmugford

Although option 1 may not be possible at this point it really only leaves option 2. Even in this case this may STILL not be a fair solution but it’s the only one that is left without having to launch legal action.

 

[bmugford]

Well, I just went through this thread from start to finish. I have to say this is a tough situation. The domain was sold and not renewed (Epik’s problem) and since they have control they simply just transferred the domain to the new owner.

Unfortunately, do I think $500 is fair compensation for @bmugford ? Absolutely not.

While the domain was registered to him it was obviously valued at 12K$ since that sale occurred. Whether prior to owning the domain or not.

So what would be fair in this case? I believe it is one of two options.

1. A transfer the domain back since he is rightful owner since the domain did expire.

2. Epik needs to take the loss and send $12K to @bmugford

Although option 1 may not be possible at this point it really only leaves option 2. Even in this case this may STILL not be a fair solution but it’s the only one that is left without having to launch legal action.

I agree. Those seem like more equitable solutions.

Right now the best offer I have is $500 in Epik credit, and accusing me of making "defamatory" statements and acting in "bad faith". It doesn't seem like a real appealing offer.


@Braden Pollock

As an Epik shareholder, how do you feel about the (former) CEO making these statements?
Is it appropriate?

I believe I deserve an apology.

Brad

 

[Braden Pollock]

Oh come on Braden...what do you mean auctions are reversed all the time?

The name was removed a MONTH after!

Absolutely disgusting, how can you shrug your shoulders like this, this is a BIG deal.

Theft.

I’m not shrugging my shoulders. Just providing some perspective.

 

[Braden Pollock]

I agree. Those seem like more equitable solutions.

Right now the best offer I have is $500 in Epik credit, and accusing me of making "defamatory" statements and acting in "bad faith". It doesn't seem like a real appealing offer.


@Braden Pollock

As an Epik shareholder, how do you feel about the (former) CEO making these statements?
Is it appropriate?

I believe I deserve an apology.

Brad

You absolutely deserve an apology

 

[bmugford]

You absolutely deserve an apology

Thank you. I appreciate it.

I just don't appreciate when someone accuses me of making "defamatory" statements and acting in "bad faith" when all I have done is simply been transparent about what has happened.

If that is a poor reflection on Epik, it is not really my problem. I am simply reporting what happened, to the best of my knowledge.

Brad