GoDaddy / NameFind Bad Faith - Took Domain Away

[Seasoned]

I won a GoDaddy/ NameFind auction. I paid for it right away. Was very excited and already drawing up plans for the website.
They removed it from my won auctions 2 days later and straight up LIED to me that they hadn't caught the domain in time.
Complete and totally lie. As namefind has owned it and still owns it, this is disgusting behavior.
(GoDaddy owns the namefind portfolio)
Plus no email from GoDaddy explaining any of this. I have been a GD customer for 5 years and spent xx,xxx in that time. Beyond furious.
Has anyone had similar experience ?
I emailed [email protected] since phone support was nice but clueless to help.
No reply and not even email explaining their actions.
Does anyone from GD ever chime in here ?

 

[LucidDomains]

Actually you're right, you need to read between the lines here.

I am not aware of us redeeming any names that expire from the namefind protfolio. From time to time we do get customers upset with us for that but in the ones I have investigated this is what happened.
Original owner lets domain expire -> renews domain during time we are buying portfolio -> whois gets updated to our name. Those are the only situations I have seen at this point.

It seems that it happens often.

Maybe Joe can clarify to the OP exactly what's happened.

 

[Joe Styler]

Actually you're right, you need to read between the lines here.




It seems that it happens often.

Maybe Joe can clarify to the OP exactly what's happened.

We don't often buy protfolios I have clarified it with him via PM. I have also given information on this thread and said publicly this is not something we do renew domains that we let expire because it didn't get a high enough bid.

 

[LucidDomains]

We don't often buy protfolios I have clarified it with him via PM. I have also given information on this thread and said publicly this is not something we do renew domains that we let expire because it didn't get a high enough bid.

Thanks and just to clarify when you say "WE" you are speaking as GoDaddy and NameFind as one entity, correct?

 

[Seasoned]

What seems to have happened here is that the domain expired and was listed on an expired auction. It was and is not registered at GoDaddy. GoDaddy now sells expired domains from many registrars when they expire. It has been in the news and blogs. http://domainnamewire.com/2016/11/22/another-major-registrar-sending-expired-domains-godaddy/

This is a great reason to buy your domains from us. We have a large inventory of expiring domains. But the name wasn't with us and still isn't. It definitely wasn't in the poster's account if it was never registered with GoDaddy. So we didn't renew it and take it out of his account, it was never there.

When expired names are won on the auction there is still time for the original registrant to renew the domain. If this is right or not is a subject for another thread, but the point is that is what has happened since we started selling domains on the auctions over 12 years ago. Very few are renewed and not delivered. We are looking into other options for this on an ongoing basis.

When the domain name was listed for sale we did not own the domain. We didn't list a name for sale we owned and then pull it back. We do not do that. That is not the normal flow.

The original owner of the domain most likely renewed it before we took possession. We recently purchased a portfolio of domains. This was likely part of that acquistion. We have an agreement with the seller to not disclose certain aspects of the transaction so I will not confirm nor deny any aspects of the transaction although you can read about it domain blogs as it made the news today and make your own conclusions.

Whois history will bear out what I say which is also public information. We did not own the domain name when it was listed for sale. The original owner has the right to renew the domain which they did. This is an edge case. While it is bad timing, it is patently untrue that we let a domain expire and then after it did not sell for enough we renewed it. We purchased a portfolio of tens of thousands of domains and did not single any names out for renewal or deletion as of yet.

I understand there are concerns but this is easily verified by third party sources such as media, blogs, Whois, etc.

You removed it from won listings in my account 2 days after I paid for it.
The original registrant doesn't appear to have renewed his name before I won and paid for it.
You write: "The original owner of the domain most likely renewed it before we took possession."
And how did you take possession ? You're claiming the original registrant happened to renew and then sold it to Namefind who included in a portfolio that you purchased only in the last 24-48 hours ?
2 days after I won and paid for the domain, the legal registrant was suddenly changed from a man in Israel to Namefind LLC in Mass.
FastDomain support was at a complete loss to explain how the registrants changed hand so recently.

 

[LucidDomains]

• OP buys expired domain and still has to wait 5-7 days for domain to hit his account.
• GoDaddy buys a portfolio which this name is part of.
  
• OP doesn't get domain and gets refund.

@Seasoned, unfortunately you don't own domains straight after you purchase from an expired auction at GD. You need to wait 5-7 days for that domain to fully expire and then enter your account.

During the 5-7 day period:

Sometimes the original registrant renews.
Sometimes he/she transfers out
Sometimes like in this scenario the domain was sold to somebody else.

The somebody else in this case was NameFind/GD.

An edge case scenario. Just remember when ever buying from GD always wait 8 or so days before thinking that domain is yours.

 

[Seasoned]

• OP buys expired domain and still has to wait 5-7 days for domain to hit his account.
• GoDaddy buys a portfolio which this name is part of.
  
• OP doesn't get domain and gets refund.

@Seasoned, unfortunately you don't own domains straight after you purchase from an expired auction at GD. You need to wait 5-7 days for that domain to fully expire and then enter your account.

During the 5-7 day period:

Sometimes the original registrant renews.
Sometimes he/she transfers out
Sometimes like in this scenario the domain was sold to somebody else.

The somebody else in this case was NameFind/GD.

An edge case scenario. Just remember when ever buying from GD always wait 8 or so days before thinking that domain is yours.

I never said I owned the domain. I have been domaining since 1998 and am very well versed in rules.
I won the domain as a single bidder for a mere 12 dollars. Since it is a great little domain name, I paid instantly.
2 days later I went check if it would be released to me on the 10th or 11th.
Didn't see it under won auctions anymore.
Checked under auctions I didn't win.
Saw it listed there.
Called support. They told me it did not drop, that the current registrant had renewed it.
I would have let the matter drop, but saw the registrant listed as GoDaddy's Namefind sister company.
That raised my ire.
Posted here, plus other domain news sites and also emailed auction department.
They reiterated the same claim by GD phone support. Called Phone support again.
Adam stated that Namefind wasn't any part of GD and they just had a few names of theirs.

Spoke to very helpful support as FastDomain who was utterly confused why the registrant record changed since he did not see a renewal by previous registrant or an inter domain transfer.

Then had a back and forth with Styler via PM. He would do well in DC. Spin. spin. spin.

As it stands GoDaddy magically owns a portfolio that somehow contains a name that Namefind did not OWN in its portfolio a couple days ago. That GD already sold to me. The excuses are nonsensical.

So GD/Namefind are in the position to transfer the domain, but giving absurd excuses not to.

Last I heard domain registrars can not renew an expired domain that is still in redemption and transfer ownership when the current registrant never agreed to it.

Hilarious.

 

[LucidDomains]

They don't own FastDomains, so how can they renew an expired domain?

They bought it fairly from the original owner.

You did not win this domain, it was sold before entering your account.

I never said I owned the domain. I have been domaining since 1998 and am very well versed in rules.
I won the domain as a single bidder for a mere 12 dollars. Since it is a great little domain name, I paid instantly.
2 days later I went check if it would be released to me on the 10th or 11th.
Didn't see it under won auctions anymore.
Checked under auctions I didn't win.
Saw it listed there.
Called support. They told me it did not drop, that the current registrant had renewed it.
I would have let the matter drop, but saw the registrant listed as GoDaddy's Namefind sister company.
That raised my ire.
Posted here, plus other domain news sites and also emailed auction department.
They reiterated the same claim by GD phone support. Called Phone support again.
Adam stated that Namefind wasn't any part of GD and they just had a few names of theirs.

Spoke to very helpful support as FastDomain who was utterly confused why the registrant record changed since he did not see a renewal by previous registrant or an inter domain transfer.

Then had a back and forth with Styler via PM. He would do well in DC. Spin. spin. spin.

As it stands GoDaddy magically owns a portfolio that somehow contains a name that Namefind did not OWN in its portfolio a couple days ago. That GD already sold to me. The excuses are nonsensical.

So GD/Namefind are in the position to transfer the domain, but giving absurd excuses not to.

Last I heard domain registrars can not renew an expired domain that is still in redemption and transfer ownership when the current registrant never agreed to it.

Hilarious.

 

[Seasoned]

Fun conversation w/ FastDomain. They apparently sold it to NameFind on the 6th. Support directed me to their FAQ.

FastDomain.com:
"If the domain is not renewed, it is considered abandoned. We may exercise the right to auction, sell, delete or dispose of the name at any time.
As early as 31 days after expiration, your domain name will enter a holding period and may be purchased by a third party. If a third party purchases the domain name during this time, the domain name will NOT be available for you to renew."
So I won the domain on day 35 but apparently GoDaddy's Namefind took possession on day 37 and cancelled the sale.
How vile.

tl:dr
Won domain on GoDaddy auction, paid for it. Apparently, GoDaddy's Namefind branch buys directly from Registrar and then takes it for themselves instead 2 days later.

 

[Seasoned]

They don't own FastDomains, so how can they renew an expired domain?

They bought it fairly from the original owner.

You did not win this domain, it was sold before entering your account.

The GoDaddy email states I won the domain. Their words.
See above post for what happened.

 

[LucidDomains]

It happened to everyone who buys expired domains regularly via GoDaddy at some point. Hell, it's happened to me 2-3 times! It doesn't matter what the emails says. It doesn't matter that you paid. It doesn't matter it was in your 'won' column and then it wasn't. Unless the domain is in your account and you can edit the contacts, the domain is not yours. It is written in their terms and conditions and there is nothing anyone can do about it. Either you continue to use them using the process they have set forth or you don't.

Most people who have been through what you have know that when purchasing an expired domain through GD, you have to wait 8 days, let the domain enter your account and if you can change the contacts to your own, then and only then, the domain is yours.

This is how GoDaddy works. If this frustrates you welcome to the club.

 

[Seasoned]

As I already stated, I am well aware of the procedure. The issue here is that it was not the previous owner renewing their domain.

As GoDaddy's rep clarified on this thread, GD/Namefind are the same entity.

So GoDaddy had me pay for domain they told me that I won and then appear to have bought it directly from the domain registrar, FastDomains for themselves even though they knew I as a 3rd party had already won and paid for it.

Methinks, if it had a bunch of bidders for it on the GD expired auction and went for a decent amount instead of a measly 12 bucks, Namefind wouldn't have *apparently* gone directly to FastDomain 2 days AFTER I already paid for it to keep it for themselves.

 

[Seasoned]

What seems to have happened here is that the domain expired and was listed on an expired auction. It was and is not registered at GoDaddy. GoDaddy now sells expired domains from many registrars when they expire. It has been in the news and blogs. http://domainnamewire.com/2016/11/22/another-major-registrar-sending-expired-domains-godaddy/

[snip]

.

Ah, so that link takes one to a story about Endurance International being your domain name partner.
They own the domain registrar Fast Domain.
So a partner of yours gave the domain to your sister company , 2 days after you emailed me that I won it and paid for it.
Sounds legit.

 

[wwwweb]

Ah, so that link takes one to a story about Endurance International being your domain name partner.
They own the domain registrar Fast Domain.
So a partner of yours gave the domain to your sister company , 2 days after you emailed me that I won it and paid for it.
Sounds legit.

Sad story, but you agree to their TOS when you make a bid, and they have the right to claw it back.

If you don't like their terms, don't use their service, not much recourse, but that is how the system is setup.

I have been burned by this same system as well, nothing you can do or say, will bring the domain back, as it was obviously worth much more than you paid for it.

 

[Seasoned]

Sad story, but you agree to their TOS when you make a bid, and they have the right to claw it back.

If you don't like their terms, don't use their service, not much recourse, but that is how the system is setup.

I have been burned by this same system as well, nothing you can do or say, will bring the domain back, as it was obviously worth much more than you paid for it.

GoDaddy FAQ states that if the the current registrant renews the domain name during the redemption period, they refund the purchase.
The [now former] registrant did not renew it before or after I paid for the auction.

 

[wwwweb]

GoDaddy FAQ states that if the the current registrant renews the domain name during the redemption period, they refund the purchase.
The [now former] registrant did not renew it before or after I paid for the auction.

Godaddy became the current registrant, and they want to claim the domain they paid for.

So you answered your own question.

They have a duty to their shareholders. This is how auctions are, they always come with risk, buyer beware.

Last year I bought a domain owned by HugeDomains at BIN via Godaddy Auction, a 4L.com, during the course of a day or so, the 4L.com chip market took off by about $500, HugeDomains did not want to complete the transfer, there was nothing Godaddy could do to make them, and they were not willing to suspend them.

Glad you brought it to light, but don't waste anymore of your time on it, they will not give it back to you, as they have already made up their mind.

 

[Seasoned]

Godaddy became the current registrant, and they want to claim the domain they paid for.

So you answered your own question.

They have a duty to their shareholders. This is how auctions are, they always come with risk, buyer beware.

Last year I bought a domain owned by HugeDomains at BIN via Godaddy Auction, a 4L.com, during the course of a day or so, the 4L.com chip market took off by about $500, HugeDomains did not want to complete the transfer, there was nothing Godaddy could do to make them, and they were not willing to suspend them.

Glad you brought it to light, but don't waste anymore of your time on it, they will not give it back to you, as they have already made up their mind.

Duty to their shareholders ? To create a worse image for their brand?
When I won and paid for it they were not Party A, the legal registrant at the time.
After I already won the auction via Godaddy's expired Domain auction and paid for it, it appears that GoDaddy's NameFind bought the domain directly from their supposed auction partner, EIG's Fast Domain.
They were not Party A and did not renew it. They became Party B, the new registrant, after replacing the legal registrant AFTER I won and purchased the auction.
They continue to tell me in emails and state that the registrant who let the domain renewal lapse is the one who just renewed it.

 

[Seasoned]

Yes, if that party put the domain in the deal, in order to validate the domain they would have to renew it, and transfer it with the other domains. If that is the case your domain should have a 2018 renewal, one year from the party who renewed it, and one year on the transfer.

Registrar Registration Expiration Date: 2017-10-30

 

[Seasoned]

Another scenario is the current registry allowed the owner to move the domain while it was expired via auth code, in that case when godaddy did the transfer another year was added, and it was pulled from expiry, in turn ending your auction thru their partner channel.

Probably not since the registrant at the time I won the domain (GD's words) is MIA. His website was shuttered months ago and his email for that account seems dead.

More likely:

Spoke to very helpful support as FastDomain who was utterly confused why the registrant record changed since he did not see a renewal by previous registrant or an inter domain transfer.

Fun conversation w/ FastDomain. They apparently sold it to NameFind on the 6th. Support directed me to their FAQ.

FastDomain.com:
"If the domain is not renewed, it is considered abandoned. We may exercise the right to auction, sell, delete or dispose of the name at any time.
As early as 31 days after expiration, your domain name will enter a holding period and may be purchased by a third party. If a third party purchases the domain name during this time, the domain name will NOT be available for you to renew."
So I won the domain on day 35 but apparently GoDaddy's Namefind took possession on day 37 and cancelled the sale.
How vile.

tl:dr
Won domain on GoDaddy auction, paid for it. Apparently, GoDaddy's Namefind branch buys directly from Registrar and then takes it for themselves instead 2 days later.

As I already stated, I am well aware of the procedure. The issue here is that it was not the previous owner renewing their domain.

As GoDaddy's rep clarified on this thread, GD/Namefind are the same entity.

So GoDaddy had me pay for domain they told me that I won and then appear to have bought it directly from the domain registrar, FastDomains for themselves even though they knew I as a 3rd party had already won and paid for it.

Methinks, if it had a bunch of bidders for it on the GD expired auction and went for a decent amount instead of a measly 12 bucks, Namefind wouldn't have *apparently* gone directly to FastDomain 2 days AFTER I already paid for it to keep it for themselves.

 

[Seasoned]

Paul Nicks updated me again and I have a good feeling about him and feel a lot better about things working out.

 

[Seasoned]

Update:
So I heard from Paul on Friday and he said they would give me the domain. Don't see it yet.
I notice the same situation has also transpired with another domain that should be in my GoDaddy account as of today. It still shows as won and should be in my regular domain section by now.
Getting upset again, what a headache.

 

[.NJ]

I'm confused on one part.

1. Godaddy purchases portfolio.
2. Portfolio now belongs to GD.
3. GD changes who.is because they now control the domains.
4. Old owner renews after ownership is transfered?

As far as I know you cant change whois details without ownership of the domain.

How did the past owner renew if GD already took ownership of the name and changed the who.is?

I fully support GD as I have used them for years.

Im just confused here.

If the whois changed this means GD had control of the name.

How did past owner regain control to renew?

Kevin

 

[Seasoned]

I'm confused on one part.

1. Godaddy purchases portfolio.
2. Portfolio now belongs to GD.
3. GD changes who.is because they now control the domains.
4. Old owner renews after ownership is transfered?

As far as I know you cant change whois details without ownership of the domain.

How did the past owner renew if GD already took ownership of the name and changed the who.is?

I fully support GD as I have used them for years.

Im just confused here.

If the whois changed this means GD had control of the name.

How did past owner regain control to renew?

Kevin

Paul at GoDaddy stopped and listened to me. It was completely his help alone that resolved this.
What I stated happened, happened with both names. Won them both in expired auctions.
The registrants who were the registrants at the time never renewed.
They're both nice little names and Namefind happened to get them directly from the domain registrar after I was already paid at GD.
But the domain registrar Fast Domain does have a policy that a 3rd party can buy a domain that has been expired for 31 days directly from them. There appears to have been overlap in my bids, namefind purchase.
All's well that ends well and I have the domains and everything worked out.

 

[Seasoned]

About time some body said it so I will.

What I find hard to deal with is how when icann rules specifically say in registrar agreements that they (the registrars) should hold no domains, ie a portfolio as it could lead to unfair advantage, eventual market dominance that would lead to price fixing. Therefore a breach of icann accreditation agreement that would result in the registrar/s loss of business . Yet time and time again it is seen. Sorry Joe but Godaddy is the worst when it comes to useage of multiple sites to move domains around that eventually end up in secondary markets partnered or owned by Godaddy. Deny this if you like but the fact Godaddy has a portfolio is and has been for a long time a serious breach of icann rules. Average Joe who has no idea of such things would have little more than an excuse and money back where the domains end up again on secondary market. One reason there milk the market. People want transparancy. Icann has a lot of explaining to do also for a non profit they sure made a lot of money before saying that was to change. I think Godaddy is going to be doing a rebrand because I can see a boycott coming on along with a fed investigation.

Fed investigation ? Seriously? LOL.
USA gave all power over to ICANN recently and the domain world is taking a turn back to the Wild West days of 2000.
Average end user/consumer is happy to hand register their domain or happy to bid on a domain they want.
They may whine about prices, but they're not giving it a lot thought/
Parsing the facts about domain registrars and deleting/expiring domains and the rights to those names is too much for them to wrap their heads around.
And anyone who gets into domain speculation becomes pretty darn cynical and understands this business is murky at best.

 

[wwwweb]

This happend to me today also.

The domain still shows as expired, original registrant is someone who only owns 8 domains, I purchased via TDNAM expired, now they take the domain back, and it goes into NameFinds inventory?

The domains URL goes to default expired page still, has not been renewed.

@Joe Styler can you please explain why this is happening? How is NameFind reclaiming after the domain has sold thru tdnam, many days ago, and domain has expired, and has not been renewed?

 

[Joe Styler]

This happend to me today also.

The domain still shows as expired, original registrant is someone who only owns 8 domains, I purchased via TDNAM expired, now they take the domain back, and it goes into NameFinds inventory?

The domains URL goes to default expired page still, has not been renewed.

@Joe Styler can you please explain why this is happening? How is NameFind reclaiming after the domain has sold thru tdnam, many days ago, and domain has expired, and has not been renewed?

I am not sure you will have to give me a domain name to look into.