Pool.com Drop Registrars

[Blake]

Well I got this in my email just this morning and wanted to see if others got the same notice and what the consensus is on how best to deal with it.

----------


Dear Blake,

The impending launch of new gTLDs has led Pool.com to refocus its business away from an emphasis on the secondary market and to a broader range of on-going services. As a result, we will be shutting down a number of our registrar threads effective January 10, 2013. This will have an effect on some of your domains acquired through Pool.com (a list of names is included below).

The names that Pool.com caught for you in the Drop using the registrars we are shutting down are managed through your account at Namescout.com. Pool.com had asked ICANN that we be allowed to transfer these domains to Namescout.com at no cost to you in order to preserve the ability for your management of those names through the single Namescout.com interface.

ICANN has so far denied our request. As a result, you have the following two options with regards to your domains provided they are older than 60 days:

1. Login to your Namescout.com account and submit a “Renew Now” order for each of the names listed below. Namescout.com is offering 1 year renewals at a significant discount which will be applied automatically upon checkout. (com, org, info are $9.50, net $7.85 and mobi $15.00) This renewal will also transfer your domain to Namescout.com as the Registrar of record such that you will be able to continue to manage them through the current interface without any changes.

2. Submit a routine transfer through your preferred registrar.

If you choose neither of these options in the next few days, ICANN will take steps to allocate the domains in inventory to another registrar through a public bid process. We cannot predict which registrar they will choose; if all your names will end up in a single registrar; or, whether there will be an interruption in your ability to manage your names while ICANN conducts this process.

Pool.com and Namescout.com are committed to working with you to ensure smooth, orderly and uninterrupted operation of your domains. Contact [email protected] if you have additional questions.

Yours truly,

Richard Schreier
CEO, Pool.com

Affected Domains:
xxxxxxxxxx Removed
---------------------

Rather sucks because I do have many names under the 60 day limit as well.

Blake

 

[HeyNow]

Simple solution to your issue: Don't use Pool.com anymore. Don't give them any more of your money. Starve them financially. Drop them like a hot potato.

Pool.com's "refocus" to enrich themselves looks like it's going to cause inconvenience and expense to its customers. At their whim, you're left holding the bag for dealing with early renewals, new registrars, etc.

Pool.com should have stepped up to the plate and made this easier on its customers. But no, they appear to be quick to blame ICANN for your inconvenience and expense, taking the real focus away from what appears to be their lack of consideration for their customers.

Fight back with your wallet. I will too.

 

[Keith]

I got the email yesterday. They've only caught 1 domain for me and it's already at namescout so I should be fine.

If you have domains at other registrars I suggest you quickly transfer to somewhere of your choosing. Otherwise Pool will pick for you which might not be the best option :imho:

 

[pixelbypixel]

I didn't get the email, but the last name I had from pool I have since sold, so must be only sent to people who still own those domains rather than general Pool users

 

[Name Trader]

I think the simplest solution is to simply renew the domains at NameScout. Presumably you bought these domains for more than a 1 year hold. Remember also that switching registrars on any new domain registered domain under 60 days old doesn't get 1 year added to the registration. Which is why a renewal at NameScout seems like the best option, to me. I don't have any skin in this game.

 

[RazorNF]

It's just as well probably. Some of my worst experiences have been with dealing with Pool's obscure drop-catcher partners in the past, many of which had no interface and would ignore you until you got Pool involved to lean on them.

Besides, I don't think they're really much of a contender anymore in the secondary market. Especially with all of the consolidation going on, and pre-drop auctions. Isn't most of the action at Namejet and Snapnames now?

 

[Dave_Z]

Pool.com should have stepped up to the plate and made this easier on its customers.

What do you suggest, if any?

 

[HeyNow]

What do you suggest, if any?

It's all about money, so money is the solution. Compensate customers for the inconvenience and any associated real costs. Pool should pay for the transfers. What? No real costs in some cases? Okay, throw a bone to all affected customers. A few bucks? a Starbucks gift card?

After all, Pool.com is going through this exercise in anticipation of making a killing financially, and all they can do for their customers is to send them a message telling them they've been shafted? "Oh by the way, it's not our fault, it's ICANN's fault." What a joke.

If we continue to give companies like Pool.com lots of our cash so we can be treated like we are unimportant, than we will continue to receive NO respect from the ownership of those companies. And let me tell you right now, we are receiving no respect.

 

[NameAgency]

I have 6 domains I won in Pool auctions. All of them are at Namescout. I received the email above and I went to Namescout site to renew for one year each one of the domains.

4 of the 6 domains are less than 60 days and the expiry date have no changed, but I was charged for this. What is the problem? Anyone can help? Thanks

 

[Ms Domainer]

*

This is just unbelievable. I can't believe that they're getting away with this sleazy behavior.

These guys ought to be tarred and feathered. I'm going to delete all my backorders.

*

---------- Post added at 11:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:03 PM ----------

*

I tried deleting my Pool backorders; I get this error message:

Server Error in '/' Application.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cannot insert the value NULL into column 'HistoryMessage', table 'pool.dbo.History'; column does not allow nulls. INSERT fails.
The statement has been terminated.
Description: An unhandled exception occurred during the execution of the current web request. Please review the stack trace for more information about the error and where it originated in the code.

Exception Details: System.Data.SqlClient.SqlException: Cannot insert the value NULL into column 'HistoryMessage', table 'pool.dbo.History'; column does not allow nulls. INSERT fails.
The statement has been terminated.

Source Error:

An unhandled exception was generated during the execution of the current web request. Information regarding the origin and location of the exception can be identified using the exception stack trace below.

Stack Trace:


[SqlException (0x80131904): Cannot insert the value NULL into column 'HistoryMessage', table 'pool.dbo.History'; column does not allow nulls. INSERT fails.
The statement has been terminated.]
System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection.OnError(SqlException exception, Boolean breakConnection) +2030802
System.Data.SqlClient.SqlInternalConnection.OnError(SqlException exception, Boolean breakConnection) +5009584
System.Data.SqlClient.TdsParser.ThrowExceptionAndWarning() +234
System.Data.SqlClient.TdsParser.Run(RunBehavior runBehavior, SqlCommand cmdHandler, SqlDataReader dataStream, BulkCopySimpleResultSet bulkCopyHandler, TdsParserStateObject stateObj) +2275
System.Data.SqlClient.SqlCommand.FinishExecuteReader(SqlDataReader ds, RunBehavior runBehavior, String resetOptionsString) +215
System.Data.SqlClient.SqlCommand.RunExecuteReaderTds(CommandBehavior cmdBehavior, RunBehavior runBehavior, Boolean returnStream, Boolean async) +987
System.Data.SqlClient.SqlCommand.RunExecuteReader(CommandBehavior cmdBehavior, RunBehavior runBehavior, Boolean returnStream, String method, DbAsyncResult result) +162
System.Data.SqlClient.SqlCommand.InternalExecuteNonQuery(DbAsyncResult result, String methodName, Boolean sendToPipe) +178
System.Data.SqlClient.SqlCommand.ExecuteNonQuery() +137
PoolDotComWebV4._0.BackOrders.DeleteBackorder(Int32 domainBKOid) +289
PoolDotComWebV4._0.BackOrders.imgMultipleDeletes_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e) +238
System.Web.UI.WebControls.Button.OnClick(EventArgs e) +118
System.Web.UI.WebControls.Button.RaisePostBackEvent(String eventArgument) +112
System.Web.UI.WebControls.Button.System.Web.UI.IPostBackEventHandler.RaisePostBackEvent(String eventArgument) +10
System.Web.UI.Page.RaisePostBackEvent(IPostBackEventHandler sourceControl, String eventArgument) +13
System.Web.UI.Page.RaisePostBackEvent(NameValueCollection postData) +36
System.Web.UI.Page.ProcessRequestMain(Boolean includeStagesBeforeAsyncPoint, Boolean includeStagesAfterAsyncPoint) +5563

????

Does anyone know how to cancel a Pool account?

I did remove my credit card info.

ADDED: Pool is still doing backorders? Are you friggin' serious?

*

*

 

[Name Trader]

Yep. I've got a backorder dropping on the 9th. I hope it's not won by one of the Registrars they are dropping

 

[sadiyakhan]

pool is that the prime company of high quality, ablated and backordered areas, with over 9 years of encounter. whether or not you are with patience waiting thereon ideal sector to fall, fixing a bid for a high traffic sector publicly auction, or promoting your sector at prime price, it is that the best and most secure alternative.

 

[HeyNow]

pool is that the prime company of high quality, ablated and backordered areas, with over 9 years of encounter. whether or not you are with patience waiting thereon ideal sector to fall, fixing a bid for a high traffic sector publicly auction, or promoting your sector at prime price, it is that the best and most secure alternative.

Your comments are appreciated, but sound more like an advertisement that doesn't address the issue which now frustrates Pool's current, paying customers.

In essence, it sounds as if you are saying that Pool is the "best" and "most secure" alternative of the bad choices. That doesn't make me feel all warm and fuzzy, considering some of the other alternatives are admitted fraudsters and other ethically-challenged drop-catchers/auctioneers.

The truth is the truth, and the current truth is that, no matter how wonderful you say Pool might be, they are currently inconveniencing and placing a financial burden on their current customers in the quest to move on to more profitable fields. That's not really a practice of any "best" or "most secure" company. In fact it rather appears to be a low-road choice for dealing with the ordinary business practice of diversifying. The "best" and "most secure" company would not stick it to loyal customers in such a fashion.

 

[Blake]

Pool just sent an email with updates on the situation etc:

------------

Dear Blake,


On December 20, 2012, I contacted you about Pool.com shutting down a number of our registrars, effective January 10, 2013. ICANN has determined that any orphaned domains would be transferred to a single registrar – NamesBeyond. We are sending your relevant domain data to NamesBeyond to facilitate the transfer, and they should be contacting you shortly with your new account credentials.

Keep in mind that you may still have names at Namescout.com that were acquired by Pool.com, as we have not closed all of our registrars. You can identify which names were moved to NamesBeyond by logging into Namescout.com and going to the Domain Manager, where they have been marked with the special status of “Requires Attention”.

You can continue to manage these domains at Namescout.com by activating an expedited transfer, which we are still offering at the steeply discounted rates of $9.50 for .COM, .NET, and .ORG; $7.85 for .NET; and $15.00 for .MOBI. We’ve streamlined the transfer process specifically for these domains to make it as effortless as possible to continue managing them at Namescout.com.

Otherwise, you should be receiving your new credentials from NamesBeyond in the next 24 hours. If you do not, or if you have other questions, do not hesitate to contact us. NamesBeyond has provided an informational landing page, as well as access to customer service at:

+ 1 877 321 1356 (Toll Free)
+ 1 817 564 2994
+ 1 215 750 2660
[email protected]
[email protected].

Pool.com and Namescout.com remain committed to ensuring smooth, orderly and uninterrupted operation of your domains. If you have any additional questions, contact us at [email protected].

Yours truly,

Richard Schreier
CEO, Pool.com

-------------------

I've got a really bad feeling about all this and I'm in a bad position with lots of names etc.

Blake

 

[D0MA1N]

I can remember how I try get transfer codes from Namesbeyond(2 weeks), then transfer freezed for a long time, because Namesbeyond Whois not pinged by new registrar to obtain registrant-email...
May be ICANN could not find someone better...

 

[gpmgroup]

... I've got a really bad feeling about all this and I'm in a bad position with lots of names etc.

Blake

ICANN have used Namesbeyond for quite a few transfers before

05 April 2011 Bulk Transfer of Domain Names from Blue Gravity Communications and Moozooy Media
27 July 2010 Bulk Transfer of Domain Names from 123 Registration
14 June 2010 Bulk Transfer of Domain Names from Mobiline and Western United

 

[HeyNow]

Pool just sent an email with updates on the situation etc:

------------


-------------------

I've got a really bad feeling about all this and I'm in a bad position with lots of names etc.

Blake

Next time you're deciding whether or not to be a customer of a company run by Richard Schreier, you'll know instantly what to do. Based on your episode in this thread, and his letter to you, he seems to have no problem sticking it in and breaking it off.

 

[Name Trader]

I just found out that the registrars they are shutting down is not any voluntary decision like they make it sound, but because the registrars have been de-accredited by ICANN, as a result of a compliance action.

I got an email from NamesBeyond about these changes on 01/19. It's now 01/24 and still I haven't got any login info from NamesBeyond.

 

[dr manos]

I think it is very small chance to have 6/6 at namescout.
Pool.com uses namescout to host the names as has a control panel while most of their partners do not have even a page, all names are held there but this does not mean that registrar of names is namescout, usually is not.
Better check Whois

For the renewals inside registrar lock period i think you have to ask a refund.

I have 6 domains I won in Pool auctions. All of them are at Namescout. I received the email above and I went to Namescout site to renew for one year each one of the domains.

4 of the 6 domains are less than 60 days and the expiry date have no changed, but I was charged for this. What is the problem? Anyone can help? Thanks