Snapnames Trying To Screw Me Out Of A Domain

[RogueWriter]

The domain expired, I participated in a 3 day auction and bid against Vaxis, it was in my account at snapnames, it was assigned to Moniker.com, I created an account there to facilitate the transfer, and now they are saying, no, really, it is not a valid expiration, we need the domain, you can't have it.

This is not fair!

They just credited my Visa back, this smells!

The domain is RedneckDictionary.com .

Here is a copy:

Dear Customer,

We're sorry to advise you that this domain name was not in reality available for acquisition. We have submitted a credit of $116 to your credit card using VeriSign Transaction ID xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Please accept our apologies for this inconvenience.

Sincerely,

Roger McLain
SnapNames Support
-----Original Message-----
From: Snapnames-Automail
Sent: Monday, October 31, 2005 12:57 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Congratulations, you have acquired redneckdictionary.com




Oct 31, 2005

PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE! This is an automated process.
If you need to reach us, our support team contact information is below.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Congratulations! You have successfully acquired the domain name redneckdictionary.com.



We have charged your credit card $116.00, the amount of your winning bid.


Fees for your first year of registration were included in the cost of your purchase.

The domain is now registered to you. The registrar now managing your registration is Moniker(R). You will receive confirmation email with account access information from Moniker within 24 hours.

Please note that WhoIs information may not reflect this change for up to 24 hours.



Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.


SnapNames is happy to assist you in any way possible. Our support team is available here:

On the web: http://snapnames.custhelp.com E-mail: [email protected]

Log in to your account, or for more information, visit SnapNames on the web.



Copyright 2005 SnapNames.com, Inc. - All Rights Reserved

 

[RogueWriter]

I don't want my money back, I want the domain, and I want an explanation of how an auction isn't really an auction, an expiration isn't really an expiration and how a registration isn't really a registration.

 

[ponyone]

I don't want my money back, I want the domain, and I want an explanation of how an auction isn't really an auction, an expiration isn't really an expiration and how a registration isn't really a registration.

when someone working at snapnames wants the name more than you?

Honestly I don't know.. I've never dealt with snapnames or expired domains.. but it sounds like a bum deal.

 

[Troubled1]

Sounds like a bum deal to me but there is not much you can do about it. I guress you could always get a lawyer and try taking them to court but it's probably not worth it and I'm sure they have some legalese in their TOS to protect them.

 

[-db-]

Well, I'm not sure about them trying to screw you, but you certainly deserve a better explanation than what you got.

 

[mole]

redneckdirectory? What the heck is that?

 

[scrsteven]

Yes, you deserve a real explanation. I've used snapnames before but never actually won a name, but now I am even more hesitant to.

 

[RJ]

Must be some kind of error on their side or the participating partner registrar if this was a transfer fulfillment deal. It doesn't appear this name ever dropped. According to WHOIS history, this name was renewed through Sept '06 as early as last March.

 

[slaydragon]

I don't want my money back, I want the domain, and I want an explanation of how an auction isn't really an auction, an expiration isn't really an expiration and how a registration isn't really a registration.

ya...i would like the domain name too if i am in your case.

 

[Nerz]

Id say this is a hiccup in an otherwise pretty sound process. Ive used snapnames a few times, and won a few domains through them....ive never had a problem so far *touch wood*

 

[RogueWriter]

When the name drops, you go to your homepage at snapnames, and it specifically says, "Acquiring Domain". Once they "acquire" the domain, since there were 2 people who wanted it, they had a 3 day auction. After the auction, they successfully billed my credit card, then they sent me a letter stating specifically that I am the registerant of this domain. A day later, they say, no wait, this never really happened, here is your money back.

I am quite suspicious of this, and I do not see how it could possibly have made it through their system like that, if it had not been up for renewal in the first place.

p.s. - did someone move this out of the discussion forum? I would think this would be up there, as a general discussion about snapnames and their auctioning system, etc.

 

[stscac]

This might mean something to you

http://www.iwhois.com/redneckdictionary.com

Registrar of Record: DomainNameSales
Record last updated on 07-Dec-2004.
Record expires on 23-Sep-2006.
Record created on 23-Sep-2004.

Either the domain name never dropped or SnapNames is continuing to play dirty, which is something I wouldn't put past them.

-Steve

 

[RogueWriter]

According to archive.org, in September 04 it was associated with pool.com , now it is just one of those stupid, "Would You Like To Set Your Home Page To Munky" pages. I would be interested to see if ownership changed hands in October or November 1......

I have asked Snapnames to drop by and explain how this can happen, maybe they will post here.

 

[stscac]

check The Whois Source Whois History. Its part of a membership for $15 a month, but if someone has it here (I used to, but then cancelled) they should take a look

-Steve

 

[RogueWriter]

Well, if I am reading RJ's post above right, he looked at a history? I did not know how to do that, so maybe that explains his post? It would not explain how the domain can be listed as expiring, then acquired, auctioned and assigned, though.

 

[RJ]

Well, if I am reading RJ's post above right, he looked at a history? I did not know how to do that, so maybe that explains his post? It would not explain how the domain can be listed as expiring, then acquired, auctioned and assigned, though.

I checked at whois.sc using their WHOIS history feature. (pay feature)
http://www.whois.sc/whois-history/?domain=redneckdictionary.com

There doesn't seem to be any change in the WHOIS history to indicate the name was ever dropping. The WHOIS history from March '05 is the same as it is today. Same owner, same registration and expiration dates, everything.

Snapnames has a service they offer to registrars called "transfer fulfilment". That's when a registrar sends an expired domain to be auctioned and sold at Snapnames instead of going thru the real drop process. I'm just guessing that domainnamesales.com is one of their partners that does this and it was mistakenly sent to Snapnames for auction.

 

[RogueWriter]

****
Okay, someone from snapnames finally gave me a better explanation about what happened. They stated that the domain owner moved this domain from one host to another in 04. The first host did not delete the domain from their database of domains hosted. So, when it expired, they sent the name to snapnames as an expiring domain, even though they did not actually have the domain to expire. Snapnames then listed the domain, and after the auction the original host was unable to release the domain, as they did not, actually, have it.

I'm pretty upset about losing out on that domain, it would have fit in nicely with some related that I own, traffic wise. But, as they apologized and offered a reasonable - if not entirely happy endingish - explanation, I will stop crucifying them.

 

[RJ]

****
Okay, someone from snapnames finally gave me a better explanation about what happened. They stated that the domain owner moved this domain from one host to another in 04. The first host did not delete the domain from their database of domains hosted. So, when it expired, they sent the name to snapnames as an expiring domain, even though they did not actually have the domain to expire. Snapnames then listed the domain, and after the auction the original host was unable to release the domain, as they did not, actually, have it.

Ah, that makes sense. Sounds like Snapnames has a little bug to fix there. You'd think they whould be verifying that the registrar sending the name to be auctioned at least has the name within their registrar.

 

[RogueWriter]

RJ - Thanks for your help. They did also mention something about sweeping their database for similar instances, so hopefully that won't happen again to anyone.

 

[IAmAllanShore]

A little bug, yes.
But it's also true that it was their error, and one that theorhetically has large implications (Beginning a developed site, interest on credit card, any other associated costs). That first email was unprofessional and inappropriate considering the circumstances.
A little "Free $60 credit" is probably in order here, just for the time/trouble if nothing else.
(And they can tell me "sorry" for constantly having names stay with horrible registrars also, just fwiw).
-Allan