Weird Business at Dotster.com for My GoDaddy Auction

[slader23]

I won SmartClock.com on Godaddy Expired Auctions on on 2018/07/21. I paid for it the same day.

Until today it was in my WON secion. Now all of a sudden it's in my "Didnt Win " Section. Normally one would take it as the previous owner renewing the domain. However, I'm very thorough with my research. This name was no longer renewed by a company called Desco Industries who exited the time clock industry completely in January 2018. This is public knowledge and was even viewable as a redirect from the domain name until prior to it's expiry. They did not renew the name and the name is still showing as expired at the time of this post. Their interest in the domain ended with the closure of that part of their business.

The domain name is registered at Dotster.com who is owned by Domain.com i.e Endurance International Group. As per their .com domain expiration policy. After Day 30 a domain can be bought by a 3rd party. Once purchased by a 3rd party this name is no longer available for renewal by the previous owner.

In this case I was the 3rd party purchaser of the domain name via GoDaddy Expired Auctions. So I am legally entitled to this domain name. I won the auction, the owner no longer has an interest in the name, did not renew and exited their time clock business. I made 100% sure that the domain registrars policies were in my favor before I bid because I do not bid on expired domains registered with companies that still have the 42 day expired renewals.

I noticed a couple of days ago the domain re-seller switched from Dotster inc to Endurance international holding for approximately 24 hours before going back to Dotster and remaining expired. I believe during this time the domain switched to a separate account to stop the initiation of a fast transfer of this domain name into an Afternic holding account.

I don't have any issues with GD, they will do their best to get me the name as per their policies, I just need full disclosure from Dotster.com and Endurance International because it's public information that Desco Industries exited their timeclock business and did not renew the name. So how is it all of a sudden possible for anyone but the auction winner to get this domain? I need answers. This is the best way to get them.

If anyone can provide their opinion please feel free.

If you go on archive.com you will see that as early as January 2018, the domain name redirected to this page:


@DotsterInc @Joe Styler

 

[MadAboutDomains]

This is probably another one of those cases where they say one thing in their terms and conditions (for the sole purpose of protecting themselves, and nothing else) and do another.

I had a spat with Namecheap recently, spelled out their terms and conditions to them and they couldn't have cared less. Anyway, I digress.

Hopefully you'll get the name.

 

[slader23]

This is probably another one of those cases where they say one thing in their terms and conditions (for the sole purpose of protecting themselves, and nothing else) and do another.

I had a spat with Namecheap recently, spelled out their terms and conditions to them and they couldn't have cared less. Anyway, I digress.

Hopefully you'll get the name.

Yea. The only issue is what's the point of GD even accepting dotsters expired domains if Endurance International just goes and takes names for themselves. That kind of behavior goes against their own agreement with GD to sell their expired domains.

Anyways I'll be speaking to GoDaddy sales this morning to make sure I get the name. It was supposed to be getting in my account tomorrow.

Maybe I'm overreacting and what I'm seeing is a glitch. However, I don't spend several hours a day researching domains meticulously to get a name stolen from me by a registrar going against their own contractual agreements.

 

[Premiums]

SmartClock.com - great name..
the rule #1 for GD auction - do not buy expired domain reg'd elsewhere

 

[slader23]

SmartClock.com - great name..
the rule #1 for GD auction - do not buy expired domain reg'd elsewhere

I know, which is why it's registered with dotster.com who list their domains on GD expired.

On day 26 expired domains at dotster.com get listed on GD auctions. If a name sells to a 3rd party in auction after day 30 it cannot be renewed or transfered by the previous owner and goes to the new buyer. This is part of the expiration policy of Dotster.com/Domain.com/Mydomain.com...all owned by Endurance International Group.

I won and paid for the name on day 35 and to this day the previous owner did not renew. In fact they can't renew yet GD changed the name from Won to didn't win.

Endurance International moved the domain to their holding account and then back to dotster two days ago. I believe this was done to stop it from moving to an Afternic holding account ( where expired domains go before moving to your account).

It's public knowledge that the previous owner no longer has an interest in the domain name..so I'm the only party entitled to the name.

If it ends up in an Endurance International Holdings account then this name was 120% stolen from me by the registry.

 

[slader23]

IT"S OFFICIAL FOLKS! DOTSTER IS STEALING DOMAINS THEY SELL ON GODADDY AUCTIONS FROM AUCTION WINNERS!

@Joe Styler Auctions support didn't even give me a solid answer, they just said the losing registrar couldn't deliver the domain.

Did you guys even call them? Speak to a person? Because it looks like I'm going to have to do all the groundwork to get this transfer done.

The big question is if the registrar isn't releasing the domain after it legally sold on auction via their policies and the owner can't renew the name and no longer has interest in it, WHO IS GONNA BE THE NEW OWNER OF THE DOMAIN????

Legally---->ME
Illegally--->The Registrar


If this name gets locked down under ENDURANCE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, then you best believe it's stolen by the registrar.

 

[Joe Styler]

Hello,

I am sorry to hear about your experience. We sell domains when they expire for various other companies. We do not name them as they we have signed Non Disclosure Agreements with them. The way expired domains work is that they can be renewed even after the auction ends by the original owners or transferred away. The time frame varies depending on the registrar the domain expired at. The terms of service on the auction spell this out. If the name is renewed you would be automatically refunded. Most sales on the auction of expired domains are fulfilled without issue.

As a side note, Dotster and Endurance are the same company. You can find this out on Google to verify it. Endurance owns many brands, dotster is one.

 

[slader23]

Hello,

I am sorry to hear about your experience. We sell domains when they expire for various other companies. We do not name them as they we have signed Non Disclosure Agreements with them. The way expired domains work is that they can be renewed even after the auction ends by the original owners or transferred away. The time frame varies depending on the registrar the domain expired at. The terms of service on the auction spell this out. If the name is renewed you would be automatically refunded. Most sales on the auction of expired domains are fulfilled without issue.

As a side note, Dotster and Endurance are the same company. You can find this out on Google to verify it. Endurance owns many brands, dotster is one.

Check your PM I've been in direct contact with Endurance. I have the direct contact details of a specialist that is working with me to get the domain transferred. They would like to speak with auctions staff but I'm constantly getting blocked by your customer service.

 

[equity78]

Hello,

I am sorry to hear about your experience. We sell domains when they expire for various other companies. We do not name them as they we have signed Non Disclosure Agreements with them. The way expired domains work is that they can be renewed even after the auction ends by the original owners or transferred away. The time frame varies depending on the registrar the domain expired at. The terms of service on the auction spell this out. If the name is renewed you would be automatically refunded. Most sales on the auction of expired domains are fulfilled without issue.

As a side note, Dotster and Endurance are the same company. You can find this out on Google to verify it. Endurance owns many brands, dotster is one.

That was a bit of weak sauce Joe, if the registrant renews it sure, that's the rules and you guys always refund stuff properly. But what if what the OP seems to be saying is true? That the registrant doesn't get the name, but Endurance is keeping it for themselves? How you would continue doing business with them if they are warehousing names for themselves?

 

[BRANDERX]

Owned by Domain.com?

well, I bought a domain at GD closeouts on the 24th, I just received an email from GD canceling the transaction, & a refund.

Their agent said, "it is up to the registry, they were unable to register the domain to my account.

Domain is registered at Domain.com.

ns1.dotster-expired.domainparkingserver.net
ns2.dotster-expired.domainparkingserver.net

 

[.X.]

That is one kick ass name, and I would assume all parties involved in this auction are fully aware of that, it slipped by them, if you won that name, paid for it, it should be in your account, period!!

 

[DanSanchez]

Dotster and Godaddy are stealing the names from the original owners in the first place, you are not legally entitled to anything but a refund. That name should have never been in auction in the first place, Godaddy is not a trustworthy company to deal with, but I guess the lure of stolen inventory is too much for some.

 

[TERADOMAIN]

Sorry to hear this happened to you.

Same thing happened to me in past as well as with so many other friends as well.

But so far GD did not took any proper measure for it.

GD need to understand that people spend hours and hours of research, time and money behind placing their bids. They don’t place bid to see what happened over and over to so many others. People place bid to win or trying to win. People need assurance that they will get name guaranteed.

Dropcatch

Namejet

Expired name on above places are guaranteed to get into account. If they fine tune or calibrate their process then if GoDaddy really want to improve then it is absolutely possible.

Always remember there is no company in the world who can have monopoly in the business. If you don’t take care of your customer properly then some other company will observe what is wrong with your platform and start offering better services than you which may hurt GoDaddy in long run. It’s absolutely possible. What if some new player or some already big player come into market with better service and start offering what GD is lacking??

GM , Ford , & Chrysler were once ruling the world. They developed wrong ego. Japanese companies observed their weakness and made their strong point and see where Toyota is today. So anything is possible anytime.

Seriously if other company can fine tune or calibrate their process then why not GoDaddy take those proper steps??

Let me give you Solutions as well if you keep playing your tune if you can’t control other registrar policy.

Here is one of the solution for you (Godaddy):

Auction Type: Expired name

Registrar : Godaddy

• Godaddy has new policy in which the person can't renew name after 30 days.
• Godaddy start expired auction on 26th day after name get expired.
• Auction run for 10 days.
• Basically owner can still renew before 4th day of auction start or before 5 or 6 days of auction ends.
• So basically owner can't renew once auction enters into 5 days to go zone because it will pass 30 day renewal policy.
• This is still better than completely going out of control because almost all or highest bidding activity on last day
• But here if person win the auction he/she will get name in his/her account.

Auction Type: Expired name

Registrar : Any other registrar

• Lets assume partner registrar has 42 days renewal policy after name get expired.
• Lets assume Godaddy want to follow same formula of their own policy like to start auction 4 or 5 days before person can renew.
• Godaddy can start expired auction on 38th day after name get expired.
• So basically owner can't renew once auction enters into 5 days to go zone because it will pass 42 days renewal policy.
• This way if person win the auction he/she will get name in his/her account.

I hope Godaddy or any other friend can understand what I wrote above.

@Joe Styler I will really appreciate your response in this regard.

I love Godaddy. I wish Godaddy will stay on top for long time. As a well wisher I wish godaddy fine tune or calibrate some process to improve their platform to win some trust back from customer with happy face.

Again I am open to learn something new in the world. I am a student and I am life long student forever. If Godaddy come up with something new I will be happy on behalf of someone. Someone can also share their point of view to make Godaddy a good platform to participate in auction where name will be guaranteed to get into winner's account.

Thanks

 

[slader23]

Dotster and Godaddy are stealing the names from the original owners in the first place, you are not legally entitled to anything but a refund. That name should have never been in auction in the first place, Godaddy is not a trustworthy company to deal with, but I guess the lure of stolen inventory is too much for some.

They have an agreement with Endurance International (Domain.com/Dotster/Netfirms/MyDomain.com) to sell their expired inventory on GD auctions after day 26 in the expiration process. If a 3rd party purchases the domain after day 30 then it cannot be renewed or transferred by the previous registrant. GoDaddy and endurance have this agreement so if anything this name shouldn't have had any issues being transferred.

This is Endurance International:s exact expiration policy which is followed by Dotster, Mydomain, domain.com and netfirms:

1. Approximately 30 days prior to the domain expiration date, we begin sending reminders to you by email to the email address you listed with us. You will receive at least two reminders prior to the expiration date and one reminder within five days after expiration.
2. If we are unable to secure payment on or before the domain renewal date, your domain name will expire.
3. As early as one day after expiration, your domain name will be deactivated and replaced with a parking page indicating the domain name has expired, and other services you have associated with the domain name may no longer function.
4. As early as 30 day after expiration, your domain name 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.
5. If the domain name has not been renewed by you or purchased by a third party, an expired domain name enters the registry redemption period (as defined by each registry) approximately 45 days following expiration. If a third party purchases the domain name prior to the registry redemption period, the domain name will not enter redemption and will not be available for you to renew. We reserve the right to charge you a redemption fee of $99.95 (in additional to the renewal fee) in the event you are able to renew your domain name during this period.
6. If the domain name completes the registry redemption period, the registry may hold the domain name for a period of five days before releasing it again for general registration.

 

[slader23]

Hello,

I am sorry to hear about your experience. We sell domains when they expire for various other companies. We do not name them as they we have signed Non Disclosure Agreements with them. The way expired domains work is that they can be renewed even after the auction ends by the original owners or transferred away. The time frame varies depending on the registrar the domain expired at. The terms of service on the auction spell this out. If the name is renewed you would be automatically refunded. Most sales on the auction of expired domains are fulfilled without issue.

As a side note, Dotster and Endurance are the same company. You can find this out on Google to verify it. Endurance owns many brands, dotster is one.

Domain not renewed. Domain purchased by me the 3rd party via your auction platform after day 30. My domain purchase complies with the expiration policy of Dotster i.e Endurance international. Specifically rule #4. This name shouldn't even hit redemption status because of rule #5.


I can't be any clearer about this......

 

[Joe Styler]

I cannot discuss any agreements we have. I also cannot discuss who our partners are as we have NDAs in place. What we abide by is our publicly stated terms of service. Sorry but that is really all I can say.

 

[Armageddon]

redemptionPeriod
"This status code indicates that your registrar has asked the registry to delete your domain. Your domain will be held in this status for 30 days. After five calendar days following the end of the redemptionPeriod, your domain is purged from the registry database and becomes available for registration."

Update date is 31 July 2018 so i think will need to wait until 4-5 august 2018

anyway Good luck with domain

 

[Kate]

The name is in redemption. Strange. Sounds like a glitch or an oversight. It shouldn't have happened.
This domain is worth paying the redemption fee. Easily. If the registrar does nothing this nice name is going to be deleted and then it's a free for all. A real shame.

On NP, if you don't honor a sale you can expect real consequences, like restrictions on your account, possibly a ban. Registrars are not accountable to anybody and just don't care.

 

[slader23]

I cannot discuss any agreements we have. I also cannot discuss who our partners are as we have NDAs in place. What we abide by is our publicly stated terms of service. Sorry but that is really all I can say.

It's public knowledge that you have an agreement with Endurance international to sell their expired domains.

Anyway there is no need to be so cryptic, Joe. What has become increasingly evident to me is that your staff don't go the extra mile for your customers.

You can't even speak to a GD aftermarket sales specialist over the phone. You can't even get an email. I spent about 5 minutes explaining my case to an Endurance international sales specialist and he gave me his personal email , phone number and escalated the issue directly with their domain management because he understood just how important a transaction like this can be for a domainer.


I am highly doubtful that your team did anything apart from attempting to initiate the transfer. Now I'm the one doing the work they should have done in the first place.