Whois registry error/pending delete status

[shortjm]

I looked up a domain name I want to buy and got whois information telling me the current registration would expire in October, 2009 if not renewed. I waited patiently until up to the expiration date checking every day. When I checked in early November, 2009, the wois databae had been updated to show that the the owner had renewed the registration in October 2009 before the registration expired. Then in December 2009, I got a notice from a domain name buy and sell company telling me that the domain name would be available for sale in a few days. I checked the whois database and sure enough the domain name is now in a pending delete status and will be available for purchase in a few days. Can anyone explain how the whois domain registry database showed that the owner had renewed the registration when I checked in November but show the domain name is in a pending delete status in December. Will the domain name be available for purchase when it comes out of pending delete status in a few days?

 

[Kate]

Please check the domain there: VeriSign WHOIS - Domain Name Lookup from VeriSign, Inc.

Then post the whois output you got
and remove the domain of course.

 

[Domagon]

Whatever whois service you were checking probably didn't check both the registry and registrar whoises.

Yep, for some TLDs, in particular, .com and .net, there's no master whois, but rather one needs to check both registry whois (see the link sdsinc posted; for .com and .net tlds) and registrar whois.

Most likely the expiration date you were seeing was the registry date, which is typically auto-renewed by 1 year; auto-renew grace period, which can last upto 45 days, though 30-42 days is more common.

With all that said, there are rare instances in which a renewal is later reversed ... two possible scenerios can cause that: 1. the registrar messed up the expiration date in their database; 2. it was truly renewed, but later (as in within 45 days of expiration) the renewal was canceled during the auto-renew grace period.

In short, it's important, for TLDs with thin registries, such as .com and .net, to check both the registry and registrar whoises.

And whenever possible, avoid using 3rd party whois services unless you're certain they work properly for the TLDs / registrars you're checking - often it's better to check the whoises yourself directly.

Ron

 

[Robin]

Well, i think the domain owner planning to sell its name. Or it is bought by some company without any change in whois.