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ragnar

Fri Aug 31 2007, 10:39AM

Registered Member #63 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 06:18AM
Location:
Posts: 1425

Hi guys,
after noticing a domain name identical to a Registered Business Name we use was expiring (the old owner was shutting down), I paid US$18.99 with GoDaddy to register as part of their "backorder" system where they'll notify of any auction or steps to acquire the domain at the appropriate time.

GoDaddy did not notify my of the auction. I expected something like this, because I have missed out on other GoDaddy names similarly before.

One other thing I've noticed is that the domains are only advertised at TDNAM ("domain name aftermarket") at all if they are backordered at GoDaddy... i.e. if I had not paid to backorder the domain, it's quite likely nobody else would have either, and it wouldn't have been advertised on TDNAM at all.

Assuming the other buyer was just an opportunist, not actively waiting for the name, they would never have seen it or bought it.

The domain is now "On Sale" at sedo.com for US$450. Considering we own the registered company and registered business name associated with the domain, it would appear to be a fairly typical moneygrabbing attempt.

Can any of you guys recommend some steps I can take (with GoDaddy, regarding their non-notification), or with the now-squatter?

How do real people without attorneys coming out their ears solve such problems?

Matt

HV Enthusiast

Fri Aug 31 2007, 04:55PM

Registered Member #15 Joined: Thu Feb 02 2006, 01:11PM
Location:
Posts: 3068

Be careful of which domain search engines you put your names into. Just entering a domain name into the GoDaddy domain search engine is enough for someone to go out and buy the domain name before you can register it. I've seen this happen several times. Coincidence? Perhaps. But in my opinion, there is no such thing as coincidences! :)

ragnar

Sat Sept 01 2007, 12:02AM

Registered Member #63 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 06:18AM
Location:
Posts: 1425

Very true -- for the same reason, I didn't post the domain name in the forum -- visits to it will only make it appear more popular.

The squatter seems to be 'ideacog.com'... [snip]

Content appearing on the page includes (paid) links to companies who would be our direct competitors. Does this count as using the domain in 'bad faith'?

Simon

Sat Sept 01 2007, 12:38AM

Registered Member #32 Joined: Sat Feb 04 2006, 08:58AM
Location: Australia
Posts: 549

BlackPlasma wrote ...

The squatter seems to be 'ideacog.com'... and now I think about it, squatting other people's domains is probably a really great way for leftists to make money.

And probably a really great way for rightists to make money, as well as people who like to wear extremely shiny shoes and people who eat toast for breakfast.

Don't troll.

Coronafix

Sat Sept 01 2007, 03:48AM

Registered Member #160 Joined: Mon Feb 13 2006, 02:07AM
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 938

We had a similar thing recently where we tried to get a 1800 number from Telstra, we found that someone else owned it but it was not in use. By ringing the number we got to the company who informed us that they would not sell it, but would rent it out to us for $1200 a month. Of course we are looking at other numbers now, what can you do?
Everyone is out to make a buck any way they can. It just wasn't worth that much to us, but could be to a larger company requiring the same number.

Steve Conner

Sat Sept 01 2007, 09:33AM

Registered Member #30 Joined: Fri Feb 03 2006, 10:52AM
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Posts: 6706

Hmm, if they're using the domain to advertise your competitors, that sucks. I guess you have to either pay the $450 to shut them up, or resort to evil hax0r tactics of some kind.

Bored Chemist

Sat Sept 01 2007, 01:41PM

Registered Member #193 Joined: Fri Feb 17 2006, 07:04AM
Location: sheffield
Posts: 1022

I don't usually think of actions motivated by personal greed as leftist but I guess it doesn't matter.
I see two problems with this type of plan "or resort to evil hax0r tactics of some kind."
First it is lowering yourself to their level and I don't think you want to do that. Seconddly, it invites retaliation in kind and you don't want that either.

ragnar

Sat Sept 01 2007, 11:37PM

Registered Member #63 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 06:18AM
Location:
Posts: 1425

I should like everybody to realise that I have neither the intention nor the capacity to resolve such an issue by e.g. DoSing the new owner. Perhaps I can reiterate my original question.

The first difficulty is that I paid GoDaddy US$18.99 for them to send me an email regarding the start of the auction. THEY DIDN'T. As a result, a squatter was able to purchase the domain for US$20.

The second difficulty is that the squatter is using a domain name identical to the name of my (Australian) registered company, and registered business name.

Can I solve this without an attorney?

Has anyone had a similar experience?

Should I be barking up GoDaddy's tree, or the squatter's tree? =P

Steve Conner

Sun Sept 02 2007, 10:50AM

Registered Member #30 Joined: Fri Feb 03 2006, 10:52AM
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Posts: 6706

Well, your experience, and that of other posters to this thread, suggests that GoDaddy are a bunch of crooks ^H^H^H^H "entrepreneurs".

If they were based in Australia, you could try taking them to the small claims court. But if they were based abroad, I imagine it would be like trying to nail jelly to the wall, even if you had an attorney. The whole process would probably cost more than $450, especially if you counted your time.

How about buying another domain name similar to the one you lost out on and spending the $450 on Google ads to publicise it

BTW, did you look at the whois record? Who really owns your domain now? Where are they? Again, if they were based in Australia they might be susceptible to haggling or threats of the small claims court.

Coronafix

Sun Sept 02 2007, 12:47PM

Registered Member #160 Joined: Mon Feb 13 2006, 02:07AM
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 938

In the scheme of things, $450 isn't that much when it comes to business.
At least that didn't offer to lease it to you.
I know it's a lot more than $20, but it all depends on how much you want it.
Or you could go Steve's idea.
But definitely hassle GoDaddy about not notifying you, that is a breach if you
paid for that service and didn't receive it.

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