Should I buy the domain name I want at the higher price?

willing2learn_3

Hi everyone

Just a quick question for those who may know....I've just set up a domain name under co.uk and .org but the .com version was unavailable....

So i've checked the net and I can't find anyoe using that name or any website.....I know of course that it may not be set up yet...

I have heard of domain names being stolen from you as you search for them - could this have happened? The reason I ask is because the next time I logged into the domain hosting site they were offering my name at an 'auction price.'

I know that's par for the course - but I'm just wondering whether I should buy it - I do really want that name but we are talking over £100.

I'd just be interested in your thoughts those of you experienced in this kind of thing - this is all new to me

Thanks!

walesrob

I was in the same boat as you, wanted a .com domain (worth nothing to anyone but me as its a personal name domain), emailed the then owner (a guy in Korea!!), who wanted £23,000. I offered $50 tops, 2 months later it expired and got it for £6.

Take a look at the whois for the domain you want, get the admin contact and maybe try offering something, otherwise, its a case of waiting for it to be made available again. Or you could go down the route of backordering, but theres no guarentee.

AppleMatt

If you'd like to mention the domain name (or PM me if you prefer) I can check the whois record and determine when the .com etc. was registered.

If you can understand the records, check at http://who.is

It is common practice for shady registrars to do what you're suggesting - reputable ones like namecheap or lcn would not do this. I know Network Solutions have been told off for it.

Of course, avoid GoDaddy like the plague - their owner shoots elephants for fun, and they'll rip you off at some point

tronator

willing2learn wrote: »

I have heard of domain names being stolen from you as you search for them - could this have happened? The reason I ask is because the next time I logged into the domain hosting site they were offering my name at an 'auction price.'

It looks like you fell victim of such a shady company. Can you name and shame them here?

Personally I would not buy it from this company and would move all my domains to a reputable company like 123-reg or 1and1.

Maybe the domain becomes available soon as walesrob wrote. check the whois record to see when it expires.

willing2learn_3

walesrob wrote: »

I was in the same boat as you, wanted a .com domain (worth nothing to anyone but me as its a personal name domain), emailed the then owner (a guy in Korea!!), who wanted £23,000. I offered $50 tops, 2 months later it expired and got it for £6.

Take a look at the whois for the domain you want, get the admin contact and maybe try offering something, otherwise, its a case of waiting for it to be made available again. Or you could go down the route of backordering, but theres no guarentee.

Thanks, interesting that was what I was suspecting....

I will look at the whois and see if they would let it go for cheaper than the auction price....

willing2learn_3

tronator wrote: »

It looks like you fell victim of such a shady company. Can you name and shame them here?

Personally I would not buy it from this company and would move all my domains to a reputable company like 123-reg or 1and1.

Maybe the domain becomes available soon as walesrob wrote. check the whois record to see when it expires.

Hi, thanks - it was a reputable company though...

thanks for the advice - will be good to see when it expires - or I could buy it at that auction price.....depends how much I want it and how valuable it could be to me. It's personal, but it ultimately would be for some type of business - the specifics not clear to me yet.

willing2learn_3

AppleMatt wrote: »

If you'd like to mention the domain name (or PM me if you prefer) I can check the whois record and determine when the .com etc. was registered.

If you can understand the records, check at http://who.is

It is common practice for shady registrars to do what you're suggesting - reputable ones like namecheap or lcn would not do this. I know Network Solutions have been told off for it.

Of course, avoid GoDaddy like the plague - their owner shoots elephants for fun, and they'll rip you off at some point

Thanks!! Gonna go check - I may get back to you - thanks for offering to help.

InsideInsurance

If you look at the Whois record for the domain you will see when it was registered. If it is before the date you first searched for it then evidently it is just someone else that has come up with the same name as you.

With 104 million registered .com domains there is a bit of a shortage and so people do become more creative when trying to find something they want/ like

danmanchester

AppleMatt wrote: »

Of course, avoid GoDaddy like the plague - their owner shoots elephants for fun, and they'll rip you off at some point

Absolutely agree, and so do lots of others...

http://thetechblock.com/why-you-should-never-use-go-daddy-again