Which domain checking services are reputable?

[multimediocrity]

Some services will take the domain name you are interested in purchasing and buy it before you do so they can sell it to you for a higher price. How do we know which ones are reputable? I know this one (http://www.amalgamweb.com/index.php?loc=domainchecker) is honest, but what about others? Is register.com good?

Thanks,
Multi

[thewebhostingdi]

Yes, register.com is reputable.

[thedancer]

I think you'll find any of the big registrars are reputable.

I'd recomend internic (http://internic.net/whois.html) for international domains and direct on nominet (http://www.nominet.org.uk/) for UK domains.