Domain availablity vultures???

[shamarkaleo]

Hi All,
I recently had a client ask me a question about domains that I don't know how to answer.

She says she typed in a name in an availability search box and saw that it was available. She went back to purchase this domain a week later and it was taken, as well as the .org, net. etc. of the same name.

Her question is, do web hosts or other unscrupulous people track domain availability searches and then buy up those searched names?

A domain name broker is now offering her desired domain for sale for $1,000+

I'd love to hear your thoughts
Kelli

[Compguy Pete]

I have seen this happen before as well... I have to admit I have never accually seen proof that people/companies do this. However I have seen and had it happen to me personally. WHich is why I do 3 things differntly than I used too...

1. I only allow one person to do domain searches for clients, I don't even allow the client to search for there own domain.
2. I use a WhoIS search for possible domains - Geektools.com has a great tool you download and install.
3. only do seaches at your Registar when you want to accually want to buy the domain.

[rsd]

Be careful where you do your WhoIs search.
I have no proof but I heard Net Sol does what you mentioned.
Try aitdomains.com - their only 7.99 there anyway.

[tricolorro]

Hi All,
A domain name broker is now offering her desired domain for sale for $1,000+

I'd love to hear your thoughts
Kelli

Hi,

First I would suggest that YOU do a Who-Is search and see the date of registration.

It's possible your client made an error or the Registry wasn't accessible at that moment and the domain and other extensions were already registered.

Also check if the domain had been previously registered and allowed to expire. If it was recently expired it's possible someone else also found it independent of your client's Who-Is search.

To check if a name was peviously registered you can just type the Domain Name without the extension into Google and see if it comes up.

If you type it with the extension it most likely will just come up as "Domain Not Found"

If it does come up ,you may be able to see a Cache of the site that Google made and if any other sites linked to it.

You can also check the Internet Archive at:
http://www.archive.org/

I also had a name stolenfrom me from an Enom domain reseller.

I would never again use a Domain Reseller's Who-Is or ask them any questions that include the domain name you are interested in.

I think your best bet is to use the Who-Is search directly from the Registry.

Each domain extension has one Registry although a Registry can be responsible for more than one domain extension.

.COM = http://www.internic.net/
.NET = http://www.internic.net/
.ORG = http://www.pir.org/register/
.INFO = http://www.afilias.info/gateway/index_html
.US = http://www.nic.us/
.BIZ = http://www.neulevel.biz/
.NAME = http://www.nic.name/

For DomainNname Registries around the world you can go here:
http://www.norid.no/domenenavnbaser/domreg.html

Hope this can be of use.
Patrick