BEWARE: Don’t Search For Names At NetworkSolutions.com

Network Solutions has instituted a 4 day lock on all domain names searched on their site. They are effectively using phishing techniques to hijack or steal domain names and forcing domain name registrants to register their names at Network Solutions. The standard domain name registration fee at Network Solutions is $34.99 – significantly higher than the leading alternatives. I was forced to register a domain name with them today or chance losing it to another registrant. This is unethical in my opinion and should be illegal. I will be filing a complaint at ICANN.

That's extortionary tactics - I can't believe they'd be allowed to get away with something like that.

Wow, I can't believe that doesn't fall foul of rules/laws.

Originally posted by Stratagenix
I will be filing a complaint at ICANN.

Let us know what happens after you file the complaint...

Holy cows!!! They're really doing it. And they're not even hiding it.

I've read about front running names, but every company out there swears they don't do it. Apparently NS doesn't give a hoot. I looked to see if butneddle.com was available...it was. I went to another registrar to see if it was still available, and it wasn't.

Well, I guess this isn't necessarily front running, because they'll probably just let it drop. And I DO have the opportunity to buy it still.

We need a name for this tactic.

Once they drop it (I'm assuming they will) it might still be picked up by one of the tasters...and who knows when I would have been able to get it back.

What a bunch of butneddles.

They also are serving ads for people that choose the "under construction" page.

Someone go to networksolutions and see if gardentoolss.com is available (2 ss)

Want to see if they cookied me or if they will now allow anyone else to reg it..

You cant reg it anywhere else ..they have it blocked off

It might just be a Net-DisSolutions scare tactics scheme.

Originally posted by Domo Sapiens
Let us know what happens after you file the complaint...

I contacted ICANN and they said that although they believe it to be an unethical business practice they said that it is legal for Network Solutions to hijack domain names and hold them for ransom when searched off of their site. ICANN stated that there is nothing they can do to stop the practice.

What is the best/safest site to look for domain names?

Thanks!

Spread the word!!!

wow, it's true, it's true.

Tried some random name like HUGJKOPPS.COM which was available and sure enough, went to moniker to check and it was taken.

Originally posted by bidawinner
Someone go to networksolutions and see if gardentoolss.com is available (2 ss)

Want to see if they cookied me or if they will now allow anyone else to reg it..

You cant reg it anywhere else ..they have it blocked off

It seems to be available to anyone searching through NetSol, but WHOIS shows this:

Registrant:
This Domain is available at NetworkSolutions.com
13681 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 300
HERNDON, VA 20171
US

Domain Name: GARDENTOOLSS.COM

------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Domain is Available - Register it Now!
600,000 domain names are registered daily! Don't delay; there's no guarantee
that a domain name you see today will still be here tomorrow!
Register it Now at www.NetworkSolutions.com.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Administrative Contact, Technical Contact:
Network Solutions, LLC domainsupport@networksolutions.com
13681 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 300
HERNDON, VA 20171
US
1-888-642-9675 fax: 571-434-4620


Record expires on 08-Jan-2009.
Record created on 08-Jan-2008.
Database last updated on 8-Jan-2008 12:34:31 EST.

Domain servers in listed order:

ns1.reserveddomainname.com 205.178.190.55
ns2.reserveddomainname.com 205.178.189.55

are they exposing themselves to TM issues? for example, I did a search for DellComputerSalesForce.com just now at Network Solutions, and sure enough, it's now owned by Network Solutions...

Yeah, they were going to let me buy gardentoolss.com.

You know, I was getting ready to post that this COULD be considered a service. I mean how many times have you tried to register something that was available 2 hours ago, but didn't have the money at the time, and just by coinidence it's gone?

I was a little jerk kneed in my reaction to this, but I can at least see where they're coming from. You search from Netwrok Solutions, you know that you're name is safe until you have your card in hand and you're ready to check-out.

But then the fact that they continue to offer the domain to other people puts it on rocky ground again.

I don't know.

Hey, my boss just came in and pointed something out? What if NETWORK SOLUTIONS owned a bunch of trademarked names???

You think DELL and MS would go after them?

Unbelievable stuff. Good find Stratagenix.

Originally posted by theengel

Hey, my boss just came in and pointed something out? What if NETWORK SOLUTIONS owned a bunch of trademarked names???

You think DELL and MS would go after them?

I see great minds thinking alike...

Could this be the end of NS?