» November 12, 2006 in
Yesterday, November 11, 2006 I was doing some domain research on networksolutions.com (I like their interface showing the tlds in a line) and saw that led.co.uk was available.
LED is an acronym for Light-emitting diode and I was sure that this is a popular searched for term, and it's short, so I'll buy it.
I head to Godaddy, they say the domain is unavailable. I head to Enom, they say the domain is unavailable. I'm a bit confused.
I've never used Network Solutions before, but what the heck, let's give them a whirl, they do list the domain I want as available.
Long story short, I get this email awhile after signing up and registering the domain: Yes, it let me go through the entire process:
Domain Name: LED.CO.UK
Term: 2 year(s)
Price: $0.00
Again, we will refund the credit card you provided during your transaction, and the refund should be credited within 3-5 business days.
Good, must be a glitch on their end that they caught, doesn't look like they charged me anything.
But in fact after logging into my bank account I find it is $19.98 lighter.
It appears I should get my money back according to the email but it is very bizarre.
My summary of network solutions service: I could see a domain name listed as "available" that wasn't really available, I can go pay for that same domain name, have them say the price was $0.00, and then charge my bank account $19.98.
As of today they still show led.co.uk as available. Buyer beware.
Aside: I've been domain hunting for a few days now. I think I'm going to settle on a short .fm domain name but I'm still on the fence.
If you like this post then please consider subscribing to my full RSS feed. You can also Subscribe to 45n5 by Email and have new posts sent directly to your inbox.
This is because a number of registrars do not correctly read the results of "country specific" domains.
led.co.uk is in a "suspended" status, which means it is NOT available for purchase at this point. It was first registered in August 98, and was due for renewal in August 2006. It was not renewed, and therefore goes suspended.
Sometimes Nominet (the .uk domain name registry) do a sweeping update and put all the suspended domains back available for registration. But not very often.
This could still be "suspended" five years from now.
"This is because a number of registrars do not correctly read the results of "country specific" domains."
Most of them have it correct, network solutions appears to be the only one with it wrong.
"This could still be "suspended" five years from now."
Wow, that is interesting/lame they can keep a domain pending for so long.
Thanks for the info.
I think Nominet have changed now to 99 days after the domain expires it's available to the general public. I've seen this during this year with a couple of names I wanted.
Just to add, 99 days is up so I guess not with this one!! ;)
Thanks Sarah,
Pool.com lets you backorder .co.uk domains so I've got it backordered their for free.
Not sure if/when it will snag it, and I guess it would be worth the $60
LED is an acronym for Light-emitting diode and I was sure that this is a popular searched for term, and it's short, so I'll buy it.
I head to Godaddy, they say the domain is unavailable. I head to Enom, they say the domain is unavailable. I'm a bit confused.
I've never used Network Solutions before, but what the heck, let's give them a whirl, they do list the domain I want as available.
Long story short, I get this email awhile after signing up and registering the domain: Yes, it let me go through the entire process:
Domain Name: LED.CO.UK
Term: 2 year(s)
Price: $0.00
Again, we will refund the credit card you provided during your transaction, and the refund should be credited within 3-5 business days.
Good, must be a glitch on their end that they caught, doesn't look like they charged me anything.
But in fact after logging into my bank account I find it is $19.98 lighter.
It appears I should get my money back according to the email but it is very bizarre.
My summary of network solutions service: I could see a domain name listed as "available" that wasn't really available, I can go pay for that same domain name, have them say the price was $0.00, and then charge my bank account $19.98.
As of today they still show led.co.uk as available. Buyer beware.
Aside: I've been domain hunting for a few days now. I think I'm going to settle on a short .fm domain name but I'm still on the fence.
If you like this post then please consider subscribing to my full RSS feed. You can also Subscribe to 45n5 by Email and have new posts sent directly to your inbox.
gary says on November 13, 2006
This is because a number of registrars do not correctly read the results of "country specific" domains.
led.co.uk is in a "suspended" status, which means it is NOT available for purchase at this point. It was first registered in August 98, and was due for renewal in August 2006. It was not renewed, and therefore goes suspended.
Sometimes Nominet (the .uk domain name registry) do a sweeping update and put all the suspended domains back available for registration. But not very often.
This could still be "suspended" five years from now.
45n5 says on November 13, 2006
"This is because a number of registrars do not correctly read the results of "country specific" domains."
Most of them have it correct, network solutions appears to be the only one with it wrong.
"This could still be "suspended" five years from now."
Wow, that is interesting/lame they can keep a domain pending for so long.
Thanks for the info.
SarahG says on November 15, 2006
I think Nominet have changed now to 99 days after the domain expires it's available to the general public. I've seen this during this year with a couple of names I wanted.
SarahG says on November 15, 2006
Just to add, 99 days is up so I guess not with this one!! ;)
45n5 says on November 15, 2006
Thanks Sarah,
Pool.com lets you backorder .co.uk domains so I've got it backordered their for free.
Not sure if/when it will snag it, and I guess it would be worth the $60
The 45n5.com Membership SiteTry MashupMoney.com, $1 for 7 day trial.
Start Your Own Membership SiteAmember rocks, free download and trial.
Create Your Own Mailing ListAweber is the best in the business, check them out.