Taking Domain Control Back from the Registrar?

Patrick Clinger asks: "I run a large community Web site, and today I woke up to find that one of my domain names (proboards21.com) was disabled by my unnamed registrar -- my name servers were changed to NS1/NS2.SUSPENDED-FOR.SPAM-AND-ABUSE.COM and I no longer have access to that domain in my control panel. I am in no way involved in any spam activities, and the registration for my domain expires in 2007. I would expect at least a courtesy call or an email letting me know what happened, but neither was provided by the unnamed registrar. What can you do when suddenly a registrar goes off and takes control of your domain when there was no violation of your agreement with them? What is to prevent any registrar from taking over any domain when they feel like it? Right now my domain is in limbo, waiting for them to hopefully restore it to the correct name servers."

Comments

Re:Did you read this?

[JohnnyComeLately]

I was thinking the same thing. On top of that, a spammer COUNTS on getting shut down. A real spammer will move on and not pay. So this looks like a policy that really only screws legit customers, however given it only hits a few percentage they haven't changed it. I'd certainly never do biz with them.

John

Re:Kind of in the same boat

[awtbfb]

Are they in the Wayback Machine? If yes, and the content clearly points to you (e.g., copyright blurbs), you may have some evidence to work from.

Re:do a domain transfer

[/dev/trash]

it's in dispute....he can't transfer it.

Re:Give them a call!

[aster_ken]

When I was working for a law firm in downtown Dallas, I had to work with 174 domain names registered with GoDaddy. I had a few minor quibbles with them, but their telephone support was second-to-none. Just give the guys a call. The worst they could do is say no.

Don't get irate with them on the phone, either - that'll just convince the telephone rep. to not help you. Be nice, courteous - it's not that guy's fault. Don't threaten with lawyers or the BBB to the phone guys. Save that for certified mail.

Re:More Details

[Eponymous Cowboy]

This whole thing bothers me to no end.

I've noticed this kind of thing happens all the time in life, and I really am starting to dislike it: Everything is going just fine, you do nothing wrong, someone else screws up--completely outside of your control--and it takes you time and money to fix it.

I've gotten half-a-million-dollar tax bills because my state double-issued a taxpayer ID. I've been pulled over for speeding by the police within seconds of entering a highway, not even yet at highway speed, because my car happened to be the same model as someone they had clocked miles up the highway. I've had my ISP cancel my account when their credit card processor double-billed my card and marked the chargeback of the second amount as nonpayal.

And now, I've got this to worry about, too. I have around twenty domain names with GoDaddy.

I really empathize with you. This just sucks.

I really hope that you can get the $250 refunded, talking with the right people at GoDaddy.com. Please keep us updated, if not here, then in your Slashdot journal. I can't imagine that they could keep the $250; I am amazed they actually made you pay it in the first place.

If you cannot get them to refund the $250 within the next week or so, here is what I would recommend:

Transfer all of your domain names elswhere (once you find a registrar of course). Then once they have been successfully transferred, dispute the $250 charge with your credit card company. You have 60 days from the date of your statement; so anywhere from 60 to 90 days from today, depending on when your next statement is sent out. It's as easy as filling out a form or writing a short letter and mailing it in. Your credit card company will side with you by default, that's how they work, and refund the money immediately. The burden of proof will then like with GoDaddy.com to show that they charged you this fee correctly; if what you have said is true, they will be unable to do it.

Of course it will be a hassle, transferring your domain names. Hopefully it won't come to that, and GoDaddy will step up to the plate, refund your $250, and apologize. Let us know what happens. I wish you the best.