Domain Transfer Issue -- Any help please??

11 replies
Hi Warriors.

I would greatly appreciate and ideas for a work-around to this issue. Here is the problem:

My biz partner and I bought a website for $2K cash from a previous contact of my biz partner. He initiated the domain transfer in his registrar, sent us the EPP key (authorization transfer key) and the log in details for the WP site.

I went in to my Namecheap account, started the domain transfer process and the domain and EPP matched and so far so good…BUT, am unable to complete the domain transfer because Namecheap sends an authorization email to the admin contact email for that domain.

Now I admit we failed to double check the Whois info. The issue is that the admin contact email for this domain is apparently some previous owner or who-ever. Namecheap has sent two authorization emails to this email, with no results. We tried contacting the admin email and even calling the number listed in Whois. Turns out it is some old yahoo email account that is no longer active, and the number is old too. So we are stuck.

Yes, we tried contacting the guy we bought the site from but he is clueless, no help. Turns out my biz partner and he had some falling out some time ago which we both thought was long ago resolved. He just says he did his part, initiated the transfer and gave us the login, and too bad, and won’t respond to emails from us.

Yeah, learning something here is the school of hard knocks…BUT --3 quick questions here:

1. We have the WP site log in. Any work-around like—buying a new related domain and using 301 redirects?? Or anything along these lines?

2. If we just wait a few months until the domain expires—how can we make sure we can snag it?

3. Any ninja stuff we can try?—hell, I’ll gladly HIRE someone who can help us out here!!

Thanks.
#domain #issue #transfer
  • Profile picture of the author RenderTheWeb
    1) You can make a back-up of all the files, including database and just buy a new domain transfer everything over and redirect traffic.

    2) After the domain name expires I believe it takes 90-120 days before it's active again and then you still need to have you fingers crossed that nobody gets it.

    3) You need access to the domain registrar control panel before you can change the Admin email address. Where was the domain purchased originally?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7026085].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Alohatom
      Thanks VERY much..wow!

      1. So I buy a new related domain and transfer everything over to it and redirect traffic --which is a LOT, BTW-- to the new domain...check;

      2. why do I need to grab the original domain when it expires if I have taken all the files off the old site (is that what you meant? transfer all the files from the old domain to the new one--and delete the old files?? or did I just assume that?)

      3. I can't access the old domain registrar unfortunately -- previous owner is being difficult/ ignoring all emails..

      So grateful for your help, I would like to compensate you, if you allow me to -- can you PM me or contact me at tdmarx/ at/ gmail.com

      Thanks again.
      Signature

      "Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing about." ~ Benjamin Franklin

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7026213].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    Rather than do a transfer out of the registrar that it is in, you should have just created an account at the registrar that it is in and have the owner simply push it to you. Then you could have done a transfer to Namecheap in 50 days yourself without any problems.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7026234].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author quamism
      Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

      Rather than do a transfer out of the registrar that it is in, you should have just created an account at the registrar that it is in and have the owner simply push it to you. Then you could have done a transfer to Namecheap in 50 days yourself without any problems.
      This is what I would recommend too. This is the easiest and quickest method of transferring domains.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7026835].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author dave_hermansen
    If it's an option your best bet would be to have the previous owner change the whois details to match yours and then initiate the transfer again. That way you'll get the authorization email and can immediately reply.

    I may be wrong, but I think the transfer will move forward automatically after X amount of days, even if the current WhoIs admin doesn't take action on that email. I've been in this situation before, and it seems like after 7 days or something like that it is automatically accepted.

    BTW, if the old owner is being difficult and you are unable to get your hands on the domain name in the end I would consider disputing charges on the payment you made to him.
    Signature
    BizSellers.com - The #1 place to buy & sell websites!
    We help sellers get the MAXIMUM amount for their websites and all buyers know that these sites are 100% vetted.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7026242].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author RenderTheWeb
    Alohatom: You can add me via skype. I can not respond via PM because of my post count.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7026460].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Walter Parrish
    Originally Posted by Alohatom View Post

    Hi Warriors.

    I would greatly appreciate and ideas for a work-around to this issue. Here is the problem:

    My biz partner and I bought a website for $2K cash from a previous contact of my biz partner. He initiated the domain transfer in his registrar, sent us the EPP key (authorization transfer key) and the log in details for the WP site.

    I went in to my Namecheap account, started the domain transfer process and the domain and EPP matched and so far so good...BUT, am unable to complete the domain transfer because Namecheap sends an authorization email to the admin contact email for that domain.

    Now I admit we failed to double check the Whois info. The issue is that the admin contact email for this domain is apparently some previous owner or who-ever. Namecheap has sent two authorization emails to this email, with no results. We tried contacting the admin email and even calling the number listed in Whois. Turns out it is some old yahoo email account that is no longer active, and the number is old too. So we are stuck.

    Yes, we tried contacting the guy we bought the site from but he is clueless, no help. Turns out my biz partner and he had some falling out some time ago which we both thought was long ago resolved. He just says he did his part, initiated the transfer and gave us the login, and too bad, and won't respond to emails from us.

    Yeah, learning something here is the school of hard knocks...BUT --3 quick questions here:

    1. We have the WP site log in. Any work-around like--buying a new related domain and using 301 redirects?? Or anything along these lines?

    2. If we just wait a few months until the domain expires--how can we make sure we can snag it?

    3. Any ninja stuff we can try?--hell, I'll gladly HIRE someone who can help us out here!!

    Thanks.
    if they cannot get the domain moved to your business then they didn't live up to their end. give them their money back and call it off.
    Signature
    Use Feeder Sites, Articles, And Social Media Sites To Generate Unstoppable Traffic, FREE! Click Here Now To Get It For FREE
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7027020].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Sarevok
    I've bought and sold a 1,000 domains, so take my experience.

    This is what I would do:

    1) e-mail all domain registrars involved cc'd with the domain owner (the guy who sold it)
    2) state your case, ask for immediate resolution
    3) if it's unable to be resolved in a timely fashion, dictate that the seller didn't live up to their end, and request refund.

    It's as easy as that
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7027059].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Alohatom
      Originally Posted by Sarevok View Post

      I've bought and sold a 1,000 domains, so take my experience.

      This is what I would do:

      1) e-mail all domain registrars involved cc'd with the domain owner (the guy who sold it)
      2) state your case, ask for immediate resolution
      3) if it's unable to be resolved in a timely fashion, dictate that the seller didn't live up to their end, and request refund.

      It's as easy as that
      Hi Sarevok,

      Thanks very much, but I am in an apparently hostile relationship with the seller. It was a cash purchase, no way to refund as $$ was wired.

      No way for me to a) access the losing registrar, b) access the admin contact to authorize the transfer..

      So I am left with: Should I buy and new domain and transfer the contents over and redirect traffic??

      Thanks for your time.
      Signature

      "Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing about." ~ Benjamin Franklin

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7031161].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
        Banned
        Originally Posted by Alohatom View Post

        Hi Sarevok,

        Thanks very much, but I am in an apparently hostile relationship with the seller. It was a cash purchase, no way to refund as $$ was wired.

        No way for me to a) access the losing registrar, b) access the admin contact to authorize the transfer..

        So I am left with: Should I buy and new domain and transfer the contents over and redirect traffic??

        Thanks for your time.
        You can't redirect a domain that you have no control over. It isn't technically yours until you do have full control over nameservers, etc.

        Since you basically paid cash, you'll probably just have to install the site on a new domain.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7031264].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Alohatom
          Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

          You can't redirect a domain that you have no control over. It isn't technically yours until you do have full control over nameservers, etc.

          Since you basically paid cash, you'll probably just have to install the site on a new domain.
          I can't tell you you how much I appreciate your insights...you just frickin rock da house. ~~ Tom
          Signature

          "Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing about." ~ Benjamin Franklin

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7031585].message }}

Trending Topics