Domain name I found was registered a day later...

60 replies
I just wanted to get warriors' opinion on this interesting thing that just happened to me. Last week I found a great domain name that was available. I was surprised that a name like that was still available. For some stupid reason (I cannot stop kicking myself) I didn't register it right away and just decided to do it today. To my surprise it was no longer available. It was registered a few days ago, next day after I found it. I just did a little research on the guy who registered it. It looks like he owns over 20,000 domains. He has a Linked-In profile where he says he owns an "online advertising agency". The Web site of his "agency" lists different online services they offer, mostly marketing, both online and offline.
The only site I used to check the domain availability was GoDaddy. I also tried putting it in my browser address box. How could he possibly sniff my domain??? I am thinking he could be affiliated with GoDaddy or work for some ISP and monitor DNS lookup failures. I googled for the guy's name and "GoDaddy", his company name and "GoDaddy" but couldn't find anything useful. I know that GoDaddy uses some black hat techniques for registering expiring names but not new domains like this. Any thoughts?
#day #domain #found #registered
  • Profile picture of the author Imran Naseem
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    • Profile picture of the author AlTheGr8
      Originally Posted by Imran Naseem View Post

      Which domain name was it? Was it for a celebrity?
      No, the domain wasn't celebrity - related. It was technology related. I was thinking of using it for my blog.
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  • Profile picture of the author Curt Dillion
    I know someone who found three domains at Godaddy that were available. He left the site and came back half an hour later to find that all three had been registered. That sounds crooked to me.
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    • Profile picture of the author Abdul Aziz
      Originally Posted by Curt Dillion View Post

      I know someone who found three domains at Godaddy that were available. He left the site and came back half an hour later to find that all three had been registered. That sounds crooked to me.
      Happened to me with about two domain names several months ago. Literally within a few minutes they were gone. Sucks. I can't remember for sure what domain name service it was though.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ernie Lo
    Yeah its obvious people use software that scans what domains people are searching for, and then they register the domains themselves.

    My friend lost a domain like that too, but his was registered only HOURS after he searched for it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steven Carl Kelly
    I use only GoDaddy to register my domains. I once found a tremendous domain name which later sold for a pretty decent sum. Anyway, I failed to register it when I found it (don't ask me why, it was a pretty stupid reason) and then came back sometime later (probably a week or ten days) and it was still available.

    I registered it, then sold it for a decent price.
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  • Profile picture of the author Anthony Smith
    I've heard some things about that too. I personally tried to get JVBrokers.com, which was open, then a moment later after doing some other finagling, it was taken. Had to go with JV-Brokers.com instead. Definitely sounds a little fishy to me now that i hear similar occurrences.
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  • Profile picture of the author flnz400
    This happens ALL the time... never search for a domain on a registrar unless you intend on purchasing.

    Very often, even Godaddy, will monitor search results, and snag a name that has had a few hits, and throw it into the premium auctions. Extra $$$? You bet! How's that for ROI.
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    • Profile picture of the author NashRyker
      Originally Posted by flnz400 View Post

      This happens ALL the time... never search for a domain on a registrar unless you intend on purchasing.

      Very often, even Godaddy, will monitor search results, and snag a name that has had a few hits, and throw it into the premium auctions. Extra $$$? You bet! How's that for ROI.
      I have never thought about this, but I bet it happens more than we would like to know about.
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  • Profile picture of the author danielmcclure
    I've heard rumours of this happening. Once I was waiting for a domain to expire and but didn't backorder and forgot about it. About a week later somebody actually sent me an email offering the domain at a premium. I did have a similar address so perhaps that was their source of reasoning.
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  • Profile picture of the author Melkor
    Network Solutions is (in)famous for doing this kind of front running though there are other registrars (RegisterFly, anyone?) who engaged in even more egregious examples of domainjacking.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      This is done on many domain registrars - companies make a good living running software apps that temporarily registers any domain someone has searched for.

      It's simple to avoid - when you find a domain you want, buy it. If you aren't sure what domain you want - go to a site like nameboy and search for available domains with your keywords to find what you want (this doesn't identify your choice - just shows you the choices). Once you find it, go to your registrar and register it right then.

      Chances are if you check next week the domain will again be available if you really want that one.

      kay
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  • Profile picture of the author geosmithny
    I've had this happen as well.Even fishier, I once had name that had been
    registered the very day before I looked it up.Great,now they're port sniffing
    our brains:>(
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  • Profile picture of the author AverageGuy
    I can't remember where I heared this:

    domain registration companies, such as godaddy, they can 'hold' (not sure whether it is the 'right' word) the domain for 10 days or so without paying anything. That's why when we check domain availability, if we did not register it, they may 'registe' it, and try to sell it in 10 days. If it is not sold, then, chances are the domain name will be 'available' again.



    david
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  • Profile picture of the author Curt Dillion
    I've tested NameCheap this way, and it's not being done there. When I discovered that it happened at GoDaddy, I quit using them.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kat Bartone
      Hi Al,

      I've had the same experience with GoDaddy. After a bit of research, I stumbled upon some info that indicated that this sort of thing happens there a lot.

      Since then I've been using NameCheap. I've had no further problems.

      I haven't yet transferred all of my domains away from GoDaddy yet, but working on it.

      Good luck,

      - Kat
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    • Profile picture of the author Adam Kenzington
      My mom isn't very tech-savy. She wanted me to go to Godaddy and register her name (unusual name, rare last name) so she could have an e-mail address/domain with her name.

      I looked and found it available. I called her to tell her. She told me to register it. 15 minutes elasped from the time I searched and my going to purchase. The name was taken. 5 day later it was available again.

      Somebody's playing games, here.
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      • Profile picture of the author davezan
        Originally Posted by Adam Kenzington View Post

        My mom isn't very tech-savy. She wanted me to go to Godaddy and register her name (unusual name, rare last name) so she could have an e-mail address/domain with her name.

        I looked and found it available. I called her to tell her. She told me to register it. 15 minutes elasped from the time I searched and my going to purchase. The name was taken. 5 day later it was available again.

        Somebody's playing games, here.
        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_tasting

        FYI, folks, Network Solutions' ex-CEO was quoted in Infoworld they'll stop the
        original practice of temporarily registering any domain name searched in their
        site but not taken on the spot. It appears they've kept their word, as I have
        not seen them register any domain name I search on their site these past few
        weeks. (unless I missed something...)

        One thing I'm rather perplexed here, though, is why people think an available
        domain name would remain that way by the time you finally do get around to
        registering it. A car dealer or a bookstore can't guarantee the Toyota model
        or the last book copy you want will still be there if you can't buy either on the
        spot, so why do people expect available domain names to stay available until
        they get to it?

        OTOH, registrars like Go Daddy have confirmed of receiving lots of complaints
        from people being beaten to their desired registrations by even a few seconds
        or so. They've already complained about it, one of ICANN's committees have
        decided on a measure to address this, and they recently announced a report
        that that measure appears to be working:

        ICANN | AGP Deletes Down by 84%

        Time will tell, though, if it'll indeed cut down domain tasting, kiting, essentially
        this problem being discussed here. Until then, and as others have said, do be
        ready to register the domain name on the spot.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sonomacats
    This kind of thing has been going on for ages. When I had it happen to me, I made a couple of rules.

    Before going to NameCheap (or whoever) to check availability, list the domain names in order of preference so that if your first choice is already taken, you can snag the next one or the next one that's available.

    BUY IT NOW! Don't put it off for any reason!

    If you don't have the money right now, don't go online to see if it's available. Wait until you have the funds.

    If you can't decide between 2 good ones, buy both of them. You can always do something with the one you don't use (like sell it).

    If you always operate as if some sneak is watching over your shoulder, you won't get ambushed and you're more likely to get what you want.

    I once heard a great line and I'm sure someone knows where it came from (cause I don't remember): Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean someone isn't out to get you.

    If you operate that way online, you're less likely to get screwed. It's not a great way to look at things, but it does save you a lot of headaches (kind of like virtual virus protection)

    Anyway, my condolences. Hopefully you were able to get a good variation on the name anyway.
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  • Profile picture of the author oortcloud
    mind blowing stuff and confirms alot of suspicions.

    So, regarding the original poster's situation, if godaddy
    did jack his domain they couldnt register it in the name
    of godaddy, that would be too obvious. So I guess they
    use this other dudes name. Which may have a deal with
    godaddy, or it might be an employee of godaddy or might be
    be a friend of an employee of godaddy. So this might be
    sanctioned by godaddy or might be some rogue employees
    running scripts on the system.
    Reminds me of the dude who hacked into a online poker
    system and could see everyones cards and won everytime.
    It was a system hack, so the online poker company didnt
    know. So godaddy might or might not know.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dixiebelle
      Originally Posted by oortcloud View Post

      mind blowing stuff and confirms alot of suspicions.

      So, regarding the original poster's situation, if godaddy
      did jack his domain they couldnt register it in the name
      of godaddy, that would be too obvious. So I guess they
      use this other dudes name. Which may have a deal with
      godaddy, or it might be an employee of godaddy or might be
      be a friend of an employee of godaddy. So this might be
      sanctioned by godaddy or might be some rogue employees
      running scripts on the system.
      Reminds me of the dude who hacked into a online poker
      system and could see everyones cards and won everytime.
      It was a system hack, so the online poker company didnt
      know. So godaddy might or might not know.
      ************************************************** **

      Sounds like you just got off the boat. Godaddy has been notorious for this kind of activity for some time. This practice is totally against ICANN rules and got Network Solutions in a lot of hot water a while back. I think they had to pony up some pretty heavy fines.

      I use Moniker for this very reason. I had an incident,one night, where I had searched and found a domain name that I wanted, but then couldn't find my credit card. So I logged off and came back the next morning, certain that it would be gone. Low and behold, there it was, just as I had left it the night before. That's when I decided that Moniker would be my registrar of choice from then on.

      BTW: Searching for domain names at whois.net isn't as secure as you might think. That site belongs to Network Solutions.

      Dixie
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  • Profile picture of the author Eric Stanley
    DEFINITELY something going on. This has happened to me sometimes as early as 30 min.. POOF & Gone. Every time I search for a domain, if its available, I buy it no matter what. It's gotta be scripts searching for what people are searching for. I've searched for some really niche domains and there is no way someone else would have registered that quickly by 'coincidence'
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  • Profile picture of the author Monetize
    This is old news. Keep up with current events and next time you
    decide upon or come across a snazzy domain name be prepared
    to register it right NOW - not five minutes later or tomorrow.
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  • Profile picture of the author JustVisiting
    Yep
    It's happened to me. Could be sheer coincidence of course, but I doubt it.
    Found a great domain, tried the following day to register it only to find it was no longer available.
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  • Profile picture of the author Frank Ayres
    I have never had it happen with name.com.
    Lots of times i search for domains on there and then when i have decided on which ones i want go back days later and they are always still available
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  • Profile picture of the author Simon Johnson
    This sort of thing happens quite a lot. It could be a variety of things:

    * Registrar looking at what their users are searching for
    * Browser plug-in spying on you.
    * Proxy information from your ISP
    * Clickstream data - your ISP selling your data

    The bottom line is that if you see a name that's available, register it on the spot.

    Simon
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  • Profile picture of the author BizBooks
    google for "domain tasting".
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  • Profile picture of the author twistedpixel
    Read "The Domain Game" if you want a real look into the practices of the domain market.

    It's a real eye-opener. Funny thing is, The book portrays the owner of GoDaddy as the one trying to stop the questionable practices among registrars.

    It also hinted that "domain tasting" is no longer allowed due to it's massive abuse.
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  • Profile picture of the author MaryT
    there are sniffer program that can capture your queries, if they are not encrypted the request appear in plain text

    so probably some domainers use these software

    i don't think Godaddy had anything related to the people who snippe these domain names

    Mary
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    • Profile picture of the author AlTheGr8
      Originally Posted by MaryT View Post

      there are sniffer program that can capture your queries, if they are not encrypted the request appear in plain text

      so probably some domainers use these software

      i don't think Godaddy had anything related to the people who snippe these domain names

      Mary
      My Internet traffic could be sniffed by my system administrator while I am at work (which I am sure he's not doing) or by Internet service providers. This is impossible to do for some random domainer. At this point I am pretty sure GoDaddy is involved and I am not usually paranoid like that.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dave Ward
    Stealing Domain Name Research is common in the domain business.

    Top Tips:

    Avoid address bar guessing.
    Avoid search engines that don't make a billion dollars a year in revenue. Many search companies sell their NXD data.
    Avoid browser plug-ins that send data back to the Internet.
    Go directly to trusted registrars and whois companies.
    My tip:
    If you want to search for a domain name go to domaintools.com and search the whois to see if it is free. They do not allow stealing domain name research. but many do.
    Go Daddy claim they do not allow this practice, but Go Daddy have been exposed recently for doing things they claim they don't. I reg names at Go Daddy but I don't ever search there first.
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    • Profile picture of the author Shafiq Kamal
      Same happened to me with Godaddy.
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  • Profile picture of the author DonDavis
    I've had this happen at GoDaddy a few times. I have used NameCheap for quite some time and haven't ran into this. But any more I don't take a chance. If I want it I snag it and don't wait around.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tsnyder
    Look... all these conspiracy theories are fine but it all really
    boils down to the fact that you couldn't make a decision on the
    spot so someone else did... plain and simple.

    As has already been said many times... if you want the domain
    be prepared to act immediately... problem solved.

    Tsnyder
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  • Profile picture of the author WebSlicers
    It happened to me, too. I searched for the availabilty domain that our client wanted and it was available. I called our client to inform him about it and said we could register it for him. Five minutes later, it was already registered so we had to come up with another domain that was similar to the original domain he wanted and registered it right away. Two days later, the domain we originally wanted was available again so we registered it as well. Our client ended up having two domain names. And, yeah, we searched from GoDaddy, too.
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  • Profile picture of the author Platinum Matt
    Godaddy suck. I wouldn't put it past them at all if they had something directly to do with it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jenni Mac
      Psychic Whois

      That's what I always use when searching and I never have any problems whether I leave it a few days or buy straightaway!
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    • Profile picture of the author Anthony Smith
      Originally Posted by Platinum Matt View Post

      Godaddy suck. I wouldn't put it past them at all if they had something directly to do with it.
      What domain registry provider would you recommend then?
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  • Profile picture of the author tommygadget
    Whenever a domain name expires out of my GoDaddy account, I move it to namecheap. I have at least $100 in that account at all times. When inspiration strikes, I register all domains right then and there. I have over 200 now and counting. Some day, I'll prune the tree

    TomG.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan Ambrose
    I'm not surprised one bit that GoDaddy would do something like this.

    I used to use GoDaddy, however there was a technical problem (their end) and they ended up charging me $199 instead of $77. I emailed them, disputed the case with Paypal (they couldn't help me as it was for a service) so I decided to never use GoDaddy again.

    It was an expensive lesson to learn.
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  • Profile picture of the author IMChick
    This is called front running, and it's done quite a bit.

    This happened to me on my FIRST domain purchase--within 15 minutes of my finding the domain! Just awful to feel like someone is pulling a fast one on you. What a heartbreak. Here's how I got around it:

    1. Use goDaddy only if you are typing, clicking 'accept' and buying that domain right away. They will register the domain (temporarily for 5 day, or permanently). Helps the bottom line to sell the same thing back to you for more $$ a few hours later.

    2. use google or nameboy or whois or domaintools (a big third party) for research.

    3. only to onto the registrar site with a short list of your choices, and be prepared to purchase them on the spot.

    4. Grab the domain, don't hesitate, get both or all three if they're similar and you can't decide. You can always develop or sell or abandon them later if it doesn't work out.

    5. Consider reading the terms of service of the domain registrar carefully--GoDaddy can actually 'park' and use YOUR registered domains for their purposes.

    Hope this helps--with my short list and credit card in hand I haven't had any problems.
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  • Profile picture of the author AlTheGr8
    Thank you everybody for your feedback. I heard that Network Solutions was doing something similar - once you find an available domain on their site they were "locking" it so it could only be purchased on their site. I knew that GoDaddy was doing a few things that weren't exactly ethical but this should almost be illegal...
    Thanks again to everybody, I've learned my lesson
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  • Profile picture of the author Bruce NewMedia
    Since November I have had this happen at least twice. Very frustrating.
    I wasn't aware there was a way GoDaddy could tell what names you searched?
    Live and learn.
    ______
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  • Profile picture of the author Texas_Guns
    The above is the EXACT reason why I stopped
    using GoDaddy awhile back and moved to
    NameCheap as well.

    Quite a little back-end secret business GoDaddy
    has there...
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  • Profile picture of the author Leanne King
    Wow! I thought someone was mind tapping me I found a great keyword domain name at GoDaddy couldn't believe it was available! Grabbed a coffee - came back and it was gone .

    Lesson should be buy at the same time and perhaps don't use GoDaddy for your research.

    Leanne
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  • Profile picture of the author BizBooks
    I use

    Instant Domain Search?Domain Name Search Tool

    it gives you live results. they have a secure version too- but I have never had a problem with them snapping up a domain, even after several days.....

    try them- its hard to explain in a few words-- it seraches all possibilities as you type.
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  • Profile picture of the author money2spare
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    • Profile picture of the author AlTheGr8
      Originally Posted by money2spare View Post

      This place is too funny, You people and all your domain conspiracy theories need to give it a rest. You have absolute no proof.
      Originally Posted by money2spare View Post

      But for you to slander a companies name for your failure to act is ridiculous.
      Originally Posted by money2spare View Post

      I will not and cannot believe such stories.
      Then maybe you should to read this...

      GoDaddy Moves To Close Shady Standard Tactics Subsidiary

      It looks like the "conspiracy theories" are more than theories. Read the comments on that post too...
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      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        This domain grabbing is nothing new - but it only affects those who look up domains and then have to go off and think about it before registering. if it happens to you - wait 5-7 days and the domain will likely be available again.

        money2spare may not have worded it delicately but the point is simple.

        It doesn't matter what registrars do this and which don't - all you have to do to avoid the problem is to register the domain when you find it. You can't control what various companies do or what they allow to be done - but the solution is simple and will totally stop the problem for you.

        I don't see this as a conspiracy - it's a business move that's a bit underhanded and if it weren't profitable it wouldn't be occurring.

        kay
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  • Profile picture of the author Derek S
    This happened with me just last week using namecheap.com

    it seriously sucks and gives you that pissed off sinking feeling when you miss out on a kick butt domain name.

    pretty much all you can do is grab it right away. I always search NameCheap in retailmenot.com to get the latest coupon code first.

    crazy to know this happens often
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    • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
      I found NixonFrost.com was available yesterday and kept checking for more domains. I had this thought in the back of my mind that I better just get it now and forget about finding any others because someone may be watching me. lol. I kept searching anyways and found a few other good domains available. Searched some more. I finally went to register them and they all were still available. :-)

      I come across hundreds of names that I want to get though. I can't buy them all so I save them for later on a word pad and just hope others don't get them, including the registrars.
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  • Profile picture of the author TimGross
    I've never had a problem when using Dotster to search/register names.

    Not sure why people seem to continue using Godaddy to research when there's so much anecdotal evidence that there's an issue.
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  • Profile picture of the author pjs
    Originally Posted by AlTheGr8 View Post

    I just wanted to get warriors' opinion on this interesting thing that just happened to me. Last week I found a great domain name that was available. I was surprised that a name like that was still available. For some stupid reason (I cannot stop kicking myself) I didn't register it right away and just decided to do it today. To my surprise it was no longer available. It was registered a few days ago, next day after I found it. I just did a little research on the guy who registered it. It looks like he owns over 20,000 domains. He has a Linked-In profile where he says he owns an "online advertising agency". The Web site of his "agency" lists different online services they offer, mostly marketing, both online and offline.
    The only site I used to check the domain availability was GoDaddy. I also tried putting it in my browser address box. How could he possibly sniff my domain??? I am thinking he could be affiliated with GoDaddy or work for some ISP and monitor DNS lookup failures. I googled for the guy's name and "GoDaddy", his company name and "GoDaddy" but couldn't find anything useful. I know that GoDaddy uses some black hat techniques for registering expiring names but not new domains like this. Any thoughts?
    It's not uncommon for registrars to snatch up domains that users are searching on from their website. Network Solutions got a lot of bad press for this a few years ago.

    I wouldn't be surprised if GoDaddy picks them up or "holds" names that match certain criteria and offer it to their bulk buyers.

    Domains are a big business. I always check domain availability using the public whois system. I do it from the shell, but you can also use domaintools.com
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    • Profile picture of the author AlTheGr8
      Originally Posted by pjs View Post

      It's not uncommon for registrars to snatch up domains that users are searching on from their website. Network Solutions got a lot of bad press for this a few years ago.
      NetSol got in trouble because they were marking domains as registered as soon as you searched for them on their site, which prevented you from buying this domain from any other registrar. You could still buy it from NetSol.

      In this situation - the domain is registered by a 3rd party AND with a different registrar (not GoDaddy).
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  • Profile picture of the author yommys01
    I have had this happen to me recently. I tried to snapp up catchthecheat.com since it was about 2 days to be dropped but it got registered and listed for sale before I know it but checking back 3 days ago, it was available for me to register again and you can guess what happened. I think you should check the domain name again. Chances are it will be available if the Registrar does not get bids for it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jeff Henshaw
    Lesson should be buy at the same time and perhaps don't use GoDaddy for your research.
    It seems as though the lesson is - Don't Use GoDaddy at all - From my reading of this thread.

    Regards,
    Jeff Henshaw.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mo Goulet
    Oh how the old saying is truer than ever...you snooze you lose..I'm sorry you experienced that but you probably will not let that happen a second time....

    I remember watching CNN last year and they were doing a report on the LACK of "Color In Fashion" (Most models you see are white)..well I ran over to my computer and registered ...you guessed it.. ColorInFashion.com and a friend called me 5 minutes later 600 miles away and was crying to me on the phone on how he searched GoDaddy and ColorInFashion.com was available but by the time he registered it, he received an instant email from Godaddy saying there was a privious hold on it and they refunded him his money..I clicked the pay button about 30 seconds before him..He laughed it off but then called and cursed me last month after Obama won the election and they did a big deal on the 150K wardrobe for Michelle..

    You gotta move baby...
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  • Profile picture of the author johnsamuels
    never had this happen to me so far at godaddy, and I'll still use them because the free hosting means I can let a domain age the day i buy it rather than it sitting around until I have time to get started on that project.

    though i sometimes think people put too much value on having the right domain, and too little on putting the hard yards in afterward.
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