Hmm. I think I've done something a bit silly. [Archive]

No Nonsense

15th October 2009, 20:00

Hi guys - I've been lurking here for months now but only just got around to signing up because I have a bit of a problem.

When I first got around to thinking about setting up my business a couple of months ago I bought the .co.uk domain when I got my hosting, which is all fine. At this point I remember that the .com was free, but stupidly I didn't buy it - nor did I even consider it for a while.

Anyway, now I get round to trying and it says it's taken, so I run a whois search on it and I think it says it's owned by Go Daddy, which strikes me as a bit odd. So I go over to Go Daddy myself and type it all in and it says - somewhat predictably - that it's already taken. Thing is, it's letting me do something called 'backorder' it. I'm not entirely sure what this is. Can anyone advise me on what this means and whether it would be worth it?

I suppose it's not a massive issue if I don't have the .com domain but it'd be nice to have the peace of mind.

Thanks a lot in advance.

Liam

paultnl

15th October 2009, 20:12

How much are they asking for it?

No Nonsense

15th October 2009, 20:15

Only $18.99, but I'm loath to pay for something if I don't understand exactly what it is.

paultnl

15th October 2009, 20:21

for that price I would say get it and have the peace of mind.

MH-Nick

15th October 2009, 20:26

The domain has been registered by a domainer in the hope you contact them and buy it. Godaddy's "backorder" service simply means if the domain isn't renewed in 1/2/3 years time then Godaddy will keep pinging the registry during a short period when the domain is dropped from the registry and available to buy. There are many companies that offer this service and non can guarantee the result.

You'll have a better chance at contacting the current registrant now and putting in an offer, though its not likely to be cheap (especially if they know you're using the .co.uk version for commercially).

No Nonsense

15th October 2009, 20:29

The domain has been registered by a domainer in the hope you contact them and buy it. Godaddy's "backorder" service simply means if the domain isn't renewed in 1/2/3 years time then Godaddy will keep pinging the registry during a short period when the domain is dropped from the registry and available to buy. There are many companies that offer this service and non can guarantee the result.

You'll have a better chance at contacting the current registrant now and putting in an offer, though its not likely to be cheap (especially if they know you're using the .co.uk version for commercially).

Hmm. That's what I suspected

Well, never mind. If they're trying to get money out of someone then this 'domainer' has chosen the wrong company, because I haven't got any!

eventdomain

15th October 2009, 21:05

If contacted by this person, then never, ever give them any money. This will land them with an unuseable domain....

MH-Nick

15th October 2009, 21:11

This will land them with an unuseable domain....
... And you without it.

Wouldn't say that was the smartest move. End of the day, you want the domain.

eventdomain

15th October 2009, 21:39

Wouldn't say that was the smartest move. End of the day, you want the domain.

But they don't want the domain really, and that's my point.

This goes on a lot. So what will you do if they go "We want £10k for the domain" ?

MH-Nick

15th October 2009, 21:51

But they don't want the domain really, and that's my point.

The OP does want the domain, hence the point of this post.

Anyway, now I get round to trying and it says it's taken

This goes on a lot. So what will you do if they go "We want £10k for the domain" ?

That's what the domainer business is. You could say its not fair when they state a high price, but that's business.