Transferring domain

[Steve202]

My uncle has got his domain and hosting with a company called Web Mania however he can't access his site. I've had a look into it and it appears the domain expired in November but Web Mania have billed him for it and he's paid.

I've tried to contact Web Mania but they aren't answering the phone or replying to emails. Is there a way to transfer the domain over or renew it via another company?

 

[bdw]

You can't transfer it if it has expired and you don't own the registration. Why not try registering it with another company to see if it is available?

 

[Steve202]

If I try and register with another company is just says unavailable.

 

[bdw]

Webmania advertise 24/7/365 support. Keep at them.

 

[akirk]

what type of domain is it?

.xx.uk and nominet may well be able to move it for you
.xxx (e.g. .com) and it is more difficult...

you may also find that webmaina are not the actual registrar (esp. if not a uk domain) and therefore there may be a 3rd party company able to help

Alasdair

 

[thetime22]

because when a domain expires it stays in a holding pattern for a few months. Then you get the option to buy it back for twice as much... THEN it's released. It's far more complicated than it should be though.

 

[akirk]

because when a domain expires it stays in a holding pattern for a few months. Then you get the option to buy it back for twice as much... THEN it's released. It's far more complicated than it should be though.

once expired - the owner of the domain / previous registrant has first right of refusal...

Alasdair

 

[Steve202]

Webmania advertise 24/7/365 support. Keep at them.

I'm going to give them a ring after 11 as the their website says they only accept support calls between 11am and 6:30pm

what type of domain is it?

.xx.uk and nominet may well be able to move it for you
.xxx (e.g. .com) and it is more difficult...

you may also find that webmaina are not the actual registrar (esp. if not a uk domain) and therefore there may be a 3rd party company able to help

Alasdair

It's a .com

because when a domain expires it stays in a holding pattern for a few months. Then you get the option to buy it back for twice as much... THEN it's released. It's far more complicated than it should be though.

If either my uncle or myself can't sort it with web mania, how long does it until it gets released?

 

[Steve202]

I've finally spoken to someone and from webmania and their response, there was a problem with the billing system and so the domain hasn't renewed, speak to our billing department. So I sent an email to their billing department last night and still haven't heard anything from them.

I've just spoke to someone via live chat and they said to contact them via their postal address and there is no point ringing the telephone numbers provided as they don't work. When I asked for a landline or a telephone number that does, he said he doesn't know it, and so I asked him if he can find one and the answer was no.

I think at this point there is little use in getting web mania to renew the domain, so I'm just hoping I can renew it as soon as it becomes available.

Is there anything my uncle can do, such as getting trading standards involved?

 

[MH-Nick]

Trading standards won't care I'm afraid, though I am surprised how you're being fobbed off by a company that advertises its 16 years old.

I suggest looking up the domain expiration/deletion process, as its quite lengthy and has several different stages. Or PM me the domain and I'll let you know.