Hi,

I know this question has been answered somewhere, I just don't know where. If you do, just post a link and I will be very grateful.

I recently lost a domain that I'd been waiting on for years (it's not anything especial; it just has sentimental value to me). This person (we shall refer to him as "punk" from now on) took this domain and I don't know why (I honestly don't know why anyone else would take this domain, the last guy that had it didn't do anything to it!). Currently, the site is not parked (i.e. the main page of the site just shows a directory listing). How long does the site have to be like that before I can reclaim it and stick it to this Mr. punk? Where are such rules listed? I've searched a decent amount, but can't find much useful info.

Thanks in advance,
Hawk

There are no such rules.

I could be mistaken, but I read that you can't just get a domain name and leave it blank. You have to create a site or something, which is why domain parking is availible. Otherwise you could not hold on to the domain and leave it blank.

you are mistaken. I have some domains that to you may appear blank as they have no web sites, they are used for other purposes. Web sites are not the only services on the web. I get emailed offers to buy them at times that begin 'as you are not doing anything with ....'
but I am!

You also can get a name and not do anything with it. It used to be you did have to have at least two nameservers assigned to a domain, that does not seem to be enforced anymore though.

Well, it sucks that I can't get the domain, but thanks a lot for the info.

jbw is correct. Just for future reference, if a domain is expiring that you want it is best to try and use a back order service like Pool, Snapnames, Clubdrop, or Namewinner.

Originally posted by HawkBoy
Well, it sucks that I can't get the domain, but thanks a lot for the info.

I agree it stinks. There have been a number of domain names that I thought: "Cool! That domain is expiring soon and it's not being used..." only to find out the owner re-registered it.

You could always try contacting the owner and asking him if he's willing to sell it to you at a reasonable price. Maybe if you have a nice altruistic reason he just might. Of course I've tried that a bunch of times with no effect but it's always worth a try.

You could always try contacting the owner and asking him if he's willing to sell it to you at a reasonable price. Maybe if you have a nice altruistic reason he just might. Of course I've tried that a bunch of times with no effect but it's always worth a try.

It is definitely worth to contact the owner, try to find out if he has any plans for the domain. Don't sound desperate or give him an offer right away but first try to convince with your sentimental issues for the domain. I have been wanting a domain for sometime so I can donate it to someone. But the owner refused to sell it and he only has free email signup page since 3 years.

Yes, that sucks, but it happens ALL THE TIME, c'est la vie. My advice: get over it and move on.

You didn't lose the domain, because you never had it.

I did contact the owner. I told him that I wanted to make a personal site (which is true). He told me to give him an offer. The domain is a 6 letter long ethnic name (believe me, you haven't heard it. Most ppl can't even pronounce it right after they do!), but I wanted it, so I offered $50 USD. Then the guy came back with some BS about them getting a bid for $25000 USD!!!! Now, I'm fairly new to this, but I've looked around here and seen some domain appraisals. I find it hard to believe that that domain (6 letter ethnic name that no one knows with NO traffic) is worth $25000 or that someone is crazy enough to pay that much for it. So, I told the guy I didn't believe him (I wasn't rude or anything) and that was it. It's a shame really. I want to use it, they're not doing anything with it, and they're being a-holes just because they got there first (I even gave them a good offer).
What sucks is I could have had it. It was availible through the registrar of the previous owner, but I didn't want to sign up with them because I didn't like them. I was waiting for it to be release to other registrars when this guy took it (he didn't do it for 7 days after it expired, so I don't think he was that interested anyways). Now I have to wait another year (hopefully the a-hole won't renew).

Wow, that's a load off the chest :)

Think of domains as if they were real estate. It doesn't matter if it's used or not (which BTW you can't assume only because there is no web page associated to it). The owner can do with it whatever he pleases as long as it's not illegal. Just get over it and find another name, or another TLD... Good luck.

Originally posted by HawkBoy
It's a shame really. I want to use it, they're not doing anything with it, and they're being a-holes just because they got there first (I even gave them a good offer).
I'm afraid you have made a mistake in the bargaining process. $50 is never a good offer (although their claim of getting a $25k bid is probably not true either). If you are really serious about getting it, at least make a 3-digit (low to mid hundred) offer. If you are not willing or able to do so, then you just have to let go.

Yes, "just because they got there first", and I thought that was how things work not just for domain names but also for most other things in life.

Good tip on the 3-digit thing.

As for the first come first serve, that IS how things work in life. But a decent person would not make another's difficult for no good reason. I'm trying to be fair and have both sides happy. I highly doubt the person in question will get a better offer, and I also doubt he will do anything that requires the mentioned domain (this would become apparent if I gave you more info about the domain). Trying to rip people off just because you can is not acceptable to me (even if it is legal). But then again, I still have hope that there's some decency left in the world.
But that's not the topic of this thread and this is not a place for this kind of discussion.
Thanks to everyone for their help.