I had a ".com" domain name which was pending deletion. My plan was simply to re-register it with a new hosting provider the day it expired. I knew exactly which day that would be.

HOWEVER -

It never became available. Domainsite.com *somehow* registered it immediately. I never got a look-in. Not a chance.

The domain is NOT desirable to anyone, it is a word I made up myself:

http://www.haxorcist.com

There is no reason for anyone else to want it. How did this company do this? And why?

I just don't get it. As it happens, I don't actually need this domain name - it's more of an inconvenience. But the principle makes me REALLY mad! Any ideas?

This has really taught me a lesson on domain expiration.

All domain registrar auto renew domain names if clients failed to renew.

This domain wasn't registered with them. It was registered with a British company.

You were wrong by assuming

The domain is NOT desirable to anyone

May be someone made up that word too, or the domain itself had some traffic, a PR? Or they just like the name.

Even with the question mark at the end, this is a very serious allegation, esp. to an ICANN-accredited registrar. And you should really do more homework (thorough research) first.

Once it expires anyone can renew it, including your registrar as it it is up gor grabs. The way to ensure retention after it enters the redemtio/pending deletion window is to renew the domain and then transfer it to the new provider. Otherwise once that grace period is over it's up for grabs. What they may have done is frustrating, marginally unethical but certainly within the regualtions.

Originally posted by Mitsurugi
I had a ".com" domain name which was pending deletion. My plan was simply to re-register it with a new hosting provider the day it expired. I knew exactly which day that would be.


That was a BIG BIG BIG mistake to make. Never EVER EVER allow a domain to expire. You WILL lose it.

People register domains for all sorts of reasons, including existing traffic. No domain is safe from being snatched up by somebody else. The only way to make sure you keep a domain is to renew it (and then transfer it elsewhere if you wish - but ALWAYS renew first)