Using escrow.com to safely purchase a domain name

Has anyone used this service successfully?

[Krapulator]

The company I work for are about to purchase a domain name from a company in the US (we're in Australia) for quite a substantial sum and this company have suggested we use Escrow.com. Has anyone ever used this service? Are they a reputable company in the US?

At the moment I'm getting a page not found error trying to visit their site, which does not fill me with a great deal of confidence.

[tedster]

Very reputable - this forum is full of accounts from people who use them with satisfaction.

I'm not having any problems accessing their website right now, from the US.

[ogletree]

They are great. I used them for a $10K purchase.

[submitx]

I have used them for 5 transactions. Highly recommended.

I am able to access site ok from California.

[Webwork]

Used them about 25+ times.

Here's where people go wrong: They don't insist on a transfer of the domain and, instead, allow the seller to simply update the WhoIs record. The WhoIs update is all that Escrow.com looks for. Very bad to allow this to happen. Make certain the domain is transferred into an account that you create and to which you have exclusive access.

Also, there have been some horror stories of late regarding domains paid for using stolen credit cards, so if you are on the selling end caveat emptor. I would believe that Escrow.com is vigilent in this regard, but do your own due diligence.

My preferred payment on both ends is a wire transfer to Escrow.com. Payment by check takes the longest.

[Krapulator]

Many thanks for the advice!

[Essex_boy]

Ive used them to buy items from unknown firms and had no problems, Id use them again

[ogletree]

The one I bought was from some guy in Korea.

[CajunBlaze]

I have used them without any issues. I was worried at first since the seller was out of the US and at first wanted a lot of money for it. But not showing much interest paid off. Escrow worked just like it should have. Happy customer here.

Good Luck.

[powerchuter]

No problems, would use them again!

[freeflight2]

used them + can recommend them, very painless procedure.

[TinkyWinky]

Totally agree - used for about $50,000 worth of domains and never had a problem.

They even emailed me to check everything was good my side on the last one when I forgot to release the cash :)

Defo recommend

[Macro]

Just don't call them. They're a useless bunch when it comes to telephone replies. I've discovered that over the last few days.

1. I point out to them a serious mistake on their site and even the supervisor doesn't understand the simplest thing so I left it ... and I'll let them discover it the hard way.

2. The seller of a site got the price wrong (trying to split the escrow fees 50:50). I spoke with Escrow, they agreed to change the amount and even emailed me confiming the new, lower amount. I sent them a fax authorising them to debit my card for the lower amount. But they debited the higher amount and are essentially now saying "tough sh*t". I can take it up with my card issuer - who'll ask them for a copy of my fax - but as it's only $30 and I've spent too much of time trying to explain it to them via email, I'll probably just leave it. :(

[Macro]

As a follow up to my previous post, and to be fair to Escrow.com, I must say that the matter has now been resolved satisfactorily. It did take a few frustrating emails back and forth but they've agreed that some mistakes were made and that they'll refund the escrow fees on this occasion.