Lost a backordered domain

But, I backordered it with the current registrar

[matt900]

I found it odd that I lost the domain yesterday, when I backordered it with the registrar that was dropping the name. How can another registrar get the name from them first? I know people suggest backordering a name with multiple services, but I kind of thought my chances were extremely good, being the same registrar. It wasn't really a high value name, but a variation of a similar name to one I already own. In case it helps...I backordered with GoDaddy (the one it was dropping from) and apparently eNom got it from them.

[anallawalla]

Large registrars use a script to scan backordered names and to grab them as soon as they are available. GD would probably have a huge list, even if they chopped it up by day. I think that a smaller registrar that didn't have a large list of sites to monitor would be quicker.

[Lexur]

It happened to me too and I just thought backordering and those related things are for domainers, not for simple webmasters.
I said bye to my 28$ and moved on.

In others words, backordering is very near scamming. I falled once, not twice.

[edited by: Lexur at 5:54 am (utc) on Sep. 6, 2007]

[stu2]

1. I think when you backorder a domain at GD, it actually has to drop. OK. They know the exact microsecond it drops, but it's conceivable that another snatcher gets in before them.

2. They were sleeping at that moment.

3...

[Laker]

when I backordered it with the registrar that was dropping the name

Matt, it is the Registry that drops the domain name -- not the Registrar.

(The previous registrar is sorta like the "last known address" of the domain name.)

[algari]

So Matt900, next time que up at eNom. Forget about 'same registrar' bit.

[amznVibe]

As several have said, the domain first has to return to the registry pool.

But also, GoDaddy/Wild West is notoriously the worst backorder system available.

Depending on who grabbed it, it might be someone just "tasting" it for traffic.

Check it again in several days (or keep it backordered).

[edited by: amznVibe at 5:22 am (utc) on Sep. 14, 2007]

[callivert]

I called Godaddy a couple of months and asked them about this. They said they can't guarantee the domain even if it's them, because they have to actually drop the name, which makes it a free-for-all. The guy said that Godaddy do have an advantage with Godaddy names, because unlike the other services, they know exactly when it drops.

btw you didn't lose your money.
If you have a backorder at Godaddy and they don't get it for you, you can switch that order over to backorder a different domain (in the "monitoring and backordering" section). So you can keep moving the same backorder around until you are actually successful with one.

[Laker]

The guy said that ... because unlike the other services, they know exactly when it drops.

[cough]

[amznVibe]

btw you didn't lose your money.
If you have a backorder at Godaddy and they don't get it for you, you can switch that order over to backorder a different domain

I believe they sneakily changed the rules a year or two ago and that credit expires after a year or so. I had some backorder credits in my account and they are no longer there (and I had not used them up).

[Laker]

I believe they sneakily changed the rules a year or two ago and that credit expires after a year or so. I had some backorder credits in my account and they are no longer there (and I had not used them up).

In my foggy recollection, I remember something about that too. That said, on the GD site it states
"DomainAlert® Pro Backordering: ... If you don't get the name, you don't lose - just re-assign to another name."

The 'fine print' in their legal agreement says, in part:

"By using the Services, You will be able to, among other things:

"Change your back order until you obtain a domain name. You will have the opportunity to change the credit to a different domain name until you successfully capture one. After three (3) years, if the credit is not used, Go Daddy reserves the right to remove the credit."

Their other service, "DomainAlert® Pro Monitoring" (which is included in the "Pro Backordering") is purchased for a one-year term.

[edited to add terms of legal agreement]

[edited by: Laker at 3:19 pm (utc) on Sep. 14, 2007]

[matt900]

Yeah, I've actually lost a few, but kept it backordered and then I get it after the tasters check it out. Sometimes it will switch between a couple different registrars before I get it. The only ones I did get are not very generic and more specific to what I'm doing though.

I think every single dropping name I looked at, went through at least one taster before actually dropping.

I guess the lesson is that if I really want a good name that is dropping, it has to be done from one of the $59+ companies, where it might then go into an auction. They must have the fastest servers or something.