Registrar hijacking/withholding domain

What to do?

[orangetwist]

I've registered domain names and even hosting with a certain registrar for years (hosting with them prior to becoming a reseller myself). Things had been smooth sailing until January 08 - I had a domain name of little consequence up for renewal, and because it looks good on my resume I renew it. The PayPal transaction went through, my account was debited for the <USD$10, but the site was down, even though it pointed to the correct hosting.

While this site by itself is not a terrible problem, I do have sites registered through this registrar that are due in June 08. Steps taken: obviously, contacting the registrar. Months of emails completely ignored, albeit the tone of the emails grew consistantly more agitated as time passed, but in no way crossed the bounds of civility. Provided the transaction ID proving that payment went through, but still strict silence from the registrar. Also mentioned that even if payment was not received to please provide the authorization code to transfer the domain to another registrar. And cited the non-payment ICANN statement in the recent WW post. Again with no response. Contacted PayPal. Response: claims made on non-physical goods are not within their perview. Contacted ICANN -- waiting their reply.

What recourse does a person have if a registrar suddenly decides to not cooperate? It's not a question of wanting to scam anyone -- the payment for the domain was made in time of its renewal, I'm not looking to fool anyone here, just looking for the domain that has been renewed for the past 5 years and wondering why this year there is a problem. I provided them with the transaction ID so they could check up on it, to make sure that the payment went through. Their silence is a bit suspect, but something to be brushed under the mats so long as the control of the domain purchased was given back. I realize this is a bizare situation; at the same time does anyone have any suggestions?

[Laker]

Arrrgh ... it does sound frustrating.

Have you tried calling them?

[orangetwist]

No phone number listed. Funny, there was one when I started with them x years ago; not one now.

[orangetwist]

Gross isn't it? Maybe the thread should be retitled "When good registrars go bad"

[Laker]

Have you checked the registrar's contact information against The Accredited Registrar Directory [internic.net]?

[orangetwist]

If they're not listed there (they're not) what recourse do I have? How would one find out who they're affiliated with? The future domains in question are through DIRECT INFORMATION PVT LTD D/B/A PUBLICDOMAINREGISTRY.COM

[orangetwist]

(please delete if unacceptable to post direct information)

[orangetwist]

Plus, checking with wayback is yielding no phone number...

[Laker]

PUBLICDOMAINREGISTRY.COM is listed in the InterNic Registrar List. (Unless you meant that this is the new, gaining, registrar you want to transfer the names to.)

Registrar Contact Information:

Directi Internet Solutions Pvt. Ltd. d/b/a PublicDomainRegistry.com

Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

There is more information you ought to read about them here [internic.net].

Hopefully after you explain the situation, they will be able to assist you.

[edited by: Laker at 2:20 am (utc) on April 21, 2008]

[orangetwist]

I will try the number -- what I'd previously listed was for the former registrar. Thank you for the phone number! I'll try again Monday (US-CST) morning.

Will reply in the morning, received a message that the call could not go through.

Many thanks, Laker!