Bought a name and now SnapNames gives it back to the orginal owner

Unbelievable

[dataguy]

8 months ago I bought a moderately expensive domain name from a someone who had it at SnapNames. Instead of transferring the name to me, he gave me his login credentials for his SnapNames account and I logged in and changed everything to my name.

He recently forgot he sold it to me so he contacted SnapNames and said he couldn't get into his account. They changed the account back to his name!

The seller seems to be an honest guy and I think I'm going to get the name back, but right now I'm at his mercy. He has my domain name and my money.

I can't believe SnapNames would do something like this. Is this common? Any advice on what to do if the original seller doesn't give me the name back?

[Webwork]

Not so common. I haven't read or heard about this.

OTOH, I've never paid serious money for a domain that I didn't transfer to my registrar/account. What were you thinking? :( (Okay, he "seems to be . . honest . ." Don't we all? :P)

To borrow a (paraphrased) line from Star Wars: "Use the phone, Luke. Use the phone!" I'd get on the phone to SnapNames and the seller and have my proof of purchase documents (email, PayPal screen shots, whatever) in order and ready to forward to SN.

Call SnapNames today - Sunday - if the domain and your money matter. I'm sure it's an honest mistake. As sure as you are, at least.

If the seller doesn't give it back then lawyer up in the seller's backyard. Get a lawyer where he/she lives and get ready to travel to bring this (potential) SOB down . . hard . . legally. Nothing quite gets my adrenaline pumping as a fraud and a thief.

[edited by: Webwork at 3:45 pm (utc) on Jan. 11, 2009]

[bwnbwn]

He recently forgot he sold it to me so he contacted SnapNames and said he couldn't get into his account.

Man that is sneaky I know it has to be a set up as there is no record of the sale to the register (why wouldn't they get him the rightful information to "his account") no record of account change, no nothing other than a credt card charge. My foot this guy forgot you have been had.

You never said anthing about a Bill of Sale if you don't have that signed by him with the domain name in the bill of sale a lawyer won't really do ya any good either.

I am like Webwork you better get to work but I have a bad feeling this is not gonna turn out good as you just got taken.

Please let uss know we are wrong when you can find out more on this. I am sorry for your being trustful got ya here and we can use this as a lesson for all of us "never trust a stranger"

[KevinBoss]

He forgot he sold it? This is a common domain scam. Always transfer your domains.

[edited by: KevinBoss at 5:04 pm (utc) on Jan. 15, 2009]