Speaking of Web hosts...

Stay away from the bargain-basements

[madcat]

When I started I picked a host I could afford, el cheapo. Since that time all of my sites are hosted by a great company. I registered the domain name through el cheapo- and it's come time to move and upgrade the site to people who are better suited to drive motor vehicles.

Problem is, I can not get in touch with them in any form or fashion. Telephone, email or helpdesk-- All ties have been cut off and I've been cast out. It's amazing that the site is still up.

I'm trying to transfer this domain name to the new registrars- but they need approval from the technical contact- me, if I could get them to change the WHOIS information. Of course, they are currently holding this position.

Is there anyway that we can bypass this dilemma. Times running out here.

Thanks for any suggestions...

[mivox]

The only contact they should need approval from is the administrative contact... Contact the registrar directly, if you know who the host was reselling for.

[Dreamquick]

Tony's rule #1 of buying cheap stuff you need support for - try their support services before you buy. Yes there is no escpaing the fact you get what you pay for but at least you can ensure you aren't getting totally cheated...

The cheap webhosting I bought a while ago seems to have people who although they don't list a support number are willing to reply to emails rather intelligently at even weirder hours than I work.

On the plus side if it's a .uk domain you might be able to pay to have the people that deal manage .uk change it for you;

[nic.uk...]

Sorry I couldnt find a nicer link but it's getting late...

-Tony

[JayC]

Contact the registrar directly, if you know who the host was reselling for.

Mivox is right, and you should be able to figure out who the actual registrar is by viewing the whois data for the domain. Each of the registrars has procedures for handling these situations, and depending on which registrar it is and how persuasive you can be the might do anything from making the changes you want right away; to trying themselves to contact the host, making you wait for a couple of weeks.

I once even got NetSol to change the password on a client's domain for me by picking up the phone and asking them. Then I had to fax them a statement on the letterhead of the company referenced in the domain name, and it just took me five minutes to create a logo in FireWorks and put it into a "letterhead" in Word.

[madcat]

Thanks for all your help. I'm banking on a couple of weeks ;)

[madcat]

So, it's been a couple of weeks since I've tried to contact el cheapo to relinquish control of my domain- no responses. The registrar insists that I get in touch with them. The website is still up. Is my domain name in limbo? Will I have to wait for it to expire to regain control. It's possible for the registrar to step in and grab it for me?

[martinibuster]

There's no contact information on el-cheapos whois data?

I needed a number once and that's how I got it. I ran their domain name past the whois.

Have you researched ICAAN? They may have some procedures laid out there that you can follow. (pretty dense web site, though).

[madcat]

yeah, I've tried to reach them on every possible channel. emails are non-valid addresses, their support telephone message sounds like they're talking down to children (and they've stopped servicing telephone calls), and their helpdesk panel has been disabled. *Amazed site is still up*

hopefully the real registrar can do something about this. I'll check ICANN-

i wish there was a site where we could post who these people are- i would hate anyone else to fall into this trap.

[ritch_b]

madcat - is this the same domain that's in your profile?

[madcat]

no, it's one of those in the client page though?

[ritch_b]

Aah - now I see & I assume it's the domain which is not with Westhost you're having problems with. As such, what I was going to say won't apply so I'll go and sit in the corner for a while instead!

R.

[madcat]

How's that for a plug ;)