SnapNames and Moniker Return Domain to Prior Owner After Winning at Auction
On June 26th, 2008, I was looking at the domain name auction listings at SnapNames and saw a domain name that caught my eye. For some reason, I just “liked” the domain. So, I bid on it. Apparently I was the sole bidder, so I won the domain, fair and square, for $99. It was promptly put into my Moniker account.
Now, today, on July 18th, 2008, I get what I would call a “disturbing” email from SnapNames:
Good Afternoon Bill,
Thank you for previously bidding and winning the auction of XXXXXXXXXXX.com, unfortunately that domain was erroneously included in an auction. You have been refunded for your purchase and the domain has been returned. I apologize for the misunderstanding.
Thank you,
Jonathan
SnapNames
I was kind of dumbfounded. “Excuse me?!?!!!” I thought. I won a domain name, have been using it for nearly a month, and the prior owner comes back and claims it? I checked the whois information and, lo and behold, the domain is no longer in my name. Furthermore, a call to Jonathan at Snapnames goes right to voicemail; how convenient that he sends an email late on a Friday and conveniently is away for the weekend.
This is totally unacceptable in my opinion. I won the domain name, at an auction. It is my understanding that this domain name was not renewed by its prior owner. I backordered the domain name, Snap acquired it, and I purchased (and paid for) the domain name.
The domain name should be mine. SnapNames, could you please explain to me how you can possibly return a domain name to its prior owner without my knowledge?
I have read the SnapNames Legal page and I cannot find anywhere where a domain name can be returned to its prior owner.
Would someone please explain to me how Snapnames and Moniker can award me a domain name that I paid for and then take it away from me, without my knowledge, some 22 days later? Wow, this kind of reminds me of the Cowboys.com domain name fiasco that I wrote about a while back.
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Jul 19th 2008
Yes it’s not just you, that seems totally unfair and unaceptable. If it has all been reversed the’re probably isn’t much they can do for you. But never the less you should kick off about it!
Jul 19th 2008
Unfortunately the answer to your question lies in your agreement, Bill. Sorry to read what happened, but that sort of thing does happen.
Again, unfortunately, there’s really no way to ensure it doesn’t happen again. I read of a similar case with Network Solutions returning a domain name to its registrant for this exact scenario.
Someone is going to be unhappy one way or the other. But a hard choice had to be made under those circumstances.
I’ll be blogging about this shortly.
Jul 19th 2008
GoDaddy did some uncool things too. I have payed 4 domains (.me) from them and after 3 hours i get mail that say – the domain names was already taken when I purchased them..
Jul 21st 2008
Why do they even have all the legal mumbo jumbo when they do things like this one. I guess you could do something, if you really wanna bother with them, because you have every right to do so. I read about some bad stuff from Godaddy on this matter, it seems this happens from time to time.
Jul 21st 2008
It’s terrible to hear about what happened to you Bill. With the recent news of a Godaddy V.P. bidding against it’s own customers in domain auctions, it’s becoming more apparent that the domain registrar business is a little more shady than we may have thought it was.
Jul 22nd 2008
What a terrible thing happened to you. Very sad. I really didn’t know that such thing happen till your post. And i can see this is not the first time.
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Strange thing really is they took it from you after 20+ days. Why they didn’t do it right after auction ? Other way it could be explainable
Jul 22nd 2008
this really sucks! I mean, you had full control on the domain for 22 days, and then BANG, the take it away from you. Did you managed to develop it ?
Jul 23rd 2008
Yea that’s really unfortunate. Too bad you had to give it back.
Jul 24th 2008
that is just ridiculous? how is everything going right now? are you going to make further actions about this? i hope that you get your justice…
Jul 30th 2008
For a mistake like this they should at least have to explain it to you in person. Make sure you get to the bottom of it.
Aug 5th 2008
That is like a used car dealership making you return the car you bought 22 days later because the former owner wanted it back. That would never happen and just because the product is electronic there seems to be far less control over your property.
Aug 20th 2008
How did it end? Have you got your domain back? Have you done something to get it back?
Nov 20th 2009
say goodbye snapnames.