Jan102008Look out for Network Solutions
Network Solutions, one of the original domain registrars, is apparently playing a nasty trick on people who use their Web site to search for a domain name. According to Domain Tools blog, Network Solutions is temporarily snatching up the names of domains when a visitor searches for that domain’s availability. This means you can’t register the domain with any other registrar (like GoDaddy.com, for instance) until the domain name is released 4 days later by Network Solutions. It’s an attempt to force you to register with Network Solutions. What’s worse, is the domain name is then exposed to the rest of the world, and unscrupulous domain traders can snatch up the domain name when the 4 day grace period passes–meaning you can lose out on your perfect domain name if you use Network Solutions to search for available domain names.
I just tested this out, in fact, and it’s true! I searched for a .com domain at Network Solutions and was informed that it was available. A moment later, I went to godaddy.com and searched for the same domain, and what do you know? It was taken–by Network Solutions!
You can read more about this at: http://blog.domaintools.com/2008/01/network-solutions-steals-domain-ideas-confirmed/.
My advice: AVOID NETWORK SOLUTIONS.
6 Responses to “Look out for Network Solutions”
Phil January 14th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
I ran into the same issue with them, so I called them about it.
They said that they do it to prevent people from “sniping”, or looking over your shoulder while you’re checking domain names and then stealing the name from you.
Riiiiiiiggghhhhhhht.
daka January 23rd, 2008 at 3:04 pm
i have had this experience …not only with network solutions, but poss w/ godaddy as well. i have recommended to people that they be ready to purchase a domaine name if it is available. in other words, don’t test availability of names you are interested in, if you aren’t ready to purchase them. right then.
I wanted to purchase a name, a few weeks after i had considered and checked on availability. all simple-type names i had entered into the panes and got availability answers were no longer available. and get this: not only was one of my (”plum”) names was not only purchased, so no longer available…but an offer was made to me, if i wanted to purchase it, for an outrageous amount of money.
neuralfire February 3rd, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I also have had this problem with Networks Solutions and at GoDaddy. Unscrupulous cybersquatters (internal or external to the web hosting sites) will quickly grab a name, especially if you search for it several times over a few week period. While I have had websites hosted by both, I still feel that GoDaddy is much more reasonable once you have chosen your domain name. When you need to research domain names, first create a list of available names while using the Internic WhoIs site:
http://www.internic.net/whois.html
After this is done, you can go to the web hosting site of your choice and register the name. And for what it’s worth, Network Solutions is not worth it.
arthos April 4th, 2008 at 9:16 am
anyone know a site where i can get help with dreamweaver cs3 missing manual lessons?
airwire May 11th, 2008 at 11:28 am
GoDaddy is not the best hosting solution. 1and1 offers better prices and service, and their website is easier to navigate.
When creating a response form for one website, we had problems due to the quirks of GoDaddy’s implementation of PHP. You can see one forum’s rants at
http://www.karakas-online.de/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8653
I also dislike the sexist attitude of GoDaddy’s CEO, as reflected in their past Super Bowl ads.
Zee January 10th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
I’ve never had so much trouble with any company as I have had with Network Solutions. (I was dealing with them when trying to change my client’s name servers; I didn’t voluntarily choose to work with them.
) They are, in almost every way, evil. Plus, they charge at least twice what you pay for the same thing at many other web hosts.
This is just icing on the I’ll-never-use-them-again cake. Thanks for he heads up!
~Lindsey