Domain Issue

[1writer]

Hello Cybertech.

I have a problem and have only found brick walls in attempting to resolve it.

I'm a domain administrator and have had the same domain since 2002, it's for business purposes. My domain was set to expire on the 5th of this month and I paid my renewal fee, as usual. I have used this company since 2002.

The registrar took my money and my domain expired, anyway. They did not send a receipt, I've not received any response or acknowledgment at all. I used the Paypal company and have their receipts from the transaction, but not my registrar. I submitted two "trouble tickets," with the registrar and only got auto-generated responses that they will get to it. They're supposed to respond in 24-48 hours. They don't.

I know there's a period of 42 days, or something like that, before anyone else can take my domain, but it's ridiculous. I am completely out of answers. I've tried contacting their parent company and have had no reply. I tried calling their technical support and can only get an answering machine. I'm not about to leave messages that way when they won't even respond to an email. They give you several departments when you call and every one results in the same message.

I've tried contacting Paypal and they said their policy doesn't cover services like this. I've even gotten desperate enough to contact the BBB.

I just can't believe I worked 4 years on this domain only to have it result in this kind of situation. Is there any place online for help in something like this? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[renegade600]

sounds like your only recourse is to sue.

[1writer]

Thank you, renegade. I've considered that, too.

Is there any way to ensure the domain doesn't "get away?" That's my greatest concern right now. If someone else purchased it, even though my registrar accepted payment for it, would they be able to take it?

Thanks again!

[renegade600]

its tough to say without knowing more about it and who the administrar is. does the domain still work or has it stopped?

[1writer]

The registrar is Dotmaniac.com. It's owned by Interlink Group, Inc. My web site is www.laurawrites.net.

I have two small domains I just started earlier this year and they are working great.

The big one though is the one that's down, of course.

I've considerd attempting a transfer, but I'm not sure if I could do it since Dotmaniac accepted payment. I can't access anything in my control panel with the registrar, either, so I couldn't change anything at all as far as that goes.

[renegade600]

to change stuff at your site use the ip address you were given when you first signed up.

Its going to be messing, keep a copy of all your emails, day and time of your phone calls and everything else.

One place you can contact that might be able to help is tucows since they are the Registrar of Record.

[1writer]

Should I tell tucows about the situation entirely?

Is there any particular support area I could notify at tucows? I know they are a large group. Or do you just submit issues to a general address?

Thanks.

[rockboy]

I found this info by looking up your domain at dnsstuff.com:
Registrar: TUCOWS INC.
Status: REGISTRAR-LOCK [the normal status for a domain when it is locked]
Dates: Created 05-jun-2002 Updated 06-jun-2006 Expires 05-jun-2007

It looks like the domain has been extended for a year even though the whois info hasn't yet been updated. That gives you time to find a new registrar if they keep giving you problems.

The tucows domain help page ( http://domainhelp.tucows.com/ ) says:
"If you have problems contacting your service provider you can go here ( http://changeprovider.tucows.com/ ) for assistance."

High volume registrars can be a pain to get a personal response from. Keep trying and good luck.

[1writer]

Thank you, rockboy.

I've emailed them. I'll post again when this has resolved and state how the problem was fixed.