Network Solutions Hijacks Domains
I dislike Network Solutions. I dislike them because their website is sub-par in terms of usability and because they charge ludicrous amounts of money to register domains. Not until but a few moments ago, however, did my ire for Network Solutions aspire to new heights.
Before, I just thought they were kinda crappy and overpriced. Now I place them in the category of down-right Despicable Internet Neighbors. Why this sudden angst? I’ll tell you why…
Network Solutions will hijack your domain and hold it hostage. Do not query for domain names using the Network Solution’s website! They will immediately register the domain for a period of four days, according to this blog post, and force you to purchase it only from Network Solutions. For a whopping $35.00 for one year.
Just watch:
rwoodrum@slard:~$ whois networksolutionsisshit.comWhois Server Version 2.0 Domain names in the .com and .net domains can now be registered with many different competing registrars. Go to http://www.internic.net for detailed information. No match for "NETWORKSOLUTIONSISSHIT.COM". >>> Last update of whois database: Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:53:32 UTC <<<
Now I scamper off and use the Network Solutions Is Shit website to see if my domain is available. Within about a minute, what do I see? Take a gander:
Domain Name: NETWORKSOLUTIONSISSHIT.COM Registrar: NETWORK SOLUTIONS, LLC. Whois Server: whois.networksolutions.com Referral URL: http://www.networksolutions.com Name Server: NS1.RESERVEDDOMAINNAME.COM Name Server: NS2.RESERVEDDOMAINNAME.COM Status: clientHold Updated Date: 20-feb-2008 Creation Date: 20-feb-2008 Expiration Date: 20-feb-2009>>> Last update of whois database: Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:57:38 UTC <<<
Wow. Network Solutions is seriously shit. Now I go to GoDaddy, a real registrar, and the domain is not available. Nope, it has been sealed down with a $35.00 price tag.
Dear Network Solutions,
I will make sure no one I know is ever your customer. You have wronged the Internet and now you shall pay.
Update: After reading this comment on the domaintools.com blog, I decided to give Network Solutions a call. Here’s the transcript:
—14 minutes 39 seconds on hold—
14 minutes 39 seconds later…
I spoke with Amanda. The conversation went like this:
Amanda: Thank you for calling network solutions. Can I have your domain name please?
rwoodrum: Well I’m trying to register a domain but you guys placed a hold on it when I looked it up on your site.
Amanda: Let me take that off of there for you.
rwoodrum: [amazed she knew exactly what I was talking about and was doing exactly what I wanted]
Amanda: I assume you don’t want to register the domain with us?
rwoodrum: uhhh, no
Amanda: That should come off in the next few minutes but it could take up to 24 hours.
—2 minutes later—
Domain freed.
I told my story there as well.