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.

February 20, 2008 | Filed Under internets |

Comments

2 Responses to “Network Solutions Hijacks Domains”

  1. Dave Zan on February 23rd, 2008 6:03 am

    Hmm, I wonder how can one steal from another what the latter never owned to begin with.

    And no, I’m not with Network Solutions. I don’t use their services, but I sometimes find it disappointing when people spread unfounded assumptions as some kind of “gospel truth”.

    But then, some people believe whatever suits them, even if it’s flat wrong. Oh well…

  2. rwoodrum on March 2nd, 2008 11:04 am

    Hi, Dave.

    I recommend you read the linked posts of what Network Solutions was doing when they first started these shenanigans. Originally, the domains were being exposed in such a manner that they would end up on lists for people to snipe when Network Solutions’ temporary hold came off.

    Clearly this is only my opinion and not some sort of “gospel truth” as you have stated, although I firmly stand by everything I’ve said. At issue is the fact that Network Solutions is using their power as a registrar to force internet users who query via their website to purchase from them.

    Let’s pretend you’re at the library looking for a book on Widgets. You search and find a book, go to find it on the shelf, but it’s not there. Confused, you go to the librarian and ask to check the availability of this book. The librarian, seeing your interest in the book, has checked it out. “I’ll lend you this book for 1 dollar.”

    You don’t have to pay to get the book; eventually it will be released. This is exactly the same as querying for a domain on Network Solutions and then going to buy it on Godaddy. Network Solutions charges 35 bucks, Godaddy say 20 bucks. The librarian is charging you 1 dollar, normally it would be free.

    You’re telling me you wouldn’t cry foul?

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