What would you do ?

[Mike Cruz]

That's how I feel and, having read most of the other replies, recognise it's why I probably won't make it in domaining. In most countries - France being at least one exception - there's no legal obligation to stop to help someone in trouble, but many people do because they like themselves better that way and find it easier to live with someone they like.

How likely is it that the current owner - a fellow member - has, through pressure of one kind or another, forgotten to renew? If the name really is as good as the first post suggests, why would it be dropped without being offered for sale or auctioned off?

I do think this question was asked in the hope that the answers/comments would be reassuring for someone who really wants this name but would also really like to get it in a completely fair and upright way.

Helping someone on the street from harm is much far different then this situation, can't even be compared. I know damn well someone would take this domain, whether it be the OP or anyone else. If its off to auction, its off to auction...

[MAllie]

Helping someone on the street from harm is much far different then this situation, can't even be compared. I know damn well someone would take this domain, whether it be the OP or anyone else. If its off to auction, its off to auction...

So in this situation, if you don't alert the current holder, you're not even guaranteed to get the name yourself? You might actually be doing a favour for someone who really doesn't need it - someone you mightn't like or respect as much as the owner? Hmmmm.

By the way, Mike, yet another newbie question from me: what is 'the OP'? Of course, it's bound to be something I should have guessed.

[DTalk]

By the way, Mike, yet another newbie question from me: what is 'the OP'?

'Original Poster', MAllie....The guy that started the thread....

.

[MAllie]

Thanks, Chris.

[Mike Cruz]

So in this situation, if you don't alert the current holder, you're not even guaranteed to get the name yourself? You might actually be doing a favour for someone who really doesn't need it - someone you mightn't like or respect as much as the owner? Hmmmm.

By the way, Mike, yet another newbie question from me: what is 'the OP'? Of course, it's bound to be something I should have guessed.

I am not aware of many peoples domains that they own, only mine. But if I see a name I like and its dropping/going to auction and the price is right, I am going to bid on it.

Alerting the original owner (if you know them) might be a good idea if you think this was on accident, but I get at least 3-4 emails before one of my domains gets deleted/drops ~ so if they weren't pay attention to that, then imho this is what makes it fair game.

Set up auto renew for names as valuable as the OP is describing. I think everyone on this forum should know this by now and realize at the end of the day this is all just business.

[MAllie]

That does make sense, Mike. Most of my names are with GoDaddy and I do get plenty of warning when the renewal date is approaching. I presume it's the same with the other registrars. You're right about auto renew also - in fact, any errors I've made have been in having names auto renewed that I had intended to change to manual and drop.

Of course, there is still the chance that a name could have been put on manual renew by someone who is unexpectedly away, maybe in hospital (as happened to me last year). But then I'm not a domainer who has really valuable names.

But I think I'd still alert someone who seems to have made a mistake, just in case, on the basis of the golden rule (though I expect many professional domainers would laugh at my invoking that).

[owntag]

I accidentally dropped a domain name last year (didn't check junkbox) and it's caught by another forum member who knows me well and I helped him a few times in the past. He clearly knows the domain is mine. We had discussed about the domain name on MSN many times and I told him I have received several offers but I will hold for a while. Well, he didn't notify me and backordered it directly and put it for sale with the received offers info that I told him. To be honest, in this case, I'm a bit unhappy.

But anyhow, it's a fair game.

[Mike Cruz]

I accidentally dropped a domain name last year (didn't check junkbox) and it's caught by another forum member who knows me well and I helped him a few times in the past. He clearly knows the domain is mine. We had discussed about the domain name on MSN many times and I told him I have received several offers but I will hold for a while. Well, he didn't notify me and backordered it directly and put it for sale with the received offers info that I told him. To be honest, in this case, I'm a bit unhappy.

But anyhow, it's a fair game.

Now that is just ****ed up...

[Stian]

I accidentally dropped a domain name last year (didn't check junkbox) and it's caught by another forum member who knows me well and I helped him a few times in the past. He clearly knows the domain is mine. We had discussed about the domain name on MSN many times and I told him I have received several offers but I will hold for a while. Well, he didn't notify me and backordered it directly and put it for sale with the received offers info that I told him. To be honest, in this case, I'm a bit unhappy.

But anyhow, it's a fair game.

Karma will get him.

[britishbulldog]

I accidentally dropped a domain name last year (didn't check junkbox) and it's caught by another forum member who knows me well and I helped him a few times in the past. He clearly knows the domain is mine. We had discussed about the domain name on MSN many times and I told him I have received several offers but I will hold for a while. Well, he didn't notify me and backordered it directly and put it for sale with the received offers info that I told him. To be honest, in this case, I'm a bit unhappy.

But anyhow, it's a fair game.

Let me say something just in case people think it's me......

"it's not me"

[owntag]

Thanks, guys. It's not britishbulldog for sure