For Sale snapnames blows sometimes

[crabby]

Snapnames is supposed to inform me of any changes in the whois data for names I've bought snaps for. However, one name was renewed by the current registrant (the whois shows the new expiration date), and I've not received any update about it from Snapnames. If I hadn't checked it myself, I'd still have that worthless snap on the renewed name. For $69, one might think I didn't get what I paid for.

 

[Deleted member 2020]

I have been notified of all the backlog of changes to WHOIS information by SnapNames during the last 24 hours.

No doubt the delay was due to all the changes in the whois information/format.

 

[GeorgeK]

I think the WHOIS updates are only weekly? Kjel might want to confirm this....

 

[hellstrom]

You instant get a message from snapnames when whois is changed.
Is it internic's whois that shows new expiry date?
If so do a whois in the registrars whois database to be sure.
Internic shows some false dates(which maybe isn't reported by snapnames).

 

[crabby]

Netsol's whois showed the updated expiration date, but over 24 hours later I still hadn't received notice of the change from Snapnames. I only have a few snaps (thought I'd try it), so it's easy for me to monitor those names daily.

Makes me think they might also be asleep at the wheel if and when any of the names actually drop.

 

[Deleted member 2020]

They pick up a lot of names, and they have to be very quick to do this.

But they *are* slow in informing of WHOIS changes, including renewals.

I often find that a name has been renewed before SnapNames tell me.

But I think they normally send out their alerts within 24 hours or so of changes (excluding this last week).

 

[.com.net.org]

Maybe because of new Status implementation.

 

[buddy]

I think the WHOIS updates are only weekly? Kjel might want to confirm this....

George, the whois updates on names with Snaps (back ordered) occurrs whenever there is un update in the whois record. Sometimes there could be a lag. Also I have noticed that Snap Names have problems detecting updates in the whois with certain registrars such as Go Daddy. But they seem to do a pretty good job with Regsiter.com and Verisign. But it is still not to perfection.

 

[crabby]

Snapnames and Netsol encourage whois surfers to buy snaps on names based on out of date whois data. Examples:

Netsol Whois for PLACID.COM:
Registrant:
Placid S.A (PLACID-DOM)
Rue du Paradis 21
Braine-l'Alleud,1420
BE

Domain Name: PLACID.COM

Administrative Contact:
Eric, Belvaux (BEI45) [email protected]
Placid SA
Rue du Paradis 21
Braine-l'alleud &
1420
BE
+32.2.3851465 (FAX) +32.2.3851743
Technical Contact:
Belgacom Skynet DnsMasters (SDA9-ORG) [email protected]
Belgacom Skynet SA/NV
Rue Carlistraat 2
Brussels
BE
+32 2 7061311
Fax- +32 2 7061312

Record expires on 22-Jun-2001.
Record created on 21-Jun-1996.
Database last updated on 1-Feb-2003 11:26:14 EST.

Note the expiration date "22-Jun-01". By the way, someone had a snap on it as recently as yesterday.

Now check out the Tucows whois data, and note the expiration date:

Domain Name: PLACID.COM
Registrar: NETWORK SOLUTIONS, INC.
Whois Server: whois.networksolutions.com
Referral URL: http://www.networksolutions.com
Name Server: NS3.SKYNET.BE
Name Server: NS4.SKYNET.BE
Name Server: NS2.SKYNET.BE
Name Server: NS1.PLACID.COM
Status: ACTIVE
Updated Date: 21-jun-2002
Creation Date: 21-jun-1996
Expiration Date: 20-jun-2003

What? Expiration date is different, "20-jun-2003".

It sounds like Snapnames will gladly sell you snaps even if you are basing your decision on faulty whois data. I learned the hard way about this, and foolishly paid for two snaps based on Netsol out-of-date whois data.

Buyer beware.

 

[crabby]

There are more examples of the Snapnames/Netsol out-of-date whois system, such as BLUES.COM, I didn't think it necessary to post the handful of examples I am aware of.

Hey, it may seem like a small thing, but these small things never seem to work out to the financial benefit of the consumer.

 

[chatcher]

The registry whois is technically correct. When a domain name expires, it is automatically renewed for another year by the registry, and the registrar is charged for the renewal. If the registrar deletes the domain name within 45 days after expiration, they are refunded the cost of the auto-renewal.

So if a domain name expired on January 31, 2003, today the registry whois will show an expiration date of January 31, 2004 (because of auto-renewal), but the registrar whois will still show January 31, 2003 (since the registrant has not renewed it). They are both correct from their own perspective.

Now if a registrar is really messed up, like Netsol, they may "forget" to delete within 45 days, and their whois could show a date months or even years behind the registry whois expiration date. The registry will keep auto-renewing the domain name every year until the registrar says delete.

Add to that the fact that the registry whois and many registrars' whois are not updated in real time and it's very easy to purchase a snapback on a name that has been renewed or re-registered.

The Tucows record above is actually showing the registry whois record (whois.internic.net or whois crsnic.net). They do this because they have no authoritative data and netsol won't let them connect to its whois to show registrar data.

 

[Chad]

>>snapnames blows sometimes

Its the times they dont blow that make it all worth it

 

[NamePopper.com]

Right now - I wouldn't be too surprised of anything that happens with SnapNames - or any other drop service or registrar. There are some very weird things happening lately - both with drops - and also with 'whois' records.

So I wouldn't fault them for anything going on right now. There is just weird things happening everywhere lately - and I don't think that anyone is immune to it. Not even the great folks at SnapNames.

 

[buddy]

Now if a registrar is really messed up, like Netsol, they may "forget" to delete within 45 days, and their whois could show a date months or even years behind the registry whois expiration date. The registry will keep auto-renewing the domain name every year until the registrar says delete.

If this is the scenario for Netsol, it would basically be the same thing as they are doing now for some domains. Except the whois record will show that the domain has not expired. The good thing is that the fee the registry charges if they don't delete the names within 45 days, will discourage Netsol from holding too many names. Let's just hope their accounting and management people are not sleeping

Also it seems like the adding of one year by the registry is not in place for all domains, at least not yet. Check this whois:

Domain Name: XXXXXXX.COM
Registrar: NETWORK SOLUTIONS, INC.
Whois Server: whois.networksolutions.com
Referral URL: http://www.networksolutions.com
Name Server: B.NS.INTERLAND.NET
Name Server: C.NS.INTERLAND.NET
Name Server: A.NS.INTERLAND.NET
Status: REDEMPTIONPERIOD
Updated Date: 30-jan-2003
Creation Date: 22-dec-1997
Expiration Date: 21-dec-2002

 

[chatcher]

When the registry whois shows "REDEMPTION PERIOD", it means the registrar has deleted the domain, so the registry has changed the expiration date back one year (removed the auto-renewal).

The good thing is that the fee the registry charges if they don't delete the names within 45 days, will discourage Netsol from holding too many names.

The only problem is that Netsol (the registrar) and Verisign GRS (the registry) are both owned by Verisign. So the money just goes from one hand to the other.