Stocdoctor said:
Seems to me they should honor all existing snapbacks and remove those from consideration. Auctions should be on new snapbacks only.
Correctomundo! Which begs further attention to the remainder of your post:
It always amazes me when these services feel they can change the game mid-stream, and apply those changes to services already contracted previously.
Barring some blanket caveat in their prior (and no longer accessible) user agreement which allows them to completely subvert the most fundamental of trade practices, Snapnames would seem to have no legal right whatsoever to retain funds entrusted to them for the purchase of traditional Snaps; nor, perhaps, to summarily abandon their contractual obligation to deliver, as represented at the time of sale, on existing Snaps reserved.
I take no issue with their right to adapt their business model. But those who purchased traditional Snaps did not do so with the intent of banking future auction capital. A prior announcement with a client-optional refund policy would have been simple, proper and in accord with acceptable business practices.
Fact is, no domainer is likely to challenge these abusive business practices because funds on account will undoubtedly be used in forthcoming auctions. But that doesn't make it right. Although subject to review of the prior (now inaccessible) user agreement, the courts would likely grant class-action status to a well-prepared claim alleging bait-and-switch retention of client funds and abandonment of its contractual obligation to deliver reserved domains caught to their current subscription Snap-holders.
Snapnames' improper and, perhaps, illegal conduct in this matter would not be tolerated in a traditional business environment. Consumer protection agencies, backed by law, would swoop with staggering ferocity. But of course, lemming domainers won't rock the boat that floats 'em, so Snapnames will get away with bait-and-switch sales practices, contractual misrepresentation and misuse of client monies.
Snapnames has betrayed its clients. And
this client is pissed.
