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My Domain No Longer Exists

Members of the ISP-Webhosting list explain why nobody should try to transfer a Network Solutions domain that is about to expire—you could get stuck with nonexistent property and a headache.

[June 20, 2001]

On the ISP-Webhosting list in May, BR queried,

"I have a domain I registered at Network Solutions about three years ago, and it recently expired. When I attempted to register the domain with a different registrar, the whois states that it is still 'taken', even though we are past the expiration date. What gives? I was hoping that I could simply let the domain expire, then register with someone else."

Though there was some discrepancy about the specifics, everyone agreed that BR would have to wait:

[JM warned] "A registrar will generally place the domain on hold for about 45 days after expiration. This gives the original domain holder a bit of protection against losing the domain name. During that period, you'll have a tough time moving the domain to another registrar. You're pretty much forced now to pay Network Solutions, then move the domain to the other registrar."

[PF countered] "They'll hold the domain name for as long as 90 days, then they'll often try to auction it off to the highest bidder. Remember, Network Solutions owns the domain names they register."

[JA contended] "Network Solutions holds expired domains for 100 days. You are free to renew the domain at any time in that period."

Others noted that had BR acted sooner, it would have all been a lot easier:

[RJ advised] "It would have been far wiser to transfer it to the new registrar long before it expired. You don't lose anything; the remaining time with the old registrar is added to the time with the new registrar. You then don't have to worry about the time it takes for the domain to be released, or risk someone else registering it before you do. This way, you always maintain control."

[EJ agreed] "Your best bet would have been to transfer it."

JM offered a somewhat risky backup plan:

"Your other option, if you don't think there's a chance that anyone else is going to want the name, is to wait the 45 days, then see if it's made available again. The trouble with this strategy is that Network Solutions is notorious for holding on to expired domains indefinitely."

—End