so i am using namecheap to find a domain. i search and search and finally find a domain that suits my needs. i sleep on it before buying it. the next day i decide to go ahead but wait.. it's been taken. by namecheap. and instead of being $10, it's now "make an offer"
thanks ICANN...
are there any registrars who have pledged not to do this?
You search for domain names using the DNS system itself, via the command line and nslookup or dig. You only go to a registrar once you've identified a name that is not in the DNS, to see if you can buy it.
Is this 'perfect'? No, you'll sometimes find a name that's owned, but has no entry in the DNS system. But you'll also avoid telling disreputable registrars what names you might be willing to buy so they can then decide that the name is "in demand" and raise the price on you.
Why? There's WHOIS servers, that's how you know if a domain actually exists.
And if they did snipe it, why wouldn't they list it for sale? What good does registering tons of domains that people search for and then just... not selling them to the people who wanted them?
It's a baseless accusation.
You yourself said it wasn't.
> it's now "make an offer"
"make an offer" shows up for all registered domains, clicking it will show you:
"Powered By DomainAgents"
"This domain is not listed for sale, but you can still make an offer. DomainAgents will track down the domain owner, present your offer, and bring them into the negotiation."
> the whois record shows name cheap as the owner
You mean it shows up as the registrar?
Like this:
> Registrar: NAMECHEAP INC
And possibly:
> Registrant Name: Redacted for Privacy
> Registrant Organization: Privacy service provided by Withheld for Privacy ehf
(that meaning you don't know who actually registered it.)
Do you want to disclose the domain?
