Help! My domain is being held hostage!

[Svenskaflicka]

I set up a web account with Resurser.com. I paid the fee $3,95 for it, and got a very strange looking web account where nothing worked properly.
I could upload pages I had made in Dreamweaver, but none of the links or the images worked, and the page wouldn't even understand basic HTML such as background colors.
I mailed them a short note, asking for help, and they informed me that I had to register for a domain (which I thought I had already done), and that this would cost me another $11,95.
I got a severe case of cold feet from all this trouble and fuss, and asked them to delete my account. I didn't want any domain with them, I'd fix it with another web hosting company.

I set up an account at B-one.net instead, and they very quickly provided me with codes and everything I needed for my new web site - BUT, they couldn't move my domain, as Reurser.com had put a Registrar Lock on it.
I mailed Resurser.com and asked them to remove the lock, so that the other company could move my domain. Resurser then told me that I had to register for the domain, and that it would cost me $11,95.
I told them that I DIDN'T WANT to register that domain with them. Would they please delete everything, so the domain would be available again?
Now I got a new message:

Hi,
The domain has already been registered by us, for you. The domain is registered at enom.com, (the largest domain registry in the world) and cannot be deleted until the domain has expired. (this takes 12 months) EVERY domain has to be registered, and this registration gets paid for in yearly increments. The domain in question has been registered already by us, (for you) and has one year of registration left. If you wish to have this domain, you need to send us, (the registrar) $11.95. Just to confirm, your domain is registered with enom.com.

Thanks Kindly,

The Resurser Support Team

Not only have they registered the domain against my wish, they also claim that it can't be removed for 12 months! I was initially told that there would only be a one-month lock!




Dear Americans - you're good at this - please teach me; how do I sue their ass off?

 

[Svenskaflicka]

*bump*


Help!

 

[BlackSnake]

What's the link? I'll check it out. But it looks like you've been ripped.

 

[pop_54]

Wish I could help love... but I know nothing about this sort of thing, other than I don't trust any online establishment that charges fees... we all have to pay some... but I never feel at ease with many of them, because as you've found the extras begin to pile up as soon as you try to use the system or whatever.

 

[BlackSnake]

*bump*


Help!

Always register your domain name yourself. You can point it at any web server that you have.

I'm using GoDaddy.com right now.

 

[BlackSnake]

Found this on their site

Term
You agree that the Registration Agreement will remain in full force during the length of the term of your Domain Name Registration. Should you choose to renew or otherwise lengthen the term of your Domain Name Registration, then the term of this Registration Agreement will be extended accordingly. This Agreement will remain in full force during the length of the term of your Domain Name Registration as selected, recorded, and paid for upon registration of the Domain Name. Should you choose to renew or otherwise lengthen the term of your Domain Name Registration, then the term of this Registration Agreement will be extended accordingly. Should you transfer your domain name or should the domain name otherwise be transferred due to another Registrar, the terms and conditions of this contract shall cease and shall be replaced by the contractual terms in force for the purpose of registering domain names then in force between SLD holders and the new Registrar.


Modifications To Agreement
You agree, during the period of this Agreement, that we may: (1) revise the terms and conditions of this Agreement; and (2) change the services provided under this Agreement. Any such revision or change will be binding and effective immediately on posting of the revised Agreement or change to the service(s) on our web site, or on notification to you by e-mail or regular mail as per the Notices section of this agreement. You agree to review our web site, including the Agreement, periodically to be aware of any such revisions. If you do not agree with any revision to the Agreement, you may terminate this Agreement at any time by providing us with notice by e-mail or regular mail as per the Notices section of this agreement. Notice of your termination will be effective on receipt and processing by us. You agree that, by continuing to use the Services following notice of any revision to this Agreement or change in service(s), you shall abide by any such revisions or changes. You further agree to abide by the ICANN Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy ("Dispute Policy") as amended from time to time. You agree that, by maintaining the reservation or registration of your domain name after modifications to the Dispute Policy become effective, you have agreed to these modifications. You acknowledge that if you do not agree to any such modifications, you may request that your domain name be deleted from the domain name database.


Modifications To your Account
In order to change any of your account information with us, you must use your Account Identifier and Password that you selected when you opened your account with us. Please safeguard your Account Identifier and Password from any unauthorized use. In no event will we be liable for the unauthorized use or misuse of your Account Identifier or Password.


Domain Name Dispute Policy
If you reserved or registered a domain name through us, or transferred a domain name to us from another registrar, you agree to be bound by the Dispute Policy which is incorporated herein and made a part of this Agreement by reference. The current version of the Dispute Policy may be found at http://www.Resurser.com.com/docs/dispute.html. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with this policy.


Domain Name Disputes
You agree that, if the registration or reservation of your domain name is challenged by a third party, you will be subject to the provisions specified in the Dispute Policy in effect at the time of the dispute. You agree that in the event a domain name dispute arises with any third party, you will indemnify and hold us harmless pursuant to the terms and conditions contained in the Dispute Policy. For any dispute, you agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of The Province of Ontario.

 

[Svenskaflicka]

So what should I do? Are there any lawyers in the audience?

I don't have any money, but I could pay you in cyber-sex.

 

[Weird Harold]

Not only have they registered the domain against my wish, they also claim that it can't be removed for 12 months! I was initially told that there would only be a one-month lock!

Have you contacted Enom.com? If the domain is regitered with them in your name, then they should be able to get around the lock.

 

[tolyk]

The courts of ontario? This is a Canadian company that she has registered with?

I'm in Ontario, I can look up some information.

Now, you originally paid them $3.95, and all that gave you was the ability to upload files, not able to access them at all?

Upon inquiring into that, they informed you that you needed to pay 11.95 for a domain name. Had you already specified a domain name that you would've wanted prior to all this which would've made them register it in advance to you paying that 11.95? If not, I cannot see why they would advance register it. That, is bad business, because they are losing out on money due to you changing your mind about their services.

You had not expressed interest in purchasing their 11.95 package, they tried to force it upon you, correct? Internet peddlers.. what fun.

Anyways, I'll look up some more on them.
A good domain registry company I've found is registerfly.com by the way. Just for a sidenote.

 

[tolyk]

After looking into it all, I notice that they distinctly list Domain Registration as an Extra/Add-On, they should NOT have went ahead and paid for it in advance.

But something that DOES come in the package that you are already paying for...

Also Included

30 day guarantee
Fast and friendly customer service


Take advantage of that 30 day guarantee, quote it as many times as you can, the quicker you can get out of there (hope it hasn't already been over 30 days since you registered...) the sooner you can tell them to fuck off..

You merely asked them a question, seeking information. If they think that will hold up as a valid arguement for pre-purchasing your domain name, I highly doubt it. If you took that to small claims court, you would win. You'd probably get your domain for free, for that year at least, until renewal fees are required with enom (who don't charge 11.95 by the way, thats an inflation so that Resurser can make money, but of course..)

But, the thing is, taking them to small claims court would end up costing you money in legal fees and so on and so forth.. SO, what you do, is talk the talk, and act as if you will take them to court (don't even say small claims, just court) if they call your bluff, then you can always go to small claims, it won't cost much in the end, and it will be worth it to put them in their place.. But if they fold, instant place putting. They were in the wrong for registering your domain, I cannot emphasis that enough.. But Svenska, for future warning, never say the name of your domain again to any company unless you plan on registering.. Just a trust issue.

Good luck on that 30-day guarntee Maybe you can even get your money back.

 

[Svenskaflicka]

*kisses Tolyk and Weird Harold*

You are super-intelligent men!

 

[tolyk]

*kisses Tolyk and Weird Harold*

You are super-intelligent men!

No Svenska, just motivated

So what should I do? Are there any lawyers in the audience?

I don't have any money, but I could pay you in cyber-sex.

 

[Svenskaflicka]

LOL

Well, a promise is a promise...


This is what I just wrote to them:

On your website, you claim that you offer "30 day guarantee" and "Fast and friendly customer service".



I want you to live up to your promises.



I didn't understand that my original payment of $3,95 only covered the web account and not the entire site. Had I realized from the start that I would have to pay a total of $15,90, I would have looked up another web server company from the start.



And now that I've informed you that I have found a better company that wants to set up my site, you keep my domain hostage so that it can't be moved nor deleted and re-invented! With what right, I ask?

No-where on your site does it say that there's a minimum period of 12 months for a domain to be registered - in fact, the page where I found the link to your site in the first place, http://guider.idg.se/guide/hotel/vi...780&price=50&orderBy=name&order=asc&offset=0, it says that the minimum period is ONE MONTH. Again, had I known that there would be a minimum period of 12 months, I would never have chosen your company!



I suppose I have no chance of getting back the money I've already paid, but I want you to remove all locks on "pollyjuice.com", so that I won't have to take this to a higher level.

Hopefully, they will bother to give me an answer this time.

 

[tolyk]

Looks good

 

[Svenskaflicka]

The "higher level" I talk about, is ofcourse, Sverker Olofsson at Plus...


(You'd have to be a Swede to get this one!)

 

[tolyk]

The "higher level" I talk about, is ofcourse, Sverker Olofsson at Plus...


(You'd have to be a Swede to get this one!)

*laugh* Thats a good one heh heh heh

Sverker Olofsson is hosting Plus, which is a consumer oriented program that try to protect the consumers (I have swede friends so HA )

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Tolyk, that's cheating!

 

[tolyk]

Tolyk, that's cheating!

Hey, I use what resources I have You called it intelligence a few posts back

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Just like the Brits call their spy organisation the British Intelligence...

 

[tolyk]

Just like the Brits call their spy organisation the British Intelligence...

Low blow... low blow..

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Does that mean you don't want your prize?

 

[tolyk]

Does that mean you don't want your prize?

Well, is it another "low blow"....

*chuckle* Anyways, just glad to be of help, and to get a couple laughs at the same time Keep me informed about what they do, if they give in or anything, its very interesting.

 

[snooper]

I hate to rain on the party, but anyone can register any domain name they like for any reason they like (with a few exceptions like *.gov). Lots of people went out and registered names like ChaseManhattan. biz (I think that was one, but don't sue me if I'm wrong) and then made money by selling them to the "rightful" owners. A very few large organisations have successfully won cases against such 'entrepreneurs' but it cost them.

Moral ownership of a name is difficult to justify. Take McDonalds for example. In Scotland (among other places) here are a number of people whose name actually is McDonald and several of them own restaurats, some called McDonald's. The US chain of junk food establishments has wasted a lot of money trying to get the courts to order them to change the name of their establishments, especially the ones which were open before the junk food chain opened its first sweatshop in Scotland.

 

[Teenage Venus]

I don't have any money, but I could pay you in cyber-sex.

looking forward to it

I had the same problem. I was polite and got nowhere. I'm a bitch, so informed them that unless I got a favourable reply within 48 hours, I would use my company to bulk email every news group daily, informing them of the rip-off they were purpetrating, also post in 'reader's letters' and inform all the computer magazine editors I could find, asking them to warn their readership to take care if using that company. I also warned them that I would ask 'web police' to investigate the rip-off, and inform enom.com of their con.

I received a reply the same day apologising for the 'misunderstanding' and saying the 'lock' had been removed.

If politeness doesn't work, use a bloody big stick

 

[Svenskaflicka]

"You can get much further with a nice word and a big stick, than you can by just a nice word".

Thanks for the tip, TV!

Right now, my other web company, aka The Good Guys, are going to try to steal my domain back from enom.com.

If that doesn't work, I'll try it your way.