123reg WARNING

[Bailey]

Yes again - The good communications with Nominet have resulted in their often personal reply being. of "we aren't aware of any problems supposedly here at Nominet, Can you get the person you spoke to at 123-reg to phone me/us) ?

Fat chance that would happen, but you try to give them the benefit of the doubt to a point.

i'll see how I get on with the domains paid but, not renewed on my account, then let you know - If they pull the "registrant details stunt with me" they'll be a backlash I can assure you.

I still love the way they close any ticket raised - because (YOU) didn't follow it-up. What the hell is that about - NO, the issue was raised with you 123. A Ticket No with 123 reg is like a lottery ticket. Pretty likely to be a lost cause from the start.

Heck I need to pull my 500 or so UK domains, and not worry about the lost ones, anyone want a bulk transfer ??

 

[Silverz]

Ok this is a VERY scary thread for me, as I have a few of my own personal 'prized' domains with 123 at the moment.

I am so sorry to hear about this RobM, it's absolutely disgusting to read, but one we can all learn from. Thank you for bringing it to our attention, and sharing with the acorn members.

I would really like the opinion of the experienced members here on a few points..

1. Who do you guys hold your 'gems' with ?
2. How can I make sure this doesn't happen to my domains, as in can I make steps to ensure this could never happen with whoever I hold my domains with ?

If this is not the appropriate thread for this right now, I will happily start a new thread with the same questions.

 

[Edwin]

1. Who do you guys hold your 'gems' with ?
2. How can I make sure this doesn't happen to my domains, as in can I make steps to ensure this could never happen with whoever I hold my domains with ?

1. Directly with Nominet. It's not THAT expensive to become a member, and it gives you the cheapest possible rate on registrations and renewals.
2. See 1

However, if you're not looking to go down that route, DomainMonster.com seems like a pretty reliable, responsive company from all my dealings with them. They're who I recommend to domain buyers if they don't already have a registrar in mind...

 

[RobM]

Silverz most of the guys here have their own tags. It's not expensive or hard to get. That's how we know when someone tries to BS us with nominet policy.

 

[Silverz]

Thanks Edwin, RobM your advice is very much appreciated.

I shall look into this as soon as possible.

 

[Edwin]

You have to first become a member of Nominet
http://www.nominet.org.uk/governance/members/

After that, you can become a registrar
http://www.nominet.org.uk/registrars/becomeregistrar/

 

[grantw]

1) when were 123 going to inform my friend of this 'unheard-of' nominet policy (I know it's rubbish because I have domains with WAY less registration information than most of these)

Unless I'm missing something here, this is Nominet policy but they generally only act on it if it's reported to them:

http://www.nominet.org.uk/registrars/systems/auto/poorqualitydata/

Was any of the registrant info incorrect or not? If it was there's every chance that what they're suggesting has actually happened.

Grant

 

[wb]

Edit: Hadn't read the last reply, was going to post exactly the same as what Grant has above.

 

[anthony]

You have to first become a member of Nominet
http://www.nominet.org.uk/governance/members/

After that, you can become a registrar
http://www.nominet.org.uk/registrars/becomeregistrar/

As has been said countless times before, you shouldn't have to become a Nominet member or registrar simply because the security of your domains is at stake. The systems should be robust and thorough enough for the general public to know their domains are safe, no matter which method the domains have been registered by. Nominet should stand up to the plate and investigate this.

 

[grantw]

Also, going by the Nominet email you posted it sounds like the renewals did go through and the domains were suspended/cancelled some time afterwards - 123 would not have been invoiced if the renewals failed.

Further to that, If the domains were cancelled by Nominet under the above policy then the registrar would not be refunded and therefore I guess neither would the customer.

There's obviously a total lack of monitoring cancellations/notifications from Nominet by 123-reg, but if there was incorrect registrant data you may struggle to get anywhere with this unless Nominets emails to the registrant failed at their end for some reason.

Grant

 

[Bailey]

As has been said countless times before, you shouldn't have to become a Nominet member or registrar simply because the security of your domains is at stake. The systems should be robust and thorough enough for the general public to know their domains are safe, no matter which method the domains have been registered by. Nominet should stand up to the plate and investigate this.

Good, good statement.

I'm guessing 123 thought it could act like our .com neighbours.
The-wild-wild-west.co.uk. lets hope they find a deserved Alamo

 

[bensd]

I thought renewals were automated? Is it even possible that the renewals were rejected based on the contact details (as they hadn't changed since registration of the domains)?

 

[Lovekraft]

Thankfully i moved most of my domains away a long time ago because quite frankly the control panel was a horror to use and at times didn't work at all.

I'm pretty disgusted that they will still bill you for domains they no longer host, taking advantage of peoples ignorance. In my case and my colleagues a few weeks before me they "renewed" and charged for domains that were transferred to another person / provider a long time ago.

Its a bit like if say British Gas were to continue charging me even though i've moved to Npower, they wouldn't get away with it but for 123 it seems like its a law unto themselves.

 

[RobM]

Ok having cooled down and (tried) to look at this subjectively it does appear that it's possible these domains were deleted by nominet due to to 'invalid' registration data. Speaking further with the domain owner some of the domains were registered with only his first name, some were simply registered as 'me'. All, however, had a full valid address and email. If this is the case then it's really just a question of why didn't nominet inform 123 that they were about to delete 200ish domains on their tag and, if they did inform them, why was that information not relayed to the registrant and the domains removed from his account. As it stands I don't think it's fair for me to continue taking sides as I'm not in possession of all the facts and there seem to be a lot of conflicting ideals. I've put the registrant directly in touch with Richard and will not be continuing in the process.
I should point out that Richard has been nothing but helpful regarding this matter and I do believe he is simply relaying what he's been told.

 

[monaghan]

If you had a valid email address, then it is very unlikely that Nominet would delete without first contacting you to update the data.

It is essential that all domains have correct data, this is a condition of the registration

Ref: http://www.nominet.org.uk/registrants/aboutdomainnames/legal/terms/

What you must do

4 You have various responsibilities set out generally in this contract. You must also:

4.1 give and keep us notified of your correct name, postal address and any phone, fax or e-mail information and those of your contacts (if you appoint any, see condition 5.2). This duty includes responding quickly and correctly to any request from us to confirm or correct the information on the register;

 

[fresh79]

If you had a valid email address, then it is very unlikely that Nominet would delete without first contacting you to update the data.

It is essential that all domains have correct data, this is a condition of the registration

Thats what i thought, I had a friendly email from a staff member @ nominet a few months ago, asking me to reconfirm my details, I admit they were sketchy details, now all names are in my full name & address. This sounds like smoke and mirrors from 123 reg and it has spurred me on to move all my stuff to DAILY as of 5 mins ago Goodbye 123 reg

Dear XXXXXXXXXXX

I am writing regarding a number of .uk domain names that you currently have registered in the name of ‘XXXXXX’

As a domain name registrant it is important that your details are correctly listed in our register. The party listed as the registrant is who we consider to be legally responsible for the domain name. The contact details provided are essential for us to be able to contact you if there is a problem with any of your domain names.

It is important that all .uk domain names are registered to a legally identifiable person or company. Examples of this are:

* If a domain name belongs to an individual, the registrant name should be the full name of that person.
* If a domain name belongs to a sole trader, the registrant name should be the sole trader's name t/a trading name.
* If a domain name belongs to a limited company, the registrant name should be the limited company's full name.You can update these details by clicking the Edit option next to the registrant name when viewing the details for that domain name.

You can log into your account at http://www.nominet.org.uk/go/login using the email address we hold for your domain names and password. Please let me know once the update has been made so I can accept these changes for you.

If you have any queries regarding this please see our website at http://www.nominet.org.uk/registrants/aboutdomainnames/DQIP/

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please contact me on 01865 332244 or email [email protected].

I agree with Bailey that Richard has stuck his neck out on the line here on acorn & fair play to him for doing so, It makes me laugh how you don't get anywhere if you go through the 123 support ticket system, yet if you make a splash here on acorn, 123reg will follow up your query/complaint and even make an apologetic phone call like they did with me last week. Its almost as if they are 2 different companies, 1 for regular suckers who get shafted and 1 for tag holders and domainers

 

[D600]

I've had domains removed and transferred without my authorisation to other 123 reg accounts just because they were asked by someone who phoned up nobody checked or anything.

 

[monaghan]

I've had domains removed and transferred without my authorisation to other 123 reg accounts just because they were asked by someone who phoned up nobody checked or anything.

Referring back to my earlier post (http://www.acorndomains.co.uk/domain-name-registrars/101129-123reg-warning-3.html#post387004)

Why do more domainers not join Nominet? Today the thread is 123, tomorrow it will be another budget registrar, however, the issues will keep bubbling up. If you don't have the cash in the bank, sell a domain or 2 and join up now, transfer your portfolio to your own TAG and you are then in control.

 

[sdsinc]

Ok having cooled down and (tried) to look at this subjectively it does appear that it's possible these domains were deleted by nominet due to to 'invalid' registration data.

Maybe your case has specific circumstances but I don't think that explains all the problems that so many people have experienced with 123 :roll:
Like the failed (but unreported) registrations.
Their system is buggy, end of the story. Fix it.

BTW 123 is not the only registrar that is bug ridden.
They have have a bad track record for years, but they don't seem to be doing anything about it. Are they waiting for a disaster to happen ? The UK's largest registrar doesn't have money for reliable software ?
Worse, they actually defend their deficient password scheme as some sort of usability feature. Scary... they have no clue really...

 

[wb]

If this is the case then it's really just a question of why didn't nominet inform 123 that they were about to delete 200ish domains on their tag and, if they did inform them, why was that information not relayed to the registrant and the domains removed from his account.

As far as I know, Nominet will contact the registrant directly. 123-Reg would not be involved in the message-relaying.

Why do more domainers not join Nominet? Today the thread is 123, tomorrow it will be another budget registrar, however, the issues will keep bubbling up. If you don't have the cash in the bank, sell a domain or 2 and join up now, transfer your portfolio to your own TAG and you are then in control.

Completely agree.

Whilst public registrars should all be excellent at security and support, many will simply not be (this comment isn't aimed at this thread, as it looks like 123-Reg have stated the correct facts rather than made an error). You can either realise this fact and hope you have no issues personally or do something about it.

For those interested, it's useful to know that getting a tag with Nominet to become a registrar costs nothing. If you can't afford the joining and membership fee straight away (allowing you to get cheap registrations and renewals), renew your domains approaching expiry before transferring them to your tag. This should give you some extra time.

You could of course keep transferring domains in/out of a public registrar to/from your own tag for cheaper fees, however it slightly defeats the purpose of joining to have full control independently.