What is standard practice as a drop catch service customer?

DarkSky · Jun 12, 2013

Hi,

I'm not a domainer, nor do I have any interest in becoming one, but every now and then I identify a domain I wouldnt mind catching (although it's not particularly important).

Can anyone tell me what the standard procedure is with regard to drop catching. In particular, is it usual to pay up front? what happens if it isnt caught? is the money usually refunded? put on credit (not any use to me).

I see some ask for a nominet transfer fee, I'm confused about this as I assumed that the domain has been detagged/dropped and is free to register, that it would be registered in my name and therefor no owner transfer necessary.

Any tips appreciated.

Cheers

Skinner · Jun 12, 2013

Payment is varied, some ask for it upfront, some ask you to buy non-refundable credits (which can be used until you catch), some ask you pay prior to Transfer.

The nominet transfer fee is because most catching systems catch in the OWNERS name NOT your name, so you have to pay nominet £10+VAT for them to change it.

Some catchers can and do catch in the bookers name but not many as loading different IDs can cost valuable microseconds.

Systreg · Jun 12, 2013

It depends which service you use, some are no win no fee, others you may have to purchase credits up front for catches.

If they fail to catch a domain, and it it's no win no fee, then nothing needs to happen regarding payment or refund.

If it was a credit you paid for in advance, you can use that credit for the next catch.

The transfer fee is required because the catcher catches the domain on their tag with their registrant details, meaning the domain will need to be transferred to you, which costs £12 inc VAT.

In some cases, a catcher will register domains in your name and then they can do a free tag change to the registrar of your choice, but the majority don't offer tags caught in your own name, as this could mean they might not get paid for the catch.

RobM · Jun 12, 2013

The risk of not being paid for a catch is not a big one as a domain can be deleted and the 'buyer' banned from further orders. Also the system of an id taking up valuable milliseconds is fast becoming irrelevant as an account can be created before hand (with no domain) and 'loaded' into a program.

monaghan · Jun 12, 2013

As above, many catchers will catch in their own name for simplicity of the catch code. It also provides security for a "free" service in the event that the customer doesn't pay the bill as the domain can then easily be sold on.

Whether you pay up front is down to the service you use, as with any service, read the T&C's and make your choice.