Godaddy just stole my domain

#1

Post by moino06 » Mon, Jul 24, 2023, 9:03 PM UTC

I wanted to share a concerning experience we recently had with our domain name on the GoDaddy platform. A few days ago, we purchased a domain for our business for 10$. The transaction went smoothly, and the domain was added to our account.

However, to our astonishment, we later discovered that the domain had been removed from our account and was put back on sale by GoDaddy at an outrageously higher price 2000$.

We had genuine intentions to use the domain for our business endeavors. We followed all the proper procedures, paid the required amount, and were under the impression that the domain was rightfully ours.

It really seems like the domain has been taken away from us to be resold at a much higher price.

We have all the necessary documentation to prove our rightful ownership of the domain (bank statement, screenshots).

At this point, we have reached out to GoDaddy's customer support and are awaiting their response to rectify the situation promptly.

Can we do anything else?

Re: Godaddy just stole my domain

#2

Post by gymbeaux » Mon, Jul 24, 2023, 9:14 PM UTC

There are many domain registrars out there, and most are better than GoDaddy. Try buying the domain from Google Domains or Namecheap, though it sounds like GoDaddy “bought” it and is trying to get you to pay $2000 for it, so you probably can’t get the domain from another registrar. Malicious or not, this is par for the course for GoDaddy.

Re: Godaddy just stole my domain

#3

Post by jqpabc123 » Mon, Jul 24, 2023, 9:15 PM UTC

Sue. If everything you say is true, it sounds like a good case of fraud.

Meanwhile, deal with a different registrar. I moved most of my stuff off GoDaddy years ago.

Re: Godaddy just stole my domain

#4

Post by dchest » Mon, Jul 24, 2023, 9:18 PM UTC

It was probably due to the domain registry realizing they sold a "premium" domain as an ordinary one. Here's Porkbun's explainer: https://kb.porkbun.com/article/191-registry-deletion-of-doma...

Re: Godaddy just stole my domain

#5

Post by orbz » Mon, Jul 24, 2023, 9:19 PM UTC

gymbeaux wrote: post #2

There are many domain registrars out there, and most are better than GoDaddy. Try buying the domain from Google Domains or Namecheap, though it sounds like GoDaddy “bought” it and is trying to get you to pay $2000 for it, so you probably can’t get the domain from another registrar. Malicious or not, this is par for the course for GoDaddy.

Sadly Google domains has been sold off to SquareSpace so depending on your thoughts about then you may want to consider elsewhere.

Re: Godaddy just stole my domain

#6

Post by damnesian » Mon, Jul 24, 2023, 9:21 PM UTC

I was going to ask who you bought the domain through, but I assume GoDaddy.

If not, that's who you need to complain to.

GoDaddy has been known for shady practices for some time now. They are NOT the only registrar out there. People really need to ignore their ads and shop around.

Re: Godaddy just stole my domain

#7

Post by moino06 » Mon, Jul 24, 2023, 9:49 PM UTC

jqpabc123 wrote: post #3

Sue. If everything you say is true, it sounds like a good case of fraud. Meanwhile, deal with a different registrar. I moved most of my stuff off GoDaddy years ago.

Thanks, a bit lost as to what to do as this was a very important domain for me. Both on a professional and emotional level. Do you think I'd still be able to sue despite the fine print?

Re: Godaddy just stole my domain

#8

Post by moino06 » Mon, Jul 24, 2023, 10:15 PM UTC

dchest wrote: post #4

It was probably due to the domain registry realizing they sold a "premium" domain as an ordinary one. Here's Porkbun's explainer: https://kb.porkbun.com/article/191-registry-deletion-of-doma...

Thanks. Helpful.

Re: Godaddy just stole my domain

#9

Post by juanse » Mon, Jul 24, 2023, 10:32 PM UTC

Avoid Godaddy at all cost.

Re: Godaddy just stole my domain

#10

Post by Postosuchus » Mon, Jul 24, 2023, 10:35 PM UTC

Not the same scenario but recently GoDaddy conveniently "forgot" to extract auto-payment for the only domain I still had with them (somewhat exotic .es TLD) and also forgot to warn me about it, letting the domain registration lapse.

I noticed it via the automatic monitoring once the domain stopped resolving and escalated it, at which point GoDaddy graciously offered me to reinstate the domain for $55 lapsed registration fee. After a brief (10 sec) consideration I've made a counteroffer by telling GoDaddy to go fuck themselves and registering a "normal" .com domain with my default registrar. I am very lucky it was a tiny hobby website with no critical audience. Thank you for the lesson, GoDaddy!