Why is it when I go to different sites to check pricing for registration some say my domain name is available and some say it isn't? ut:

Thanks,

Sundi

That's an interesting problem, but one I've never had happen before. I honestly have no idea why that would occur...

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Finally one I checked referenced WHOIS so I clicked on the link. I guess the domain name is owned by the first place I checked availability several weeks ago. This is what WHOIS says...

Whois Server Version 2.0

Domain names in the .com and .net domains can now be registered
with many different competing registrars. Go to http://www.internic.net
for detailed information.

Domain Name: #######
Registrar: NETWORK SOLUTIONS, LLC.
Whois Server: whois.networksolutions.com
Referral URL: http://www.networksolutions.com
Name Server: NS1.RESERVEDDOMAINNAME.COM
Name Server: NS2.RESERVEDDOMAINNAME.COM
Status: ok
Updated Date: 12-feb-2008
Creation Date: 12-feb-2008
Expiration Date: 12-feb-2009

When I check at Network Solutions it doesn't reference that it is more than the standard cost. Does this mean that the first time I checked at Network Solutions they purchased it so I would have to purchase it through them?

Thanks,

Sundi

Not necessarily - if you've found another registrar that says it's available then I see no reason why you can't purchase from them. For instance, if GoDaddy is cheaper, and they say it's available, then you should be able to purchase from them.

Not sure what Network Solutions is doing, but yes, they do buy up and resell a LOT of domain names. Some companies actually watch to see what people search for in terms of domain availability and buy those up for resale.

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Domain name was one of the toughest nuts to crack so far!

This was a big thing on the tech boards last year (husband is a techie and he is constantly reading these things to me *laughs*). Network Solutions, as soon as you search for a domain name, will register it if it's available, thereby preventing you from getting it elsewhere. Even if GoDaddy says it's available, they'll have to pay Network Solutions for the use of it. However, it's more likely that GoDaddy's registration records just haven't updated yet to show that Network Solutions has registered the domain. It depends on how often they update their tables. Most likely, once you say you want the domain and they actually connect to the registration database, they'll find that it's taken and tell you to try another domain.

Moral of story: Never search for domain name availability at Network Solutions.

Best bet...decide on your hosting before doing a domain name search, and then search only through the one hosting your site. That way, if they do the same thing (register it as soon as you search), it doesn't hurt you because you're already getting it through them.

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Jodith Allen
Administrative Arts