Network Solutions is Big Brother
Network Solutions is about to lose my business. I believe they have engaged in unethical behavior.
Last week, Ted and I were bouncing around some project ideas, and as part of the brainstorming, I went and researched some potential domains names, uncovering five that might possibly works (and which were available).
We decided not to pursue the project, and of course, I didn’t purchase the domains.
Foolish me, I was “logged into” my Network Solutions account when I did the searches.
I’ve learned that the company tracks what you look for — and then throws it into the marketing grinder. Who knows how long it stores that information, or what else it does it it?
You can believe I’m not going to make THAT mistake again.
Here’s the text of an email I received a few moments ago.
Subject: Abandon – $19 domains
Register the Domain Name You Want! Only $19/year*
The domain name(s) you recently searched for
is still available! Register it today for only $19.00/year*. That’s 45% OFF of the annual purchase price!
Domain names available now!**
[the list of domains I searched for]
Register now!
* Discount applies to new domain name registrations of .com, .net., .org, .biz., info., .us, .name, .cc, .gs, .ms, .tc, .tv and .ws for terms of 1,2 3, or 5 years. Offer expires May 6, 2009.
** Domain names available as of April 13, 2009.
At least they didn’t register the domains themselves and then try to sell them to you at a premium.
I have to admit that every time I do a domain name search, the paranoid guy in me thinks the domain is going to get registered by the search authority shortly thereafter…
I believe I’ve actually observed what Donald described. If you want a domain name – where good ones are hard to get, nowadays, as it is – you better act before they see your search and say “gee, that looks like a good idea”.