Need help getting a domain out of Hostway.com!

[Lauren]

I would really appreciate any help or direction with this.....

I sold a domain that resides at Hostway.com. I have never tried to transfer out of there before and when I went into my site control panel, the domain (actually all of the domains) said, "Auth Info not available". I also could not discern a way to unlock the domain from the panel. Now, I have sites at about 11 registrars and resellers, so I can ususally figure it out. There simply doesn't appear to be a way to unlock at Hostway!!

So, I send an email to technical support, then I put in a trouble ticket and heard nothing back. I tried calling their support line, but the recorded voice says, "if you are a speical Hostway customer, then you will have the number we gave you, please use that" and then hangs up! Well, I guess I'm not special, because I don't have any number other than the one on the website.

So, I'm wondering where to go from here?

I looked on ICANN's site and they are not listed, so I am assuming they are a reseller and not a registrar. How can I find out who they are a reseller for and complain to them? A Google search doesn't turn up any list I can find.

Should I just file a complaint with ICANN? I can do that, but ICANN specifically states that it doesn't resolve disputes.

Should I write one last email to Hostway saying, "I'm going to file a complaint if I don't hear from you"?

This is really my first time dealing with a situation like this and the only thing I really want is to be able to transfer out the domain I sold!!

Thanks,
Lauren

 

[fab]

Have you done a who is search to see who they are registered with. If they are a reseller of Tucows, Tucows, should be able to help.

 

[Lauren]

Have you done a who is search to see who they are registered with. If they are a reseller of Tucows, Tucows, should be able to help.

Thanks, Fab, for responding.

Yes, I did check their WHOIS. It says their "ICANN Registrar" is NetSol but I just assumed that meant their website name was registered there. I don't really know how to pull off anything else from the WHOIS to help me...

I did find out that they are their own registrar...

http://www.aaaq.com/contact.htm

and so I can't "report" them there!

Not sure what else to do....it's gotten pretty awful. I put in a support ticket and they write back asking me to verify my password, I do, and then the next email says, "we have placed this request with a second level team and will get back to you shortly." And then they never do.

Here's the laundry list of issues (and it's bad):

1. No way to unlock domains
2. No way to access the authorization number for transfers
3. No response whatsoever to transfer requests
4. No way to update your WHOIS information (their interface is down and they will not even respond as to when/if it will be fixed).

I've asked for manual updating, and they say "send me your information" and I do, and they never update anything.

I am just in total and utter shock that a company could behave in this way. I've even told them that I would "take my problems" public if they didn't comply, but they flat out don't care. (So, I guess I'm kind of doing that now).

Anyway, I'd love some help as to how to get them to stop holding my domains hostage. One of which, has been sold to someone else, here on this forum, and he has YET to be able to get it.

Oh, AND that's another thing!! Their "update DNS" is not working either!!! They won't change the DNS manually so that the guy who bought one of my domains there can at least USE the site (since they won't transfer it).

This is just a colossal mess.

Lauren

 

[fab]

Lauren, I was actually referring to doing a who is with your domain, but this was to find where your domain was registered. Many web-servers use Tucows, which would possibly simplify the issue. If their web-site is registered with NetSol, it would seem logical that they are a reseller, and not an independent registrar. In any case do a whois on your domains. If they are registered with NetSol, then contact them, and describe your situation, and don't let them throw you back to Hostway.

Good Luck.

 

[Lauren]

Ahhh. Got it now. Thanks for helping, Fab. I really appreciate it.

I checked the WHOIS on all my domains there, and they all say:

Domain ID8928946-LRMS
Domain Name:8-8.INFO
Created On:24-Dec-2004 09:52:56 UTC
Last Updated On:03-Sep-2005 22:56:58 UTC
Expiration Date:24-Dec-2005 09:52:56 UTC
Sponsoring Registrar:Aaaq.com (R132-LRMS)
Status:CLIENT DELETE PROHIBITED
Status:CLIENT RENEW PROHIBITED
Status:CLIENT TRANSFER PROHIBITED
Status:CLIENT UPDATE PROHIBITED

They've set up some kinds of "prohibited status" I've never seen before..

Note the "sponsering registrar"....they own that company. So, I guess I'm screwed.

Lauren

 

[fab]

Lauren, I think you should ask JBerryHill (in the legal section), or another lawyer who works in this field. To the best of my knowledge you have legal rights to transfer, which is part of ICANN's rules. Assuming that's the case you have to try to find the simplest legal way to force them to do this. Obviously going to court for a few domains isn't worth it, unless you own a lot, or they are worth a lot. However, before taking legal actions, I would try researching Aaaq.com, getting any names phone numbers, faxes & e-mails; and just bombard them until they transfer them.

 

[Lauren]

Thanks, Fab. Those are two excellent suggestions and I am going to pursue them both.

I really appreciate your help!

Lauren

 

[Majnoon]

hi lauren here is aaaq.com details i hope that helps

AAAQ.COM, Inc.
Bentall Tower 5, Suite 200
550 Burrard St.
Vancouver, BC
V6C 2B5

Canada
312-994-7705
[email protected]

 

[Kase]

Call Hostway's sales number and tell them that you've had enough. I had to do that once (but I wasn't mad) and it turned out to be fine with them.

 

[Lauren]

Call Hostway's sales number and tell them that you've had enough. I had to do that once (but I wasn't mad) and it turned out to be fine with them.

Good idea, Kase. I had tried the Support number, but evidently (and you're going to love this), it's just a recording that says, "if you were given a special number, and you know who you are...then call that number" and then it hangs up! I guess I'm not special.....

But calling sales....now that's an idea.

here is aaaq.com details i hope that helps

Thank you very much fritalover. I had found a Chicago address, and so this only helps me in my quest (which, unfortunately, is what it has become now).

Lauren

 

[Kase]

No problem, hope everything is resolved soon. Good luck!