For Sale Phantom BackOrder at Pool

[DomainOgre]

I just found something a little disturbing at Pool.com. I went to add a backorder today when I noticed a name that I have no idea how it got there as a backorder.

The name was insideevil.com and it was set to expire today. Since it was the only backorder there and I never even searched for the name let alone tried to backorder it, that could have turned out to be a $60 bug on my credit card bill. Luckily, I caught it before the drop.

Just contacted Pool and hopefully this never happens again, but I am wondering how it happened in the first place. This happen to anybody else yet?

 

[Sharpy]

Were you on their keyword list for "evil" or "inside"?

 

[DomainOgre]

I dont have anything on their keyword list yet.

 

[DomainOgre]

The only explanation I can think of is that I accidently clicked on it somehow when looking at their HotList yesterday. If that is the case, I wish they could have prompted me first because I had no idea it was added.

I guess I will start checking my backorder list after everytime I look at their HotList. Oh well, learned something new.

 

[Duke]

You must have missed this thread Ogre:

http://www.dnforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35491&highlight=pool

This has been happening to a lot of people. Pool needs to get this fixed and pronto. I now check my complete backorder list everyday to make sure they haven't added others that I did not order. They will not give your money back if they can slip one of these through on you either.

 

[actnow]

I just checked my pool backorder list.

So, far I have not found any yet. But, I am sure it will happen.

 

[DomainOgre]

Yes, I did miss that thread Duke. Thanks for pointing it out.

Looks I will have to start doing the same or just stop using them.

 

[devolution]

This will eventually result in withdrawl of merchant services if enough people complain (they won't be able to process credit cards then).

Originally posted by Duke
....They will not give your money back if they can slip one of these through on you either.

 

[DomainOgre]

Well, in my case it turns out that it was the Hot List after all. Pool just responded and said they have proof of it.

They also said the same thing that Duke said about checking your back-orders regularly. Believe me, I will from now on.

 

[Duke]

Originally posted by DomainOgre
Well, in my case it turns out that it was the Hot List after all. Pool just responded and said they have proof of it.

There is no excuse for them putting domains in your purchase list with no confirmation screen that this is what they are doing. I now immediately delete any emails I get from them containing these hotlinks that automatically order domains for you if you turn your head the wrong way.

 

[.com.net.org]

luckily I haven't faced their phantom.

hope never.

 

[radioz]

It happened to me too. Those of us affected should complain together. It is crappy that they won't give refunds and it probably isn't legal either.

Now that I have the $60 credit, just WHAT can you buy at Pool for $60?? Maybe 'Abercrombie-2xl.NET' or something??

 

[mole]

Originally posted by radioz
just WHAT can you buy at Pool for $60?? Maybe 'Abercrombie-2xl.NET' or something??

:laugh:

 

[Duke]

Originally posted by radioz

Now that I have the $60 credit, just WHAT can you buy at Pool for $60?? Maybe 'Abercrombie-2xl.NET' or something??

No, that dropped last week. I think it went for $4,600 in the Pool auction. :clown:

 

[Dominion]

This may be of interest to those that have had Phantom domains allocted to them by Pool and only been offered a credit rather than a refund.

I was watching a domain on behalf of a customer (the reason I don't want to name the domain) that was due to drop on August 2nd. Pool got it. These things happen.

Out of interest I did a Whois on the name on the 5th. Available!!! I hand regged it

I noticed in the other thread Duke was "given" floridalipo.com which he hadn't really wanted. That domain is now Available...
radioz was handed ElectroBits.NET and offered a credit That domain is now Available.

Obviously when Pool are challenged that it was a phantom order they are chucking the name back into the pot so as not to be stuck with it but trying to only give you a credit instead of a full refund.

Food for thought??

 

[Duke]

This also proves the person Pool stuck with the name never ordered it in the first place. I had also noticed floridalipo turned back up on the available list a couple days after I complained to them. If I had wanted it I obviously would have grabbed it for the reg fee at that point. Registrars can return names for up to 5 days for a full refund. So, you are right - they lose nothing at all - not even a reg fee in these cases - yet keep your $60. Very bad business in my opinion that only results in ill will towards a company.

 

[DomainOgre]

I will say this much:

If one of these phantom backorders ever cost me $60, I will never use Pool again.

 

[actnow]

Never say never!!!

Do you mean you would refrain from using them?

 

[Steen]

Originally posted by Duke
They will not give your money back if they can slip one of these through on you either.

That is absolutly rediculase.


They will not be able to accept mastercard/visa if this keeps up.


Even if htey refused there is always the chargeback threat (charbacks cost them lotsa $ )

Then if they still wont, charge back time

I may even wanna skip[ step 2 just to charge pool more money for being such morons.


Pool is greedy and condoning in bad business practices in these 3 ways:

1. They do these phantom backorders and wont refund you

2. They delete the domains and issue credit, while they arent even being charged reg fee.

3. Thier affiliate program is messed up. I stopped promoting them.



Too bad they are so good at catching names. I will (unfortuanatly) continue to use them no matter how badly they do business (to an extent) .

 

[DomainOgre]

I say that and then Pool beats my snap on mobilebatteries.com lol. No more phantoms yet tho.