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What registrar for expiring uk domains?

Discussion in 'General Board' started by DarkSky, Mar 28, 2016.

  1. DarkSky

    DarkSky Active Member

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    I currently use internetbs for domains, but quite often I dont want to renew a domain for whatever reason, and park it. internetbs change the name servers the day it's due for renewal so I lose the benefit of possible traffic for 60 days (or however long it it) before it's suspended/cancelled.

    I would be transferring the domain over before it expires, of course.

    What registrars leave the domain functioning while in the expired/redemption period, and ideally, makes it easy to transfer the domain back out if required?

    I have used vidahost for domains in the past for example, but their transfer out process is manual.
     
  2. Domain Forum

    Acorn Domains Elite Member

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  3. invincible

    invincible Well-Known Member

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    A *.uk domain name is suspended by the registry 30 days after expiration if not renewed. Once suspended it will be removed from the active zone file until renewed. Details here.

    So you want free domain name management at a registrar for the 30 days post expiration and free easy transfer out during the ~60 days of suspension prior to deletion? You might achieve this by applying for your own Nominet registrar tag without becoming a Nominet member (registrar only "tags" are currently free) and using Nominet's Web Domain Manager ("WDM") to effect the registrar tag change back to another registrar should you decide to renew the domain name (you won't want to renew domain names at non Nominet member rates since these are over £80 per domain name). This will allow you to change name servers but you will need to use those supplied by a parking company or sourced elsewhere prior to the suspension because Nominet, being a registry and not a registrar, don't offer domain name hosting.
     
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  4. DarkSky

    DarkSky Active Member

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    internetbs change the nameservers on the domain the day it is expired, it then points to their own parking page and they benefit from the 30 days of free traffic while due for renewal.

    I dont want free domain name management as such. I just want the domain to carry on functioning while expired. I do not need to change the nameservers during this time. I just dont want them changed to the registrars preferred nameservers.

    cheers

    edit: I see I might add some confusement by mentioning transfer out. I'm happy to renew the domain at the current registrar before transferring out.
     
  5. invincible

    invincible Well-Known Member

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    They do this because they're your registrar and are managing the domain name for you (a registrant). You haven't paid them to manage it post expiration (nobody else has either) so in order to encourage you to pay them the renewal to continue this task, and to compensate themselves for their free management (e.g. continued entries in their databases, potential support ticket issues you might raise, whatever) until either you do renew it, or you transfer it to another registrar or the domain name is suspended (incidentally they could just decide to "detag" the domain name on expiry if not renewed so it isn't managed by any registrar) they elect to change the name servers to their own and potentially monetise the traffic.

    You want the status quo but Internet.bs haven't been paid to continue offering that status quo (i.e. registrar to registrant domain name management) post expiration so they choose not to. The solution I detailed means you yourself also become a Nominet registrar and would then be able to control your domain name registrations and offer yourself (as a registrant) the extra 30 days DNS resolution post expiration prior to suspension by the registry.
     
  6. DarkSky

    DarkSky Active Member

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    I fully understand internetbs's policy and if I were them, I would do it too, I'm certainly not complaining about them.

    I know that some registrars do not though, and I would like to find one to move some domains that I have no use for and do not intend to renew.

    I mentioned vidahost above, they do not change the nameservers during the expiration period. However their interface is clunky and should I want to transfer the domain out from them, it's a manual (support email) to sort out. I'd prefer to not have to do that.

    I've got a handful that are set to expire in a weeks time so I guess I will try a selection of registrars and see what happens.

    Cheers
     
  7. DarkSky

    DarkSky Active Member

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    p.s. sorry, I'm not ignoring your nominet tag suggestion. However at this time and for this purpose and nature of the domains (junk), I'd rather not.
     
  8. invincible

    invincible Well-Known Member

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    Those registrars that might not currently change the name servers may begin to change the name servers in the future. The solution I proposed guarantees it won't happen because you become the registrar.
     
  9. invincible

    invincible Well-Known Member

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    Let us know what you find. :)
     
  10. DarkSky

    DarkSky Active Member

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    Certainly will :)
     
  11. DarkSky

    DarkSky Active Member

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    This might sound a bit odd, but i'm curious. If I changed the tag to some random letters (i.e. non-valid tag), what happens? is it possible?
     
  12. invincible

    invincible Well-Known Member

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    It will be rejected by the registry as an error. Change it to DETAGGED if you wish to remove the existing registrar and not replace it with any other but subsequently spend time dealing with Nominet and possibly paying an admin fee to get it re tagged again.
     
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  13. DarkSky

    DarkSky Active Member

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    Hmm, I guess one way I could determine whether a registrar does or doesn't, is by finding an existing domain that's expired with that registrars IPSTAG.

    Do any tools exist that I could find domains that have expired, or due to expire on x date, by IPSTAG? I'm guessing not, but never know!

    edit: a well constructed google query is working well :)
     
    Last edited: Mar 29, 2016
  14. DarkSky

    DarkSky Active Member

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    Amazingly, godaddy do not do it!