1API-DE

[ian]

Has anyone had any success backordering a domain through 1API-DE (using their Hexonet platform)? Reason I ask is that they've been catching very successfully recently, and noticed that you can backorder domains on a 'first come first serve' basis, providing you pre-load the account.

Was chuffed when a decent seo domain was caught by them; asked how I take ownership and was told "Although .uk backorders are FCFS, we do accept multiple requests from customers. The reason being is that there could be a scenario where the first customer in line does not have enough funds for the backorder deposit.". This doesn't make sense to me, as if you don't have the funds deposited, the system won't allocate those funds and pre-load the domain for you.

I then had a look at all the domains they've caught, and aside from a handful, they all remain on their tag.

Anyway, I've asked a refund of the money I deposited as I see no point if you cannot be sure you are first in line for a domain; still waiting 5 days later.

Anyone had a positive experience?

Their whole means of catching is very similar to DOMEINWINKEL. In fact, since the start of this 2019 (when 1API-DE appeared), DOMEINWINKEL have only released 4 of the 30 domains I've monitored them catch (very different from past years), compared similarly to 5 out of 40 I've monitored 1API-DE catch!

 

[RobM]

He seems very lucky In fact so far today if he was chasing singly his odds of getting the right order of drops is already 720 to 1. He obviously can't be rotating because there's no way he'd pick up 3 domains that I know were being hammered and highly contested by multiple tags both within and outside of my hosted chasing. They come... they go.
Aside from that though, as I appear to have derailed the thread slightly, you're saying they take the money to backorder but then don't give the domain to anyone who backordered? What happens to the money?

 

[ian]

Aside from that though, as I appear to have derailed the thread slightly, you're saying they take the money to backorder but then don't give the domain to anyone who backordered? What happens to the money?

You have to deposit funds to the Hexonet account, which are then allocated to the backorder 72 hours prior to the drop, but it seems they accept multiple backorders for the same domain name and you are not necessarily first. The allocated funds are then released back into your Hexonet account on failure. I've been unable to withdraw unallocated funds back to my payment method yet!

I don't know if anyone backordering is successfully being allocated a domain caught, that is what I'm asking, as it seems strange that domains are not moving tags, and they allow multiple backorders on a 'first come first serve' domain, on the basis that they may not pay, despite funds being pre-allocated!

 

[RobM]

But are there any domains that you backordered, but were told there were other people, that have not been transferred to any customers?

 

[ian]

But are there any domains that you backordered, but were told there were other people, that have not been transferred to any customers?

Yes, I backordered englishlacrosse.co.uk which they successfully caught. Seems I wasn't the only backorder, and it hasn't shifted tags.

 

[ian]

Interesting that the default nameservers are hexonet when you register a domain, yet the vast majority I've checked all have parkingcrew nameservers and the domains are for sale. Something doesn't add up here.

 

[ian]

So I've spoken with the owner of most of the caught domains, who I've done countless deals with before. He says they are a legit company. Clearly he has his finger on the pulse back ordering first.

I still find multiple backorders on a fcfs basis odd, especially when funds are preloaded, their customer service in terms of billing terrible, and question how they can catch 6 contested domains in a row today, but perhaps they are honouring their ukbackorder arrangement.

 

[RobM]

I'm sure nominet will be looking into their chase patterns. Seems a very odd business model though. Can you actually place backorders on a domain that you have no chance of getting because it's already been ordered? ie do you have to fund your account to backorder a domain you're not going to get?

 

[ian]

I'm sure nominet will be looking into their chase patterns. Seems a very odd business model though. Can you actually place backorders on a domain that you have no chance of getting because it's already been ordered? ie do you have to fund your account to backorder a domain you're not going to get?

Basically yes, you must deposit, then those funds are assigned 72 hours before the drop, on a domain you may have zero chance of owning even if they catch it!