dropped.uk drop catching service

[dropped.uk]

dropped.uk is a UK domain name drop catching service.

We've just launched our public dropcatching service, and are now taking backorders for suspended UK domain names (.co.uk, .org.uk, .me.uk and .uk).

We only accept one booking per domain. We will advise at the point of booking if another user has already backordered your requested domain.

Our service is designed for one-off, occasional and bulk bookings.

For more information or to place a backorder, visit https://dropped.uk.

 

[ian]

Do you have to buy credits in advance?

 

[dropped.uk]

Hi Ian,

Currently, yes. However if the general consensus is to change that model, then we're willing to adapt to our customers requirements.

We wanted to avoid a single individual booking everything up, and give everyone a fair chance to use our service.

Guy.

 

[ian]

Understood, the model you have is certainly the best approach for preventing as you say a single individual booking everything, but aside from one public catcher that offers other services combined, it isn't something I consider, as catches are naturally few and far between.

 

[PaulK]

Hi Ian,

We wanted to avoid a single individual booking everything up, and give everyone a fair chance to use our service.

Guy.

Not so sure that would happen, there's numerous catchers out there offering pay on catch - most simply limit the number of bookings you can make.

 

[dropped.uk]

Not so sure that would happen, there's numerous catchers out there offering pay on catch - most simply limit the number of bookings you can make.

Thanks for the feedback Paul. We did initially consider a post-pay model which we will review again.

 

[bluerock]

I'd use a post pay model but would not consider prepay.

 

[ian]

Hope changes are made because ultimately, what difference does it make to you whether customers pre-pay or not? I assume the only benefit of pre-pay is that the money is guaranteed should a domain be caught. You will have times where a domain is caught and suddenly the buyer disappears, but at least you still own the domain so risk is lessened.

Have you considered a scaling option like drop.co.uk? It means a customer can select how much they are willing to pay above and beyond the base level. Useful if there is a domain they really want and by adding a higher prices, means you can prioritise the amount of queries are used to catch said domain.

Were you "stung" like many others here claimed to have been by one established drop catcher of old who shut up shop for ages and refused to refund?

I was, but reclaimed through Paypal as it was a fairly recent transaction at the time. They have subsequently returned offering credits again. I won't be buying, as I'm sure many won't.

 

[Edwin]

Another model would be to set a kind of "membership" at 2x the cost of a catching slot.

So for example, if your slots cost £30 each then people prepay £60 for membership that gives them the right to book as much stuff as they like.

However, unless they settle their bills within X days you deduct what they owe from the membership fee and their membership then gets suspended until they replenish it back up to £60.

(I'm sure the idea needs tweaking, but it seems like a reasonable half-way house between having to pay for every slot up front, and being "free" to book every slot you like - the idea being that it keeps people focused on paying your bills on time)

 

[dropped.uk]

Thanks for the feedback.

I've added the pay-on-catch facility, so you can now place backorders without committing financially.

Edwin - I took your suggestion and currently the half-way house is that those that carry a financial balance can backorder more domains.

Guy.

 

[ian]

Much better, though looking through the list of domains I'm watching, all but a couple have been booked already, which suggests to me either the uptake has been significant, or that you are also booking domains for yourself using this system? Maybe you can confirm?

 

[Lovekraft]

Well done for taking on the feedback so quickly, you will get a LOT more custom this way.

 

[dropped.uk]

either the uptake has been significant, or that you are also booking domains for yourself using this system? Maybe you can confirm?

Hi Ian,

I do book my own domains using the system, but I too am subject to the first come first served rule. Everything being monitored in the near future is for customers. The next drop booked for myself is in March.

Guy.

 

[ian]

Hi Ian,

I do book my own domains using the system, but I too am subject to the first come first served rule. Everything being monitored in the near future is for customers. The next drop booked for myself is in March.

Guy.

Your decision of course, but I'm not aware of any other public catchers that do this; they use a separate membership/tag, otherwise you are conflicted. Keep them separate in my view.

Also, feedback, prevent allowing the booking of domains that are not due for suspension/cancellation, only those marked Y for suspended. Save you a lot of hassle.

 

[dropped.uk]

Thanks Ian, I thought Nominet rules prevent an additional membership and DAC subscription. Surely when I disclose the linked accounts, Nominet would reject?

The system is set to check for suspended = Y. Can you can provide a sample domain that's booked that isn't suspended?

 

[ian]

Thanks Ian, I thought Nominet rules prevent an additional membership and DAC subscription. Surely when I disclose the linked accounts, Nominet would reject?

The system is set to check for suspended = Y. Can you can provide a sample domain that's booked that isn't suspended?

You'd probably need to ask one of the public catchers, as they use a separate tag, whether that is a split of their query allowance I do not know, maybe one of them will confirm.

Ah ignore then, I may have checked a domain that is suspended but not due to drop.

 

[dropped.uk]

I may have checked a domain that is suspended but not due to drop.

Please PM me the domain to I can take a look!

 

[ian]

Please PM me the domain to I can take a look!

It's irrelevant because the status will be Y because of the suspension, but it is due to other reasons than expiry; you won't be able to avoid it, but they are few and far between.

 

[monaghan]

Thanks Ian, I thought Nominet rules prevent an additional membership and DAC subscription. Surely when I disclose the linked accounts, Nominet would reject?

When I setup my 2nd TAG, I enquired whether I could have a personal membership in addition to my company membership and was told that they would be linked despite the limited company being a separate entity to me.

Any catches I want are booked via an account on the public front-end and I take my chances on whether they have been booked. I don't know any fairer way of doing this.

 

[Skinner]

I believe Drop.co.uk do this, I think another public catcher said they book some for themselves too, I can't rememberwho it were though.

Your decision of course, but I'm not aware of any other public catchers that do this; they use a separate membership/tag, otherwise you are conflicted. Keep them separate in my view.

Also, feedback, prevent allowing the booking of domains that are not due for suspension/cancellation, only those marked Y for suspended. Save you a lot of hassle.