How can I force my current hosting company to let me transfer my domains to another hosting company?
April 7, 2006 9:25 AM   Subscribe

How can I force my current hosting company to let me transfer my domains to another hosting company?

My current hosting company, Way2Host.com has gotten worse and worse over the past year. They got bought out by a bigger hosting company. Since then not only did they stop allowing relaying with e-mail, but they LOST 24 hours worth of incoming e-mail of mine.

Now I'm using GoDaddy.com and love it. I want to switch all of my domains (which are .org!) over to GoDaddy. I need permission from my existing hosting company in the form of an a code.

I've called them and e-mailed them and I get no response. The phone tech support says that they'll put it in the queue, but nothing ever happens.

Can I FORCE them to give it up?
posted by k8t to Computers & Internet (11 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
IANAL, but it sounds like you could threaten legal action if they keep this up. After all, a bank can't refuse to let you close an account.

How long has it been since you asked to transfer your domains?
posted by danb at 9:33 AM on April 7, 2006


Response by poster: It's been over a month.
posted by k8t at 9:35 AM on April 7, 2006


Isn't it just a matter of pointing your DNS to the new host? Don't you have control over that yourself?
posted by furtive at 10:22 AM on April 7, 2006


Why not transfer your domains yourself?

I mean, are you talking about the registration of the domains (which you've probably prepaid, so nothing to do there) or the content/functionality hosting (which most places do month-to-month, or longer)?

You can pretty much tell anybody you want to "point" your domain names at whatever DNS servers you want. Once you do that, just make sure you've transfered whatever else you need to the new host, like web sites, mailing lists, etc.

If you'te talking registration, beware. Some underhanded (cheap) registration sites get people to register new domains with "free" hosting as long as the company owns the domain name. That way you're stuck with them until they release the name, since you don't "own" it.

If the last situiation is the case, you're probably screwed, unless you involve a phalanx of lawyers.
posted by catkins at 10:29 AM on April 7, 2006


Response by poster: GoDaddy.com has a service that you transfer your domain over to them -- I assume that would mean that they host your webpage, provide you with an e-mail service etc.

Here's a link to GoDaddy's page on transferring.
posted by k8t at 10:54 AM on April 7, 2006


I just transferred two domains to godaddy. The codes are sent to the person that is listed as the admin contact in your domain registration information. If that's not you, you can always email that person (if you don't know who, look it up on whois.com) and ask for the code.
You may need to ask the current company to unlock the domain. You can check to see if it's locked on that same whois page.
posted by denimflavored at 11:29 AM on April 7, 2006


Response by poster: Yes, the current company won't unlock the domain for me to transfer.
posted by k8t at 11:59 AM on April 7, 2006


Ah, now that one I haven't figured out yet. I'm having the same problem, but for a shorter period of time. Those jerks! (Sorry I couldn't be of more help.)
posted by denimflavored at 12:04 PM on April 7, 2006


k8t, to my knowledge Way2Host.com is not an accredited registrar. If they aren't cooperating and you have the documentation to prove it, it's often helpful to go to the actual registrar.

If your have the domain listed in your profile with them it looks as though they are Network Solutions resellers. Contact them at 1.888.642.9675 and explain that you've tried working with the reseller and you've been trying for over a month. They won't be happy that you want to move to GoDaddy.com, but they have to allow you to. They'll likely send a notice to the reseller that they need to do as you request, etc.

If you still get no where start bringing up filing a complaint with ICANN.

If you have more questions/issues my email is in the profile.
posted by FlamingBore at 12:35 PM on April 7, 2006


Oh, and for extra fun... yeah, it's not just unlocking the domain, you do need an extra something called an "Auth Code". But that's not something that your hosting company is in control of. The Public Interest Registry, who manage the .org extension mandated that. Biggest pain in my arse.
posted by FlamingBore at 12:37 PM on April 7, 2006


This ICANN FAQ has some helpful information. Some excerpts that apply to your situation:
The registrar must provide you with the Auth-Info code within 5 calendar days of your request.

If you believe that your transfer request was inappropriately denied by your current registrar, please contact the registrar to which you want to transfer for assistance. Disputes between registrars over alleged violations of the Inter-Registrar Transfer Policy may be initiated by any ICANN-accredited registrar.

My registrar is listed as the Administrative Contact for my domain name and this is preventing my transfer from going through. What do I do?

If you are listed as the Registrant for the domain name, you can ask your new registrar of choice to send the required Form of Authorization to you rather than the Administrative Contact.

You can also update the data associated with the domain name and name a different Administrative Contact. Some registrars offer an online interface tool for you to manage this data yourself; others can make these updates if you contact their customer service.
posted by hootch at 10:12 PM on April 8, 2006


« Older How to determine fair market value of a stock?   |   Storing sensor data with video with Linux Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.