Web host will not send transfer codes?
April 30, 2019 10:03 AM Subscribe
I want to move my domains and sites away from my current web host but they are completely unresponsive. I have made repeated requests via phone and email for domain transfer codes without any response. This has been going on for months.
What can I do? What are my options?
the governing body, ICANN, has a guide to domain transfers that addresses this. If the registrar (your web host) isn't giving you a reason or you feel the reason is invalid, there is a formal complaint process.
posted by zippy at 10:11 AM on April 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by zippy at 10:11 AM on April 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: It is a tiny independent host. I'm not going to name them as, despite the fact that they are enraging me, I would not want them targeted or harassed.
I know they are going through financial difficulties and that it is entirely possible they have only 1-2 people working there any more.
Does complaining to ICANN do any good? Should I contact a lawyer?
posted by jammy at 10:12 AM on April 30, 2019
I know they are going through financial difficulties and that it is entirely possible they have only 1-2 people working there any more.
Does complaining to ICANN do any good? Should I contact a lawyer?
posted by jammy at 10:12 AM on April 30, 2019
If it were me, I would have a lawyer send a letter on their legal letterhead threatening legal action. If possible, have the letter name not only the company, but the owner (or as high an employee as you know). Shouldn't cost you much, and might solve the problem very quickly.
posted by nosila at 10:29 AM on April 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by nosila at 10:29 AM on April 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
Use the ICANN procedure. No need for a lawyer.
posted by DarlingBri at 11:03 AM on April 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by DarlingBri at 11:03 AM on April 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
Also, since you mention web host, I assume you have an all-in-one hosting package where they handle both the domain registration and the website and DNS hosting. If that's not the case, or if you're not sure, I recommend doing a WHOIS lookup of your domain name to make sure you're resolving the issue with the correct entity.
posted by Aleyn at 12:45 PM on April 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Aleyn at 12:45 PM on April 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks, Aleyn.
I do know that they are resellers for Wild West Domains, a subsidiary of GoDaddy.
That said, I have never had any luck with GoDaddy support.
posted by jammy at 12:54 PM on April 30, 2019
I do know that they are resellers for Wild West Domains, a subsidiary of GoDaddy.
That said, I have never had any luck with GoDaddy support.
posted by jammy at 12:54 PM on April 30, 2019
Response by poster: Thanks DarlingBri and zippy!
The problem with submitting to ICANN is that my contact information is occluded by a "Privacy by Proxy" practice they have where they use their contact info as a WHOIS spam filter. This seemed reasonable at the time.
I know, I know... I very much regret ever having anything to do with them.
posted by jammy at 1:19 PM on April 30, 2019
The problem with submitting to ICANN is that my contact information is occluded by a "Privacy by Proxy" practice they have where they use their contact info as a WHOIS spam filter. This seemed reasonable at the time.
I know, I know... I very much regret ever having anything to do with them.
posted by jammy at 1:19 PM on April 30, 2019
Ask the new hosting company to help. I sold a domain name, the buyer was using GoDaddy, and they couldn't make it happen and we're kind of bumbling. I was with Dotster, they got it done easily.
posted by theora55 at 1:44 PM on April 30, 2019
posted by theora55 at 1:44 PM on April 30, 2019
The problem with submitting to ICANN is that my contact information is occluded by a "Privacy by Proxy" practice they have where they use their contact info as a WHOIS spam filter.
ICANN has procedures for this. They are the literal domain authority. Send the submission.
posted by DarlingBri at 2:38 PM on April 30, 2019 [4 favorites]
ICANN has procedures for this. They are the literal domain authority. Send the submission.
posted by DarlingBri at 2:38 PM on April 30, 2019 [4 favorites]
Obfuscating the whois info doesn't impact ICANN's process.
Again, ICANN is the authority here.
Is your host also the registrar? Do you have access to both the hosting account and the domain account?
posted by humboldt32 at 2:53 PM on April 30, 2019
Again, ICANN is the authority here.
Is your host also the registrar? Do you have access to both the hosting account and the domain account?
posted by humboldt32 at 2:53 PM on April 30, 2019
« Older Where can I find a sturdier version of this bed... | Tell me how to find a specific type of corn? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by DarlingBri at 10:04 AM on April 30, 2019