Epik is taking pre-reservations for new gTLD’s and are charging for it
I just got this email from Epik.com:
Hello,
“I am contacting you in regards to your domain name VETERINARYDENTIST.COM.
As you may be aware, starting this Fall, the world of domain names is undergoing a very significant change. After more than 20 years of .COM, a much larger selection of descriptive domains will become available. More to the point, the new domain .VET will soon be available to interested parties.”
“The domain name DENTIST.VET is available for pre-ordering from Epik.com on a first-come first-serve basis. As you are the logical owner of this domain, we are contacting you first. ”
“To pre-order the domain, as well as other .VET names, please click here.”
For more details about the new domains, we invite you to visit our informative site that explains about the new world of domains at here.
If more convenient for you, feel free to simply reply with a list of domains or keywords that you are interested in. I would be happy to confirm availability for any VET domains that are of interest to you.
My colleagues and I look forward to assisting you. Please contact us anytime.”
Epik suggested I pre-register Dentist.Vet a domain that is sure to be reserved by the registry.
Although the checkout cart says the fees are fully refundable, no where in the email or on the site does not mention that Epik is only one of a ton of registrars that will be taking pre-registrations for new gTLD’s domains, that the domain might be reserved by the registry, that the domain maybe on the collision list and not available or can be taken in the Sunrise or Land Rush period.
The $199 pre-reservation fee is probably on par with what the registry will be charging for Land Rush but this pre-reservation would go in as a regular registration.
The fact sheet that appears below the ad, regarding Dispute Policies mentions only UDRP, It does not list the URS which is another dispute policy that all new gTLD’s are subject to.
Feels good living in the Wild West days, doesn’t it? 😀
@Berkens,
You know what I’ve discovered?
You make great calsl excepts when it comes to new gTLD stuff, then you’re irrational.
Ordinary, you’re okay on other stuff.
Nice business model –
1.) Spamming domain owners offering domains in extensions that do not currently even exist.
2.) Billing $199 for a non-binding order. Essentially charging $199 for nothing.
Epik has quite the history from revenue sharing mini sites that tanked, Epik Bucks, their deal with InTrust Domains, to backorders not being assigned or assigned then removed, now to this…
Brad
easy way to earn interest on money for nothing?
I don’t know whats worse Epik Backorders, or the new worldwide currency Epik Bucks… I am seriously going to have nightmares about this, guys lining up to pay $199 just to reserve the right to register dot.crap from a registar that has no exclusive access to any of these gtlds.
For all you know the refunds will be in Epik Bucks!
anyone who doesn’t know that rob monster is a thieving lying sleazeball just hasn’t been paying attention.
@cmac earn interest?? Yeah right at .01% I don’t think Epik / Rob wants to waste his time.
Rob has stumbled upon a new scam. The idea is to make the people that put up $199 to jump through hoops to get the $199 back when he can’t deliver. Some people won’t jump through hoops for various reasons. This scam is playing out on Ebay right now. There are thousands of auctions on Ebay with zero feedback sellers. They sell for way below the market price then never ship anything. A certain percentage of buyers won’t jump through the Ebay hoops to get their money back and the scammer pockets the money. I think they rely on some buyers getting sick or dying before they jump through the hoops.
The difference between Rob and Ebay is in Rob’s case it is like the fox guarding the hen house. Ebay actively combats fraud.
Another Rob “the robber” move.when this guy will change ? i met with no one in this industry worse than this guy.
Hilarious. This whole charade. Truly.
Great idea for pre-order 0,99$ fraud – even with refunds after “unsuccessful new gTLD registration procedure” – you use clients money for long time absolutely free.
I haven’t completed any transactions with him but Rob Monster is a very well-spoken gentleman who responded to various criticisms at:
https://www.namepros.com/threads/epik-announces-escrow-service.895046/
I also just discovered and very much like Epik’s marketplace sales and leasing platform, by which you can sell a domain (which is in your Epik account and has a buy-it-now price) instantly, with no need for escrow, and also enables you to set a leasing price which transaction similarly can be instantly done. I’m not aware of any other site offering a comparable service and am looking forward to trying out the system.