March 10, 2008 – (HOSTSEARCH.COM) – The revelation that Network Solutions engages in ‘front-running’ has put the company under fire over recent weeks. Front-running is an activity where Network Solutions registers names in what many suggest is an inappropriate fashion.
If someone searches for a domain name using Network Solutions, but does not purchase it though the company, the domain is automatically registered with the added text, “This Domain is available at NetworkSolutions.com”. Being registered in this way, the domain cannot be purchased through any other domain provider. It can though be purchased through Network Solutions at the price of $34.99. The domain is held (some say hijacked) for period of 4 days before be made generally available again.
Since the practice came to light, Networks Solutions front-running policy has been universally condemned. The company itself has defended the policy as a security measure to protect customers. San Francisco-based web host Tiger Technologies is however turning a negative into a positive by leveraging Networks Solutions’ woes for their own benefit. The company has promised to “rescue domain names searched for by unsuspecting users and ‘held hostage’ by Network Solutions”.
"Once Network Solutions knows that you are interested in a domain name, they will hold it hostage for four days, requiring you to pay their full $34.99 price,” suggested Mr. Robert Mathews, Tiger Technologies’ President. “You cannot purchase the domain name from any other company. This practice is known as Network Solutions front-running and only serves to enrich Network Solutions at the expense of their customers who might otherwise find a better or less expensive place to register their domain names."
The company has initiated a "We'll Pay the Ransom" program where Tiger Technologies pays the $34.99 fee to register the domain name for a customer, or credits a customer's account with $34.99 should they have already bought a domain from Network Solutions. To qualify, customers need to sign up for a standard year of Tiger Technologies’ web hosting. "We are happy to be offering this special deal for people whose domain names are being held hostage by Network Solutions," added Mathews. "It's a great opportunity for people to see our commitment to customer satisfaction and fair business practices."
Tiger Technologies offers full-featured web hosting, email service and domain name renewal without sign-up or cancellation fees. Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, the company is "carbon-neutral".
