Did bravenet.com hijack my domain names?

[Tropical]

Fellow websters a while ago I attempted to register what I thought was a unique domain name at bravenet.com ,loo and behold the search results came back the Domain name was taken, so I say hard luck, try something else, I did, and same results came, domain taken, so I became suspicious. I then use the the name of my village and it was taken and I did another variation which I came up with and that too was taken...Anybody else had any similiar experience with bravenet or another domain name company. I honestly believe that some of these names are available and these companies (maybe some of then)steal our unique namee. What do you guys think?
Now I am in search of a reputable site that will register build and host a website.

[Faglork]

Why dont you simply query the whois database ... it will show you who registered a website. toby_bird posted a useful tool for that:

http://www.webproworld.com/viewtopic...highlight=tool

Nowadays, people register domains like crazy, so it is just normal that a village name is already taken.

hth,
Alex

[Tropical]

Thanks for the link, it appears the names I searched for are available on the DNS service, but why would they appear "not available at http://www.bravenet.com .

[Faglork]

I do not understand your question. If you *find* a domain via DNS lookup or WHOIS query, then it *is* taken and therefore *not available* because already registered.


Alex

[edwinj]

You don't HAVE to use Bravenet to register your domains if there's a problem. There are numerous other registrars.

I am just guessing but...
are you trying to register a new domain? Or are you trying to sign up an account name at Bravenet? Perhaps Bravenet is reporting that the ACCOUNT name is taken?

Hope this helps.

[iphonedomain]

All good advice, simply follow it. Whois will always tell you what is. Any search for "domain registration" will return so many places to register a domain you won't know what to do with them all.

Bottom line; When you get your domain keep your registry key, your login, and who you registered with. Make sure you make notes on when it will expire. Do not rely on someone else to contact you and remind you! It's your domain, manage it and make sure it doesn't slip away.

Best wishes,

Dan Townsend
www.iphonedomain.com

[Tropical]

Thank you iphonedomain I will surely keep that in mind.