However, what Network Solutions is doing is no laughing matter.  The domain registration mega-site has recently started a new practice which is – well, in my opinion, un-American! 

Have you ever tried to purchase a domain name?  It’s really pretty easy and there are a number of web based registration choices out there such as GoDaddy, Register, MyDomain and, of course, Network Solutions.  

The first basic step is to visit one of these sites and search to determine if your domain name is still available.  Chances are that someone out there may have had the same idea and beaten you to the punch. 

Believe me, CapitalGig.com was not the first domain I attempted to register for this site but I was thrilled to learn that it wasn’t yet taken.  Then, after a little comparison shopping, I chose my registrar and host provider and was off the races.

If I had chosen to search via Network Solutions, it would have cost me.  Evidently, if you use their site just to check availability, NetSol automatically locks it up and holds it ransom – to the tune of $35/year. 

For example, I just searched for “wittynamewebsite.com” and it’s available!  Thanks, NetSol.  Then, I went to GoDaddy and MyDomain to compare prices and was told that the name was taken, but that I can “make an offer” to buy from the owner.  The owner?  Odd, it was available literally two minutes ago.  What happened?

So, I went the NetSol’s WHOIS page and searched for the owner info and here’s what I saw:

Your WHOIS Search Results

wittynamewebsite.com is Available – Register it Now!

600,000 domain names are registered daily! Don’t delay; there’s no guarantee that a domain name you see today will still be here tomorrow!

Registrant: This Domain is available at NetworkSolutions.com

Administrative Contact :
Network Solutions, LLC
domainsupport@networksolutions.com
13681 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 300
HERNDON, VA 20171  US
Phone: 1-888-642-9675
Fax: 571-434-4620

Domain Name: WITTYNAMEWEBSITE.COM

Administrative Contact :
Network Solutions, LLC
domainsupport@networksolutions.com
13681 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 300
HERNDON, VA 20171
US
Phone: 1-888-642-9675
Fax: 571-434-4620

Technical Contact :
Network Solutions, LLC
domainsupport@networksolutions.com
13681 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 300
HERNDON, VA 20171
US
Phone: 1-888-642-9675
Fax: 571-434-4620

Record expires on 21-Jan-2009
Record created on 21-Jan-2008
Database last updated on 21-Jan-2008

Current Registrar: NETWORK SOLUTIONS, LLC.
Lock Status: clientHold

So, they scooped it up (record created today) and now I can only buy from them for $35 as opposed to approx. $10 at competitor sites.  I don’t know how long they hold it, but according to the record, it expires a year from the day I searched for it.

This monopolistic approach is akin to price gouging and I’m sure many have fallen victim and paid $35 to NetSol unaware of their options.  

How is this legal?  Would it be tolerated if sellers in other markets bought up items and ran up the price after a potential buyer simply indicates interest?  What happened to the concepts of free enterprise, competition and a true market economy?

I understand that many are searching for ways to profit online, but limiting consumer choice and hiking up prices seems contrary to the precepts upon which the Internet was founded.