A couple of weeks ago, I wanted to buy a new Domain name. So I did a search at Network Solutions, and they came back with an answer:

"The domain you requested has been parked. Through this Network Solutions Certified Offer Service, you may contact the owner and bid for the domain name. Please allow up to 10 days for the seller to reply. The cost of making an offer is US $19."

No problem. Seemed worth a bid. Paid the $19 and made an offer... waited 10 days...then an email turns up from Network Solutions:

"Offer expired. We're sorry, the Seller did not respond to your Certified Offer within the 10-day period."

And that's it...no comeback...no mention of striking the domain from their 'For Sale' listing...nothing...just "The seller didn't respond." But we'll have your 19 bucks for 'No Result' and thanks for coming.

So for all I know, the domain name will stay on their list, the next person comes along in good faith and pays $19 to make an offer on it, the seller doesn't respond again - and there goes another $19 into the Network Solutions coffers.

This is seriously wrong! When you pay for making an offer, you expect to get a reply from the seller. If the seller doesn't reply, you expect the broker to take action to remedy the situation. If the seller can't be contacted, you expect the broker to withdraw the domain name from sale so that this can't happen again.

I wonder how many other people have had the same experience? And I wonder how many people have thrown $19 at Network Solutions to bid on that same 'No Reply' domain name?