AWOL Host Holding My Domains Hostage

Our former webhost is holding my domains hostage. Neither CJsKidsClub.com or HarmoniousAbundance.com should be labeled as expired. They were both paid for and I have receipts.

My old host, WAHMhosting.com/WAHM Productions (owned by Renee Huggins), has not responded to me since April 8, 2012. There is no reply via email, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

Her phone number has since been removed from her website so I am currently searching my files, looking for a cell phone number she shared a few months back.

Frustration, barely restrained.

Although she has disappeared and there is no public record of her posting anything in the last few months, WAHMhosting/WAHM Productions has had both 2 new layouts and gone through what appear to be 2 platform changes. Obviously, someone is working there.

My Inbox has my payment receipts, ticket information detailing trouble with her system, and reassurances by her assistant (Raquel) that Renee would look at my situation. Those tickets were deleted when they migrated to new servers and both my prepaid funds and refund requests for work that was never done have now disappeared. (Thank God I have my email copies!)

Yet, I was billed for hosting after cancelling my hosting plan and I continue to get automated messages requesting payment for domains that were already paid for.

For several months, I have been working to transfer all my domains from WAHMhosting/WAHM Productions over to BlueHost as they came up for renewal. I was told I had to renew my domains before transfer could take place, which I did. However, my payments were never applied to my domains and I am systematically being locked out of them.

No one seems to know how to reach the former host or what has happened to our prepaid monies and no one seems to know how to resolve this issue.

PDR LTD D/B/A PublicDomainRegistry.com - the registrar of record on both cjskidsclub.com and harmoniousabundance.com - has been absolutely, positively NO help.

Their Contact page says:

"Incase contacting our Partner or using any of the resources above did not work, you may get in touch with our support desk directly. You may do so by filling in our support Request form or writing us. Click here to view our contact information."

Yet, in spite of specifically saying where I had registered my domains through, the fact that I cannot reach anyone there, and asking how this could be resolved, THIS is what I received for my 2nd help request:

"Hello,

Please note that the domain names 'harmoniousabundance.com' and 'cjskidsclub.com' have been registered through one of our channel partners 'WAHM Productions '.

In order to get your issue resolved you need to get in touch with your registration service provider at the following details:

Company: WAHM Productions
Support E-mail Address: info@wahmproductions.com

Regards,
Compliance Team
Public Domain Regitry

Ticket Details
Ticket ID: UAS-229-40907
Status: Closed"

The whole point of reaching out to them was to see what could be done. Instead, I am left going back to a host that has disappeared with my money and locked me out of my domains.

If you - or anyone you know - might have a possible solution to this problem,
I would sincerely appreciate your feedback!

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Update: September 30, 2012 @ 1:58:27 PM US Central
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My reply to PDR LTD D/B/A PublicDomainRegistry.com, the registrar of record on both cjskidsclub.com and harmoniousabundance.com:

"I understand that. However, I specifically stated that the host is not responding. She has disappeared. There is no public record of her posting anything in the last few months but WAHMhosting has a new layout on a new platform. Obviously, someone is working there. 

In my help request, I specifically stated that I knw that cjskidsclub.com and harmoniousabundance.com are registered through WAHMhosting. 

The whole point for seeking assistance is that WAHMhosting does not respond. My domains were paid but I am locked out. I asked if there was a way to fix the problem/workaround the host who literally disappeared with my money and locked my domains."

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Update: September 30, 2012 @ 2:12 PM US Central
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Opened a 3rd ticket with PDR LTD D/B/A PublicDomainRegistry.com, the registrar of record on both cjskidsclub.com and harmoniousabundance.com.


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Update: September 30, 2012 @ 4:15:34 PM US Central
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I noticed a second email for PDR LTD D/B/A PublicDomainRegistry.com's compliance department and wasn't sure I'd sent the above reply to the right place. Forwarded the message to the second address with the following addition:

"In case I sent this to the wrong email, here it is again. 

The whole point for seeking assistance is that your channel partner - WAHMhosting/WAHM Productions - does not respond. My domains were paid but I am locked out. I asked if there was a way to fix the problem/workaround the host who literally disappeared with my money and locked my domains, yet I'm told to just send them an email again?

Here's how I see this: 

1) Your Contact page says: "Incase contacting our Partner or using any of the resources above did not work, you may get in touch with our support desk directly. You may do so by filling in oursupport Request form or writing us. Click here to view our contact information."

2) You said WAHMhosting is your channel partner. I said WAHMhosting/WAHM Productions does not respond, has taken my money, and still locked me out of my domains. 

3) Your name/domain shows up under both cjskidsclub.com and harmoniousabundance.com registry information. 

Here's what I would like to happen: my domains get unlocked. 

That's it. That's all I want.

You want my receipts? No problem. I can forward them to you to prove that I am not lying. I can prove that I paid for my domain renewals. I can prove that I have attempted to reach WAHMhosting/WAHM Productions. I can provide you with screenshots of the second and third tickets I opened, asking you for assistance (sadly, I didn't screencap the first). 

At this point, I have filed dispute claims with PayPal against WAHMhosting/WAHM Productions for cjskidsclub.com and harmoniousabundance.com domain renewals. Eventually, I will get at least those two payments back. 

However, that does not solve my problem as my domains are still locked! What bothers me even more is that I have SEVERAL more domains registered through WAHMhosting/WAHM Productions!

Look at accounts under [snipped] and [snipped]. This situation is not pleasant in the least. 

Now that you know the situation, is there are reason why I can't just renew my domains through you directly? 

Thank you for your time and assistance,
Pearl 'Penny' Lane"

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Update: September 30, 2012 @ 5:00 PM US Central
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Formal complaints filed with InterNIC (through an ICANN link) on behalf of both cjskidsclub.com and harmoniousabundance.com. While they do not resolve this type of dispute, they do forward the dispute to the registrar. Which - in my opinion - sends a definite message: "I'm serious, this needs to be fixed."

The next step is to wait for a reply from PDR LTD D/B/A PublicDomainRegistry.com. If the situation still cannot be resolved, then I will turn to the Better Business Bureau and the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network.

The situation has been a problem for months, culminating in the flurry of activity over the last couple of weeks to save CJsKidsClub.com from suffering the same fate that HarmoniousAbundance.com did. To no avail. I'm fed up.

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Update: October 2, 2012 @ 2:26 PM US Central
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Happy to get a reply from PDR LTD D/B/A PublicDomainRegistry.com but bummed the situation is still being drawn out. At least this situation is finally taking a step toward resolution! Yay!

"Hello,

As you are unable to manage the domain names "cjskidsclub.com and harmoniousabundance.com". We have initiated contact with "WAHMhosting" .We have requested them to contact you within the next 48 hours and provide you with the necessary assistance. 

If they fails to assist you or does not respond to us within the above time frame with the details as to how he has assisted you with your request; we shall take it further by providing you means to manage your domain names on receipt of appropriate documents. Kindly update us if they contacts you regarding this issue.  

Regards,
PDR Compliance Team 

Ticket Details
Ticket ID: EJF-985-80113
Status: Closed"

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Update: October 5, 2012 @ 2:10 AM US Central
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Wow. I didn't even get a chance to create a new ticket complaining about not being contacted. PDR LTD D/B/A PublicDomainRegistry.com has totally stepped up to resolve this! Woohoo!!!

"Hello, 

As you have not received the required assistance from the registration service provider within the given time frame, we will provide you the Customer Control Panel from which you can manage and renew your domain names "cjskidsclub.com and harmoniousabundance.com", provided you fulfill the requirements in the enclosed Request form. 

Please find the Customer Control panel form attached to this support request. Kindly complete the details mentioned on the form along with your manual signature. 

You may scan and attach the documents in the Support Ticket itself. 

In case of further doubts, kindly update us. 

Regards,
Compliance Team 

Ticket Details
Ticket ID: EJF-985-80113
Status: Closed"

Oh my, G-d! I am so happy this nightmare is almost over! I don't like complaining, I don't like constantly having to go back and say, "hello? this still isn't right!" but I do get a good feeling when I know I'm finally getting good customer service.

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Update: October 5, 2012 @ 2:10 AM US Central

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Just to be safe, I both faxed and submitted the completed forms as an attachment to a new ticket (since the other one was closed upon reply). I also made sure to get a screenshot of the ticket contents and the time on my computer.

"As per your instructions on Ticket ID: EJF-985-80113, I am faxing the information regarding my domains. 

Although the ticket specifically mentioned cjskidsclub.com and harmoniousabundance.com, I did state that I had more domains under a different email/account. Two of those others come up for renewal this month! I have attached information on those as well."

Yep, in addition to cjskidsclub.com and harmoniousabundance.com, I have 8 more domains in limbo! That is why I'm so determined to get a favorable resolution and documenting everything I can.

My big takeaway from this? Go with a big hosting provider/domain registrar. Trying to support the Mom and Pop companies is a great thing but perhaps best left for things I don't rely on to support my family.

Before all of this happened, I had an awesome experience with WAHMhosting/WAHM Productions. Renee followed up quickly, resolved things right away, and I even recorded a video testimonial for her.

Then she disappeared.

If she's hurt or worse (gone), I feel bad but someone is still working at WAHMhosting/WAHM Productions. It is so NOT cool that instead of refunding my money for work they never did, they are continually billing me for domains I already renewed through THEIR link. In effect, taking my money and holding my domains hostage.

Thank G-d that PDR LTD D/B/A PublicDomainRegistry.com is stepping up for cjskidsclub.com and harmoniousabundance.com. I pray that they'll help me with the other 8 domains before they wind up going the same route!

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Update: October 8, 2012 @ 10:11 AM US Central

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Pardon my language but WTF??! I got home late this evening and found this message from PDR LTD D/B/A PublicDomainRegistry.com in my Inbox:

Hello,

Thank you for sending us the requested documents. We would appreciate if you could please confirm that shall we move the domain names to the customer account screen shot you have provided.

Regards,

PDR Compliance Team

Ticket Details

---

Ticket ID: SWQ-619-71276

Status: Closed

Is this some kind of sick joke? I provided proof of account ownership but somehow it means that I want to merge WAHMhosting/WAHM Productions accounts? Of course, I replied to that email as politely as possible, considering I want to reach out and touch smack someone!

The screenshots were only provided to show proof of accountinformation, nothing more.

As WAHM Hosting/ WAHM Productions never replies, it would be silly to
transfer my domains to an account still under her/them. Why would youwant me to contact you to complain about WAHM Hosting/WAHM Productionsagain? I have a domain coming up for renewal in a couple of days andam trying to get this resolved so I can renew it!

Please create a new account - directly through you - for all domainslisted under the [snipped] and [snipped] WAHMHosting/WAHM Productions accounts.

Were we not just talking about how I would be provided access to my domains within 5 business days? Does this reset the clock? My account clearly shows that I have a domain renewal due in 2 days and there is no way in heck I want to give WAHMhosting/WAHM Productions any more money. I have no reason to believe they would apply it to my account.

Perhaps I've been handling this all wrong and I should just specify exactly what I want instead of complaining and expecting a specific action.

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Update: October 8, 2012 @ 10:03 PM US Central

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Opened another ticket with PDR LTD D/B/A PublicDomainRegistry.com. I am getting so tired of this!

Just this week and that's it. If this goes on any longer, I'm filing reports with the Better Business Bureau and the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network.

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Update: October 9, 2012 @ 10:11 AM US Central

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Thank G-d that PDR LTD D/B/A PublicDomainRegistry.com has transferred cjskidsclub.com and harmoniousabundance.com to another channel provider! My domain renewals have gone through there and I’m just waiting for them to be refreshed.

That said, I still have 8 domains stuck at WAHMhosting/WAHM Productions and one is coming due on the 11th - just 2 days from now! I replied to a PDR LTD D/B/A PublicDomainRegistry.com email and opened a new ticket for these domains.

This whole situation has been a nightmare. Even though ‘saving’ cjskidsclub.com and harmoniousabundance.com has given me a positive moment, I still have all those other domains in limbo and that really sucks. It feels terrible!

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Update: October 10, 2012 @ 2:45 PM US Central

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Woohoo!!! This nightmare might be over!!!

Received an email from PDR LTD D/B/A PublicDomainRegistry.com that they'd transferred all of my domains out of WAHMhosting/WAHM Productions. Except for this one: pennyfullothoughts.com.

Yeah so this is almost over. Almost.

Of course, I replied back asking what they needed from me to transfer pennyfullothoughts.com and how soon the transfer could take place.

Also waiting on the new channel partner to process my domain renewals for cjskidsclub.com and harmoniousabundance.com. I mean, the renewals were paid but the pages still show up as "expired pending renewal or deletion". Hope to have that resolved by the end of the day, tomorrow at the latest.

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Update: October 11, 2012 @ 3:40 AM US Central

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The nightmare is over!!!

All of my domains are now with a different PDR LTD D/B/A PublicDomainRegistry.com channel partner. My domain renewals have been processed by the new guys and PayPal has already refunded 1 of the 4 payments to WAHMhosting/WAHM Productions that we are disputing.

After clearing the cache on Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Safari and clearing my DNS cache, I still couldn't see anything other than "expired pending renewal or deletion". So, I switched my router's DNS entry to OpenDNS and ta da! The clouds parted, the sun shined down, and I was able to see the sites live again! Not sure why but I have problems with my service provider's standard entries.

Thank G-d, thank G-d. The nightmare is over! I made sure to thank PDR LTD D/B/A PublicDomainRegistry.com as well for their assistance. They really stepped up for their channel partner and even though we had some misunderstandings here and there, overall, I am very pleased with the outcome.