[Tick Tock]

Hi

This is the first time I have taken on a client with an existing site and contract with a web design company. The website is up and running but the client / design company relationship has gone sour. They need a new website built and rightly want to keep the domain name they use. The details seem a bit sketchy from the client end and I didn't want to approach the web design company without knowing where I stand.

It seems all costs (build and a monthly 'rip off' charge they were upsold) have been paid to the end of the contract but they are unsure / can't find any contractual docs or info. I know who the registrar is, but this is different from the web design company. I need to know if the web design company are obliged to give any information (direct to the client) and what information they have to provide.

I need to know who actually owns the domain, how difficult it is to transfer the domain given the situation and timescales this process takes. Is there anything else I need to consider?

[scoopster]

Tick Tock, on Apr 29 2009, 20:31, said:

Hi

This is the first time I have taken on a client with an existing site and contract with a web design company. The website is up and running but the client / design company relationship has gone sour. They need a new website built and rightly want to keep the domain name they use. The details seem a bit sketchy from the client end and I didn't want to approach the web design company without knowing where I stand.

It seems all costs (build and a monthly 'rip off' charge they were upsold) have been paid to the end of the contract but they are unsure / can't find any contractual docs or info. I know who the registrar is, but this is different from the web design company. I need to know if the web design company are obliged to give any information (direct to the client) and what information they have to provide.

I need to know who actually owns the domain, how difficult it is to transfer the domain given the situation and timescales this process takes. Is there anything else I need to consider?

Hang on a little. What is your email about?

What client have you taken on? Me?
I own the domain independantly i provided it to my we design company

Please explain your email, as i am very lost!

Regards

Tom

[scoopster]

I see this is a new thread, for some reason it came up in my email and i thought it was a response to my post!"!!

[chrissyh]

Haven't laughed this hard in ages! LOL - Someone else please bump this!

[Boyles Web Design]

LOL, wtf, I dont get it.

[ReaperWD]

Tick Tock, on Apr 29 2009, 20:31, said:

Hi

This is the first time I have taken on a client with an existing site and contract with a web design company. The website is up and running but the client / design company relationship has gone sour. They need a new website built and rightly want to keep the domain name they use. The details seem a bit sketchy from the client end and I didn't want to approach the web design company without knowing where I stand.

It seems all costs (build and a monthly 'rip off' charge they were upsold) have been paid to the end of the contract but they are unsure / can't find any contractual docs or info. I know who the registrar is, but this is different from the web design company. I need to know if the web design company are obliged to give any information (direct to the client) and what information they have to provide.

I need to know who actually owns the domain, how difficult it is to transfer the domain given the situation and timescales this process takes. Is there anything else I need to consider?

Speak to the client, and get them to give you all the information (like who owns the domain) etc. Do they have login information for wherever the domain is register?

Chances are the design team wont be happy if you suddenly take on the work and they get left without their monthly charge. May have to buy the domain off them, which could prove expensive.

Reaper

[Tick Tock]

I've got the client to communicate with the web design company.

The wd company used a hosting and domain registering firm who are also an accreditied registrar (who state that domains are registered in the client's name)

But when doing a domain search on this firms site, the whois info lists them as the registrant and a 3rd company as the technical contact. whois does not detail the client in any way other than listing them as the admin contact.

No logins have ever been given to the client so hopefully something will be come back from the wd company.