Some advice on domain name searches:  Do not do searches at Network Solutions

Recently, VenturePresentation.com did some domain name searches on Network Solutions and ran into some surprising and disappointing problems.  In short, Network Solutions reserves all of the domains that you search for. 

We used to use Network Solutions for domain searches since it was easy to search for multiple domains at a time.  However, beginning in January 2008, Net Sol (Network Solutions) began reserving all of the domains that a user searches for.  This process is also known as "front running."  One can still reserve a domain name with Network Solutions if you want to pay $35 for a domain name.  Compare that price to Yahoo at $9.95. 

Network Solutions can afford to register all of the searched domains because a Registrar can register a domain for 5 days and then give up the domain without paying a fee to ICANN (the governing body for domain names).  Therefore, NetSol can hold your domain name for 5 days.  The only good news is that Network Solutions releases the domain after 5 days (assuming you don't search for the domain within those 5 days).  Our advice would be to do your domain name searches on Yahoo. 

Below are some screen shots of the Network Solutions "process."

As a test, search for a domain on Network Solutions you have no interest in: 

Network Solutions indicates the domain is available:

Go to Yahoo and search for the same domain:

The Domain at Yahoo is not available:

Do a whois search at Network Solutions.  Domain has been registered by Network Solutions, but its available if you want to buy the domain from Network Solutions.