Domain backordering is a process by which WHC Online Solutions Inc. (WHC) will attempt to register highly-desirable .CA domains for you soon after they expire, and just prior to them becoming available for general registration through a process called To Be Released (TBR) Drop (“Domain Drop”).
This process is accessible using the Backorder tool directly on the WHC website. Domain Drops for .CA domains happen every week on Wednesdays at 19:00 UTC (“Domain Drop Deadline”).
To participate in the Backorder process with WHC, you agree to the following TBR Domain Backorders & Auction terms and conditions:
1. Backorder Eligibility Requirements
In order to qualify for a domain name backorder, you must:
- Be an active WHC client with an accurate and up-to-date profile in good standing
- Complete your backorder request with a minimum entry bid on the WHC website 15 minutes before the Domain Drop Deadline. WHC cannot guarantee that requests completed after this deadline will be honored.
- Comply with our Domain Names Terms & Conditions.
- Have a working and registered credit card on file.
- Pre-Authorize WHC to charge your credit card on file, within 24 hours of winning a backorder, in the amount of either:
- The entry bid (also called minimum bid) plus any applicable taxes for the domain in the event that you win the backorder and there are no other bidders. This price is shown in Canadian dollars; or
- Your auction bid for the domain plus any applicable taxes, if you hold the winning bid at the time the auction closes. This price is shown in Canadian dollars.
2. Domain Auctions
By using the WHC auction system, you agree to the following:
- Auction Basics
- Only clients that have completed the domain’s backorder process within reasonable time, prior to the Domain Drop can participate in the auction.
- Backordered domains that WHC has secured and which have multiple bidding participants go to auction.
- Auction timing
- If WHC is successful at securing the domain, auctions start once the Domain Drop has been completed and end at the Auction Close
- Deadline, as indicated in the Backorder Center. Any bid placed in the last 3 minutes before the Auction Close Deadline will extend the end time of the auction by 3 minutes.
- The highest bidder at the end of the auction period wins the right to register the domain name with WHC, subject to the Domain Names Terms & Conditions.
- The auction winner is responsible for the management and future renewals of their domain name once the domain has been assigned to them, with such renewals available through WHC at our regular domain renewal rates, as displayed on the WHC website.
- At the beginning of the auction, the highest minimum entry bid becomes the highest bid. In the case of two entry bids for the same amount, the first bid submitted will be the highest bid.
- Eligible clients can add or increase their bids from their Client Area, in the Backorder Center before the Auction Close Deadline
- The minimum bid increment is:
- 10$ for auctions of less than 500$
- 50$ for auctions between 500-5000$
- 100$ for auctions exceeding 5000$
- When placing a new bid, you must enter your maximum bid.
- If your maximum bid entered is higher than the leading bidder’s maximum bid, your bid will be the new highest bid. In this case, the value of the new highest bid will be determined as follows: the maximum bid of the previous highest bidder, plus the minimum bid increment.
For example, if the previous highest bidder had a maximum bid of 100$, and you enter a maximum bid of 200$, the new highest bid will be 110$. - If your maximum bid is lower than another client’s maximum bid, the other client’s highest bid will automatically be increased to the amount of your maximum bid. You will have the option to then increase your maximum bid again.
- If your maximum bid entered is higher than the leading bidder’s maximum bid, your bid will be the new highest bid. In this case, the value of the new highest bid will be determined as follows: the maximum bid of the previous highest bidder, plus the minimum bid increment.
3. TBR Guarantees & Liability
- While WHC has a high success rate at securing most of the domain backorders it receives, the backorder process is highly competitive between registrars. You understand and agree that WHC does not guarantee it will successfully secure the specific domain name you have backordered and can in no way be held liable for failing to secure an expiring domain name on your behalf.
- In the event that WHC does not secure the domain you have requested in a backorder, you will not be billed or charged for that backorder.
- WHC shall not be held liable regarding the use of its Domain Backorders and Auction System and, without limitation, all terms and conditions of the service agreement regarding the limitation of the liability of WHC shall automatically apply to the Domain Backorders and Auction System and be applicable hereunder with all necessary adaptations.
- In any event, and regardless of any demand or request from anyone, WHC’s liability shall be limited to amounts paid for WHC’s TBR Domain Backorders & Auction system.
4. Additional Considerations
- Bids over C$10,000 may be subject to special verification.
- Failure to meet the TBR requirements may result in your backorder request being canceled, your domain name order or assignment being revoked, or your WHC account being suspended or closed.
- WHC reserves the right at its entire discretion to refuse backordering services to any client or user.
- WHC is not the owner of the Domain names listed for auction and WHC does not control the quality or availability of such Domain which may be withdrawn at any time by the seller or by anyone acting on behalf of the seller.
- On occasion, WHC may update or change the way its auction and backordering processes work in order to improve its flows or fix bugs and issues. By completing a new backorder, you agree to abide by the current version of WHC’s terms and conditions, including the TBR terms.
- You hereby appoint WHC as your representative and designated agent for the purpose of making any and all changes of registration information with the domain name provider and you hereby authorize WHC and its representatives to act on your behalf for all intent and purposes regarding all necessary changes to the Domain registration following successful auction process.
- You further declare that you are not violating anyone’s rights and privileges regarding the Domain and more specifically, that you are not infringing upon anyone’s rights over the Domain. You also agree to keep WHC free from any claim and liability regarding the acquisition of the Domain.