A domain that I want is registered but not in use (goes to some generic search page of Network Solutions)

The phone number listed in Whois is a disconnected number and Network solutions was no help at all (even after I found someone who could speak english).

Is there another way to contact the domain owner? I know there are services that will negotiate it for you but I really don't want to waste my time and money if the asking price for the domain is outside of my budget.

Any advice? The domain is registered until 2009 so backordering really isn't an option.

Network Solutions is one of the harder places to deal with.

Was there not a mailing address in the whois?

The domain is probaly "parked" which means it sits until someone like yourself contacts the owner and makes an offer.

There are special places to "park" domains and they get monies from the ads people click on. If the # is disc then he also may be using a private reg which hides most info (which if he is trying to sell the domain name is a BAD idea)

Anytime you go to sites with websites that seem to be nothing 9 times out of 10 its a parked site and the domain is for sale.

it's difficult if Whois information,such as phone number, email are not right.

I was about to post the same question..

soooooo annoying when you think of a domain and its a chuffin portal page or nothing.

Then there is no contact details. - should be a law against this.

i know in the uk you can start a nominet dispute.

any other tips?

The domain is more than likely privately registered. If thats the case, you'll need to contact the registrar about obtaining more info.

I'm not sure whether it's worth trying to pursue along these lines, but the according to ICANN policy (http://www.icann.org/registrars/wdrp.htm):

provision of false Whois information can be grounds for cancellation of their domain name registration

Therefore if you point out that the WHOIS data is false for a particular domain, it could potentially be cancelled.

My understanding is that the WHOIS privacy services have to redirect to the ultimate owner, and therefore emails etc. should get through providing they're not determined to be spam; in any case, the email address should not bounce.

You should either able to contact to the owner using the email address or a service like http://privacyprotect.org/contact-domain-owner

In network solutions case it is the redirection of email. Try with mailing address,. If that too is incorrect the domain can be canceled. And for more information on this process visit http://www.icann.org/whois/wdrp-registrant-faq.htm