[Fnoord]

Honestly, you don't want to query a third party database. If you have a really good idea for a domain name, its already taken. OK, I'll retry: if you have a really good idea for a domain name, you don't want to share it with a third party. You only want to query the database(s) directly, and even then you want to select which ones. Why? Discretion. Say you want to start a new company. You look if the name you came up with is available. You verify it isn't, and hey presto a few days later it got domain squatted.

[bener]

Why don't you just buy it straight away? Problem solved!

[Fnoord]

(Nobody ever thought of that!)

Because 1) you don't expect this to happen (confidentiality) 2) you're still setting up your company/idea which requires other administrative tasks which require time.

They want you to impulsively buy a domain out of fear of it getting hijacked.

[bener]

I still don't see why not, it takes a few clicks and costs a few dollars. It seems that if you are a person that expects this to happen then it's a good strategy.

Otherwise you just decide which domain search you trust and hope your domain remains available.