August 19, 2005Domain Name Registration Ripoff?I hold a small string of domain names. Now, I'm not a big-time domain name speculator, by any ways or means, but I've been around the block. So when the good ol' USPS delivers something scary and official ooking from a domain name registrar that wraps itself in Old Glory, I know to be wary ... There were no less than three separate letters from this domain name registration company in today's snail mail. I won't call this domain name registrar unscrupulous, but their tactics don't sit well with me. Ah, but I'm being kind. Here's the deal: the printed piece might look official to the unwary. There's a company logo with a faded chunk of the Stars and Stripes, at the top left corner of the letter. And at the top right, there's a big bold headline reading Domain Name Expiration Notice. It gets worse (or better, depending on your perspective) ... As a courtesy to domain name holders, we are sending you this notification of the domain name registration that is due to expire in the next few months. When you switch today to the Domain Registry of America, you can take advantage of our best savings. Your registration for: [removed] will expire on [removed]. Act today! After reading that opening paragraph, I can barely keep myself from picking up a pen to fill out the order form ... that's right, the order form ... You must renew your domain name to retain exclusive rights to it on the Web, and now is the time to transfer and renew your name from your current Registrar to the Domain Registry of America. Failure to renew your domain name by the expiration date may result in a loss of your online identity making it difficult for your customers and friends to locate you on the Web. Wow, you mean I have to renew my domain? Privatization of Domain Registrations and Renewals now allows the consumer the choice of Registrars when initially registering and also when renewing a domain name. Domain name holders are not obligated to renew their domain name with their current Registrar or with the Domain Registry of America. Review our prices and decide for yourself. I'm not sure what's up with all of the capitalization, but it sure is nice that they note there is no obligation. I reviewed their prices and compared them to what I'm paying. The results of the comparison? This company is charging two to three times what I'm currently paying. $25 for a one year renewal? $40 for two years? $85 for five years? What a bargain. Not. It doesn't take much effort to find a better deal then that. Then again, this company's direct mail marketing campaign has been going on for some time now. (I recall seeing their domain name renewal "offers" in the mail before, just never three in one day.) So they must be successful to some degree. There's no room in my world for marketing efforts that unabashedly pray on the uninformed. When it's time for you to renew your domain names (or register new domain names), choose wisely. There are plenty of choices ... and if you happen to have an idea for a brilliant new domain name, don't blurt it out in a public place ... |
