There's no short, easy way to explain my problem. My apologies for the length of this post. I originally posted the following on WebHosting Talk on 3-13-01:

I received an e-mail from NSI this morning informing me that my domain name registration will expire on 4-4-01. They supplied a link to their online payment page, which listed several options for renewal. I chose the 10 year renewal at 40% off plan and paid with my check debit card an amount of $210.

I get an e-mail about 3 hours later informing me that 10 years is the maximum length allowed and because I still have 3 weeks left on my current term, I'm not eligible for the 10 year term. They also inform me that my debit card has been charged $252 for one 5 year plan (20% off) and two 2 year plans (10% off)! They're not asking me if I'd like to go this route, they've already charged $252 to my debit card!

So, instead of paying $210 for 10 years like I thought I was, I paid $252 for 9 years! I call them up, explain I do not accept these terms, that they're NOT what I originally agreed to, and to cancel payment and credit my debit card. After 45 minutes of being handed off to different departments, and having to hang up and call different numbers, I hang up while on hold, still waiting to talk to yet another department.

When I finally gave up, their position was: Payment has already been made, if you want a refund, you need to fax us a copy of your bank statement, which upon receipt, we will CONSIDER, not do it, but CONSIDER crediting $252 back to your debit card. I have since received an e-mail from NSI with a fax form attached for that very purpose.

At this point I'm thinking, @#$% them! I'm not going to be inconvenienced or waste anymore of my time, especially with no guaranty they'll correct their error. I call my bank and put a stop payment on it.

I received my bank statement today, and find that Network Solutions charged my debit card for $35 on 3-5-01, and recharged the $252 amount on 3-15-01, 2 days after my bank originally stopped payment on that amount. Until today, I was completely unaware that these charges had been made to my account. I called my bank *again* and stopped payment *again*, but this time also had to cancel my check debit card to prevent Network Solutions from any further pillaging.

Un@#$%ing believable! My account with them is paid until 4-4-01, and have switched name registrars to 000Domains. _I_don't_*owe*_them_any_money_! I'm no lawyer, but this *has* to be against the law, isn't it?

<<EDIT>>.

Originally posted by Phil Smith
I called my bank *again* and stopped payment *again*, but this time also had to cancel my check debit card to prevent Network Solutions from any further pillaging.


Phil:
I feel your pain, but I would like to emphasize to you and everyone else out there that is reading this to not use their debit cards to make payments via the Internet (or phone/mail order for that matter). You do not have the same rights as with a credit card although most banks will still go to bat for you.

Also, if someone has access to your credit cards, they can't take money off of your table or food out of your mouth. But with a debit card, they can take that money out of your account and you may not have enough left to buy the groceries (unless you use your charge card :) )

I second Mike's statement. I also learned the hard way with a 'terrible' host/isp who had the worst billing system. The bank wouldn't/couldn't do anything and finally I *did* cancel my debit card and asked for another to be issued.

At least with credit cards, you can dispute the charge and while the dispute is being investigated, you do not have to pay interest on the amount being disputed.

I'm also not sure 'pre-paid' cards like the ones Amex and 7 Eleven has is the way to go either unless the amount is small and you don't mind it being tied up until you get refunded.

But back to Network Solutions, I intend to transfer all my domains to another registrar when they are close to expiring. Thank goodness they don't have the monopoly on registering domain names anymore. OpenSRS is a godsend :)

Phil,

I can relate to your problems with NSI. Luckily, I used my credit card. It took me weeks to resolve my problem without involving my credit card company, but I knew that I could always get my credit card company to help if needed. With the exception of one incident, whenever I involved the card company, the charges were reversed instantly. So, I would say paying by credit cards is safer, cheaper, and more convenient than paying by debit cards, checks, and money orders. Plus, with credit cards, I can earn points for free trips.

I agree. Netsol sucks big donkey butt.


Devon Dunham
Night Supervisor
Ameritech Security

[Edited by ddunham on 03-30-2001 at 10:38 AM]

Best get it over with and start registering domain names in 10 year increments, there are a few host who let you do this :-)

I have, I guess what you'd call a "preferred" account (I have substantial amount of money in my checking account). The bank has already credited my account for the disputed amount, and said they'll take care of retrieving the money. So from what you're saying, I'm very fortunate to have my money back. Apparently, not everyone is so fortunate.
On the other hand, I've also been *exposing* a lot of money to the likes of Network Solutions, and that's certainly an unsettling thought!

Mike, you and others say not to use a credit or debit card for such payments, but there are many services that *require* such payment. One such service is eBay, which represents 15 to 20 percent of my income. That's one example. There are many other instances that require me to do so as well.
I've had 4 or 5 problems, none of which actually cost me any money, at least in the literal sense. The *time* lost and wasted straightening these things out--well, that's another story.
I think I'm going to open an account specifically for debit use, and keep a small balance in it, adding funds on an as-needed basis, and get a new card issued about every 6 months. Hopefully this will minimize the risk.

My point in my original post, is that this activity *has* to be illegal! Just because a company has your card number doesn't mean they have carte blanche to your account. Hey-it's called *stealing*! I would *hope* business' would be held liable for such actions.
--
Thanks for the responses!

<<EDIT>>


[Edited by phil smith on 03-30-2001 at 11:38 AM]

Actually, it is very safe, and the preferred way to use credit cards. Just don't use the debit cards (with the Visa/MC logo). The debit ones will get you in trouble. Credit cards are the good ones to use.

Actually, it is very safe, and the preferred way to use credit cards. Just don't use the debit cards (with the Visa/MC logo). The debit ones will get you in trouble. Credit cards are the good ones to use.

Because of the preferred customer thing, as far as I can tell, my bank is extending all the protection and perks that are offered with a credit card, but without he interest.

<<EDIT>>

Ditto on the debit cards.

People think because there's a Visa or MC logo they have the same protection as a credit card. But they don't.

IMO one day the laws will catch up with debit cards but for now it's much riskier.

Why even use NetSol? There are plenty of other cheaper registrars out there.

Originally posted by Phil Smith
Because of the preferred customer thing, as far as I can tell, my bank is extending all the protection and perks that are offered with a credit card, but without he interest.


I accept your reasoning for using debit cards. Your bank is providing you a service that you're happy with. I like mine as well since it charges me no fees of any kind.

However, for most consumers, debit card transactions incur fees; credit cards, none. Credit cards may have annual fees, but these are becoming rare. With debit cards, money is immediately removed from the bank accounts; with credit cards, you have about a month to pay. As for the credit card interest fees, there is none if the balance is paid in full. Plus, when travelling abroad, you can use your credit cards to withdrawal cash from most ATMs. For me and some of my colleagues, we get better exchange rates as well.

I recently read a news article about an American earning something like over 20 million mileage points in 1999 just buy purchasing stamps with his credit card. I'm no where close to his level, but I have earned many freebies.

Still, credit cards can also be bad if the cardholders cannot pay off the balances in full. I have seen people using the cards as if there is no tomorrow... then they see the high interest rates and the balances just keep going higher and higher.

[Edited by NMCB on 03-31-2001 at 07:48 AM]