Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Domain Names : Cancelling 1and1 contract

[Stark8352]

Hi Guys,

I'm new to this forum and am looking for some specific guidance/advice around cancelling my 1and1 contract.

I've had a quick peek around some of the threads and quite alarmed by the precarious situations people have been in with 1and1 and a little worried myself now.

Anyway, I have been dissatisfied with 1and1's hosting service for quite some time now, in particular the sluggish nature of their control panel and the website building software which almost always never loads or freezes. I'm not too keen on their e-mail set-up either. As a result I have been thinking about leaving them but have no idea of how the process of cancellation and retaining your website address works.

1and1 are the host and registrar of my website and I don't know if these are two separate issues or whether the cancellation process deals with it all.

I notice from looking around the web that one of the things you have to do is to change the DNS address of the website to the new host. Is this part of the cancellation process with 1and1 or do I have to do this separately? 1and1's control panel appears to have a link to follow that takes you through the cancellation process but again I don't know what to expect of this and whether I need to have the details of my new host to hand or whether the transfer is something I can deal with after cancellation.

This may be a stupid question but I'm also not sure what happens to my e-mail address. Will this have to change or does it stay the same?

One final questions is whether anyone has any recommendations for a new host. My website is currently simple with just 10 or 12 pages of information with a contact sheet. I would however, like the opportunity to use a database in the future. Would be handy if any new host has a website builder facility.

Any advice/guidance would be greatly appreciated

ses8352

[HostColor]

You should check when does your domain name expire? If you paid for the domain name and if there are no any special TOS (which might apply on promotional offerings) you'd be able to transfer out a domain name from your current registrar to a new one. The first thing to do before canceling a hosting account is to transfer your data to a new server. This includes the email messages. Then you have to point the name servers of the domain name (with or without transferring it to a new registrar) to the new server. Then you go and follow the cancelation procedure of your current provider. When the names servers switch to the new server you the email will be forward automatically to your new email boxes. Hope that this helps!

It is a good idea to ask your new web hosting provider to assist you with the account migration.

[DeluxeHost]

Yes, simply transfer your domain names to a new provider and move your data. Once all your domains and data are moved, call 1and1 and tell them to please cancel your account. It will take a while to transfer your domains as it seems the 1and1 systems are flawed.

I've had similar problems with 1and1

[azaz24]

If you are in for a year contract they will not cancel until 1 to 2 months left on your contract as I have read on forums. Also I have read that after canceling they still taken clients money for the domain or hosting and said to the client it was not cancelled.

Don’t give your credit card to them.
If you can pay cash for your services it is better.

[Stark8352]

Thanks for the responses.

I'm still not clear as to whether transferring the registration of my domain name and transferring my hosting services are two separate things or not?

If they are two separate things do I change my registrar first and then change hosts or is it done all in one go simply by initiating the account closure process. Will 1and1 ask for my new hosts/registrars details to make the change or is it something I have to do somehow myself?

As you can guess from my questions I'm really unsure about how the process works and who does what and when.

I know 1and1 have my card details and I'll have to find out when my current contract runs out.

Thanks

[DeluxeHost]

Originally Posted by Stark8352

Thanks for the responses.

I'm still not clear as to whether transferring the registration of my domain name and transferring my hosting services are two separate things or not?

If they are two separate things do I change my registrar first and then change hosts or is it done all in one go simply by initiating the account closure process. Will 1and1 ask for my new hosts/registrars details to make the change or is it something I have to do somehow myself?
As you can guess from my questions I'm really unsure about how the process works and who does what and when.
Thanks

Yes, the hosting and domain registration are two separate things.
1) First find your new host and then work with them to move your files over. Many hosts will move your files for you free when you pay for your first month, find a host that does that for you.
This host, if they are worth using, will be able to walk you threw this whole process and advise you.

2) Once all of your hosting files are moved over and setup, talk to your host about the best registrar to move your domains to. Godaddy, for example, is a decent one. Never ever, no matter how nice your host is, keep your domains and hosting with the same company. This is just a bad practice as it leaves you open to getting burned when you want to move. Some unreputable hosts will hold your domains hostage and you don't want to leave yourself open to that problem. You've heard, "never put all your eggs in one basket".

3) Now call 1and1 and ask if there is anything else you haven't canceled and cancel it. Tell them you want to cancel everything with them. As someone else said, they won't end your contract until the year is done, but at least you did your best. With luck, when the year runs out, your hosting and accounts with them will automatically end, but don't count on it. Watch your credit card for charges and if they appear, call the credit card and request a "Charge back". That's the best you can do with the likes of 1and1.

Hope that helped, I'm sure you will find a better host.

[seoblack]

l know 1and1 good domain shoping thank you 1and1

[Stark8352]

DeluxeHost,

Thanks for the quick response, that certainly explains things much better for me. I now have a plan of action.

Cheers.

[DeluxeHost]

Originally Posted by Stark8352

DeluxeHost,
Thanks for the quick response, that certainly explains things much better for me. I now have a plan of action.
Cheers.

Your very welcome! Best of luck

[Stark8352]

DeluxeHost,

I've pretty much decided to host my website with HostPapa but they weren't able to recommend a reputable registrar (probably becasue I chose not to have them!). Unfortunately GoDaddy does not accept transfers in of .org.uk domains.

Do you know of any other good registrars.

Cheers

[DeluxeHost]

Originally Posted by Stark8352

DeluxeHost,

I've pretty much decided to host my website with HostPapa but they weren't able to recommend a reputable registrar (probably becasue I chose not to have them!). Unfortunately GoDaddy does not accept transfers in of .org.uk domains.
Do you know of any other good registrars.
Cheers

Yes, If I was you, I'd host with NameCheap.com. They are cheap, reliable and professional.

Good Luck.

[Stark8352]

DeluxeHost,

Thanks for the response. After posting that message I had a search around and actually chose NameCheap as my new registrar, great minds think alike!

I'm now just waiting for it to transfer, I just hope I've done everything in the right order. 1and1 state that they have changed the IPS tag but it's not showing on WHOIS database yet. In your experience, how long does it take for the changes to take effect?

Until the WHOIS database is updated, NameCheap can't do anything which also means I can't get on with changing host servers and closing my 1and1 account.

Thanks.

[DeluxeHost]

Originally Posted by Stark8352

DeluxeHost,
In your experience, how long does it take for the changes to take effect?
Thanks.

It will take the full 5 - 7 days to transfer. That is the other frustrating thing about 1and1. Most registrars, once you confirm all of that email stuff they send, will transfer the domain within a day or two. Godaddy, NameCheap, Enom, they all do it fast.

1and1 always waits for the maximum days. I swear that the 1and1 system has been setup to make life easy only for 1and1 employees, but not for customers. They have no concept of customer service and eventually that will sink them.

That is funny that you already had found Namecheap, good choice

[Stark8352]

DeluxeHost,

Yes it is frustrating, oh well I'll just have to play the waiting game. I notice you list NameCheap and ENOM as separate registrars in your e-mail. Are they somehow connected though, because NameCheap's ISP tag is 'ENOM'?

Cheers

[DeluxeHost]

Originally Posted by Stark8352

DeluxeHost,

Yes it is frustrating, oh well I'll just have to play the waiting game. I notice you list NameCheap and ENOM as separate registrars in your e-mail. Are they somehow connected though, because NameCheap's ISP tag is 'ENOM'?
Cheers

NameCheap acutally used to be a reseller of Enom. So a few years ago, NameCheap was not it's own registrar, it was under Enom.

Now, NameCheap has applied for and been granted it's own Registrar license, so it's now independent from Enom. That's a pretty normal progression, when resellers get big enough, they become their own Registrar.