I registered one domain at register.com earlier this year, probably because of a cheap first-year price based on a coupon code or something. Regardless of why I decided to try them, here's what I just learned:
They have an unpublished renewal price of $38 which seems to be the highest in the industry by far. And they enrolled me in their "SafeRenew" system without my approval, which means that if I forget to transfer my domain elsewhere before the end of my current registration year they will charge my credit card automatically for their unreasonably high renewal fees and screw me out of a lot of money -- at least 3-4 times more than most other registrars are charging for renewals these days.
What's worse is that they also signed me up for registry info protection for another $11 a year, again without my permission. And I have to CALL THEM ON THE PHONE if I want to cancel SafeRenew or registry protection, or anything else they signed me up for that I do not want.
They offer no way to cancel any of these things on their website!
So, since this is what I consider to be the worst type of opportunistic money-grabbing scam -- and I hate any company that tries to deal with me on this type of unethical basis -- I decided to transfer my domain elsewhere, many months before it expires.
But when I began my request for an auth-code the first thing I was presented with was a notice that "If you're thinking of transferring we want to speak with you, please call us toll-free!". So I ignored it because I already hate the way they are playing games with me, and I want nothing to do with this company any more.
The next thing I see is a "Special limited time offer, renew now for one year and stay with register.com for only $10". But they have completely soured me on their service by this time, so I ignored this offer as well.
Finally when I get to the last page I am presented with this message:
Quote:
Authorization Code
Your request for an Auth Code has been received and your information will be validated for security reasons. If your request is approved, you will receive your Auth Code by email in 4-5 days.
To cancel this request, please call one of our Customer Service Representatives at 1.877.318.7563.
Thank you.
|
What the h*** do they think they are doing delaying the delivery of my auth-code for 5 days?
This scam is apparently designed to screw the folks who needs to transfer immediately. By refusing to send auth-codes upon request they are apparently trying to force last-minute transferees to stay with register.com, at which time they will auto-charge their credit cards for $49 for another year.
Fortunately I did not wait until the last minute to transfer, but that doesn't mean they will let me transfer without a huge hassle. After all, their entire effort so far has been to oppose and delay my transfer rather than to help me transfer. This kind of crap is exactly what's wrong with the world today. Just another company that cannot make it on an ethical basis so they try to screw their customers as much as they possibly can.
I honestly I do not believe they will sent my auth-code via email in 5 days either. Instead I think they will continue to delay, and therefore try to prevent me from leaving.
WHY DOES ICANN ALLOW THIS KIND OF CRAP ???
I am certainly not the first person to be delayed by register.com's unethical practices. I strongly suggest that everyone STEER CLEAR of register.com as long as they continue to treat their customers as dishonestly and unethically as this.
Linear Mode
