Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Domain Names : $12 registration from Register.com if you try to transfer

[Abu Mami]

Well, one of my domain names came up for renewal so I decided to transfer it from Register.com to directNIC. After the first confirmation of the transfer, Register.com sent me this...

--- excerpt of message from Register.com ---
This message is to confirm your request to transfer the
registrar for the domain name(s) below from register.com to
another registrar. We hope you'll reconsider and renew your
domain name with register.com for an additional year for the
special promotional price of only $12!
--- end of excerpt ---

The main reason I was transferring to directNIC was because of the price. The fact that their service is top notch is just icing (really gooey rich icing) on the cake. I really like directNIC and see no reason not to complete the transfer. However...

Register.com was also a top-notch registrar. I don't really have any complaints except for the price. THE PRICE! WOW! Now because I'm bolting, they [finally] offer me a realistic price. Why did they wait so long? I assume that new customers still pay $35/year. Old [dissatisfied?] customers only pay $12?

OK guys. Wadawye do? The $3 difference isn't the issue. The issue is principle/policy/whatever.

Anyone got any ideas or feeling about this? (Here's your chance to wax poetic or philosophize :-)

Thanks

[GeorgeC]

Interesting. I just initiated a transfer from Register.com to 000domains. Most likely I'll get the offer as well. Personally I'll still move forward with the transfer. Who knows how long the special price will last; will it still be $12 the next time you renew?

[serve-you]

If the only reason you were transferring the domain was for the price, then why not stay a year and take advantage of the offer? Next year when it's time to renew, transfer, maybe you'll get the same deal, maybe not. What have you lost if you don't?

-Dan

[Scott]

The $12.00 renewal is great but remember it may not be there next year...

[Abu Mami]

Originally posted by Scott
The $12.00 renewal is great but remember it may not be there next year...

Well, that's OK. Next year I can transfer my domain to another [cheaper] registrar :-)

My problem I guess is sort of a philosophical puzzle. Does the $3 mean that much to me? If we were talking about hundreds of domains it would make a difference. But we're only talking about one domain. All my other domains are with directNIC who are really great. So do I save $3? Or do I transfer to my registrar of choice?

If this was strictly an issue of saving a few bucks, I'd transfer to godaddy or one of the other sub-10-buck registrars. I actually thought about doing that in order to see how they compare to directNIC.

--> Is there any reason to stick with Register.com? (except for saving $3). Do they have some sort of great feature that the others don't. Do they have the best service in the world? Do I get a free t-shirt? Or at least a beer glass coaster?

Something tells me I'm going to complete the transfer to directNIC.

Phew! I know, I'm making a big deal out of nothing. But for some reason I got a bug up my behind on this issue.

[thewitt]

If register.com is changing their business practices, make sure you read their TOS - or at least get a commitment that there will be no added fees for a future transfer request.

There seem to be a number of registrars who are instigating transfer away fees. I've had a number of transfers cancelled by the potential customer this year because the outgoing registrar was going to charge them $20-$50 to transfer out.

Just make sure you don't get bit by this in a year.

-t

[Abu Mami]

OK, I know you're all sitting on the edge of your seats...

I decided to go ahead with the transfer from Register.com to directNIC. I didn't have the patience to thoroughly read the terms of service for Register.com, and I was afraid that I'd find out later that I was missing some important feature (available of course for an additional fee). I've been burned before and was afraid to take a chance.

I don't intend this as a trashing of Register.com. As far as I'm concerned they were excellent (except for price of course), but now I'm a little closer to consolidating my registrations with one registrar. In addition, there aren't any surprises - at least I hope not. I'm familiar with directNIC service and features and I know that they've got everthing I need.