Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Domain Names : Ukreg demanding credit card details 2 years in advance of renewal - common practice?

[CallMeAndy]

I have an account at UKReg - to be honest I am no sure how many domains are there - not many, But I think just 1

Anyway wanted to check on the expiry date for my external records, to find that I cannot get access to the domain control panel without updating my credit card details - the current card expired in September.

So I checked at nominet the renewal date is 28-Jul-2009

The question is: does any other hosting service demand credit card details 20 months in advance of renewal?

I don't care what the Terms and Conditions say - this is outragous. If I have a domain or other service on auto-renew the consequence of not giving them my details in time, is down to me.

[Brian-de-vie]

I think normaly, if you leave the 'old' card/info inplace, most reg. will work ok untill domain/service renewal is due.
I've got domains on lots of reg, I'm sure the above is 'the norm'.

[CallMeAndy]

The whole point is though that the old card data is not acceptable to UKReg. They want the new card data 20 months in advance of the renewal date.

Originally Posted by Brian2006

I think normaly, if you leave the 'old' card/info inplace, most reg. will work ok untill domain/service renewal is due.
I've got domains on lots of reg, I'm sure the above is 'the norm'.

[Brian-de-vie]

Sounds like moving your domain might be the best thing for you, but you would lose 20 months of registration fees.
Are you hosted with them as well ?
Are they giving you any kind of access at all ?

[CallMeAndy]

It doesn't mater which menu option I choose to navigate the site - I am directed to:

Credit / debit cards
There are no valid credit or debit cards stored in your account. Please enter a new card or update your existing card details.

Please keep your card details up to date at all times, to ensure that your account continues to run smoothly and to comply with our terms and conditions.

You can have multiple cards on your account for peace of mind if you wish

*****
I love the last line I could give them details of all my credit cards - for peace of mind!

I am not hosting with them (thank god) but if a company behaves in this way I think migration is the only option. Security is
more important than the small fee.

I think ironically this was the only domain I ever placed with them as I did not like them from the off. Although to be honest I have forgotten the reason now. After this insult this one will be off to 123-reg where all my others UK domains are.

[ComplexDrive]

It has more to do with software than anything else, call them and ask them "Wuz up wiz thiz?"

[CallMeAndy]

Yez I Haz, Ize juz waitin on wuz day sayz!

Well rather I emailed them, old chap, and hope to hear pronto.

Originally Posted by ComplexDrive

It has more to do with software than anything else, call them and ask them "Wuz up wiz thiz?"

[CallMeAndy]

The official position, an answer to my contacting support:

I am sorry you feel this way, however the terms and conditions state that a valid credit card needs to be on the account at all times. Unfortunately we cannot be flexible with this rule, however we will only charge you for the services that you add, in this case the domain renewal.

So if you don't mind who stores your credit card details without need - give your domain business to ukreg - or just give me the details - or give the details to Joe Bloggs

[Barti1987]

Not a common rule. Usually companies will require an active credit card, but rarely a requirement to access account.

I guess it is time to transfer your domains, I like mydiscountdomains.com.

Peace,

[Burhan]

The whole point is though that the old card data is not acceptable to UKReg. They want the new card data 20 months in advance of the renewal date.

They want you to abide by their rules, which state that an active card must be on file. So...what's the problem?

[CallMeAndy]

Originally Posted by Burhan

They want you to abide by their rules, which state that an active card must be on file. So...what's the problem?

Not all terms and Conditions are fair, its common practice that companies include terms and conditions that are even knowingly unlawful, to take unfair advantage of the unwary or push the unwilling.

Your comment is akin to saying organisations should be able to act how they like.

Of course I should be able to move the domain, so in this case this is not an issue. But it is a trust issue that I shouldn't have to bare in order to obtain a service.

Unnecessary data capture increases the risk to the individual for whom that data concerns. In this case a financial risk, when UKReg does not even need my personal data. In the UK we have just had the government let the personal details of 25,000,000 people probably land in criminal hands. Which organisation is most likely to be careless - UKReg or UKGov?

For my own agenda, right or wrong technique, I would bring this thing to the public eye, the more people that know of cavalier practices - the more people will object, the more pressure on a business to be reasonable, the greater chance of customer service being better in the future.

[tickedon]

They were doing this years ago as well. I had one domain with them, tried them out instead of 123-reg who I'd been using previously.

Suffice to say, the emails about my credit card details being out of date were a nuisance, being unable to edit my domain was down right taking the p*ss. So I learnt my lesson, left, and have never returned.

[managepartner_com]

Wow i like that line, they have clearly mentioned How to stuck up with them!

Originally Posted by CallMeAndy

Please keep your card details up to date at all times, to ensure that your account continues to run smoothly and to comply with our terms and conditions.

You can have multiple cards on your account for peace of mind if you wish

[Bannaz]

Their billing system has got quite bad over the past couple of years. I've been a longterm customer and have found the automated system a bit too much. Renewal is billed without notice very early on from the expiry date, without notice in case you wanted to let the domain expire.

I'm still a UKreg customer, but certainly looking around.