- Report: #713217
Complaint Review: Godaddy - Internet
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Godaddy
Internet, United States of America
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Godaddy.com
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Godaddy BUYER BEWARE - check all products for auto renew or "recurring" option Internet
This is just unbelievable. I got the email notification from Godaddy that my domain was expiring, and that I didn't have the auto renew set. I was a happy camper, this is exactly what was supposed to happen.
A few hours later, I got an email from Pay Pal, saying that the calendar, email, and online filing system - $35 total charge, associated with my EXPIRED domain had been AUTO RENEWED! I MEAN REALLY??? How can I use email from a domain I don't own anymore. Even worse... how can someone else buy that domain if I'm still the owner of the email, calendar and file system???
I then logged in to the godaddy website, and found under "products" that I had those features associated with my domain. When I purchased the domain, that was part of the package, so by canceling the domain, I would thing those products would cancel. But hell no. You have to go in and cancel the domain, then go fishing around all the products that are listed and cancel them separately, or you will be charged.
Beware- beware- beware--- EVERY PRODUCT ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR DOMAIN IS SET TO AUTO RENEW - by default.
They do not notify you that your "products" are auto-renewing, only that your domain is auto renewing. And as a logical person, if you cancel the domain, why would the products associated with that domain also not be canceled?
Just to bend you over a little further before they shove the $35 charge up your butt, they have a nice pop-up message when you choose the cancel feaure saying that by canceling your "products" does NOT ENTITLE YOU TO A REFUND. So you cancel your domain, and they go in and take $35 that you can do nothing about.
Yes - Godaddy, go screw yourself. You got my $35 for an email account and file system that I no longer own the domain for. And exactly just how does that work if someone else buys the domain that I let expire? Do I still own the email account that I have a receipt saying it's paid in full and I own... or do you just charge them again for the same email and we "share" this email that you created just for us?
For all those reading this, please go in and check your products even after you have changed your domain to not auto renew. Expiring your domain DOES NOT protect you from auto renewal of the other products associated with your domain. Yes, they say this on their site, and NO you will not be notified by email that they are going to pull this charge from your credit card or Pay Pal for these products.
But if, like a logical person, you cancel the domain, and think that the features associated with your domain cancel as well... THINK AGAIN. This is their way of tapping into your money even when you want to cancel business with them. So now I am the happy owner of a file system and email account to a domain that someone else can purchase... I'm just curious how that works in the real world!!!
A few hours later, I got an email from Pay Pal, saying that the calendar, email, and online filing system - $35 total charge, associated with my EXPIRED domain had been AUTO RENEWED! I MEAN REALLY??? How can I use email from a domain I don't own anymore. Even worse... how can someone else buy that domain if I'm still the owner of the email, calendar and file system???
I then logged in to the godaddy website, and found under "products" that I had those features associated with my domain. When I purchased the domain, that was part of the package, so by canceling the domain, I would thing those products would cancel. But hell no. You have to go in and cancel the domain, then go fishing around all the products that are listed and cancel them separately, or you will be charged.
Beware- beware- beware--- EVERY PRODUCT ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR DOMAIN IS SET TO AUTO RENEW - by default.
They do not notify you that your "products" are auto-renewing, only that your domain is auto renewing. And as a logical person, if you cancel the domain, why would the products associated with that domain also not be canceled?
Just to bend you over a little further before they shove the $35 charge up your butt, they have a nice pop-up message when you choose the cancel feaure saying that by canceling your "products" does NOT ENTITLE YOU TO A REFUND. So you cancel your domain, and they go in and take $35 that you can do nothing about.
Yes - Godaddy, go screw yourself. You got my $35 for an email account and file system that I no longer own the domain for. And exactly just how does that work if someone else buys the domain that I let expire? Do I still own the email account that I have a receipt saying it's paid in full and I own... or do you just charge them again for the same email and we "share" this email that you created just for us?
For all those reading this, please go in and check your products even after you have changed your domain to not auto renew. Expiring your domain DOES NOT protect you from auto renewal of the other products associated with your domain. Yes, they say this on their site, and NO you will not be notified by email that they are going to pull this charge from your credit card or Pay Pal for these products.
But if, like a logical person, you cancel the domain, and think that the features associated with your domain cancel as well... THINK AGAIN. This is their way of tapping into your money even when you want to cancel business with them. So now I am the happy owner of a file system and email account to a domain that someone else can purchase... I'm just curious how that works in the real world!!!
1 Updates & Rebuttals
JustAnotherConsumer
Jacksonville,North Carolina,
USA
It's a common misconception
#2Consumer Comment
Sun, April 03, 2011
I'm sorry to hear about your issue, but GoDaddy.com has not really done anything wrong. Unfortunately, it's a very common misconception that a domain name and a hosting account are one and the same. This is simply not true. You can register a domain name and never do anything with it. When it expires, it would simply no longer belong to you (as it appears you were hoping would happen). However, you obviously signed up for a hosting plan which included the calendar, email address and file system you reference. These services DO NOT come with a domain name. They are a separate purchase called a HOSTING PLAN.
It is a common courtesy for GoDaddy (or any hosting company) to auto-renew your domain name AND hosting plan for you by default. Otherwise, you might remember to renew one but not the other. Imagine if your situation were reversed. You wanted to keep your web site but got only a domain name renewal notice (no notice was sent saying that your hosting plan was set to expire as well). So, you renew your domain name but suddenly your web site just disappears. You would be very angry and accuse GoDaddy of not reminding you to renew your hosting plan as well.
I usually try to explain this to my clients as follows: A domain name is like the address to your house -- it can change as desired whenever you decide to move on. However, a hosting plan (which allows you to have a web site and all files on the server) is like your furniture. You must pack it up and take it with you when you move. If you don't, you will forfeit your belongings and/or be charged for their removal.
Applying this analogy to your situation: you enjoyed living in the home but then decided to leave when your rental term was up. You didn't pack up your furniture or make arrangements to have it disposed of, so the landlord is still charging you for the storage of your items. If you wanted to get rid of everything, you needed to alert GoDaddy that you want to cancel the domain name AND hosting plan. It's just that simple.
I've dealt with GoDaddy a lot, as I work in the web design industry. They are usually very good with customer service. I'm sure a simple phone call to them, explaining the mix-up and asking that they cancel the hosting plan will do the trick. I've had clients who received large refunds for pre-paid hosting plans that they canceled and no longer use. As long as you met your original term period (usually 1-2 years for a hosting plan) they are usually quite willing to work with you. Hope this helps.
