Complaint Review: Network Solutions - Internet

The previous remarks are on the mark! But here are a few things to also know. Network Solutions does not choose to let your domain expire, but when it does you have 15 days to renew it at regular prices, past 15 days and it is released back to the Registry, once the Registry has the domain they can do what they want with it. Meaning if the registry chooses it can keep the domain inactive and never allow it to go public again. Network Solutions like all registrars must follow ICANN rules. Once it is back at the Registry you can do what is called a Redemption Process but the Registry charges a Hefty price which is passed on to the customer and yes $150.00 is alot but dead accurate. It falls under supply and demand, your customer let it expire then wants it back, the Registry knows this and adds a price for it. Also ICANN regulation say that you CAN transfer a domain even if it has expired as long as it is not in redemption.

I'm in the domain name business, and a competitor of Network Solutions. An while they may charge higher registration fees than other registrars, there is much behind that. My company justifies our prices by services we offer. While we're less than Network Solutions, we're higher priced than other competitors out there. We simply can't cut our costs down any lower. Why? We have people to pay for support and technical staff. There are a number of things when running a business that incur costs, so the fee we pay to the registry isn't the only thing we pay, like someone as yourself would assume. The $150 you refer to is to get a domain out of a Redemption Period. Each registrar charges a different amount. We charge less than $150 (not much lower though) and I think it's very fair. We charge $120 to redeem a domain name. For one, the domain doesn't go into Redemption until 30 days after it already expired. So basically, once you're payment is 30 days late, we delete the domain. At this point, there are larger costs in getting it back for us, we pass that to you and charge more for our staff, etc and also, to make a profit. It may sound harsh, but for once, Network Solutions was right when they told you someone would snatch the domain name if you didn't redeem it. Check out pool.com and snapnames.com. They SPECIALIZE in helping people snatch domains that are released to the general public the INSTANT they're released. Buydomains.com is also very good at it, and they WILL sell the domain back to you, for hundreds, if not thousands of dollars (depending on what type of traffic it's getting, etc). My point, know how the industry works, and you'll easily avoid extra charges. However, when you're facing them, ask yourself who's fault it really is (most likely the consumer unless the registrar had a sever technical issue). Realize that renewal notices are courtesy, and either way, you're still responsible for paying for it. Realize that there are many things that make up the cost of a product (this goes for any industry). Also, as much as anyone would like to believe it, registrars do not hold a domain "hostage". It probably didn't transfer because contact info was out of date, or no one clicked a link in an email and accepted the transfer. The domain was probably on lock. Or, better yet, you probably initiated a transfer the day before it expires. Customers have the WHOLE year to transfer a domain, I can't udnerstand why most of mine wait until the last 3 days and expect it to go right through. :) Ending note, yes, buyer beware....beware that getting a domain name and website means following industry regulated rules, and if you don't know the rules, it's hard to play the game.