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Do you own one or more Domain names ?

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Tampa Properties

Received a letter, actually a quasi bill sort of, in the mail today explaining that one of my domains was expiring soon and I needed to renew it now.  I know that I have 4 expiring in November as GoDaddy (my registrar) sends me frequent emails reminding me so.  But, this notice was from something called Domain Registry of America and included only one domain name that expires next February, not the four expiring much sooner.

It's a very nice, well written, very professional looking letter with numerous "call to action" items to make payment so very easy.  Except the price for renewing this one domain name for one year is $35.00, which includes transferring the domain to their registry service from GoDaddy.  GoDaddy will only charge me $11.62 and I won't have to bother with transferring and setting up a new account with Domain Registry of America.  Nice try fellas, but not this old dog.

I'm not pushing GoDaddy, there are many domain registry services that are very similar in price and if they work for you fine.  I purchased my first domain through GoDaddy almost 12 years ago and have never had a problem.  I am only writing to warn of this neat little marketing trick that someone might fall for and actually pay, only to find out later they made a huge mistake.  Domain Registry of America might be a great service. I haven't checked them out, don't need to, as I am happy where I am. 

But, say you run a team and have an administrative assistant or office manager who pays the bills.  In comes this neat little letter, out goes $35.00 or more in the case of multiple domains and in about a week or so your website(s) shut down because the transfer has not been completed.  Then what do you do!

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Karen Crowson
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Rancho Bernardo, CA
Your Agent for Change

I have a few that I've kept with for a while. With decent domain names, so I hesitate to give them up. But there's only one I'm really using. It's hard to be all things to all people, but sometimes it seems that's what I try to do.

Sep 23, 2011 04:56 PM
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Steven - There are some domain registry companies actively sending me letters to transfer my domains to their expensive registry service. I am happy with GoDaddy too.

Sep 23, 2011 05:11 PM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

 

  I get those Printed Letters via US Postal Service Snail Mail now and then.   They look very Official, very Ominous, and very Urgent.   And yes, they are usually $30 or $40 plus ICANN Fees.

      But I toss those letters into the Trash.   My Domain Names are registered at GoDaddy, Verio, Domain Processor, and elsewhere.

Sep 23, 2011 05:19 PM
FN LN
Toronto, ON

Hi Steven - The same company also has a related Canadian company that sends out similar mail all the time.  Just ignore the letters.

Sep 23, 2011 06:27 PM
Elizabeth Birmingham
EB Realty - Grand Junction, CO

I had a domain addiction and bought at one point over 80 domain names to point to my various websites. I only got 3 of those letter fortunately. In 1995 I purchase my first Domain name after going to a seminar on "The Future of the Internet in Real Estate". I got a letter back then too. That is the time I should have bought 80 domains. Great names were ripe for the picking. Ah Well!

Sep 24, 2011 04:15 AM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566
I use GoDaddy, too, and pitch those same letters. I just picked up the 365thingstodoincalvertcounty.com this week and activated a Facebook post using all my localism contest entries this month.
Sep 26, 2011 05:43 PM
Florida Tolbert Team Keller Williams Advantage
Keller Williams Advantage III Realty in Lake Nona - Orlando, FL
Keller Williams Land Luxury Division Specialist

Godaddy for me as well.

I have tried others in the same price range, but it just isn't the same.

 

Sep 27, 2011 04:41 PM