Special offer

Keep Track of the Fine Print -- Did Network Solutions Try to Pull a Fast One?

By
Industry Observer with RETIRED / State License is Inactive Inactive License Oregon

A few days ago (December 16th'ish) I received an email from Network Solutions.  I read it, didn't think much about it. 

 

Apparently the email slipped into my deep subconscious mind because this morning at approximately 3:30AM it dawned on me (quite literally) that the email I had received from Network Solutions was about my domain registered with them: CarlaHomes.com

I've had this domain registered with them for close to 15 years. 

The email I read last week stated they "auto renewed" this domain for me by "auto deducting" $75.98 from my bank account.

Only problemo . . . the domain isn't up for renewal until FEBRUARY 14, 2013.  And that dawned on me this morning.

When I called Network Solutions today to find out why they did this, apparently (they said) I opted for that. 

HUH?!?

Why in the world would I opt to have money taken out of MY account and deposited into THEIR account TWO MONTHS before a renewal is even due?

Dude on the phone said, "But Ma'am . . . you checked the box."

Did I?

I doubt it. 

Posted by

 

 

Carla Muss-Jacobs has RETIRED effective May 1, 2018

Representing Buyers in the Portland Metro Real Estate Market | Clackamas Multnomah and Washington Counties | Since 1999

Carla Muss-Jacobs, REALTOR®, ABR, CEBA, ePro
Principal Broker/Owner ~~ INACTIVE

Carla Muss-Jacobs' retirement became effective May 1, 2018

Direct: 503-810-7192 

 

All Rights Reserved © 

Comments (14)

Debi Braulik
www.roundrealestate.com - Maple Valley, WA
Selling Maple Valley to Fife WA Homes For Sale

Good catch! Did you tell them to put it right back into your account? That seems fishy!

Dec 21, 2012 05:53 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Hi Debi --  Yes, I did ask for my account to be credited.and they said it would take two days . . . nothing like floating the funds just a tad more.

Dec 21, 2012 05:57 AM
Richard Iarossi
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD
Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Carla,

That's about the most expensive 2 year domain registration I've seen. Since it's only a domain registration, you can do it anywhere for about 1/3 the price. Register it somewhere else and point to the servers doing your hosting.

Rich

Dec 21, 2012 06:05 AM
Rob D. Shepherd
RETIRED - Florence, OR
RETIRED

Time magazine has been on me to renew before I lost out. As i was licking the envelope and check shut, I noticed I had 6 months left. What was the rush?

Dec 21, 2012 06:10 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Carla, Sounds like they're having some fun moving accounts receivable into this calendar year to make their books look better. 

Dec 21, 2012 06:27 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Hi Rich -- ya know, you're right . . . I'll switch it when the "real" renewal date is here.

Hey Rob . . . they want the money in THEIR account not yours.  If people are like me, I go into a trance and become robotic when I pay my bills ;-)  It's good when I'm not like that.

Hi Bliz -- might be the case

Dec 21, 2012 06:29 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Carla - I wonder how many others have been charged and did not(or will not) even notice.   Your eye for detail is a good trait.   

Dec 21, 2012 06:46 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I need to check on when mine is due now that you made me think about it.

Dec 21, 2012 07:13 AM
Retired from ActiveRain
Baker, OR

Carla: I concur with Liz & Bill's thoughts or the company's serious cash flow problems that require desperate measures.

Dec 21, 2012 09:23 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Hi, Carla,  This is how bad business practices lose good, loyal customers.  One by one they go out of business because we know we have a choice ... and we find better providers with better service with better prices.  They did you a favor.  I like your play on words ... it dawned on you at 3:30am ... that is definitely a bewitching time of morning! I've learned it is a time when I most need to listen.  Merry Christmas, Carla!

Dec 21, 2012 11:19 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Same thing happened to me.  I didn't renew because it wasn't set to expire until next year.  They automatically did it for me.  Annoying.

Dec 21, 2012 12:37 PM
Christine Smith
Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com - Canton, MA
Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA

Carla....it's amazing how we remember things in the middle of the night like that!  Good thing you did!

Dec 22, 2012 01:07 AM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

On the bright side Carla, at least it is now renewed and there is no risk of it expiring and a vulture coming in, snatching it up and then trying to ransom it back to you.  This happened to me about 5 years ago, and they still have my domain name, which they will gladly sell back to me for $1000.

Dec 26, 2012 02:28 PM
Pete Xavier
Investments to Luxury - Pacific Palisades, CA
Outstanding Agent Referrals-Nationwide

They needed a little extra money to buy Mercedes for everyone on their holiday list.

Dec 26, 2012 02:50 PM