Transferring a Domain
Part of the mutterings of the Global Village Idiot
After reading this article
on slashdot.org and this article on
dnspolicy.net I realized that I was a fool to trust such a
precious resource such as my domain to a bunch of droids at NSI. I had
just spent a frustrating six weeks simply trying to update my
mailing address which should have been a simple matter since
I am the owner, but I got reject
after reject from some very dim bulbs.
So I wrote this e-mail
letter and sent it each of the current list of
registrars. Most of them had valid e-mail addresses, or pointers to
web pages with the proper address or a web form. Here're the results:
Some time later ... I learned a few more things from the
replies. Several registrars said that they would be legally
responsible for transferring the domain to a successor registrar in
case they "disappeared." Not according to the License
Agreement, which says, fairly clearly, I think (6.1.g. Effect of
Termination),
Upon expiration or termination of this Agreement, NSI will complete
the registration of all domain names processed by Registrar prior to
the date of such expiration or termination, provided that Registrar's
payments to NSI for Registration Fees are current and timely. ...
I'm no lawyer, but it sounds to me that, if a registrar has trouble
and doesn't pay its bills, and then goes away, NSI can do what it
wants. Of note is 6.1.h says that even if the agreement is terminated,
NSI is still indemnified. It is perhaps even more disturbing that NSI
can delete a domain "associated with invoices not paid in
full" for non-payment (section 5.4). We (the cash wielding SLD
holders) are not even included as a third party (section 6.2). This
does not give me a warm fuzzy feeling inside. On the other hand, if
there's a sale or merger, your contract with the old registrar still
holds with the new one. So hope that business is good.
- signaturedomains.com
- They're not offering discounts on multi-year aggrements, yet,
but see notes for "likely"
- tierra.net
- Require a 2 year minimum on new domains. Transfers can sign up
for a minimum 1 year.
- register.com
- They reply with an automated e-mail requesting that I use their
web "ticket" interface. I get a reply back with ticket number and
promise to respond within 8 hours. Within minutes I get a reply to
all my questions. Fastest response winner.
- namesecure.com
- Automated ticket response. The reply came a bit later. They
don't have a web interface in production yet (still in beta
testing). I'm not sure what 32-bit encryption is, especially if
it isn't related to a browser interface.
- nameit.net
- They have a demo of their
interface
- registrars.com
- Offer discounts for 10 year contract (save $50).
- gkg.net
- I got a reply from a real human being (asking for some time
while she collected the info). A few minutes later she replied again
reporting they can not do transfers at this time, but are planning to
in the future.
- enom.com
- No response after 36 hours. They fail the basic intelligence
test.
- dotster.com
- I can't read their pricing on their website because of broken
html. e-mails to info@, sales@ bounce. I went back to their web
site and filled out a form. Their response came just a bit under 5
hours later. They certainly have a great price point! They don't
have an 800 number, however, they will return e-mail with
a telephone call if requested (beats waiting on hold, I guess).
- dotearth.com
- No response after 36 hours. They fail the basic intelligence
test.
- domainbank.net
- They don't have transfer pricing posted yet. Nor did they
return my e-mail after 36 hours. They fail the basic intelligence
test.
- awregistry.com
- It seems that they use e-mails (PGP signed, thank goodness),
and a browser interface is due RSN.
- names4ever.com
-
|
awregistry.net |
domainbank.net |
dotearth.com |
dotster.com |
enom.com |
gkg.net |
nameit.net |
names4ever.com |
namesecure.com |
register.com |
registrars.com |
signaturedomains.com |
tierra.net |
|
| Reply Time |
24h |
|
|
4h50m |
|
50m |
1h10m |
19h45m |
5h10m |
35m |
12h5m |
12h |
45m |
Reply Time |
| Annual Fee |
$35 / yr |
|
|
$15 / yr * |
|
|
$34 / yr |
$35 / yr |
$35 / yr |
$35 / yr |
$30 / yr |
$65 / 2 yrs |
$60 / 2 yrs |
Annual Fee |
| Volume Disc |
15% @ 10 yrs |
|
|
$75 / 5 yr |
|
|
no |
yes |
no |
no |
$150 / 5 yr; $250 / 10 yr |
not yet |
not yet |
Volume Disc |
| Tx Fee |
$35 (incs time left+1 yr) |
|
|
$25 + 1 yr min |
|
no transfers |
$29 (incs 1 yr) |
$35 (same as reg) |
$15 + $35 / 1 yr |
$35 (includes current time) |
$30 (incs 1 yr) |
$60 (incs 2 yrs) |
$0 |
Tx Fee |
| WWW UI |
RSN |
|
|
yes |
|
|
yes; demo |
yes |
beta |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
WWW UI |
| Online Support |
8a-8p MST |
|
|
M-F 6a-6p 9a-5p Sa PST |
|
|
M-F 8a-6p |
yes |
9a-5p PST |
24x7 |
8a-4p PST |
9a-7p |
M-F 5a-9p PST |
Online Support |
| Telephone Support |
877-734-6263 24x7 |
|
|
outbound only |
|
|
910-485-3081 8a-6p |
RSN |
800-299-1288 9a-5p PST |
800-899-9702 M-F 8:30a-10p SaSu 10a-5p |
800-850-8282 6a-9p |
305-446-6811 9a-7p |
877-TIERRA-1 M-F 5a-5p PST |
Telephone Support |
The initial e-mail was sent on February 9, 2000 at approximately
10:45 am PST. I've made every effort to translate the information received
in the replies accurately. Any errors or misinterpretations are purely
unintentional. Contact me with any corrections.