.CO Tiered Pricing update...
Ok so I received a positive followup email from Neustar today. I also read through my old emails to them. I hate to drop peoples emails into public view but I feel the need here so that you all don't think I'm wacky. But stay tuned, things might not be bad after all. First here is the email that drove me nuts:
-- start of email --
Dear User,
Thank you for contacting us,
In preparation for the repricing of the .co tier program, all names in the program have been reserved by the .CO Registry.
This does not affect any names that are currently registered by customers, however, any unregistered names or any names that may be deleted and dropped during this time period will be reserved and become available on September 1, 2018 with updated tier pricing.
Regards,
The .Co Team.
-- end of email --
Did I read that wrong, they said tiered pricing twice, not once right? So I replied back asking for clarification. A second support team member wrote back stating the following. Again, I hate to do this, but since there is not pricing page on their website I think it's necessary:
-- start of email --
Support just sent me your inquiry and I wanted to get back to you.
There is no new policy change to our premium program. In August 2015, the .CO Registry began offering premium domains via its retail channel. On September 1, 2018, there will be some pricing updates and we’ve communicated these updates with our registrar partners. These updates do not affect any currently registered .co domains.
Even if you pay a premium price to register a .CO premium domain name, your annual renewal fee will be the standard .CO renewal fee charged for all .CO domain names. Please check with your preferred retailer for details as fees may differ according to each retailer’s individual pricing policies and practices.
-- end of email --
So if the second employee is correct then it's business as usual. The pricing changes have to do with re-releasing those reserved domains at a premium, an up front fee similar to what domainers do now.
I replied back but the person is on vacation per their auto responder. This is important info because there is an auction going on at Sedo. If anyone know people at Neustar please hit them up for a public comment.
And again a message to all registrars and registries from me:
STOP THIS MADDNESS. PUBLISH A MSRP AND STANDARDIZE YOUR PRICING MESSAGING -- SELF REGULATE -- OTHERWISE YOU WILL LEAD US ALL BACK TO .COM.
I'm not saying one tld is better or worse, or that one pricing method is better or worse. I am saying that the market needs a standard pricing page on all tld website NOW.
So don't drop your .CO names. We need to see what support person number 3 says first.
