'Doteasy' rip-off, how to transfer domain

[duncan12]

Hi everyone, this is my first post

I have a bit of a problem with trying to transfer my domain to NameCheap.

Back when I first got the domain I knew very little about domains. I ended up on a site called Doteasy, they had a discount on and I got my domain.

However, now I want to transfer it to my NameCheap account, and they want a US$20 fee to lift the domain lock (which I never even knew was on in the first place).

There are 2 reasons I refuse to pay them the $20:

1. Aside from somewhere in the T&Cs, the fact that the domain lock was on and that this fee would apply was completely hidden (so I feel they're taking advantage of me and don't feel they deserve my money)
2. I'm 13 so $20 isn't nothing.

I have sent them many assertive emails, and while I was hoping/expecting to have the fee waived, they (Doteasy) continually linked to their Terms of Service. (which obviously everybody reads when making accounts)

I now need a way to somehow move the domain across. My domain is a small personal page and I'm confident nobody will want to snatch it (if the option involves letting it expire).

If there is absolutely no other way I will switch domains (at least temporarily), but that's always a huge hassle.


So what are my options?

Thanks in advance,
Duncan

 

[lothos]

Hi Duncan,

Never heard of DotEasy. Namecheap is a very good option for registering domains.

Regarding your situation... Unfortunately it's not against any rules to charge for this. Reputable registers don't charge.

There ARE people that will buy your domain at auction if it expires. In this case I would probably pay the $20. This keeps the domain in your hands and assures that you won't lose it. It sucks when that happens, it happened to me once back in 1998.

As far as earning the $20, you could try mowing some lawns, or asking for an advance on your allowance, or selling a video game you no longer play.

Hope this helps you. Best of luck, and please let us know if you have any other questions or would like to keep us updated with your progress.

 

[duncan12]

Hi Duncan,

Never heard of DotEasy. Namecheap is a very good option for registering domains.

Regarding your situation... Unfortunately it's not against any rules to charge for this. Reputable registers don't charge.

There ARE people that will buy your domain at auction if it expires. In this case I would probably pay the $20. This keeps the domain in your hands and assures that you won't lose it. It sucks when that happens, it happened to me once back in 1998.

As far as earning the $20, you could try mowing some lawns, or asking for an advance on your allowance, or selling a video game you no longer play.

Hope this helps you. Best of luck, and please let us know if you have any other questions or would like to keep us updated with your progress.

Haha thanks.

Yeah, I use NameCheap now, however when I first reg'd the domain I didn't know anything about domains and just went ahead with them.

I'm pretty much 100% nobody will snatch it - it's {myfullname}.net, and I just use it to experiment round with PHP and stuff. Also planning to sell domains as time goes on.

Maybe you're right that I should just pay them, but to be honest it's more of a moral issue - what they're doing is wrong, so they don't deserve my $20 which someone who did the right thing wouldn't get.

If there is a way to bypass this, somehow, that would be great, but if there isn't I guess I might have to.

Thanks,
Duncan

 

[lothos]

There very well could be a way to bypass it.

It looks like {yourfullname}.com is available to register.

Here's what I'd do:
-register the .com for ~$9 at namecheap
-move the website to the .com, and forward the .net to the .com. This gets people/search engines to move to the .com domain
-let the .net expire and don't pay the $20 fee. I agree with the moral issue, and I wouldn't be happy about paying the fee either.

someone MIGHT pick up your .net, but I agree it's not likely. If someone does snatch it, it's not so big of a deal because you have the better .com name. Otherwise you can register it after it expires.

 

[duncan12]

There very well could be a way to bypass it.

It looks like {yourfullname}.com is available to register.

Here's what I'd do:
-register the .com for ~$9 at namecheap
-move the website to the .com, and forward the .net to the .com. This gets people/search engines to move to the .com domain
-let the .net expire and don't pay the $20 fee. I agree with the moral issue, and I wouldn't be happy about paying the fee either.

someone MIGHT pick up your .net, but I agree it's not likely. If someone does snatch it, it's not so big of a deal because you have the better .com name. Otherwise you can register it after it expires.

:lol: how you found out my full name

But yeah, maybe that would be the way to go.

I have got until September, so I will do that, but then afterwards re-register the .net (on NameCheap). I haven't got much of a userbase, and can 401 them, but it's more of a pain changing links, PHP server stuff etc.

Oh well, will bear with and not make the same mistakes again.

Thanks,
Duncan

 

[lothos]

Hey Duncan, if you "like" Namecheap on facebook, you can click their "current deals" menu item and get a coupon code for a $1.99 domain name right now. They just hit 10,000 likes a couple minutes ago and activated the coupon. You could get your .com for two bucks. I'd do it today though, it's a limited use coupon.

Best of luck

 

[duncan12]

Hey Duncan, if you "like" Namecheap on facebook, you can click their "current deals" menu item and get a coupon code for a $1.99 domain name right now. They just hit 10,000 likes a couple minutes ago and activated the coupon. You could get your .com for two bucks. I'd do it today though, it's a limited use coupon.

Best of luck

Yes I have done. Thought it was gonna start in 2 hours - must have tone the time zones wrongly.

Will do now,
Thanks again


EDIT: got DuncanNZ (dotCOM). (I live in New Zealand, and the ccTLD is unavailable). Will sort it out tomorrow. Got it instead of my last name because my last name is long and hard to pronounce and nobody spells it right...

 

[lothos]

Yes I have done. Thought it was gonna start in 2 hours - must have tone the time zones wrongly.

Will do now,
Thanks again

it's live now, I'm registering one as we speak.

Glad I could help you out! Welcome to Namepros

 

[Kate]

Sounds like déjà vu, but I wouldn't say you've been scammed.
You most likely didn't read the fine print in full.

Similar story on another forum. Google this:
"Doteasy is holding my domain for ransom"

 

[duncan12]

Sounds like déjà vu, but I wouldn't say you've been scammed.
You most likely didn't read the fine print in full.

Similar story on another forum. Google this:
"Doteasy is holding my domain for ransom"

Yes, I kept sending them emails complaining and they reffered me to their "Service Terms and Conditions" every time... poor show.

Wow, an interesting Google search. Hope Doteasy read it and get their act together... fast.

 

[Wonderful]

Doteasy is bad. After my experience, I will never do business with them. Stay away.