Scammed by Registerfly! Please don't use Registerfly

[DeluxeNames.com]

Please don't use registerfly: Incompetent

I am in utter disbeliefe about this injustice: PLEASE DO NOT USE REGISTERFLY AS THEY ARE AN INCOMPETENT COMPANY. It's a shame because I had just become their reseller and was setting up their API to make them money

Their faulty registration software should not allow you to be able to "register" domains that are impossible to register. They need to fix this.

They have sold me 6 imaginary "domains" for a total of $99.94 and refused to give me a refund even though in reality they have sold me nothing. I have pmd Paul (regfly) as he is a nice guy and probably the only one that can help me at this point but no response as yet.

Not knowing that you could not register 2 charecter domains with the ".at" and ".it" (Austria and Italy) cctld's, on June 21st I used the registerfly interface to register these domains:
Us.at
at.at
us.it
uk.at
cn.at
eu.at

Registerfly has charged my credit card for these domains and they show up in my account, although they don't exist in reality because no one can ever register them. For example, if you go to the regisgerfly registration page, it still shows that all 6 of these domains are available to register. However if you go to a http://www.EuroDNS.com and type any of these in, it will tell you correctly that these two charecter domains are of the wrong syntax since they are two charecters.

On June 22rd I realized that these domains were impossible to reigister and I talked to a male in the Registerfly billing departement who said that would be no problem, I would receive a refund.

I didn't think anything more of it unitl today and I called the registerfly billing department to see if they had issued a refund. They said they were sorry, they had no record, of the promised refund, and since it was passed the 4 day cancelation period, there was nothing they could do. I asked to speak to the supervisor, and he asked me the name of the billing rep I spoke to on the 22nd. I could not remember so he didn't believe me and refuses a refund!!!! I thnk the original rep, the one that assured me of a refund, was named Frank, but apparently he no longer works at Registerfly so that didn't get me anywhere.

Is there anything you can do or know anyone I can contact (emails or phone numbers) that can help me?

Bryant Jones

 

[floatingworld]

Companies are building failure into their systems- they are counting on their consumers to stumble. Credit card companies couldn't survive if their customers followed the terms of the 0% interest offers they use for drawing in their customers. They are counting on users to forget to use theit card during a billing period or to mail in their payment a day or two later than the scheduled due date. One slip up, and the customer's rate gets bumped up immediately to 20%+ and than the company can begin to make money. The trend is to throw in enough hurdles, along the way, that are sufficient enough to cause the consumer to trip up. Than they compound the problem by creating support systems that are "negligent by design" and have the, express, purpose of draining as much money out of their customer's accounts as possible while keeping them off balance and frustrating their attempts at righting themselves.

Unfortunately this is true, but companies like regfly and 1-1 are able to rely on bottomfeeding domainers going into gaga mode time and time again with ohsocheap offers to wipe out the memory of the last reported domain car crash. There appears to be a never-ending supply of flies attaching themselves to the Registerflypaper and 1-1.

 

[Ronald Regging]

Than they compound the problem by creating support systems that are "negligent by design" and have the, express, purpose of draining as much money out of their customer's accounts as possible while keeping them off balance and frustrating their attempts at righting themselves.

Another thing credit card companies do to make money is try to freighten their customers about credit card fraud and sell them fraud protection services, when in reality the law already limits your responsibility if your card is used fraudulantly. They play off the ignorance of people to sell them a service that is a complete fraud in itself. Their justification is that it helps them to recoup the losses they face each year for credit card fraud. My only response to that is insurance, and cost of doing business... I think it's Capital One that offers the Zero Liability No Hassle Card, and they advertise it like it's some great benefit they're offering you, their valued customer. blah..

I'm a big fan of capitalism, yet at the same time I hate everything about corporate america. It's a noble idea to start something from the ground and build it up to a great entity, but not when you screw everyone along the way, including your employees and customers. But this seems to be the modern business model prevelant in America at least. There really are no ethics involved in business anymore.

 

[Grrilla]

Unfortunately this is true, but companies like regfly and 1-1 are able to rely on bottomfeeding domainers going into gaga mode time and time again with ohsocheap offers to wipe out the memory of the last reported domain car crash. There appears to be a never-ending supply of flies attaching themselves to the Registerflypaper and 1-1.

Excluding the sadists who would torture people for the enjoyment of it, regardless, of the tool, spammers, also, depend upon the n00bs, the uanaware, the basically stupid and the greedy to draw fresh victims- the "never-ending supply of flies" into the millions of piles of dog doo bait that they send out in email form, each and every second.

 

[HBK216]

Unfortunately this is true, but companies like regfly and 1-1 are able to rely on bottomfeeding domainers going into gaga mode time and time again with ohsocheap offers to wipe out the memory of the last reported domain car crash. There appears to be a never-ending supply of flies attaching themselves to the Registerflypaper and 1-1.

Are you implying people who might have never had issues at certain companies are bottomfeeding domainers as well?

I mean lets be real here, alot of the complaints I see about most companies here could have been avoided. A % are because of bs the company has done. A good % also comes from people who rather act before they think.

 

[seeker]

I mean lets be real here, alot of the complaints I see about most companies here could have been avoided. A % are because of bs the company has done. A good % also comes from people who rather act before they think.

COuld you tell me how I could have avoided having 8 domains disapear from my account 10 days *before* expiration, and after numerous emails with no replies, could do nothing about it?
Of course I tried to renew them, and it failed because of a CC 'processor' problem at the time between regfly and my CC
I had paypal as an option, but they no longfer take paypal (or is it that paypal no longer takes them???)

In any case, the domains *disapeared* and now all show whois privacy on them. a VERY strange coincidence.
No replies whatsoever from the tens of emails.

 

[HBK216]

Did you call them? I don't recall your story at this very second. Either way I look at it that most don't seem to know how to handle companies. If I have problems, I get them straightened out quick & go about my business.

What I do isn't hard so don't feel much pity when I see people whine all day. The whole refund thing is crap too as instead of whining, go about your business & get your money back. I know for a fact it shouldn't be hard as I've dealt with them about it.

 

[vokkerzen]

In any case, the domains *disapeared* and now all show whois privacy on them. a VERY strange coincidence.
No replies whatsoever from the tens of emails.

Last time I recall they use the ticket system and phone call, I do not see email as an option. instead of crying like baby spend the money and call them. I am not in the US but I do call. last time I called I waited only 2 minutes before I get help.

 

[DeluxeNames.com]

Well said domainer shouldn't be in this business.

HBK, don't you think this statement is a bit over the top?

So I should not be in this business simply because I'm not as smart and well experienced as you? (assuming I was even in this business, which I'm not, I do it for fun as a hobby).

If you had to be an expert before registering domains, then most registrars would go broke as there are very few as smart as you.

At what point will you agree that, as long as the registrars want to market domains to the general public (I think of Godaddy's Super bowl commercial), they should make their software so a person of average domain knowledge can use it (i.e. the software shouldn't let you register an impossible domain)?

 

[dewpoint]

Hmmm..interesting domain and even more interesting replies.

The way I see it is as follows.

Let's put this situation in a "real" world scenario. Say, the complaining customer went to Walmart and wanted to pre-order the newest games coming out for the PS2. Walmart accepts the orders and the money. (Point A)

A few days pass, and the customer goes back to the store, and the sales clerk responds with, "Oh, we aren't getting those particular games in. So sorry, but we are keeping your money". (Point B)

Where the whole thing goes sour is at my (Point A) above. It was Walmart's responsibility to have the database in place that would have refused the pre-orders. Just as it is Registerflys responsibility to have the database in place to refuse impossible to register domains.

This situation shouldn't have ever proceeded to (Point B). But it did in both my hypothetical case and in the Registerfly case. There is no question that the customer is owed a complete and immediate refund.

Just because it happens online doesn't make it right or legal.

 

[vokkerzen]

Most registrar companies will show 2 character names as available. You need to have common sense (not be a genius). if a good 2 character name is available I would think millions of other people think same thing and would of register long time ago.

 

[johnn]

I registered 10 names on May 10 - All went well and websites setup with all DNS changes.

Looged into the system last week (Registerfly) - 4 names are gone and one name with the expiration date March 2007 show up in the expired list.

Sent them an email - the problem is corrected but why do I have to check on them to make sure that they do their job. This is not the first time - Name(s) disappeared and you have to send them email to get them back into your account.

 

[dewpoint]

Not to be a pain, but again I point to my reply to posts above...and many similar replies throughout this thread.

The only difference between an online business and a bricks and mortar business is one is online. All of the rest of the rules and laws regarding commercial transactions and ethical business practices remain. Nothing that has happened here would be acceptable in the "real" world. And it certainly isn't acceptable online either.

Registerfly may be either a clever con artist or just a poorly run enterprise. Either way, a look at the many threads would indicate that continuing patterns of "fraudalent" behavior. And in no way can this be attributed to the "customer's fault".

 

[DeluxeNames.com]

The way I see it is as follows.
Let's put this situation in a "real" world scenario. Say, the complaining customer went to Walmart and wanted to pre-order the newest games coming out for the PS2. Walmart accepts the orders and the money. (Point A)
A few days pass, and the customer goes back to the store, and the sales clerk responds with, "Oh, we aren't getting those particular games in. So sorry, but we are keeping your money". (Point B)
Where the whole thing goes sour is at my (Point A) above. It was Walmart's responsibility to have the database in place that would have refused the pre-orders. Just as it is Registerflys responsibility to have the database in place to refuse impossible to register domains. There is no question that the customer is owed a complete and immediate refund.
Just because it happens online doesn't make it right or legal.

Excellent post Dewpoint, I couldn't have said it better.

 

[dewpoint]

Thanks DeluxeNames. And if anyone wants to put some real pressure on registerfly, I have also started another post with all of the relevant contact information for ICANN amd the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office. (Registerflys' registered state of business)

http://www.namepros.com/domain-name-discussion/213738-have-you-been-ripped-off-registerfly.html

 

[Zeeble]

I agree with most of what you said. However the customer must take some responsibility. He didn't do enough research prior to purchase. If he did instead of just trying to get a possible money maker, this wouldn't have happened.

I do agree that Register Fly needs to improve certain aspects of their company as they have potential.

Regfly sure deserves a raise!

When you go into Walmart, is it your responsibility to check the quality of EVERY single product before you buy it? Or is it reasonable to assume that if the product is being sold, it's not going to be faulty, and that if it is faulty, then it is reasonable to expect a refund?

 

[seeker]

Last time I recall they use the ticket system and phone call, I do not see email as an option. instead of crying like baby spend the money and call them. I am not in the US but I do call. last time I called I waited only 2 minutes before I get help.

I called them and waitited fir 14 minutes before hanging up from an ovserseas phone call.
I am glad for you that you got help, and you seem to be in the minority.
Perhaps baby's have preferencial treatment???

 

[IAmAllanShore]

I must say that I am somewhat unimpressed by the lack of maturity of some of the responses in thread.

1) Yes, Registerfly's support that you originally talked to butchered things horribly, if what is being relayed to us is a fair and accurate representation of what truely occured. BUT, all 1st level support sucks. I know there are exceptions, and I know that dozens of other "me too's" can provide examples pro and con, but on a whole, every service organization's first level support is paid minimum wage to help when possible, but usually just take up time and effort on the part of the customer, unfortuantely. Should this be the case? Certainly not. But is it almost universal, and by no means unique to RegFly? Absolutely. When you know things aren't handled correctly at level 1, move on up the chain until you can find someone who can help; call back and get a different support rep; or just take to writing old fashioned snail-mail letters (Some of my best results have been from this method). But 1 incompetent rep does not a scammer make.
2) About the 2 character ccTLD registrations. Right now at Dotster, DD24, and other registrars, you can type in 2 letter domains and have them show as available in many extensions that have been gone for years (Wow... sex.cn is available right now at Dotster!). You can even go through and checkout completely, and only wait to be told it was impossible a few days later. In fact, networksolutions (By no means a late-comer to the game) let me register int.de (Of course reserved) a few months ago, and it took them 3 days to realize that it was a reserved name. As well, unless the OP has some connection to Italy that isn't apparent from his profile, he wouldn't be eligible to register the domain name anyway. True, this could be better explained at almost ALL registrars, but the OP did not do his due-diligence in that regard, :imho: . I can claim ignorance in many of my day-to-day actions, but they are my actions, and without doing the proper research first, I suppose that I always have thought that the buck stops at my plate, not those that facilitated my own negligence.
3) Time to talk about maturity for a moment. I am by no means the least adolescent acting member here (Ask -db-), so I am hoping not to come off as too pot-calling-the-kettle-black. BUT - when things go wrong, you deal with them. You learn from them, and you feel free to warn others about them. But posting rant-like threads before giving even a 1/2-assed attempt at solving the problem yourself comes across as spoiled, :imho: . I am not just picking on the OP in this thread, but in the hundreds of other threads we have a month about "________ totally screwed me!" or "________ is a L00z3r Sc4mm3R!". Folks, take a little responsibility when things go wrong, and do some legwork to post complete stories and information before "blowing your load" all over some public forum. Yet again, :imho:
4) Before it is brought up by anyone else, I am no RegFly apologist, but I do feel like they (As well as sedo, GD, enom, NC, etc.) get too harshly criticized from those that are simply making newbie mistakes, or don't understand an industry that they are seeking to sink large amounts of money into. I have had horrible experiences at many a registrar, and I decide to not take my business to them anymore, but continuing to post random complaints comes accross as juvenille, rather than informative. I do have domains at RegFly; I am not (Nor have I ever been) paid by RegFly in any capacity, directly nor indirectly. I think that they provide competition in an industry that has been very complacent in the past (Many years of register.com and netsol makes me happy to have a myriad of options).
That being said, I am, and remain,
-Allan :gl:
(<flame me>)
(And I apologize for any spelling/grammar errors; I will fix them as others point out my North Carolina roots )

 

[dewpoint]

Their continual practice of charging for domains that are not registered, and other irregularities goes far beyond simple start-up mistakes.

If they have the money to develop their infrastructure, then they surely have the funds and resources available to correct the pattern of problems that continually seem to put the consumer at a significant disadvantage.

And I do agree, random postings on a forum create little in the way of results. So, make a difference and take action. You can find all of the necessary contact info in my other thread:

http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?p=1343235#post1343235

 

[HBK216]

HBK, that is so over the top, how do you expect us to take you serious when you say things like that?

So I should not be in this business simply because I'm not as smart and well experienced as you? (assuming I was even in this business, which I'm not, I do it for fun, I'm finishing my MA in Government then headed to law school).

If you had to be an expert before registering domains, then most registrars would go broke as there are very few as smart as you believe yourself to be HBK.

If there was a news story about some poor chap who, while driving his Ferrari in the city, got carjacked, shot, and had his money stolen; I have a feeling HBK would say: "Well, he's partly at fault because he shouldn't have been driving where he was in a Ferrari and he should have been carrying plastic."

At what point will you agree that, as long as the registrars want to market domains to the general public (I think of Godaddy's Super bowl commercial), they should make their software so a person of average domain knowledge can use it (i.e. the software shouldn't let you register an impossible domain)?

Wow what a classless response. The better question is how anyone could feel sorry for your stupidity in terms of this transaction. The analogy you used is pathetic at best. Stop trying to pass the buck for not doing due dillegence on your purchase.

What I feel is my intelligence has nothing to do with it. For your information, I've only been doing it as a business for a few months. However I use common sense when I'm making any sort of financial transaction. I research atleast the most basic requirements before I make a purchase.

I don't feel sorry for people who want to be idiots with their money. It takes only a few minutes to look up basic requirements on TLD's, ccTLD's etc... I would think one would want to know all the facts prior to purchasing an uncommon extension.

Sorry if such common sense goes over most.

 

[RJ]

^ The registrar should have the common sense to program their systems not to accept registrations that don't fit the rules of the underlying registry. Saying someone should go research a ccTLD's rules beforehand is unfairly passing the buck, IMHO.

There are many ccTLD's that do accept one and two character registrations, so it's not as far fetched an assumption as you make it out.