Spaceship.com registrar thread.

[dirk]

I just tried Spaceship.com. They're a NameCheap brand and launched their beta. I think they rightfully deserve a thread on NP to discuss our experiences with their new registrar.

Remember, it's still in beta so do expect some glitches, work to be done... Would be cool in someone from NC would care to chip in @tamar

 

[Dane]

I think GoDaddy is trying to nickel and dime them by charging an additional $100 for each fast transfer. See these two links for more information about it:

https://domaininvesting.com/ceo-namecheap-most-likely-to-exit-afternic-network/

https://twitter.com/x/status/1798680598229504388

Hmm. Since most of Spaceship's customers are not domainers, it probably won't matter as much to them -- but it sure hurts us domainers.

 

[NameGroove]

Should be good to go now.

Thanks, was able to order the .tv name.

 

[korganian]

I am so thankful to Spaceship. They have completely absorbed the entire .com rate increase! Their Chat told me that they were going to and now I have confirmed it. My .com renewals are still just $9.66, including the ICANN fee. Thank you Spaceship!

 

[NameGroove]

I am so thankful to Spaceship. They have completely absorbed the entire .com rate increase! Their Chat told me that they were going to and now I have confirmed it. My .com renewals are still just $9.66, including the ICANN fee. Thank you Spaceship!

If true, I love it! But I think it's something they had to do. They are not Afternic FT or Sedo MLS certified and as such, for .com's needed a way to compete with the PorkBun, Dynadot, Sav and others who are. Price is one of the primary ways to do that. It does make me re-consider them.

 

[Dane]

They are not Afternic FT or Sedo MLS certified

I'll admit that I was about to move some names over to Spaceship until I learned that they're not part of Afternic FT

 

[Synozeer]

I'll admit that I was about to move some names over to Spaceship until I learned that they're not part of Afternic FT

I'm planning on moving my non-Afternic FT domains over to Spaceship, like .gg. They have the best prices for a lot of those extensions, and they aren't supported by FT.

 

[Future Sensors]

If true, I love it! But I think it's something they had to do. They are not Afternic FT or Sedo MLS certified and as such, for .com's needed a way to compete with the PorkBun, Dynadot, Sav and others who are. Price is one of the primary ways to do that. It does make me re-consider them.

It’s a great way to attract domain investors, though it surprises me... since domain investors didn’t seem to be the main target group for Spaceship.com. However, income from additional products will likely compensate for any small losses on domain registrations. I see taking a small loss on domain registrations as a strategic marketing investment for the registrar, helping to build a loyal customer base and drive long-term revenue growth.

 

[NameGroove]

I'm planning on moving my non-Afternic FT domains over to Spaceship, like .gg. They have the best prices for a lot of those extensions, and they aren't supported by FT.

Agreed. That is part of my strategy as well. If there lower price sticks, I will also consider moving brandables that are listed within BrandBucket and possibly also Atom over to Spaceship as well. The odds these are sold via reg path are lower than my other names (they need the marketing power of the brandable marketplaces). Further, for those names listed at BrandBucket, one can get add'l marketing if they specifically delist their Afternic names. I'm beginning a test of doing that, and should it win then all my BB names will move to Spaceship at renewal.

 

[NameGroove]

Vote here for Spaceship to become a Sedo MLS partner. Let's get them onboarded to Sedo so we can fast transfer our domains.

https://www.spaceship.com/roadmap/?feature=sedo-integration

 

[dncafe]

I am so thankful to Spaceship. They have completely absorbed the entire .com rate increase! Their Chat told me that they were going to and now I have confirmed it. My .com renewals are still just $9.66, including the ICANN fee. Thank you Spaceship!

I doubt their prices will remain cheap over the next year or two. Isn't that what NameCheap did? They started out with cheap prices and aggressively marketed their coupon codes and sales on social media (jumping on bandwagon social and political issues to push their coupon codes), and then slowly increased their prices to where they are now, somewhat not so cheap.

 

[NameGroove]

I doubt their prices will remain cheap over the next year or two. Isn't that what NameCheap did? They started out with cheap prices and aggressively marketed their coupon codes and sales on social media (jumping on bandwagon social and political issues to push their coupon codes), and then slowly increased their prices to where they are now, somewhat not so cheap.

And then the next registrar will get their business as people transfer away.

 

[internext]

I am so thankful to Spaceship. They have completely absorbed the entire .com rate increase! Their Chat told me that they were going to and now I have confirmed it. My .com renewals are still just $9.66, including the ICANN fee. Thank you Spaceship!

Well, that was nice while it lasted (2 days). Renewal is now +$0.50 = $10.16

 

[korganian]

Dang it. I guess they changed their mind. It is still a little below cost though.

 

[Future Sensors]

Their Chat told me that

Sounds pretty reliable, not?

 

[NameGroove]

Well, that was nice while it lasted (2 days). Renewal is now +$0.50 = $10.16

$.13 less than Sav renewal - but now too close to bother with Spaceship who, unlike Sav, is not an Afternic FT or Sedo MLS partner.

 

[NameGroove]

fyi - Spaceship going live with Sedo MLS by the end of Sept according to the CEO

https://twitter.com/x/status/1831520471361245573

Great news!!

Unfortunately no movement on Spaceship becoming Afternic FT... but one step at a time. At least Sedo MLS is a nice start.

 

[Kyle Tully]

Hey @enetwork you might want to update your communication for .ai transfers... I'm out $140 because I transferred a name from Namecheap to Spaceship only to find out after it doesn't include a renewal... despite the order summary clearly showing it DOES!!!

​

I obviously never would have moved the name if this was clear up front

Support says 'This information was reflected in the "Disclaimers "section of the transfer page' which is not good enough.

 

[dncafe]

fyi - Spaceship going live with Sedo MLS by the end of Sept according to the CEO

https://twitter.com/x/status/1831520471361245573

Great news!!

Unfortunately no movement on Spaceship becoming Afternic FT... but one step at a time. At least Sedo MLS is a nice start.

It looks like NameCheap is leaving Afternic (or already has?), so I doubt we will see Afternic at Spaceship anytime soon, if ever - https://www.namepros.com/threads/ceo-namecheap-most-likely-to-exit-afternic-network.1327693/

 

[NameGroove]

It looks like NameCheap is leaving Afternic (or already has?), so I doubt we will see Afternic at Spaceship anytime soon, if ever - https://www.namepros.com/threads/ceo-namecheap-most-likely-to-exit-afternic-network.1327693/

I asked him about that and he didn't say they were leaving yesterday. He said "we'll see". So while ambiguous, it does leave room for possibilities.

 

[NameGroove]

Hey @enetwork you might want to update your communication for .ai transfers... I'm out $140 because I transferred a name from Namecheap to Spaceship only to find out after it doesn't include a renewal... despite the order summary clearly showing it DOES!!!

Show attachment 262244

​

I obviously never would have moved the name if this was clear up front

Support says 'This information was reflected in the "Disclaimers "section of the transfer page' which is not good enough.

Wow. I don't understand, I thought all transfers >46 days get renewal. Why would Spaceship not give it? And they 100% should give a refund since the cart is unclear and shows "including 1 year renewal". I'd reach out to their CEO who is very responsive to discuss.

 

[NameGroove]

Hey @enetwork you might want to update your communication for .ai transfers... I'm out $140 because I transferred a name from Namecheap to Spaceship only to find out after it doesn't include a renewal... despite the order summary clearly showing it DOES!!!

Show attachment 262244

​

I obviously never would have moved the name if this was clear up front

Support says 'This information was reflected in the "Disclaimers "section of the transfer page' which is not good enough.

btw, although I'd imagine NC's CEO will make this right as he seems like a rationale and good guy, if things don't work via that channel a chargeback through your cc should get your money back. That screenshot clearly states terms that are offered for your $140 and they weren't honored. A company cannot hide behind buried T&C's that differ from the clear and obvious messaging shown in the cart. This goes against the rules set out by Visa/MC.

 

[Kyle Tully]

Wow. I don't understand, I thought all transfers >46 days get renewal. Why would Spaceship not give it? And they 100% should give a refund since the cart is unclear and shows "including 1 year renewal". I'd reach out to their CEO who is very responsive to discuss.

Apparently it’s the .ai registry that doesn’t include the renewal in the fee, but the way spaceship displays it you’d never know this without reading the fine print.

This should be massively highlighted and blindingly obvious that you’re making a horrific financial decision by transferring.

 

[NameGroove]

Apparently it’s the .ai registry that doesn’t include the renewal in the fee, but the way spaceship displays it you’d never know this without reading the fine print.

This should be massively highlighted and blindingly obvious that you’re making a horrific financial decision by transferring.

Understood (now). But that cart doesn't make that clear at all. That is why, they have to give your money back. Either voluntarily or via a chargeback. There is no way we can know all the hundreds of TLD rules... that's why their cart messaging is quite important and in this case, misleads terribly.

 

[Future Sensors]

This is how it should be presented at checkout (not my domain, just used as an example).

 

[NameGroove]

This is how it should be presented at checkout (not my domain, just used as an example).

Show attachment 262290

Exactly. This is how to do it.

And Spaceships cart is factually incorrect. You simply cannot charge someone $140, say "including 1 year renewal" - then say "well the registry won't allow it and we placed that info in a buried T&C somewhere within our website".

Try saying that in front of the Arizona Attorney General after a customer complains to them and see what happens. Instead of one refund, watch that AG force them to give a refund to every consumer that transferred in a .ai domain since that verbiage was Spaceships website. Spaceship should refund Kyle's money lickety-split and change/update their cart copy - before Kyle or another affected party decides to show this cart to the Arizona Attorney General.

Those AGs just love cut and dry cases like this. I'm actually shocked at Spaceship Twitters response to Kyle (they said there is nothing they can do). Clearly that millennial is not a lawyer nor has ever been involved in a case of any kind. Wait til Spaceships legal department finds out about this and watch that refund be forthcoming to Kyle within minutes. I'm sure the CEO understands as well. Once he hears, he'll refund. No sane person wants to stand in front of an AG trying to explain away the messaging in this cart.