I own a couple of handfuls of domains for future business ideas which may or may not ever come into fruition, but I keep them around anyway just in case. I started off with Network Solutions in the 90′s, then moved them to Dotster in 2000 or so. Lately as my domains have been getting close to expiring I’ve been transferring them over to GoDaddy. I’m currently in the process of transferring a domain over again and I received an e-mail from a salesperson at Dotster:
Dear Dotster customer,
Our records indicate you are transferring your domains from Dotster to Go Daddy Software, Inc. I would like to take this opportunity to permanently reduce your Dotster account pricing and offer you free services for your loyalty to Dotster. I can beat GoDaddy’s registration and renewal pricing at $8.95 and set you up with permanent $6.00 transfer pricing. As you may know transfers also include a one year renewal. This permanent change in your account pricing will also include free URL forwarding, free DNS management, and free e-mail forwarding.
I have included a chart of TLD’s this new pricing will affect and a chart of services you will be receiving if you decide to keep your account with Dotster. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding this e-mail or any outstanding issues with your Dotster account. If this offer interests you please let me know as soon as possible, and I will get your account set up right away. If you reply within 4 days of receiving this message I will be able to cancel your transfer request and you will be able to renew your domains through your Dotster account at your new rate. This is NOT a coupon. This will be your new pricing structure for as long as you are a Dotster customer. If you choose not to reply to this message your transfer will not be affected and the transfer will proceed.
Well, had Dotster just given me a competitive price upfront rather than gradually raising the rates to almost double what I paid when I transfered them over originally, I wouldn’t be leaving. It would be less hassle to just stay with them, but I still plan on giving my business to GoDaddy out of principal. I also get a 2 year renewal for the price of one by moving them, so it’s too little too late as far as I’m concerned.
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You may also look at hostway.com for new domain registration. .coms
are only 6.95, which is the cheapest I have found, and if nothing else
their control panel is the easiest to use I have ever seen by far. I
don’t really like hostways hosting, but I do use them for my domains.
They offered this deal to me, too. Dotster was one of the original discount domain name companies, but they’ve been undercut over time. Still, I highly recommend them.
You can’t really blame a company for trying to retain customers with monsters like GoDaddy out there. Also, what do you mean they raised their prices? Transfers to them are $8.95. Normal registrations/renewals are $14.95. Always have been. In my experience with Dotster, if you own a good chunk of domains, you can get a volume pricing discount with a simple phone call or email. Most companies are willing to match prices.
I’ve been with Dotster for years and have never had a problem with them. Go Daddy may be cheap, but their services and their customer service is absolutely horrible. I’ve had lowered account pricing simply because I asked, never once did I “expect” it. You can’t expect something without asking first. Matching prices is something that most companies will do, but not willingly, these companies do want to make money as well as keep your service. You guys need to keep that in mind and maybe research your information better before posting this garbage.