Be Careful with Domain Transfers

[RESteve]

One of the domains I originally purchased with Yahoo and transferred to GoDaddy about a year ago was charged to my account for renewal purposes.

It seems as though transferring your domain out of Yahoo does not cancel their reoccurring billing for the domain renewal.

The charge is pretty small, $9.99, but I happened to catch it today because I got a renewal notice from GoDaddy, while being charged to my account for the $9.99 with the domain registered to GoDaddy in the description of the charge in my account, but the charge was from Yahoo.

Yahoo was very helpful in resolving the matter (you have to call 800-318-0870), and provided a case number for future reference. The call was about a 5 minute call while they fixed the error, so kudos to them for that.

For someone that may have hosting with a couple of providers, and registrations, this can go unnoticed and it's basically giving your money away.

Careful!

[Dallas Broker]

that worries me, haven't check up on some of my domain lately. fixin to transfer domain out of point2, hopefully I won't encounter any issues.

[Joe Cline Austin]

I've had similar problems with recurring billing. Not with domains per se, but just with the we renew unless you cancel type of services. I started using the virtual credit card numbers provided by my credit card company for all recurring charges. If you're not familiar with virtual numbers here's how it works.
You login, request a virtual number, the site returns a new card number, expiration date, and security code that is good for one use. Then you enter that info into the recurring site. They approve the purchase and the credit card company ties the purchase to your real number. When the recurring biller tries to do another billing cycle the card is declined and they generally mail you to say, "hey update your card".

It's not great for something that happens frequently, but it's great if you pay yearly or if you are trying out a service and you aren't sure the service you are buying is going to try and rebill without authorization or if you are buying from overseas and aren't really sure about the company.

Aside from protecting you from rebilling and potentially unauthorized charges showing up, the "hey your card email" has helped me evaluate whether or not I want to renew a service, which is good for me because when I get busy I don't check my statements a lot.

Joe

[John Allen]

My Yahoo directory listing was just automatically renewed. They charged the $299 on December 27th. I was not planning on renewing since there are better places to spend the money (REW Directory for example). I'll have to mark my calendar for next year so they do not renew it again.

[GreggRio]

joecline I like your idea of the virtual CC. While I have not had the problems mentioned, seems like a great solution. I have all my domains at godaddy with 301's. If you have over 20 or over 50 you can buy better price points as they raised their prices this past year.

[Susan Zanzonico]

My Yahoo directory listing was just automatically renewed. They charged the $299 on December 27th. I was not planning on renewing since there are better places to spend the money (REW Directory for example). I'll have to mark my calendar for next year so they do not renew it again.

I actually renewed my yahoo directory in October at the $299 rate and checked it earlier today and I'm not listed!!! You can imagine how frustrated I am with that. We as realtors have lots of miscellaneous fees here and there and it seems "everywhere"...LOLL...you have to look over your bills and check, double check stuff. Its hard. Now I am checking various things as I very often just assume its done....don't have the time to double check on this stuff.

[Dallas Broker]

a misc 9.99 fee is one thing, a $300.00 yahoo renewal fee without knowledge is something else. I would be watching them very close as well. Of course, I would rather them automatically renew and charge me than to find out later I forgot and have to resubmit all over. I was sent a reminded notice and opted to pay additional $300 to extend directory listing. I did here from someone at the forum, think it was bigtoe, that he was automatically renewed after 2 or 2years of paying and didn't have to pay additional fee. That sounds like best deal of all.

[gibex]

we had a similar problem with BOTW, our listing was removed with no reason after they approve it.

[arenetwork]

I actually renewed my yahoo directory in October at the $299 rate and checked it earlier today and I'm not listed!!! You can imagine how frustrated I am with that. We as realtors have lots of miscellaneous fees here and there and it seems "everywhere"....

You get enough of that kind of treatment from NAR.
Have a good year in 2008.

[Susan Zanzonico]

I'm in the process of checking into this and will hopefully get some answers today.