Domain Renewal Group
The Canadian company Domain Registry of America has a new trick up its sleeve. I’m assuming there’s so much out there about their domain renewal scams that they’ve changed names on us. They are now Domain Registry Group, aka eNom, Inc, Wild West Domains Inc., Brandon Gray Internet Services Inc (DBA “NameJuice.com”) and DRG.
Today we got a “domain name expiration notice” for one of our domains that expires in March. If you receive one of these and are not sure who to pay for your domain, please do a simple whois search. Only pay the registrar that your domain is currently registered with.
These guys really suck. What they do is get you to pay them for a domain renewal, then initiate a transfer request. Most of them don’t go through and then you have lost the money you paid to them and still have to pay to renew your domain through the current registrar. Worse yet, you may allow your domain to expire thinking it has already been renewed.
From their fine print:
Failed transfer policy: Payments received by DRG for tranfers/renewals are done on a best effort basis. While DRG guarantees it will issue a transfer/renewal request from the existing registrar of the domain name, DRG cannot guarantee that the existing registrar will consent to the transfer/renewal. In the case of the domain name not being transferred to DRG from the existing registrar, DRG will attempt on a daily basis to register the domain name on a daily basis when it becomes available.
Translation: No registrar that really cares about their customers will allow the domain to be transferred to Domain Registry Group, but they will be happy to keep your money.
FEES: As a consideration for the Service(s), renewal of the Service(s), and, if you select it, automatic renewal of the Service(s), you agree to pay, prior to the effectiveness of the desired Service(s), the applicable Service(s) fees. All fees are non-refundable, in whole or in part, even if your domain name registration is suspended, canceled, or transfered prior to the end of your then current registration term, unless this Agreement specifically provides for a refund…
Translation: They will keep your money. They are scammers, do not give them your money.
I think the reason why they do this so far in advance of the domain expiration date is so when you get the renewal notice form your current registrar, its too late to issue a chargeback. They win and keep your money.
Check this out for more information on domain names: Domain Names: How to Choose & Protect a Great Name for Your Website (Domain Names)
In the end, they just suck!
