Namecheap search prices don't match cart

[bartosimpsonio]

There have always been cases where the domain price changes between the time you search for it and the checkout.

Sometimes even registrations happen before you pay. All kinda fishy, but possible.

But recently I think the namecheap algorithm has gone totally nuts.

You find $1,88 domains and when you reach the cart it's U$ 15k or something. I just found a 3 letter word with a vanity gtld and it was like 11 bucks. When I got to the cart it was several thousand dollars.

Then I tested several other known words and it's doing it almost 100% of the time with gtlds. It's no longer a one-off happening, it's become part of the algorithm 100% of the time it seems.

I think the price should be correctly shown in the search. It's basically false advertising to show a much lower price in the search and then 100 x or more on checkout.

Interestingly, the opposite does not happen. You don't find a 10k domain on the search and then it's cheaper on checkout, it's always more expensive, which indicates that the algorithm isn't accidental.

 

[MisterF]

Tried checking them on other registrars too, mate?

 

[INCC]

A year or so ago I managed to get one for less than $10

What they did was, after the checkout when I had paid, they said it was a premium domain and canceled the purchase immediately, and offered me to pay a different price.. it was several hundred and I obviously didn't take it.

It happened on namecheap.

 

[Ndiqi]

It’s premium domain so yeah they do that now, sadly on other registrars this mostly will be the same, as it was not up to them.

 

[rajiced]

NC appears to be doing shady things if you found good domain its available while adding to cart its shows errors as unable to add domain to cart / unable to complete checkout process

You find $1,88 domains and when you reach the cart it's U$ 15k or something.

I faced similar situations while searching for co domain, thought it was done by registrar similar to stealing ideas

But this premium domain problem is with domain name registry they are the one making the domain as premium and changing the price

Registry might be using scripts/soft to check the number of request made on specific domain name / search volume on specific word and simply making it unavailable to register or premium in few secs.

 

[Enserio]

it's doing it almost 100% of the time with gtlds.

Don't buy those new gtld's. This has been the registry scam since .TV was introduced. Whoever has the contract can increase profitability (And you can't blame them) based on past sales data on .com, etc. they set special pricing for "premium" domains and renewals. The registrar's software likely does not query the registries database until you place the order- at least that is what I have seen quite a few times. Best to stick to the normal COM / NET / ORG domains.

 

[bartosimpsonio]

Tried checking them on other registrars too, mate?

Yeah. For instance on godaddy the search price matches the shopping cart price

A year or so ago I managed to get one for less than $10

What they did was, after the checkout when I had paid, they said it was a premium domain and canceled the purchase immediately, and offered me to pay a different price.. it was several hundred and I obviously didn't take it.

It happened on namecheap.

That's pretty f'n unbelievable.... AFTER you checked out?

It’s premium domain so yeah they do that now, sadly on other registrars this mostly will be the same, as it was not up to them.

Never seen the price vary between cart and checkout tho

NC appears to be doing shady things if you found good domain its available while adding to cart its shows errors as unable to add domain to cart / unable to complete checkout process

I faced similar situations while searching for co domain, thought it was done by registrar similar to stealing ideas

But this premium domain problem is with domain name registry they are the one making the domain as premium and changing the price

Registry might be using scripts/soft to check the number of request made on specific domain name / search volume on specific word and simply making it unavailable to register or premium in few secs.

Sure but why does the price change in between page loads? It should show the premium tag straight up

Don't buy those new gtld's. This has been the registry scam since .TV was introduced. Whoever has the contract can increase profitability (And you can't blame them) based on past sales data on .com, etc. they set special pricing for "premium" domains and renewals. The registrar's software likely does not query the registries database until you place the order- at least that is what I have seen quite a few times. Best to stick to the normal COM / NET / ORG domains.

I've gotten many gtld's over the years. I could always find a non-premium that was just as good. But this time it's shifting prices in between page loads....never seen that. Search shows A, checkout shows B

 

[Ndiqi]

I think it’s their fucked up domain search feature that do not show which domain is a premium, I have never browse excessively on domain names recently but I think from a long time ago I have experienced a similar situation as you with the domain price being different due to the domain is premium shit.

So I assume it’s intentional design by them.

 

[rajiced]

Sure but why does the price change in between page loads? It should show the premium tag straight up

New extensions domain registry can change domain price at any point of time

That's how domain registry scam, it marks the domain as premium for some months/years and tags the domain as premium, when no one cares it drops the premium tag price and make it normal, but when it gets a buy request the prices are changed

sometimes its possible to register premium domains at normal price

I think Namecheap sends different types of request to check availability, adding to cart and buy

when domain registrar check the name its shown as available and when made a request to registry to buy, the registry changes the prices which is reflected on cart

 

[Chris Newman]

Sorry to say, when searched, then the price may show as price for the 1st year and then when added to cart, the price may show as price for 2 years or 3 years and / or along with some addons automatically added. So, one must then in the cart, check carefully and change it back to 1 year and if any addons were automatically added, then remove (uncheck) those.
I have been buying domains very regulary from (at) Namecheap and I've never any pricing issues (just carefully check the cart as explained).

 

[INCC]

That's pretty f'n unbelievable.... AFTER you checked out?

Yup. I was pissed but knew it was business as usual.