Avoid 1and1 ( My Experience )

I've been member of 1and1.com since 6-7 months and registered 10 domain with them.
Everything was OK till 8 domain, since they were providing domains for 0.99 for first year.
The only problem is, they take 24 hours to complete the buying domain and setup process (sometime more) whereas other registrar are quick.

For last 2 domains... I was charged $14.99 each (no privacy). First I went as normal process of buying. They show 0.99 banner for first year. I chose domain name, logged into my account and completed the process from my side. I was ok with waiting 24hrs since it was just for 0.99. Next day I got email, domain was ready. I launched my site. Everything was fine.
Nothing was shown (notification) how much was I going to be charged during the process or eligible for provided offer or not .

After one month, I got email stating that I'll be charged $14.99 for a domain. I inquired why am I going to be charged that much and that also after 1 month?
First they said, it's in the invoice please have a look.

I sent them a message again.
They replied, we apologize for late billing but you were not qualified for the 0.99 offer and provided me the link to terms and conditions

I asked them why I was not given any notification that I was not qualified for the offer and why is it so difficult to show the amount that a customer is going to be charged while completing the transaction.
They just replied with the link to terms and conditions.

Next time same thing happened with other domain, and same reply. I see that they have no transparency in transaction.

Why to avoid 1and1 ?
- They take 24 hours to complete the domain purchase process whereas other registrar does it instantly.
-They want customer to read the full terms and conditions (which is good most of the time) but providing basic info as notification if a customer is eligible for certain promotional offer is where 1and falls short.
- They don't show you how much are you going to be charged while buying domain like other registrar shows.
- Customer support is good unless the problem is from the customer side. If the problem is from 1and1, they simply make robotic reply.
- for $14.99, no privacy

Well, this is just my experience till now. Others might not have the same experience.

You learned half of the lesson, try to transfer the domain away from them you'll learn remaining lesson too. Don't fall in their low price shit trap. Their renewal price is $35

I hate 1&1 too. I had several of the one dollar domains with them, and when they lapsed 1&1 demanded payment at their high regular prices. When I didn't pay (since I didn't use domains anymore) they said they would said me to collections. I just ignored them. No collections ever happened, of course they never really had enough personal info to actually send something to collections. It was just stupid threats. Sounds like their billing practices are still pretty shady.

Had horrible experience with 1&1, have stuck to namecheap past couples years, awesome service and no probs!

iamsolo said:

You learned half of the lesson, try to transfer the domain away from them you'll learn remaining lesson too. Don't fall in their low price shit trap. Their renewal price is $35

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Yes, I fell for low price. Except 2-3 domains, others are not so important. Looks like I'm in trouble.
I'll try to transfer domain in few months and let you all know what happens.

And They said its $14.99 after one year. Is it really $35???

axcer said:

Yes, I fell for low price. Except 2-3 domains, others are not so important. Looks like I'm in trouble.
I'll try to transfer domain in few months and let you all know what happens.

And They said its $14.99 after one year. Is it really $35???

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You have to read that fine print that is in every one of those low priced domains & deals. I only have had one incident with 1&1, to which it was handled in my favor.

Damn that sucks.. and $35 for renewal is ridiculous. The only time I could see this MIGHT be worth it is testing out a new domain/method and testing the waters for a year, then decide if it's something you want to do. I know I have bought some domains on impulse, and quickly realized a few days later that it was a mistake, and my "idea" wasn't as sound as I thought it was.. Lessons of being a newbie I guess. It's always best to do extensive research first.

Several times they have charged me months later than the purchase date. I never keep money in my PayPal account, I pay straight up through PayPal. When the payment has been knocked back, they have ransomed my domain for $20 or so.

I was going to register a $0.99 domain with them this week. I appreciate the heads up. I may have to reconsider my strategy now.

I guess it's worth paying the premium that namecheap charges. They're still cheap but I prefer the $1 domains since I'll be buying them in bulk.

Paper-Boy said:

I was going to register a $0.99 domain with them this week. I appreciate the heads up. I may have to reconsider my strategy now.

I guess it's worth paying the premium that namecheap charges. They're still cheap but I prefer the $1 domains since I'll be buying them in bulk.

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Godaddy always have lots of offers on, shite for hosting, but in my opinion good for domains. If you want to save yourself a lot of bollocks, stay away from 1and1 I have had nothing but trouble the only three times I have used them.

In my opinion for domains the best options are:

- Godaddy
- Namecheap
- Name.com

Never had any issues with them.

I agree with Micky. Go with Godaddy for any cheap domain or hosting or even auction account deals. Their prices are cheap and you can read the fine print quite clearly about what you will be paying later on.

I never buy domain from any other registarar except godaddy
Godaddy has lots of coupan code and renewal coupan code so better to go with godaddy

Des_cartes said:

In my opinion for domains the best options are:

- Godaddy
- Namecheap
- Name.com

Never had any issues with them.

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I haven't tried using GoDaddy for domains (although I've heard they're great for domains, but terrible for hosting), but I know from first-hand experience that Namecheap is an excellent domain registrar.

Just use paypal and then cancel the subscription. They can not make you renew, and they cannot charge your paypal if you do not check out again, also cancel the subscription agreement in paypal.

Don't fall in love with discount promos... first research about the things, just an example for you what I did.

Hostgator offer Penny offer, when you get hosting for first month its like few cents but for second month they increased the bill like $8.75 I think and if you go normally its like $7 per month.

So, please think twice before purchasing a discount promo.