DEBRIS.COMgood for a laugh, or possibly an aneurysm

A few weeks ago we learned that Network Solutions sells domain owner’s private data to marketing firms. I encouraged readers to transfer domains away from NSI, and in fact I have been doing that. My scorecard: I’ve personally transferred 10 domains from NSI to other registrars.

This gives me a front-row seat for NSI’s latest operational disaster. I can only assume, based on comparative pricing, that NSI is losing thousands of domains per week. (As of this writing, NSI’s default renewal invoice is $70 for a two-year term, whereas Dotster charges only $11.95 for a transfer plus $14.95 for the second year, for a savings of $43.) If that is the case, then it’s safe to say that the business guys at NSI are sweating their market-share numbers, and are being pushed hard to stop the hemorrhage of accounts.

Their answer is dishonest, and possibly illegal. They’re now trying to sell something they cannot provide: they are sending invoices for renewals after domains have been transferred to other registrars.

In mid-February, I initiated the transfer of a domain from NSI to Dotster. On 2/17 I received an email from NSI indicating that they’d approved the transfer request. Then on March 2 — 13 days later — NSI sent a paper renewal invoice for the domain, with eye-catching red letters indicating “FINAL NOTICE” across the top.

The invoice claims that “timely receipt of payment will ensure registration services for the period noted above.” This is untrue. The domain is no longer registered at NSI, so they have no way to extend the registration term. Is it legal to offer for sale something which the seller cannot provide?

Clearly, most individuals will remember that a domain has been transferred and will therefore not make additional payments to NSI for that domain. But what happens when the billing contact is someone else, or there is a breakdown in communications? I’m sure some percentage of these phony renewal invoices get paid — and I’m equally sure NSI will refuse to refund erroneous payments, because I’ve been told as much by their telephone reps. This is also indicated by NSI’s Service Agreement: All fees are due immediately and are non-refundable.

Cautious readers may object that an isolated paper bill could be an anomaly — the lead times for issuing paper invoices could easily exceed the 13-day period indicated above. I propose that lead times for emailed invoices are significantly shorter… and I have a second example of NSI’s new bogus-billing system:

Today I received an emailed invoice for another domain recently transferred. NSI sent me their acceptance of transfer on 3/9. Four days later, on 3/13, NSI invoiced me for a $70 renewal.