No more registerring domains w/o a credit card

[Deb]

We've all enjoyed the register first, pay-later idea when it comes to domain names... but if you are the type who would rather not use your credit card for this -- you better go get your domain names now. Beginning in September, customers will have to pay by credit card before they can claim domain names,...
Read more... http://www.wired.com/news/news/technology/story/20878.html

How is this going to affect the hosting industry? We may no longer be able to offer "Free Registration" due to the fact that it would be a risk for us to put ourselves in the position of being responsible for charge backs, fraud, and billing errors by the consumers or registrars

Deb
[This message has been edited by Deb (edited 07-23-99)]

[Armand]

Yeah but it may not be their decision to make...

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/tc/zd/story.html?s=v/zd/19990723/tc/19990723125

[Ron]

While I can certainly understand the business reasons for such a move (can you spell cash-flow?), I absolutely deplore the ramifications. Suddenly, out of no where, we have a rule about who can and cannot own a domain. There are still many people who don't have American credit cards, many who refuse to use credit cards, and many who have poor or non-existent credit and can't get a credit card. Is this just one rule about who can buy a domain? Or is it, rather, the first rule?

Maybe stratification of the Internet is inevitable. Maybe, as many say, it's already too late. But I sure hope not...

[Bi4Be]

But what happens when AOL and all the other companies start selling domains, too? Will they also only accept credit cards?

Awe shucks, I liked procrastinating until the very last day to pay them, too. I always knew if I didn't have the lousy 70 bucks now, I'd have it in a month or two after the invoice they send out arrives! :)

[kteicher]

It looks like register.com already has made the switch.[nbsp][nbsp]If you register a site through them you must provide your credit card info.

Deb, I would think that perhaps they may devise a separate system for legitimate hosting companies to register the names, but ya' never know.

Keith

[Deb]

I've spoken to Domain Bank concerning a plan for hosts and they too stated that it would not be allowed.

It is soooo easy on the web to fill out the form and plan to pay later that the severity of people not paying, but companies still delivering/servicing the non-payments, has gotten way out of hand.[nbsp][nbsp]The result is businesses leaning toward the pay now idea.[nbsp][nbsp]With on-line credit cards and checks becoming more and more popular and easy to use it is leaning in that direction.

As much as I hate to say it -- Even FutureQuest is considering this methodology due to the enormous amount of accounts we setup only to tear them back down for non-payment:(

Deb

[Deb]

Network Solutions said it also plans to introduce a Business Account Program for customers that apply for Web addresses in bulk, such as Internet service providers. Companies that qualify would continue to be granted the 30-day grace period before paying for their registrations.

Seems we'll need to find out what it takes to "qualify" ... and decide what they mean by "paying for their registrations" -- ergo who would NSI be expecting the payment from -- us or the site owner?

Still digging...
Deb

[Bi4Be]

Deb said, and I
As much as I hate to say it -- Even FutureQuest is considering this methodology due to the enormous amount of accounts we setup only to tear them back down for non-payment.[nbsp][nbsp]End of Quote
Well that isn't so bad, I pay all my FQ and Internic dealings with a credit card anyways. The only problem I have is the fact that I am deprived of the joy of procrastination to 11:59PM on the due date! :)

[pdstein]

This has become a big pain to me as a reseller.[nbsp][nbsp]My company doesn't accept credit card payments because we don't have the volume to make a merchants account worthwhile (and most of our clients - churches - don't have credit cards).[nbsp][nbsp]Now when we do a package deal that includes setting up a domain name, we have to request our clients send us a check for our part of the payment and credit card info to satisfy Network Solutions.

The only solution I can think of right now is for my company to get it's own credit card.[nbsp][nbsp]Then we could allow Network Solutions to charge our card and we could receive one check for ourselves and N.S.I.[nbsp][nbsp]I don't like this idea though because it may complicate things since technically we will "own" the domain names rather than our clients.

Does anyone have a better idea?

- Paul

[Jacob Stetser]

I somewhat think part of this scheme is to get people to deal directly with Network Pollutions, etc.. I really truly abhor the current domain name system- what with its squatters and the power hungry registrar...

I wish something could be done to save it.


------------------
icongarden.com/?fq (http://icongarden.com/?fq)
icongarden: making good ideas grow.

[Deb]

The only solution I can think of right now is for my company to get it's own credit card.[nbsp][nbsp]Then we could allow Network Solutions to charge our card and we could receive one check for ourselves and N.S.I.[nbsp][nbsp]I don't like this idea ...[nbsp][nbsp]Many of us hosts are in the same boat, and we do not like the idea either :(

Even with the acceptance of credit cards it's not pretty... If client submits a payment to us for $70 we have two things against us... 1. would be the fact that we have to pay the service fee for accepting the credit card (2% to 20% seems to be the averages on the net) so there is an immediate loss there (but I assume this could be recovered with affiliate programs) and 2. The client has every right to request a charge back on their credit card.[nbsp][nbsp]As it stands right now, if you pay us for hosting via a credit card and then request your money back we can stop hosting you ... but if you purchase a domain name through us with your credit card, though you can get your money back, we can't take your domain name away from you unless we list ourselves as the owners.[nbsp][nbsp]I don't want to be the 'proud owner' of your domain names that's not the business I'm in.[nbsp][nbsp]These are things I'm still trying to understand.[nbsp][nbsp]Any of you considering the process will want to consider them also.

I also checked out Networksolutions "Solution" and was not pleased.[nbsp][nbsp]we have the right at any time, without notice, to reject any or all future orders submitted to us from your email address if the Service Fees applicable to any orders previously submitted from your email address have not been paid when due, whether or not you were listed as the billing contact in such orders.
http://www.networksolutions.com/business_account/business_agreement.html [nbsp][nbsp]This lil piece concerns me a great deal.[nbsp][nbsp]If client A and B fail to pay for their account, and we accept an order for Client C stating that we will register their domain, how is client C going to feel toward us if they are denied? :([nbsp][nbsp]Due to the bulk orders there is a chance for non-payments (unfortunately too much of one).[nbsp][nbsp]I would hate to loose our account due to non-payers and certainly do not want to cover their non-payments to save the account (couldn't afford that).

I've a feeling, the smaller businesses that do register domains in bulk (hosts like us and developers etc) are going to be stuck rewriting the order forms and trying to make it as easy as possible for the end user to handle the registrations themselves -- UNLESS a better alternative is found.

I totally understand why the registrars are going to this method.. it's just not going to be an easy switch, for those of us who depend, on them to go through.

Deb
--
[nbsp][nbsp]Never forget the ending quote ;)
[This message has been edited by Deb (edited 08-10-99)]

[pdstein]

Deb,

It sounds like from this article that FQuest would likely qualify for NS's Business Acccount Program still giving you a 30-day grace period.

http://www.zdnet.com/intweek/stories/news/0%2C4164%2C2298737%2C00.html

I'm surprised Register.com or one of the other first tier trial registrars hasn't come up with a better system (and better pricing) yet.[nbsp][nbsp]It will happen eventually, though.[nbsp][nbsp]Inefficiency can't survive in a competative environment.[nbsp][nbsp]And there's a lot of money to be made by the company that develops a better system.[nbsp][nbsp]

- Paul

... sooner or later ... hopefully sooner

[sheila]

pdstein wrote:

I'm surprised Register.com or one of the other first tier trial registrars hasn't come up with a better system (and better pricing) yet.[nbsp][nbsp]It will happen eventually, though.[nbsp][nbsp]Inefficiency can't survive in a competative environment.[nbsp][nbsp]And there's a lot of money to be made by the company that develops a better system.[nbsp][nbsp]
NetWizards (member of CoreNic) is offering domain registration for $60. https://secure.netwizards.net/domains.html
I have a domain to register. I'm just concerned whether I should try this company or not. Could there be potential problems (as opposed to registering with NetWork Solutions)?.
[This message has been edited by sheila (edited 08-11-99)]

[sheila]

The last message I posted identifies me as a "site owner". I'm not one (yet). OK, what's going on?

[added some time later]
OK, someone fixed it now. I'm a visitor again.
[This message has been edited by sheila (edited 08-11-99)]

[Deb]

From: reply-baps <reply-baps@networksolutions.com>
To: &quot;'Deb@FutureQuest.net'&quot; <Deb@FutureQuest.net>
Subject: Business Account Program application from FutureQuest
Date: Wed, 11 Aug 1999 11:23:04 -0400

Dear Ms. Debbie Gillespie,

Your application to Network Solutions' Business Account Program has been reviewed carefully.[nbsp][nbsp]Unfortunately, we are unable to approve your unrestricted participation in the program at this time.

Our decision was based on one or more of the following reasons:
*[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp][nbsp][nbsp]Past payment history with Network Solutions
*[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp][nbsp][nbsp]Anticipated registration volume

Network Solutions would like to give you an opportunity to participate in the Business Account Program by asking you to establish a debit account with a minimum deposit of $10,500.[nbsp][nbsp]Although registrations will be restricted initially, as a Business Account Program member, you will be able to enjoy full use of our convenient email template and invoicing system to process your domain name (Web address) registrations.

Debit Account holders deposit funds into an account established specifically for their organization.[nbsp][nbsp]As the account holder receives invoices for the registered domain names, he/she contacts the Debit Account Manager and requests payment of invoices from available account funds.[nbsp][nbsp]Many high volume customers take advantage of this service to facilitate payment of a large number of domain names.[nbsp][nbsp]You are also provided with a monthly statement via postal mail itemizing all deposits and invoices paid from your account during the previous month.[nbsp][nbsp]More information regarding this service may by found at http://www.networksolutions.com/fess/account.html.[nbsp][nbsp]

In the meantime, you may begin your search today for a domain name (Web address) by using our registration process at www.networksolutions.com (http://www.networksolutions.com). If you would like to establish a debit account or discuss your application with a member of the Business Account Program team, we can be reached via email at reply-baps@networksolutions.com or by telephone at 1-703-326-2526.

Sincerely,

Network Solutions
the dot com people

I'm seriously doubting I want to put $10,500 on the line for other people's domain names...

Deb
[nbsp][nbsp]--
[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp][nbsp]* Proud owner of over 20 paid for domain names.
[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp][nbsp]* Proud register of over 1200 domain names (for others)
[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp][nbsp]* Frequent Flyer Of NetworkSolutions.com
[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp][nbsp]* Proud owner of a DNS Server that not only serves paid
[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp][nbsp][nbsp][nbsp]domains but it seems is used for many
[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp][nbsp][nbsp][nbsp]unpaid ones as well :(
[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp][nbsp]* (also a person who knows of quite a few other
[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp][nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] hosts around our size that do not qualify for
[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp][nbsp][nbsp][nbsp] the same reasons given above)
[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp][nbsp]* And last but least... The one given the job of
[nbsp][nbsp][nbsp][nbsp][nbsp][nbsp]figuring out which register we will end up using ;)

[pdstein]

Network Solutions would like to give you an opportunity to participate in the Business Account Program by asking you to establish a debit account with a minimum deposit of $10,500.

Why don't they just ask for your first born child as well???[nbsp][nbsp]Everytime I think Network Polutions (if I can borrow that term from Jacob?) has done everything possible to alienate their customer base, they come up with something new.

Deb - Has FQuest considered applying to become a CORE Registrar itself (http://www.corenic.org/)?[nbsp][nbsp]It appears that there's a $10,000 application fee and an additional $750/mo fee after that.[nbsp][nbsp]I don't know if that's prohibitive to FQuest or not.[nbsp][nbsp]But if you were able to transfer the 1200 domain names you have registered through NSI to yourself and collect the $35 annual fee, that would be $42K/yr just from current clients.

Plus there are these advantages as well:
1) You'd save the time and hassle of dealing with NSI.
2) You'd reduce the time you spend answering questions
[nbsp][nbsp] about domain registration for your hosting clients by
[nbsp][nbsp] 75% or more.
3) You'd make your resellers very happy because we would
[nbsp][nbsp] not have to deal with NSI or explain to our clients
[nbsp][nbsp] how to deal with NSI.
4) You'd likely see increased growth in hosting clients
[nbsp][nbsp] as a result of people looking for domain registration
[nbsp][nbsp] learn about your hosting services.
5) If you did the pricing and service of domain names even
[nbsp][nbsp] half as well as you do hosting, you'd blow NSI and the
[nbsp][nbsp] new registrars out of the market!

- Paul

[This message has been edited by pdstein (edited 08-12-99)]

[Deb]

It'd be nice, but we are not quite at that level.[nbsp][nbsp]FutureQuest is still a small 'family owned and operated' company..... In addition to that 10 grand plus $750 per month there is the need for a minimum of 5 full time employees, $300,000 liquid assets, $500,000 insurance, etc etc etc...

We aren't quite there ....... yet.

Deb
[nbsp][nbsp]--
[nbsp][nbsp] Earning the Future the old fashioned way...

[hawkman]

Hello there!

(oops... already posted in Forum13/HTML/000015.html. Sorry)
I have read an interesting article: http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/print/0,1089,3_181351,00.html.

It's about a german company which now have started to sell domains under .com, .net, .org. The price is nice USD$43.50 :) instead of $70...

They also have a reseller program, perhaps worth checking out.

Would perhaps be worth a glance? https://joker.com/domain/index.html?lang=EN

Well, thats all from me!
[This message has been edited by hawkman (edited 08-13-99)]