Domain transfers and zone files

How to make it seamless

[Trav]

So I want to transfer my domains to a less expensive registrar, but the problem I've run into recently is that the receiving registrar will not allow me to configure the zone file until the transfer has completed. I'm wondering if every registrar does this, and if so, how does one go about changing registrars without having the site(s) go down?

[creeking]

this situation calls for separate dns.

nameservers are retained during a transfer, so (temporarily?) use nameservers which are not provided by the registrar. (your webhost's dns, or 3rd party dns)

after the transfer, you can change to the new registrar's dns if you want.

[Trav]

Yep, that makes sense. Seems odd that they wouldn't allow you to set up a 'receiving zone', but c'est la vie. Thanks for the suggestion.