Is There a Universal Domain Cancellation and Refund Policy

Can you cancel a domain registration within first hour or first day of registration without charge?

[smallcompany]

So I registered a domain but then figured I did not want it for whatever reason.

What is the policy between ICANN and registrars about cancellations of just registered domains?

I see that many of domain name and hosting service providers offer something like to fix a typo or even to cancel registration if a request is sent within first 24 or even 48 hours.

The real story is that I purchased a hosting plan that included a domain name. Then I figured I did not like it and asked to cancel it. Then they suddenly show $20 dollar domain name registration fee which was mentioned in their terms and conditions (if you cancel hosting package). Sure I did not read the big chapter because it was not offered to me nor mentioned during sign up process.

Anyhow, what's the policy?

Thanks

[kaled]

I'm guessing but I suspect you'll have to live with this mistake. By all means, email their support service (be polite, use a sensible excuse and promise to use them in the future). You might get lucky, but if not then I think you'll have to chalk it up to experience.

Also, I think most people here would agree that registering a domain name as part of a hosting package is a bad idea - there are many horror stories out there.

Kaled.

[smallcompany]

Thanks.

And believe or not, this was a first time I did it this way. I guess that's why I got hooked on it.

I still think that Free Domain should have an asterisk attached, together with the small print.

[piatkow]

I have seen related issues on other forums where the domain was free for the first year only but people weren't expecting to pay on renewal. Read the small print and then read it again to make sure you missed nothing.

[jennyj]

I'm guessing you are in the US, so not sure on the rules there, but do you not have something like the Distance Selling Regulations like we have in the UK
(essentially, if it is purchased in a non face-to-face way, you have a cooling off period to change your mind and get a full refund)
IANAL

[drongo]

jennyj, the Distance Selling Regulations don't cover services that start immediately upon purchase.

So if you buy a domain name, membership of a dating site, gaming site etc, anything which works from the moment you purchase it really, you are not covered by Distance Selling Regulations.

You are of course covered by other consumer protection laws though.

In general domain names are non-refundable under any circumstances.