Domain Name Prices Increases?

Did I miss something?

[rmg99]

I was a little bit shocked today when renewing several domain names I have registered at Namesecure (it is just too much of a hassle to move them) to see their one year fee for ".com" domains climbed from about $8.95 to about $14.95. I noticed that Network Solutions' and GoDaddy's rates seemed higher as well than I recall (Netsol is also Namesecure's parent as far as I know).

I recall an email about a rate increase several months ago, but it was effective in June and was about $.50

I imagine renewals on a lot of junk domains is down due to the economy, but this is a somewhat eyebrowraising fee increase. Did I miss something?

thanks!

[HuskyPup]

My main registrar charges USD 12.80 for .com renewals however as a reseller with a USD 500.00 deposit with them I get a 33.33% discount making them USD 8.53 each, if I were to place a USD 5,000.00 deposit I would get 66.67% discount making them USD 4.27 each.

I don't just look at the end price though since I have quite a few freebie add-ons included in the price which some do charge for however overall I've been very pleased with my registrar and not found any necessity to move any names, in fact I'm trying to consolidate as many there as possible...not GD if you were wondering!

[HuskyPup]

Oh, sorry, welcome to WebmasterWorld rmg99:-)

[rmg99]

HuskyPup, thanks for the reply - and yes, I probably need to start shopping around for a better deal...

I only have about 40-50 names and the vast majority I pass along the cost to clients. What was kind of stunning was the increase seemed to occur without notice.

Oh and thanks for the welcome - I've lurked around here for a long time, but time to show my face :)

[bwnbwn]

My register still charges 8.95 for the .com's not sure why you got hit with such an increase unless your buying some special features when you renew the domains.

[rmg99]

No, it seems to be their default price, right on their home page now. I emailed them, usually they respond fairly quickly, will see what they say... :)

[rmg99]

Their reply via email:

<Typical blah, blah, blah non-answer, self-congratulatory auto-responder crapola>

[edited by: Webwork at 12:03 pm (utc) on Oct 22, 2010]
[edit reason] Per WebmasterWorld TOS no email quotes please, even mindless impersonal emails [/edit]

[Webwork]

Domain names haven't been the profit center for major "game on" registrars. Hosting and other servers rake in the cash.

Maybe that will change if the registrars feel they have people locked into their "system" or if the registrars are looking for an exit strategy ~IPO. "Pump up the numbers!"

[rmg99]

Sorry bout the quotes, you got the gist of it exactly right though, ;)

I think you're right. It's a lot of work to move them (especially when they drag their heels), so you're sort of locked in.