Domain Privacy Issue

[webman1010]

Hi

I recently let a domain expire, and was surprised to see that my hosting company still charged me for domain privacy even though it had expired.

I have another domain set to expire in April, and don't want the above situation to occur again. I contacted the web hosting company and asked for the auto renew of domain privacy to be turned off (as I plan to let the domain expire.) They replied and said this was not possible, and that my options are:

'Let domain expire, and then remove domain privacy.'

However, I am pretty sure in the above option, I will still be charged for another year of domain privacy (on an expired domain.) Is this is a scam? Also, if I remove domain privacy on a recently expired domain, will my details not become public? Do I not have to wait until the domain becomes available again, before removing privacy?

Thanks.

[LifeinAsia]

They forgot option 2: "Dispute the charge with your credit card company they charge you after you told them not to."

That's in addition to the issue that "this was not possible" usually means:
A) I don't know how to do it.
B) I don't feel like doing it.
C) It can be done, but the company wants me to tell you it can't be done, hoping you'll not pursue it further so they can keep charging you money.

[Webwork]

Interesting question.

Some registrars offer an option to expire/delete a domain "immediately", that is, before the expiration date. If so, use it and then demand non-renewal once your confirm the domain no longer is registered (at least not in your name).

From the company's POV, following a domain's expiration date, there is a period of domain purgatory or limbo . . the redemption period . . during which the domain isn't yet dead yet it's resurrections isn't a certainty . . AND during which time the WhoIs record remains live AND THEREFORE during which time you likely would still want to maintain privacy. Ergo - the catch.

I think you're screwed by the way the system works UNLESS you choose to delete/expire the domain before it's expiration date.

I see both sides to this. Frankly, I'm not certain the registrar has any choice but to renew privacy unless you opt out of privacy before the expiration date.

I'm guessing you don't want to do this.

I'm also guessing that the fee for privacy is not subject to being prorated . . just like they don't prorate domain registration fees if you decide to cancel early.

[tangor]

Spot on webwork: covers all the contractual obligations ... and it is a contract. Personally I've not run into this as I've never let a domain I registered expire. I might cease to use them, might put a "This site no longer esists" page, but I don't give it up.

Then again I don't have hundreds of domains, less than 60, so I can't speak for those who have bitten off more than they can chew. :)

I keep them because I do not want them used by others. Pure and simple.