WARNING: Free Domains? - GoFuckYourself.com

Taboo · 08-24-2004, 03:18 AM

WARNING: FREE/CHEAP DOMAINS that will cost you BIG.

There are plenty of webmasters here looking for the best domain rates and most know to avoid deals that are too good to be true. Well, this company is about to do a major marketing push, so "BE aWARE" of what you are actually signing up for:

i.e.:
http://www.iregistrations.com
which RECENTLY changed their name to:
http://www.ezinames.com/welcome.php
(hmmm, i wonder why? could it be because they lost their CC merchant acct?)

Here is their offer:

Quote:

Your first domain with ezinames is free for one year
Normally just $5.95 per year

WOW? FREE. Let's go rush to signup for this free offer like many will do. Or let's dig a little deeper, first. check this out a few excerpts from their terms:

Quote:

2.4.1 The Domain management length is the period for which domain names are to be renewed for. Applicant acknowledges that the registration resides with the relevant registrar for a period of one year

not too bad. they want to keep you for a year. some others require this too. but I prefer to transfer away if the service warrants it. what else?

Quote:

2.6.2 Currently each new ezinames account attracts the provision of the following services for the first domain registered from ezinames : Bulk 500MB Hosting account, host up to 20 domains with up to 20,000MB data transfer (20GB), 500x POP email accounts, 20 MySQL Databases, 200 FTP accounts, 200 Mailing Lists, 500 Sub-domains, CGI-Bin, Control Panel, Search engine submission (provided in hosting control panel).

2.6.4 ezinames offers these services free for a trial period of 7 days from the date of domain name registration.

2.6.5 Registrant can cancel these services for any reason during the initial free 7 day trial period without incurring any charge other than that for the domain registration.

So, the free offer includes hosting you are automatically signed up for. you're opted-in already. Hmmm, can it get any worse?

Quote:

2.6.8 Non-cancellation within this allocated period constitutes acceptance by the registrant for the continuation of and subsequent billing at the standard rate for these services. Services are provided and billed for on a yearly basis. If services are cancelled during the year service period no pro rata refund of the remainder of the year is available.

2.6.9 Billing after the initial free trial period is by direct debit from the registrants nominated credit card at the rate of $US599 for 1 year service period. This charge will be billed in $AU at the then current exchange rate as provided at www.x-rates.com

It did get worse. Much worse. They bill you a year in advance after your "free trial" expires. Free domain = $600 after 8 days. This is the same scheme you see on infomercials that offer free "discount club" memberships with a cheap product. Sad, but many people will fall prey to this domain scheme and not realize it until too late. Well, at least the "wise" will do a chargeback. But this company is experienced, they've been here before. Here:

Quote:

2.6.13 Should any fees charged by ezinames to the registrants nominated credit card for the account be charged back (including but not limited to fees for domain registration, hosting, or search engine submission) then ezinames shall gain full ownership, control and possession of the domain name involved. The registrant will also be liable to pay ezinames a chargeback administrative fee of $30.00.

Even if you chargeback, they still try to milk you for the CB fee. Maybe they learned to add this to their TOS after problems with their first "company". Perhaps changed their company name to get a new merchant acct and start over. So all of us out there looking for cheaper domain rates, remember, you get what you pay for. if you know of any other programs like this, let me know.

Buyer Beware.

nofx · 08-24-2004, 03:22 AM

great post/info !

sixxxthsense · 08-24-2004, 03:29 AM

damn thats fucking scary!

Reak · 08-24-2004, 03:31 AM

that's very scary, thanks good post

woj · 08-24-2004, 03:35 AM

good catch, thanks for the heads up...

Dagwolf · 08-24-2004, 03:45 AM

So in order to get a free domain name, you have to sign up and then cancel within seven days.

Except for the size of the fee, it's not at all unlike some tricks adult webmasters have been using for many years, especially free AVS systems. (which I have been very fond of using).

I'm not saying it's OK... not at all. I'm saying maybe some of us should take a look at how we're treating the surfers.

Living For Today · 08-24-2004, 04:01 AM

I dont think surfers are getting fucked over on that kind of scale though. Great post.

reynold · 08-24-2004, 04:02 AM

that's a good catch!

Manowar · 08-24-2004, 04:09 AM

thanks for the information dude, VERY interesting

Taboo · 08-24-2004, 05:17 AM

yes, even though adult industry uses similar tactics, no one is billed annually in advance... or are they? it is scary. but this domain scheme must be so lucrative for them because this is their 2nd round. and I'm sure they will try again after losing another merchant account.

lazycash · 08-24-2004, 06:29 AM

Wonder if they will be instituting a 50% revshare affiliate program?

DrGuitar · 08-24-2004, 07:58 AM

Thanks for the Warning Taboo

Great info

DrGuitar

StarkReality · 08-24-2004, 08:07 AM

Thanks for the info, that's really some mayor ripoff

Doctor Dre · 08-24-2004, 01:34 PM

When I was young I was fucking arround with a free registar and I got 6000 $ of bills by network solutions and another unknown compagny... My lawyer sent them 2-3 letters and that was settled ...

Domain scam is an old scam

McKracken · 08-24-2004, 01:37 PM

just like adult billing

Illicit · 08-24-2004, 01:38 PM

I hate scammers

Good Catch Man !

Downtime · 08-24-2004, 01:39 PM

someone passed their bar exam

thanks for the heads up!

Thangs · 08-24-2004, 01:40 PM

well done pointing these people out.

Taboo · 08-25-2004, 07:26 AM

at least sites like domainsarefree.com tell you on front page that you are only receiving free domain w/ purchase of 1 year hosting. wonder how long ezinames.com lasts... and how many people get screwed over in the meantime. sad.

Basic_man · 08-25-2004, 08:32 AM

Thanks for the advice!

RicardoB · 08-25-2004, 09:26 AM

I knew there was a reason I only register with Directnic

psyko514 · 08-25-2004, 10:23 AM

that's pretty fuct up.

what's worse is a lot of banks won't do a chargeback for that as everything is outlined in the terms of service.

this is why you should always read the fine print.

08-24-2004, 03:22 AM	#2
nofx Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Virgin Mary's womb Posts: 16,826	great post/info ! __________________ Often times I wonder why There's love and hate, theres live or die. When sickness comes I must decide: When feelings go, theres suicide.

08-24-2004, 03:35 AM	#5
woj <&(©¿©)&> Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 47,882	good catch, thanks for the heads up... __________________ Custom Software Development, email: woj#at#wojfun#.#com to discuss details or skype: wojl2000 or gchat: wojfun or telegram: wojl2000 Affiliate program tools: Hosted Galleries Manager Banner Manager Video Manager Wordpress Affiliate Plugin Pic/Movie of the Day Fansign Generator Zip Manager

08-24-2004, 03:45 AM	#6
Dagwolf President of Canada Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Leaving Hell, Entering Limbo Posts: 23,141	So in order to get a free domain name, you have to sign up and then cancel within seven days. Except for the size of the fee, it's not at all unlike some tricks adult webmasters have been using for many years, especially free AVS systems. (which I have been very fond of using). I'm not saying it's OK... not at all. I'm saying maybe some of us should take a look at how we're treating the surfers. __________________ Sleep well, and dream of large women.

08-24-2004, 06:29 AM	#11
lazycash Troll Patrol Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Local Socal Posts: 15,214	Wonder if they will be instituting a 50% revshare affiliate program? __________________ "WTF, on google you can find the answer to every question in human history, EXCEPT how to convert cams.. Its crazy..." VenusBlogger

08-24-2004, 01:37 PM	#15
McKracken Confirmed User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Drunkville Posts: 703	just like adult billing __________________ MAKE BIG $$$ - NEW MANINSTREAM SITE BETA LAUNCHES SEPTEMBER! * e-mail for more info [email protected] *

08-24-2004, 03:29 AM	#3
sixxxthsense Confirmed User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,421	damn thats fucking scary!

08-24-2004, 03:31 AM	#4
Reak So Fucking Banned Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: 420Calendar.com Posts: 17,920	that's very scary, thanks good post

08-24-2004, 04:01 AM	#7
Living For Today Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,970	I dont think surfers are getting fucked over on that kind of scale though. Great post.

08-24-2004, 04:02 AM	#8
reynold Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Global Traveler Posts: 51,271	that's a good catch!

08-24-2004, 04:09 AM	#9
Manowar jellyfish Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 71,528	thanks for the information dude, VERY interesting

08-24-2004, 05:17 AM	#10
Taboo Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: I'd rather be networking than not working. Posts: 3,700	yes, even though adult industry uses similar tactics, no one is billed annually in advance... or are they? it is scary. but this domain scheme must be so lucrative for them because this is their 2nd round. and I'm sure they will try again after losing another merchant account.

08-24-2004, 07:58 AM	#12
DrGuitar Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Argentina Posts: 44	Thanks for the Warning Taboo Great info DrGuitar

08-24-2004, 08:07 AM	#13
StarkReality Confirmed User Join Date: May 2004 Location: 4 8 15 16 23 42 Posts: 4,444	Thanks for the info, that's really some mayor ripoff

08-24-2004, 01:38 PM	#16
Illicit wtf ? Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: GFY Posts: 11,895	I hate scammers Good Catch Man ! __________________ Insert Sig Here

08-24-2004, 01:39 PM	#17
Downtime Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: May 2004 Location: America. Posts: 7,320	someone passed their bar exam thanks for the heads up! __________________ #27024067

08-24-2004, 01:40 PM	#18
Thangs Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Gainesville,GA Posts: 12	well done pointing these people out.

08-25-2004, 07:26 AM	#19
Taboo Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: I'd rather be networking than not working. Posts: 3,700	at least sites like domainsarefree.com tell you on front page that you are only receiving free domain w/ purchase of 1 year hosting. wonder how long ezinames.com lasts... and how many people get screwed over in the meantime. sad.

08-25-2004, 08:32 AM	#20
Basic_man Programming King Pin Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Montreal Posts: 27,360	Thanks for the advice! __________________ UUGallery Builder - automated photo/video gallery plugin for Wordpress! Stop looking! Checkout Naked Hosting, online since 1999 !

08-25-2004, 09:26 AM	#21
RicardoB Confirmed User Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 2,576	I knew there was a reason I only register with Directnic __________________ Let Me Show Ya How I Really Feel Ricardo's Rants

08-25-2004, 10:23 AM	#22
psyko514 See sig. Join Epic Cash. Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Montreal, Quebec. ICQ: 214702014 Posts: 22,366	that's pretty fuct up. what's worse is a lot of banks won't do a chargeback for that as everything is outlined in the terms of service. this is why you should always read the fine print. __________________ Bad Girl Bucks - 50% Revshare through CCBill. Promote BrandyDDD, Pixie's Pillows, Action Allie and more! Phoenix Forum Pics \| Webmaster Access Montreal pics email: psyko514(a)gmail.com \| icq: 214-702-014