Good riddance, 123-reg

[bonusmedia]

Sure I'm preaching to the converted here, but anyway:

I had a couple of domains registered to me but stuck in other people's old 123-reg accounts - I'd bought them and done the Nominet transfer but for some reason or another never got them into my account.

I've tried to sort this out several times before, sent a number of emails, it wasn't happening.

Eventually they referred me to their process for these cases, which involves filling in a form, faxing them a signed copy (you'd think a domain registrar might have evolved beyond faxes!?) along with a copy of my company incorporation documents and ID to prove ownership. So I did.

This wasn't good enough, they came back and asked for more identifying info, which I provided.

Then they came back and told me what I'd originally told them... that the domains were in other accounts... so they couldn't help.

"At this moment 123-reg is not entitled to decide who is the domain owner and is not authorised to deal with this kind of issues."

They advised me to take legal action or seek mediation, and that was the only way of doing it.

At this point I was a little annoyed. Called them and finally spoke to someone who knew what they were on about, who kindly advised me that the only way to deal with it was to - get this - transfer them to another registrar. He was a nice chap and clearly realized how ridiculous this is.

I emailed them what I thought, and that I was about to transfer the lot. Then I got this gem through: "Please keep in mind that legally we cannot transfer the domains based solely on the documents you provided. The domains were registered under different 123-reg accounts"

I have spent probably 3 hours trying to sort this out and dealt with 5 different support staff. Only 1 had a clue what was going on, and he couldn't help me. They have asked me for the same info at least 3 times, made me jump through hoops for a process that they won't actually follow, and then reverted back to what they told me in the first place, which is incomprehensible.

Of course it's easy enough to transfer them away to a new tag via Nominet, and as a result of their infuriating customer service, idiotic policy and complete incompetence, I've transferred 140 domains from 123 reg to Vidahost today. Better pricing and the support actually knows what they're talking about.

I had been meaning to anyway, but they pushed me over the edge today.

 

[viceroy]

Good to hear of another convert - 123-reg is a shambles. I can second Vidahost, been with them for a couple of years now and they're generally on the ball...

 

[AssetDomains]

I notice they now charge for a TAG change in there control panel a process which costs them nothing. maybe they were losing to many customers.

PS to anyone thinking of moving you can move multiple domains at once for a single fee via nominet

 

[mally]

I wish nominate would investigate the issues at 123-reg, we all know people who have had the problems discussed in the 1st post.

 

[AssetDomains]

I wish nominate would investigate the issues at 123-reg, we all know people who have had the problems discussed in the 1st post.

They have to many votes for the Board to ever want to ruffle their feathers

 

[Skinner]

Host Europe hold over 15% of the total domains registered, no one else is even close, 123-reg alone has about 8% of the vote.

 

[spiderspider]

I notice they now charge for a TAG change in there control panel a process which costs them nothing. maybe they were losing to many customers.

PS to anyone thinking of moving you can move multiple domains at once for a single fee via nominet

£9.99+VAT per domain. Nearly spat my good morning coffee all over the keyboard :roll:

This post reminded me I have some that I need to move away. Thats this mornings job

 

[Edwin]

At least their pricing structure makes the choice a simple one.

A) Pay 123-Reg £9.99+VAT to move ONE domain away from 123-Reg
or
B) Pay Nominet £10+VAT to move ALL your domains away from 123-Reg

Personally, I'd spend that penny (if you know what I mean...)

 

[spiderspider]

Just incase anyone else is stuck with 123, and their crazy charge for a TAG change, you need to contact them. Ask them what their playing at, and why they charge for a service that is of no cost to them (except maybe a person to code it). I did, and got this reply:

I can confirm that you are correct, 123-reg have introduced this charge for IPS Tag changes.
This was a change in our terms and conditions that was not directly notified to avoid alarm amongst the majority of our customer base who are unaffected by this change and who may not know what an IPS Tag is or how it affects (or does not affect) them.
If however you do not agree to this change we will be happy to flag your account for free IPS Tag changes today and going forward on your account. I have tried to call you to discuss but was unable to reach you. We would be very grateful for any feedback you would be willing to provide on your reasons for the Tag change today. Was the quality of the services provided by 123-reg or some other aspect of your experience with us a factor in your decision?

I didn't respond, and the next day they changed my account to free transfers, and I moved all away form 123.

 

[bulkcorn]

I can confirm that you are correct, 123-reg have introduced this charge for IPS Tag changes.
This was a change in our terms and conditions that was not directly notified to avoid alarm amongst the majority of our customer base who are unaffected by this change and who may not know what an IPS Tag is or how it affects (or does not affect) them.
If however you do not agree to this change we will be happy to flag your account for free IPS Tag changes today and going forward on your account. I have tried to call you to discuss but was unable to reach you. We would be very grateful for any feedback you would be willing to provide on your reasons for the Tag change today. Was the quality of the services provided by 123-reg or some other aspect of your experience with us a factor in your decision?

Very clever! Innit? :lol::lol:

Those who may be affected are not informed of the changes ... until they get stung. roflmao!

CrazyDomains tried to get me to pay £90 recently to 'recover' 1 expired .co.uk (They even emailed me a form to fill in - and maybe fax or post or something), I paid £12 to Nominet and moved 128 domains instead, and it took me all of 3 mins online. They lost out on a year's renewal fees worth at least £300.