“Domain Registry Of America” scams continuing
We’ve recently heard from several customers who have received what appears to be a domain name renewal invoice from a company called “Domain Registry of America”.
These “invoices” are a scam. Domain Registry of America is unrelated to our company, and has been cited by the FTC for “deceptive conduct”.
If you look closely at the “invoices”, they actually say something like “This notice is not a bill, rather an easy means of payment should you decide to renew your domain with us.” However, that small print is easy to miss.
We have a page about Domain Registry of America scams with much more information. We encourage you to make sure that whoever pays your invoices is aware of it.
on Monday, December 27, 2010 at 1:05 pm (Pacific) MadeByAPrincess wrote:
This is a transcript of my emails back and forth with DROA last week. I cannot believe this company is still in business. Eric Voisard even went so far as to mess with my account so that I could not access it. I called tech support to get the EPP code so I could transfer it and was told that “something was wrong” with it. The notes said that I wanted to let my site lapse and not renew. Umm…no! The guy was super nice and read thru my emails and made copious notes in my acct stating that was not my intention at all. He unlocked my acct and sent the EPP code to me. He said he has nothing to do with Eric Voisard and couldn’t believe the guy is still around. Tech support has nothing to do with customer service just FYI. Anyway, read this from the bottom up…
—–Original Message—–
From: Eric Voisard
To: XXX
Sent: Thu, Dec 23, 2010 1:00 pm
Subject: Re: Shady business practice
If you want to remain ignorant of our prices and deals because it better suits your pre-determined notions about us, by all means, live in ignorance, I’m sure it is more comfortable for you there.
And your claim that you are giggling to your “friends” on your “social networking sites” has been quite entertaining for us, thank you.
Eric Voisard
Customer Relations Manager
1-866-434-0212 ex 248
evoisard@droa.com
On 23/12/2010 3:45 PM, XXX wrote:
I’m not interested in your attempt at justification although this has been quite entertaining for my friends and colleagues and I on our social networking sites. They are taking notes.
You send me a link to your own site? You think I care what your company says about your pricing and how you beat the competition? I can do my own research thank you. I pay less on Go Daddy and Pappashop FYI.
Bottom line, take me off of your mailing list.
Don’t respond to this, you are wasting my time now. I am putting you and droa in my spam folder.
P.S. You might want to spell check next time it only shows your lack of professionalism.
—–Original Message—–
From: Eric Voisard
To: XXX
Sent: Thu, Dec 23, 2010 12:35 pm
Subject: Re: Shady business practice
Unfortunately we will have to disagree as our letter quite clearly states in bold lettering that “This notice is not a bill”, it asked the potential customer if they are interested in transferring their domain name to us. It is everyone’s responsibility to read the information they are presented with, not reading it and claiming that you were deceived is not a vlaid response and is a way to deflect your own personal responsibility. So your assertion that it is not clear as to the purpose of the letter is wholly misguided.
As for our prices we offer the lowest domain registration and hosting services in the industry, feel free to compare our pricing to other similar services: http://www.droa.com/whinfo.asp
Eric Voisard
Customer Relations Manager
1-866-434-0212 ex 248
evoisard@droa.com
On 23/12/2010 3:22 PM, XXX wrote:
I wouldn’t say clearly. That is a stretch. That language is hidden within several paragraphs into the letter. This looks just like the renewal for a domain, not a solicitation. You can put whatever spin you want on this but DROA has designed this letter to deceive customers into thinking it is a renewal not a solicitation to transfer their domain. You and I both know that people rarely thoroughly read through their mail, particularly one that looks like a bill. You are counting on this in fact. I think it is shameful that DROA would stoop to this level and am looking into my options on transferring my domain from your company to another. I think it comical that you mention how low your prices are when it is a well known fact that you have some of the higher prices out there. I had few options when I first purchased my domain name, now there are many and I plan to take advantage of this competitive market and get out of business with a company who seeks to prey on its customers and in such a duplicitous manner.
If you truly want to offer a service and not seek to take advantage of people you would design a letter that looks like a solicitation and not one that looks identical to one of your actual bills. I know this will not happen because clearly your company is unscrupulous. Any company that would do this in the first place is lacking a moral compass.
Nonetheless, don’t send me this garbage again.
—-Original Message—–
From: Eric Voisard
To: XXX
Sent: Thu, Dec 23, 2010 12:06 pm
Subject: Re: Shady business practice
Dear Customer
The letter you received is a solicitation asking you to consider our firm for the renewal of your domain name. You have the choice of renewing your domain name with any registrar of your choice. The solicitation clearly states that you are transferring your domain name from one place to another if you decide to renew your domain name with our firm. The advertisement also goes as far as saying that you don’t have to renew your domain name with the current registrar or with the Domain Registry of America as the choice is yours.
Eric Voisard
Customer Relations Manager
1-866-434-0212 ex 248
evoisard@droa.com
On 23/12/2010 1:58 PM, XXX wrote:
Please take me off of your mailing list. I have one domain with you (papillonprincess.com) and that is it. I received what looks like a renewal notice for another website I have but you have nothing to do with that site. I maintain that domain through another company and I think it is really shady of you to send me a “bill” to renew something you don’t have. Why would I pay $35 a year through you when I pay only $11.99 with someone else?
Don’t ever send me something like this again. This is very sketchy business practice of yours and I will be sharing it with my business colleagues. The only bill I expect to see from you is the papillonprincess.com one and even that I hope to stop in the future.
XXX
on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 3:38 pm (Pacific) Sergey Rusak wrote:
I just called their customer support & sales department 1-866-434-0212 and made them listen… 3.2.1… Never Gonna Give You Up, Never Gonna Put You Down, Never Gonna Run Around!!! Everyone should do the same! RickRoll them for their crimes!