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Ask HN: My domain registrar rug-pulled me for $3000 [fixed]

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Re: Ask HN: My domain registrar rug-pulled me for $3000 [fixed]

#41

Post by joshstrange »

tossandthrow wrote: post #39
joshstrange wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

True, but you can abandon that domain (OP already said it was mostly a joke website) and transfer all the ones you do care about. If this .sexy domain is their only domain there then it's even easier, just chargeback and be done with it.

Charge backs are generally not for returns. If the charge was legal and within contract and customer regulations, then Hover might very well just challange the charge back.

I think the OP has a pretty good case for this being an unauthorized charge.

Additionally, as someone who has been on the receiving end of chargebacks a number of times I can tell you merchants have a higher burden of proof in things like this. Even submitting perfect evidence can get ruled in favor of the cardholder.

Re: Ask HN: My domain registrar rug-pulled me for $3000 [fixed]

#42

Post by tommy_axle »

joshstrange wrote: post #13

Thankfully a chargeback is possible here. While a chargeback is almost always "possible" it can be dangerous if the company you are charging-back is the only provider of a service. I'd be wary about doing a chargeback on the Google/Amazon's of the world but Hover? There are many other registrars out there if you are willing to transfer and for $3K I'd be transfering my domains and then filing a chargeback. BUT, befor…

Although the timing was suspicious it looks like they might be correct about the price. namecheap has the same price https://www.namecheap.com/domains/registration/results/?doma... (a bit cheaper at porkbun around $2.5K)

Re: Ask HN: My domain registrar rug-pulled me for $3000 [fixed]

#43

Post by driverdan »

rglullis wrote: post #2

Doesn't seem to be an issue with Hover, here.

It is. If the price suddenly goes up that much they need to be sending very clear warning emails about the price increase, with the subject clearly saying so. Something like "Alert: Upcoming Domain Renewal Price Increased to $3000"

Re: Ask HN: My domain registrar rug-pulled me for $3000 [fixed]

#44

Post by ktm5j »

inerte wrote: post #12
rglullis wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How?! Hover is just a proxy between the customer and the real TLD owner. It could very well be that the TLD system saw that the domain was about to expire and decided to jack up the price then. Maybe Hover could've bought the domain themselves when close to the expiration date to secure the lower price, but then if the customer decides to let the domain go it would be they holding out the bag.

Let's say you grab a can of Coke in the grocery store, shelf sticker says 49c. When you pass on the cash register, it clearly shows $5k in the cashier's monitor, and the point of sales screen, so you're charged $5k. Ooops, says the grocery store: Coca-cola raised the prices, not me.

I'm not sure that analogy flies. Technically they did inform him of the price change ahead of time, they just didn't do a very good job. If I were them I'd add "PRICE CHANGE" or similar to the email subject, I feel like that's the least they can do.

Re: Ask HN: My domain registrar rug-pulled me for $3000 [fixed]

#46

Post by fckgw »

joshstrange wrote: post #41
tossandthrow wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Charge backs are generally not for returns. If the charge was legal and within contract and customer regulations, then Hover might very well just challange the charge back.

I think the OP has a pretty good case for this being an unauthorized charge. Additionally, as someone who has been on the receiving end of chargebacks a number of times I can tell you merchants have a higher burden of proof in things like this. Even submitting perfect evidence can get ruled in favor of the cardholder.

Wouldn't the merchant's proof be the two emails they sent regarding the upcoming renewal with charges listed?

Re: Ask HN: My domain registrar rug-pulled me for $3000 [fixed]

#47

Post by sva_ »

It should be illegal for the registry to add a domain that has already been 'sold' to their premium tier. Imagine you build anything successful under a domain name and the registry can just legally blackmail you into paying a horrendous amounts of money to keep your domain?

Re: Ask HN: My domain registrar rug-pulled me for $3000 [fixed]

#48

Post by t0bia_s »

There are recently a many arguments to leave platforms like social medias or blog sites like substack and have own site to have control over your content.

However, technically, registrars are gatekeepers - you just rent domain for yearly fee. And they can change price policy any time. Or do wherever political tendencies says.

Re: Ask HN: My domain registrar rug-pulled me for $3000 [fixed]

#49

Post by fckgw »

wjnc wrote: post #5

Register a complaint with the creditcard company with proof of last years $38, the auto renew message with price of $38 and the amount they put on your card. Pretty clear and cut? You can’t offer X and then take Y. It’s Hovers problem what the price behind the door is. Did you read the ToS? The ToS states they renew at prices mentioned on the website. I can find .xyz to renew at $19.99. Now get your screenshots and g…

What does .xyz TLD have to do with this? The TLD is .sexy

Re: Ask HN: My domain registrar rug-pulled me for $3000 [fixed]

#50

Post by anigbrowl »

The price change on the registry happened a few years ago, so in that sense Hover is powerless. But when they sent you the renewal notice (and indeed at the time of the price change), they should have sent you a clear warning that the price was going to increase by ~10,000%. istm you have a basis for the chargeback if they indeed offered to renew it at $38 and you thought nothing was amiss; presumably you wouldn't have bothered to renew if you knew in advance.
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