Name.com: Another Unscrupulous Registrar

I've used name.com for many years and have always been satisfied with their service. The advertising the author is complaining about only shows up if you do not configure the DNS records or name servers after buying the domain. Usually I spend 30 seconds setting this up as soon as I buy the domain, so the advertising doesn't even cross my mind.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought this practice was pretty standard across the industry. The "unscrupulous" registrar tactics that I'm more concerned about are registrars that take domains when they sense demand (such as from searching or whois lookups) and hold it from you until you pay a premium. I've never had this issue with name.com and have found it very easy to transfer domains with them as well.

Re: Name.com: Another Unscrupulous Registrar

#5

Post by nbpoole » Wed, Apr 13, 2011, 7:56 PM UTC

As an anecdotal counterpoint, I'm an extremely happy Name.com customer. I transfered several domains to them a year or so ago from GoDaddy. They support two-factor authentication, their interface is uncluttered, I pay them less money than I paid GoDaddy, and I haven't had a single issue. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a registrar.

That being said, I don't use them for DNS. If this is a feature of their nameservers, I do find it strange that they don't offer a way to opt out (other than using alternative nameservers).

Re: Name.com: Another Unscrupulous Registrar

#6

Post by nathanhammond » Wed, Apr 13, 2011, 7:57 PM UTC

Apocryphon wrote: post #2

So, um, what's a good alternative to all of these?

My next registration will be with these guys: http://www.gandi.net/

I can't speak from experience but I've heard good things about them.

Re: Name.com: Another Unscrupulous Registrar

#7

Post by varikin » Wed, Apr 13, 2011, 7:58 PM UTC

This is disheartening to read because I have been using name.com for over year now and over, I had been happy. I did check one of my domains and found this issue, but since for most of my domains, I don't have DNS managed by the registrar, it doesn't affect me that much.

I guess I have to mull this over.

Re: Name.com: Another Unscrupulous Registrar

#8

Post by imrobert » Wed, Apr 13, 2011, 7:58 PM UTC

brucehart wrote: post #4

I've used name.com for many years and have always been satisfied with their service. The advertising the author is complaining about only shows up if you do not configure the DNS records or name servers after buying the domain. Usually I spend 30 seconds setting this up as soon as I buy the domain, so the advertising doesn't even cross my mind. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought this practice was pretty standard…

I use Name.com too and have never had issues. You're right, the advertising is only there if you don't set up your nameservers. The whole TOS thing is not a big deal anyway. I don't understand what he's complaining about.

Re: Name.com: Another Unscrupulous Registrar

#9

Post by yourcelf » Wed, Apr 13, 2011, 7:58 PM UTC

Apocryphon wrote: post #2

So, um, what's a good alternative to all of these?

Two that I've liked: nearlyfreespeech.net (low cost and strong ethics) and gandi.net (more comprehensive).

Re: Name.com: Another Unscrupulous Registrar

#10

Post by endtwist » Wed, Apr 13, 2011, 7:58 PM UTC

It's a simple case of the company lawyer(s) overdoing a CYA clause and standing by it. However, the company seems to have gladly taken your call to discuss it with you, and then consult their lawyers regarding the potential for a change. While you didn't get what you want, it seems like they were fairly considerate.

So, just change the nameservers after registration and move on. I understand if you disagree with their policy, but there is nothing forcing you to keep their nameservers beyond the 5 minutes it takes you to change them post-registration.