How to buy an expiring domain?

hitmann · 20 Nov 2007 at 15:09

I need to have a domain hosted on a site for 2 years and I want to have it hosted on another site for 1 year, as it's expiring in a couple of days.

I'm not familiar with the domain transfer feature offered by some hosts. If I transfer it to another host, would I have to pay for the transfer plus another year of registration?
It's currently on transfer lock. Should I wait for it to expire, then unlock it and register straight away with the other host? I'm worried a domain sale company might snap it before I can register again.

What would be the best move?

Van Hellseek · 20 Nov 2007 at 15:11

Don't let it expire.

And any costs/fee's depend entirely on who you are moving it to. For instance, if you move to godaddy they charge a transfer fee (around $20 I think), but you get a year for free.

Longbow · 20 Nov 2007 at 15:14

Do the hosting company have control of the domain?

If yes you need to get it off them.

If no then you can simple renew it with your register and change the name servers to point towards a host.

Van Hellseek · 20 Nov 2007 at 15:16

Longbow said:
If no then you can simple renew it with your register and change the name servers to point towards a host.

I think he's talking about changing domain registrars, rather than website host (?).

Longbow · 20 Nov 2007 at 15:22

seek said:
I think he's talking about changing domain registrars, rather than website host (?).

In that case, unlock the transfer status and move it across ASAP. Godaddy offer transfers at $6.99.

Van Hellseek · 20 Nov 2007 at 15:25

Longbow said:
Godaddy offer transfers at $6.99.

Wow, that's certainly changed since last time I looked at transfer pricing. Domain names are cheap as chips these days. A few days ago I got my latest .com for £3.50 (1 year). :cool:

Longbow · 20 Nov 2007 at 15:29

seek said:
Wow, that's certainly changed since last time I looked at transfer pricing. Domain names are cheap as chips these days. A few days ago I got my latest .com for £3.50 (1 year).

That's why Godaddy is the biggest around. Plus all the competition around now.

Network Solutions are still charging $34.99

hitmann · 20 Nov 2007 at 15:34

Thanks guys. I think i'll opt for a transfer to Godaddy.
One thing though, I don't really understand their Transfer Pricing chart:

________1 yr 2 yrs 3 yrs 4 yrs 5 yrs 6 yrs 7 yrs 8 yrs 9 yrs
SAVE!
.COM* $6.99 $6.99 $6.99 $6.99 $6.99 $6.99 $6.99 $6.99 $6.99

Does that mean I would pay $69.90 instead of $99.99, if I transfer the domain and had it registered with them for 9 years?

WotDa · 20 Nov 2007 at 15:39

hitmann said:
Does that mean I would pay $69.90 instead of $99.99, if I transfer the domain and had it registered with them for 9 years?

Yup, I think anyway.

I use GoDaddy too, woot woot.

Might buy another domain soon, can't decide between a few though.

PS. Podcasts with discount codes 4tw. :cool:

Longbow · 20 Nov 2007 at 15:40

WotDa said:
PS. Podcasts with discount codes 4tw.

Yeah, Google for coupons. You can usually get $5 or 10% off.

Van Hellseek · 20 Nov 2007 at 15:47

hitmann said:
Thanks guys. I think i'll opt for a transfer to Godaddy.
Does that mean I would pay $69.90 instead of $99.99, if I transfer the domain and had it registered with them for 9 years?

As far as I can tell, a 9 year transfer (basic options) to godaddy would cost $57.52.

Vanilla · 20 Nov 2007 at 15:50

My registrar recently asaked for £97 to renew my domain for 2 years.

Is this right? Can I get it cheaper? or is it a typical high renew price to get some 'dumb business'.

Van Hellseek · 20 Nov 2007 at 15:53

Vanilla said:
My registrar recently asaked for £97 to renew my domain for 2 years.

Is this right? Can I get it cheaper? or is it a typical high renew price to get some 'dumb business'.

No, it's not right. That's a complete rip-off. Who is your registrar?

Vanilla · 20 Nov 2007 at 15:54

seek said:
No, it's not right. That's a complete rip-off. Who is your registrar?

Nominet I think.

Is the process easy for moving it elsewhere?

I take it I have to move it, then renew with a new one.

Kemik · 20 Nov 2007 at 15:56

123-reg.co.uk do free transfers of UK domains. Once it's ready to expire pay the current price to have it renewed (about £6 for 2 years min)

Adz · 20 Nov 2007 at 16:02

Vanilla said:
Nominet I think.

Is the process easy for moving it elsewhere?

I take it I have to move it, then renew with a new one.

Here's the thing... you probably registered it through an agent (ie. a registrar or hosting company) originally. As you have not renewed it, Nominet have sent you a pro forma invoice as a last chance to renew your domain before it expires, in case your registrar has gone bust.

If you go back to whoever you originally registered through, it should cost £5 to £10 to renew. Nominet only charge a higher fee so as not to compete with their clients and because, as a not-for-profit organisation, they don't want direct 'customers'.

Vanilla · 20 Nov 2007 at 16:05

Adz said:
Here's the thing... you probably registered it through an agent (ie. a registrar or hosting company) originally. As you have not renewed it, Nominet have sent you a pro forma invoice as a last chance to renew your domain before it expires, in case your registrar has gone bust.

If you go back to whoever you originally registered through, it should cost £5 to £10 to renew. Nominet only charge a higher fee so as not to compete with their clients and because, as a not-for-profit organisation, they don't want direct 'customers'.

Ah I see, i'll try and work out who I bought it though originally.

Thanks

Sic · 20 Nov 2007 at 16:05

out of curiosity, what is the domain you're going to renew?

Vanilla · 20 Nov 2007 at 16:07

Sic said:
out of curiosity, what is the domain you're going to renew?

Nothing special !

Van Hellseek · 20 Nov 2007 at 16:13

Vanilla said:
Nothing special !

Perhaps it could be worth simply letting it drop then, and getting a new one?