Back in 2016 we started a series here that looked at the best and worst about companies in the domain industry. Over the last 30 months a lot has changed at many companies so we are revisiting the good, the bad and the ugly.
Each post will deal with just one company, readers are encouraged to share their positive and negative experiences. Suggestions for improvement are also encouraged.
One of the goals of the column is that company representatives will see how their customers think of them. This can lead to a conversation on fixing problems.
What is not allowed:
- Personal attacks on individuals at the chosen company
- Promoting a competitor
- Posting domains for sale
Parking domains at Uniregistry generates lot of enquiries. But hardly any sales. Why ?
Because one needs to submit an enquiry to get to the stage where the desired minimum can be seen (if its specified). If that would be displayed right away on the lander, there could be far less of those.
Good: Great interface. Easy. Intuitive. I love the sliders.
Bad: not much. Smooth experience.
Ugly: The automated rmails can be harsh. I don’t know who wrote them, but i want to say “f*ck you” and i’m the seller.
Uniregistry is phenomenal so I’m increasing my inventory there which has passed 2,000.
In 2018 I sold $79,000 worth of domains at Uni. Not only are the platform, brokers and support staff excellent, they are working hard on improvements too.
(For example Jonathan Chernoff has contacted me and other sellers in the past few weeks for our opinions about some changes and innovations that are being considered.)
So I do happen to know directly that the development team at the Uniplex is working on things…
…Back in November, Frank Schilling tweeted that “we are launching the greatest piece of sales infrastructure ever launched to sell a domain name” with a timeline indicating a launch date in about three months, which hopefully will be some time around August!?
I hope this means the market will get its own dedicated website instead of being under-represented on the Uniregistry site. This would help to unleash the full potential of what is already a phenomenon.
Uniregistry customer service, unimaginably is the worst. In March 2017 the company I work for purchased and paid for a .com domain from Uniregistry. In return, Uniregistry provided us with a dated paid receipt via email exchange for successful completed payment being made, along with Uni sending us an email congratulating us on our recently completed purchase transaction. All the while our newly acquired .com domain property continued to sit and remain parked at Uniregistry.
Fast forward, March 2019, is when we first now discover something amiss, has run afoul with our control/ownership of our domain property that continues to exist parked over at Uniregistry.
As recently as March 2019, Uniregistry sales broker contacted our offices looking to sell us yet again, for the second time, the same identical .com domain name that we already paid for and continue to own. How can this be???
Even stranger is that Uniregistry’s selling price of our domain, is now 22x higher than what we originally paid Uniregistry for our domain in March of 2017. Yet oddly enough, we have no record ourselves of asking Uniregistry to sell our .com domain, nor have we at any time ever asked, authorized, nor provided Uniregistry with our written consent or permission for Uni either to list for sale or sell our domain on our own behalf.
It now appears illegally they are attempting to re-sell our domain property out from under us.
Repeated phone calls and emails demands placed to Uniregistry offices accounting dept Giselle that they provide us with original signed copy of the sales contract agreement have yet to materialize.
The best they can provide us with is an unsigned by ourselves sales contract that exists signed by Uniregistry employee means nothing.
My multiple requests have repeatedly fallen on their deaf ears.
At this point I am at my wits end continuously spinning my wheels with Uniregistry.
What shall I do next to force this situation to its fruition?
Good luck to you but I wouldn’t hold your breath. I had the absolute , hands down , worst experience in my life with said company! Won’t go into details but they basically turned their back on a program that they had rolled out and cost me a ton of money! Guess it didn’t matter that I had amassed just under 1000 names with them and all the money that goes along with that. They WERE my top registrar as far as number of names I own. NONE of that mattered. I spent the better part of two months sending emails and making phone calls and the problem was getting closer to being resolved.
I would strongly encourage you to do what I did and move your domain(s) to Dynadot .
** The problem WASN’T getting any closer to being resolved.
As with Uniregistry once a registrar grows bigger in size to serve its larger audience in pursuit of themselves dominating their niche while earning still greater profits is when personalization/customer service at that registrar most often falls short. This is what happened at Go Daddy right after they went publuc. It remains my guess it continues to happen most frequently elsewhere too when it comes to larger corporations who fail to be held accountable to their customer base, answering only to its stockholders financial monetary interests over and ab I ve it’s customer base. I prefer using EPIK, Privately owned, they are boutique,cater favorabky to most all my personal domain needs.
Sounds to me like you didn’t renew it.
That is untrue, simply not the case, Once payment was tendered, Uniregistry never provided us with instant access to their administration panel for ourselves to assume full control of our paid for property, Has been exacerbated by fact that those peeps in charge at Uniregistry NO ONE in capacity of upper mgmt at Uniregistry has been able to provide me with a straight answer, nor are they able to provude copy of original signed sales contract. Has resulted in their own lack of diligent effiorts to resolving this 2 yr old matter. From what already has been demonstrated me by Uniregistry, they continue to enjoy having use of my money paid to them, yet in return make no concerted effortts at resolving matter, thus resolution continues stalled, They continue keeping us from obtaining full control ownership of what rightfully is ours. My repeated demands that Uniregistry provide me with a copy of the signed original contract that bares both parties signatures has yet to materialuze. They were paid first by us and consequentialy denied us access to what amounts to oursrlves using and controingl our paid item.
Hi Steve,
Having seen this post, I asked the team to look into it, and it might be enlightening if you inform the readers of this blog: (a) what was the agreed purchase price of the domain name, and (b) how much did you pay.
The reason the domain name was not transferred to you is because you purchased the domain name on a payment plan, made an initial payment online via credit card, and then never made the second payment using the credit card authorization form and ID request that was sent to you multiple times.
To be clear:
1. As you mentioned, you were provided a signed agreement by the VP of sales, setting forth the payment plan terms.
2. On February 28, 2017 you made the initial payment of $500 payment online using a credit card.
Feb-28-2017 – 21:56
Subject: Fund capture required – p(redacted)y.com
A buyer has checked out a payment plan with credit card.
The payment plan must now be agreed to, and the funds captured.
3. Several followup emails were sent to you. In order to make the recurring charges to a credit card on a payment plan, the payment processor requires that Uniregistry obtain a signed authorization form. You were informed of this on the following dates:
Feb-28-2017 – 21:59
To: “S(redacted)”
Subject: Re: p(redacted)y.com – Credit Card Form Required
…
Attached please find the Credit Card Authorization Form.
We ask that you complete the Form and either fax or scan/take a picture with a smartphone and email back to us along with a clear copy of the cardholder’s photo ID.
Once your down payment has been captured, you can provide (at your convenience) the Nameservers/DNS Records to manage your domain name.
….
——–
Mar-1-2017 – 14:48
To: “S(redacted)”
Subject: p(redacted)y.com – Credit Card Form Required
We are following-up with you to see when we can expect to receive the completed Credit Card Authorization Form.
We also require a copy of the cardholder’s photo ID. (Please note that you may “hide” any information you are not comfortable sharing).
I have attached the form again for your convenience.
…
—–
Mar-3-2017 – 14:31
To: “S(redacted)”
Subject: p(redacted)y.com – Follow-Up (CC Auth Form)
I hope all is well.
We are still waiting to receive the Credit Card Authorization Form and photo ID in order to proceed with the transfer.
…
—-
And again on Mar-7-2017 – 14:29 and at Mar-8-2017 – 21:58 you were reminded to send in the authorization form for the remaining payment.
You never sent the authorization form or the signed payment plan agreement after making the initial payment in a significantly small amount compared to the total purchase price.
In fact, several days later, when you asked about whether you could make the second payment over the telephone, you were told:
Mar-16-2017 – 23:55
To: “S(redacted)”
Subject: RE: poisonivyremedy.com
I let Helki who was working with you on the down payment know after we got off the phone she said she would send you the CC authorisation form so they could complete the second payment.
Did you receive the CC authorisation form?
…
——
…which was followed by no answer from you. Likewise, after further correspondence, you were asked again on March 19, 2019, whether you completed the payment plan. You did not answer.
4. You have written several times since to demand to know why the domain name was not transferred to you. The answer to that is simple. You never completed the payments for the domain name. Names under a payment plan are not transferred to the buyer until all payments are completed. Every time your non-payment of the total purchase price is mentioned, you have fallen silent.
5. In your most recent round of communications, you acknowledge that you did not complete the payments for the domain name, and you have stated:
Mar-7-2019 – 11:30
Comments: Many months ago I twice emailed uniregistry re: incomplete transfer of “p(redacted)y.com. yet never did I received back a timely response from either you or uniregistry that addresses my questions being posed back at that time, not good. I’m willing to entertain my orig offer $3(redacted)0 FOR THIS PURCHASE, with my prior completed payment that was made back in time as being credited towards purchase. Thank you
—
So, Steve, perhaps you might try to explain this to the readers of this blog:
If your original offer was $3(redacted)0 for purchasing the domain name, and you would like your “prior completed payment credited towards purchase”, then could you tell us what it was that was initially set as the purchase price of the domain name, and how much you paid?
It is quite clear to Uniregistry that you had been offered a multiple payment plan consisting of an initial down payment to be followed by a remaining balance. You were informed that Uniregistry would require a signed authorization to make multiple charges to your credit card. You were sent the form several times. You never sent it back. In your most recent round of correspondence, you have consistently avoided answering the direct question of whether you completed the payments.
It is also quite clear that you are going to continue to ignore the fact that the domain name was never offered nor agreed to be sold or transferred to you for the amount of the initial payment you made. You are going to continue to act as if your initial payment for the domain name was agreed to be the entire sale price of the domain name, and you are going to continue to drop the conversation every time that is pointed out to you. You have yourself acknowledged that you did not make payment in full amount of your offer for the domain name. So, perhaps you might explain, if you would now like your initial payment “credited towards purchase” two years later, why you believe the domain name was to be transferred to you before you had paid the entire purchase price.
Belated, I stepped into this matter long after the fact(s) have presented themselves.
I remain uninformed to all prior conversations, prior dealings, negotiations in ths matter or what may or may not have ever first transpired, been said outside of what currently exists seen as documented proof for the record.
Proof I see and hold in my hands clearly, is dated 3/10/17 sales receipt from Uniregistry, is for a “completed purchase” being issued to us in return for our successful payment being completed for
(domain name redacted) to Uniregistry.
The Uniregistry receipt (I assume is pro forma) clearly contains written words “completed purchase” appears located 2x within 2 differient locations all within the same document, states, and I quote;
” YOUR PURCHASE IS COMPLETE! ” & “YOUR PURCHASE IS COMPLETED”.
Baring this in mind, if our purchase is NOT complete as you now infer,, than how is it we hold a valid dated receipt issued from you demonstrating otherwise?
What I’m seeing, is this transaction as getting caught up in some sort of technical internet glitch dates back in time, that kept ourselves from completing control registration with ICANN.
I am holding in my hand, a Uniregistry dated sales receipt, demonstrating a previously completed sales transaction for a completed purchase made for domain (domain redacted) from Uniregistry.
Without additional or further written substantiating proof being demonstrating to the contrary, everything else now being claimed by you either IS moot and/or represents hearsay.
From what I’ve been told, and recently come to understand, each of both parties signatures MUST first be affixed to same document for each of both them individually to exist appearing located alongside each other within the same document constitutes parity reasoning or demonstrated agreement over subject matter in order for agreement to ever first exist.
I have been told, Under law, absent or missing either one of a participating parties signature (from said document), understandably, results in documents own nullification for that same written document, since without required affixed two or more signatures,
no parity of reasoning or agreement ever exists as demonstrated between either one of both the parties.
Interesting to note, back at the time, We paid Uniregistry, the greater sum of ($ redacted) and in return were issued a dated paid sales receipt demonstrating completed purchase made,
yet never lawfully obtained access to assume control /ownership over our recently acquired completed purchased domain, yet over the same time Uniregistry never offered to refunded the same equal $ amount back to us in full. Does this mean you get to have it all your way, is by you keeping all our money paid for domain we never get to use? Somehow this does not resonate with me as being fair or equitable.
To help clear things up, and perhaps put an end this riddle, please provide me/us with an original signed (paper) copy of the dated sales contract you referenced, that demonstrates back at the time,
each of both representative parties signatures as being affixed for them to appear located alongside each other within the same contract document.
Addition proof I hold from my company’s records, is that we paid you $ (redacted sum) money. In return obtained Uniregistry, dated paid receipt advising us
twice within this same receipt, that our “purchase is compete” and “purchase is completed”.
Please provide me with substantiating proof that now exists, indicates or points to the contrary.
Thank you
Rarely has a recitation of facts been so . . . entertaining.
Uniregistry has been great, but they should add financing/payment plans for aftermarket domains to increase aftermarket sales. This could be partially based on the similar feature at Huge Domains.
Hi there, I head up Business Development at Uniregistry for the aftermarket, we have actually added this feature already, In Q4 2018, we began to roll out this product to our clients, which has allowed buyers previously on the fence to have the option of owning a domain at a very palatable monthly expense, rather than a large sum upfront. In order to do this you would need to send the inquiry to the brokerage and one of the brokers help negotiate and set the payment plan up. Please let me know if you would like more details.
Hi there, we have actually added this already, In Q4 2018, we began to roll out this product to our clients, which has allowed buyers previously on the fence to have the option of owning a domain at a very palatable monthly expense, rather than a large sum upfront. In order to do this you would need to send the inquiry to the brokerage and one of the brokers help negotiate and set the payment plan up on your behalf through our in house payment system. Please reach out to me direct for any further details. For 6 years we have been offering payment plans on founder Frank Schilling’s in- house portfolio, generating thousands of extra sales and millions of dollars in residual income and very excited about offering this to our other clients.
I like it when the info shows who/where the inquiries come from unlike others where…”an interested buyer..blah blah blah ”
Stay away from fast transfer feature because if someone ever gets into that menu, they will just lower the price and viola…all gone .
I can’t think of a better way to manage multiple names in bulk than the way Unireg does it. I’m honestly not sure who I’d use to handle my .AU names. They have made an impossible name space super easy.
Uniregistry offers good pricing. Customer support has improved a bit. User interface is satisfactory but can be better. I rate them as good domain reseller.
I am a strong believer in the potential of new gTLD’s and have put my money in them. Uniregistry owns some extensions and I liked them more.
Unfortunately, their insane price increase that happened more than a year before has put me and other investors under fear.
ICANN has put no pricing cap and Uniregistry experimented to exploit it fully.
Even today, I don’t know what will happen to my favourite Uniregistry new gTLD domains. Will, the price increase by 10% or 100%?
I bought domains from long term perspective of 10 to 20 years. After last few years of holding them, will I be able to renew the domains any longer.
Uniregistry, you have lost the credibility. Today, I think that you care only for your profits even if this leaves your customers dead. I hope that you can change this and I can like you again.
Uniregistry very well, but financial problems and liquidity need to be improved
Uniregistry has the worst customer service and doesn’t take care of their customers. They pulled a straight up bait and switch style strategy on my account and many others. I got a call a few years back from one of their reps to move all of my names over to them for a super low rate to help me build a portfolio with them. Out of nowhere, they release a discount club and tried to force me to pay for it within 30 days or I would lose my special pricing. I haven’t purchased another name or renewed any names with them since and have moved over 500+ names elsewhere. They marketed themselves as a no upsell platform, but have completed changed their ethics and don’t treat their customers fair. Their platform isn’t bad, but they run their show on lies and change things without telling people all of the time.
D- grade in my opinion – Thumbs down for sure. It’s sad, I was happy and they just burned me and many others.
It is my experience that posting the truth, about domaining and domain king pins, on THEDOMAINS.com results is personal attacks and further, industry wide, malignant blackballing.
The domain name business, from top to bottom is a disgusting, predator riddled, quasi-criminal enterprise, populated by registrars and aftermarket brokers and sites that would just as soon skin you for your names, than pretend to have your interests, as a domainer, at heart.
I will not soil myself with the reporting here, of countless |DomainNameSales/Uniregistry | attacks exacted on me. Suffice is to say that the culture of DomainNameSales/Uniregistry business practices related to brokering domains is consistent with the industry as a whole.
Goddady/Afternic, Uniregistry, Sedo have all blackballed me and further, have made sport of making sure that I will, in their hopes, never sell a domain name.
I registered my first domain name in 2001 and have dedicated countless hours to developing a “hand registered only” portfolio of some 800 names.
I can report that the culture of the domain name business is either you buy from the the circa 1995-2000, first to the trough registrants of the all the one word generic, .com names and play the game of reselling those names or suffer the criminality of the existing domain name REGISTRAR/AFTERMARKET kill zone.
It is my experience, posting on THEDOMAINS.com and speaking the truth of the domaining business will, inevitably bring further attacks. Overt attacks from the domaining rabble that slip around in the post 2001 domain name hand registration dumpster fire and backstabbing from the king pins, the origins stealth an lethal.
Do you worst big boys.
I will not quit and you can not kill me, but for a gun.
ICANN is complicit
I will respond down here, since we reached the thread limit of the blog.
Steve G,
“I remain uninformed to all prior conversations, prior dealings, negotiations in ths matter or what may or may not have ever first transpired, been said outside of what currently exists seen as documented proof for the record.”
Lol, yes, of course you do, because the actual record shows you are a liar.
Feb-28-2017 – 21:50
Seller invited you to complete the sale with a payment plan
To: “S(redacted)”
Subject: Re: p(redacted).com
p(redacted)y.com is a very rare premium name, one of very few that share these special attributes.
We understand not everyone can afford a high-caliber name like this in one lump sum. Uniregistry has created a secure payment plan that lets you enjoy all the benefits of this domain right now with a $(redacted) down payment and 1 monthly payments of $(redacted).
—–
In response to that offer, you had to click through to indicate your acceptance, which was recorded by the system along with your IP address at:
Feb-28-2017 – 21:56
Buyer agreed to Payment Plan terms and Payment schedule
That’s the only way the checkout link could have been processed.
You admit you paid less than the agreed price. You admit that you only paid the first installment.
But, instead, because the automated email acknowledgement system used the same template for acknowledging the completion of your initial payment as it does for other purposes, you want to lie about the context of that payment to all the readers of this blog.
Feel free to lie about what the deal was as much as you like, but I can guarantee you are not going to get any further response from Uniregistry whatsoever.
You are a liar, Steve, and not a very good one. Because you think you can make some sort of point with the automated acknowledgement of your initial payment, that’s why you shut up and go away every single time anyone points out that you were offered a payment plan, and the payment you made was solely the first payment in that plan.
Pros:
– Best domain management platform, makes most other registrars look like a joke. Could definately use some stats like whois lookups, and visitors for parked/not-for-sale domains.
– Excellent mobile app, again nothing in the industry compares.
– Brokerage team is a huge asset.
Cons:
– I would need to pay $264/year for the Domain Perks to get the same discounted pricing as before (for a portfolio between 250-750 names). I would generally consolidate/transfer-in all my names, but now I transfer everything out. I would love to return, it’s such a pleasure having my names at Uni.
– Buyers info is now hidden on enquiries that go through the brokerage. I need this info to price the name effectively. Possibly some loosers trying to negotiate with the buyer after the broker has done their work to avoid paying the commission?
– Some brokers may be too aggressive with buyers.
– Domain tracker somewhat innacurate.
I forgot to add: The contact form lander on the marketplace hasn’t worked for a long time. With an adblocker like uBlock it shows a blank page. I had to change my listings to use the banner instead as I have to assume a good portion of visitors use an adblocker too. Also https isn’t working and HTTPS Everywhere blocks requests to unencrypted sites, but at least for now those using that probably know how to turn it off temporarily.