How to save money on your domain renewals

Here’s a smart way to save money. Yesterday, Domain Listings sent me a letter asking me to renew an Internet domain. This domain is truly one of mine and I need to keep this domain alive. An Internet domain is your address on the Internet. CNN.com is CNN’s Internet domain, Amazon.com is Amazon’s and eBay.com is eBay’s. I have several. This list includes HowHacksHappen.com,  CyberSafetyNet.net  and CameronParkComputer.com.  All are mine. I am writing about this letter because Domain Listings’ renewal price is ridiculously high. Do not fall into their trap.

Internet domains typically renew for $18/year. Domain Listings is offering me a chance to renew at $228/year. Let me save you the math. This is a 12.67x markup. This is like paying $12.67 for a $1 cup of McDonald’s coffee. Pure rip off.

To see the original letter, click Domain Listings Renewal Rip Off

A 1% success rate is good enough

Regardless, I am sure this campaign pays for itself. Even if it has a 1% success rate, the Domain Listings folks are reselling a commodity at 12.67x markup. I am sure at some offices, someone opens the letter, stamps it for approval and forwards it to the A/P clerk. The A/P clerk cuts a check and drops it in the mail.

Do not fall for this trap. Document your Internet domains and the registrar you use. Make sure you can login to your account there and see your domain(s). Renew them at the current registrar if your annual cost is under $20. Do not fall into the Domain Listings trap. You can save money by renewing your Internet domains elsewhere.

Summary

People (I mean, scammers) try to rip you off. This example of an Internet domain at a 12.67x markup is a recurring rip off. The letter arrived. I was writing a list of bloggable topics. This issue made the list. Be smart. Save money. Do not reward the scammers.