pendragon

Arvato 'have put a hold on collections' until 21st dec whilst i resolve the matter with 1and1.

Havent I already tried that one??

pendragon

So, to recap .....

Domains registered with 1and1 2 years ago. Sold 18 months ago. IPSTAG updated to new registrar (123-Reg).

Recently, 1and1 invoice for their renewal. Obviously, I challenge as they are not registrar etc.

Arvato Finance get involved (total is about £300). I explain situation to them.

I contact 1and1 (complaints@1and1.co.uk) on 4th Dec and forward them documentation kindly provided by 123-Reg showing a) the initial transfer and b) the recent renewal.

No Response from 1and1 whatsoever.

Yesterday, I received the arvato solicitor/collection agent threat. I forward them 123-reg stuff.

Again I contact 1and1.

Again no response from them.


Arvato did, however, respond with the following .....

"Thank you for your email and the information provided.

I have reviewed this information but whilst this may display reneaw/transfer information for specific domain names, this does not show that the account with the creditor 1&1 Internet Ltd. was actually terminated/closed.

Just to clarify, you can have a number of contracts open on a 1&1 account. Contracts can be for renewal of domains, web hosting or any number of thier other services offered and can all be run alongside each other under the same account number.

Contracts can be cancelled individually or the full account can be terminated, effectively ending all contracts under the account. Whist the domains, as you say may have been transferred over to another hosting/supply service, we need proof by means of a cancellation confirmation showinf that the account was actually cancelled.

The creditor has referred this file for collection so as far as they are concerned, the amount is due and we have no indication that this account has been effectively cancelled within the guidelines stipulated in the terms and conditions which govern the contract/account.

Unless you can proove the account was cancelled or we get confirmation from the creditor to stop our pursuit of the balance, the amount will remain outstanding and pursuable. "


So, basically what they are claiming is that even though the domains were transferred away, the IPSTAG changed and the names renewed elsewhere, they (1and1) can still charge a renewal fee because the names remained in my account.

I am now going to inform Nominet (not sure they'll be that interested though), OFT and prime my solicitor.

I will also put a post on my blog which I'll ask you all to link to.


Any other suggestions???

springer

Have you contacted Consumer Direct for their take on it?

mojoco

What about Watchdog, would they be interested?

pendragon

a response from 1and1


Thank you for contacting us.

I apologize but you would need to remit payment for
the balance to AFS. Once a balance is sent to collections
we cannot remove the balance. I again apologize for any
inconvenience this has caused.

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

--
Sincerely,
John Keefer
Customer Service
1&1 Internet Limited

GreyWing

Mate you are banging your head of a brick wall, old saying round here "you can't educate pork".

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pendragon

I have now complained to nominet and consumer direct. Let's see what they say.

pendragon

Some progress.

Nominet are investigating.

Consumer direct have referred the case to trading standards, and suggest approaching the financial ombudsman too.

1and1 are still making demands for payment even though they have now amitted that the domains may have been ipstag updated directly with nominet.

pendragon

I could write a novel and get a mini series out of this !!!

Nominet have got involved and have shown 1and1 the error of their ways.

So finally, an admittance that they f#cked up. It's only taken 6 months.

However, Arvato are now saying they must be paid, and 1and1 will then refund me.


I've told them to take a running jump. Under FSI regulations, they have to prove I owe money, which clearly I do not.


Onwards ...............

Nick

You should definitely see if you can put it as a feature in the domain magazine that's floating around - as think you'd be helping people stay away from them by sounds of it!