Registrars starting to push the .uk

[spiderspider]

I've seen on the website from a few registrars that they are now starting to gear up for the .uk launch, and have it listed on their results and front page.

However, I've just received this email from 123 (OK, I know, please don't hate me for keeping a few domains there, they aren't important ones).

On 10th June 2014 the brand new .uk domain is launching! So don't miss out as you are already able to pre-order .uk domains at 123-reg. But that's not all!

As you already own...

my domains in .co.uk

The equivalent .uk domain...

my domains in .uk


...has been reserved just for you, so pre-order it now and we will guarantee we'll get your domain! No first come first served and no waiting in line, your .uk domain is waiting for you to pre-order.

What's more as a valued customer of 123-reg we'd like to offer you this domain at the special price of only £9.99 (For the first year).

Simply follow the link below and sign in to get your exclusive discount

I'm so pleased that they have reserved them just for me, and I feel I really must act now, as they guarantee I will get the new .uk domain

Yet they fail to mention, that I have 5 years, and my .uk is guaranteed mine (as long as I keep the domains) for the next 5 years.

Anyone else seen any marketing that fails to tells the full story?

 

[foz]

The Registrars will want to ring the .uk cash register ASAP.

What five years, you must act now or lose out!

 

[tifosi]

Well I see they're marking up the price vs what they've been selling the traditional .uk domains as for years - essentially as loss leaders to their hosting. Now they are making a 2-300% mark up ( for ~3.50/yr ).

 

[ian]

Are they even allowed to do this? Nominet made a very clear statement of the reseller value of these domains and that they'd be sold in-line with the existing .co.uk's. Are 1-2-3 exploiting that!

 

[Edwin]

Are they even allowed to do this? Nominet made a very clear statement of the reseller value of these domains and that they'd be sold in-line with the existing .co.uk's. Are 1-2-3 exploiting that!

In a word: "yes".

 

[ian]

In a word: "yes".

Thought that might be the response, but it is misrepresentation at the very least, suggesting a pre-order is required to secure when it is actually safe for 5 years.

 

[Edwin]

Best thing to do is forward such emails to a team member at Nominet. They'll then be able to judge whether they need to intervene to "curb" the over-enthusiastic marketing at their partner registrars. (Posting on here, while interesting, is 100% guaranteed to change nothing at all.)

 

[websaway]

I do think it's now time to act, push and promote the uk namespace so as to make up for a lost year. The methods won't be to everyone's liking but with the new gtld's trying to swamp the global market, some actually suggesting that .com is finished, almost any promotion is better than none at all.

 

[Edwin]

This warning from Nominet covers the case being described in the email
http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/warning-over-misleading-uk-registration-offers

 

[spiderspider]

This warning from Nominet covers the case being described in the email
http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/warning-over-misleading-uk-registration-offers

Well they've very clearly broken that. So who would I forward the email to? Not that anything will be changed.....

 

[monaghan]

send it to [email protected]

 

[Murray]

Are they even allowed to do this? Nominet made a very clear statement of the reseller value of these domains and that they'd be sold in-line with the existing .co.uk's. Are 1-2-3 exploiting that!

You're paying the money for the backorder service

It's a service no one needs, and 123 are trying to trick people into suggesting they do..

But that is how they're charging what they are for the first year.

I think they way they've dressed it up they will get away with it.