Cortland Klein

Entrepreneurial Society, a student organization I’m involved with at SJSU, currently is having some issues with 1&1, our previous hosting provider.

Last fall, we decided to move to Dreamhost for our hosting provider. However, we were unable to transfer the domain from 1&1’s registrar.

A week ago, the domain expired, and 1&1 now is holding our domain ransom for $40 to ‘redeem’ it. We’ve called them multiple times and they will not release the domain for transfer or use for 30 days until the $40 is paid. In order to go through this process, we have to fax paperwork to 1&1, and create a new account since the old one was in the name of a previous member of the organization who is no longer affiliated with us.

Until I receive an apology from 1&1 to their behavior of holding our domain ransom, I am suggesting those seeking hosting for their website not choose 1&1. I do not currently have a hosting provider suggestion, but avoid 1&1 as they seem to have some backwards policies and old-fashioned requirements such as using fax technology.