British Domain Registrar Offers 'No Transfer Fees,' Charges Transfer Fee 77
First time accepted submitter RealSurreal (620564) writes "British web host 123-reg, which previously advertised 'no hidden transfer fees' has angered customers by introducing a £12 fee per domain for transfers out. Best of all, they didn't bother to tell anyone they were doing it relying instead on terms and conditions which say : '123-reg reserves the right to change, add, subtract or in way alter these Conditions without the prior consent of the Client.'"
Typical corporation bullshit (Score:5, Insightful)
Sign here to be bound by terms we can change any time.
How can that be legal?
Technically (Score:5, Insightful)
...there are still no hidden transfer fees.
Re:I reckon this could be challenged (Score:2, Insightful)
This really is simple in law though as with all law its a pain in the arse to fight, not expensive, not difficult but there is still a legal process to go through (hence the PITA).
As has previously been said, you cannot sign your rights away (even if you want to). e.g. the UK Sales of Goods act says that "goods have to be of merchantable quality". You can sign a contract (as a consumer, not as a business they have different rights), which says that the goods can be a load of crap and you have no right to sue. You can sign that contract but you still have the right to sue them if the stuff you've brought doesn't work. Sorry, but the UK law doesn't work that way, it is heavily in favour of the consumer up to around £5,000. The limit changes and I don't keep up with it.
The way to handle this is politely tell tell 123-Reg to screw themselves, that the terms and conditions you signed under still apply, and if they don't like it, you'll see them in the Small Claims Court where the magistrate will politely and legally tell them to go fuck themselves and that specific change in the contract is null and void. If you're lucky he may void the entire contract as well.
I have taken five business to the Small Claims Court and so far have won all five. The magistrates are sensible, easy to talk to (once you stop shaking) and very fair. They make allowances for you not being a lawyer and make it pretty easy.
Hopefully by now 123-Reg now have more publicity than they know what to do with ;)