Re: DROC - Domain Registry of Canada
Are they particiapting in Deceptive Business Practices, Fruad???
Back in May/June 2007 I received an invoice in the mail that appeared to be notifying me that my domain name was now due for registration fees again; I assumed from the wording it was my provider, my bill. I am very busy and always on the go and sent the money off thinking I was paying to have my dot com name registered again for one more year. I paid with a Canada Post Money Order and sent the letter off in the mail on June 20, 2007, for $42.40 (Canadian Funds).
I received an email a little while later stating my payment had been received, I felt relieved it was all dealt with for the next year. Then I received another email from DROC stating that they can not change my account over because there is a lock on it. They then requested I call internic (Who is my real provider) so the lock can be removed and the process can continue. I called internic and was then informed that I had signed up originally with internic.ca, and that DROC was never my provider. I knew then I had been "RIPPED OFF BY DROC "DOMAIN REGISTRY OF CANADA." My heart sunk to my stomach just about.
I was shocked and then asked the guy with internic (my real provider), "What about my $42.40? " He replied, "Sorry dude but this is like the oldest scam in the book, it has been going on for a long time. They send our customers bills all the time, making it appear that they are the provider and it is time to renew. People send the money off not realizing it is not going to the company they are signed up with, then they find out when they are requested to switch companies." I asked the rep with internic not to undo the lock on my domain account, and that I need to get my money back.
I then contacted DROC and demanded my money and that if they do not refund my money I will have no other choice but to pursue a tort action against them for damages, including punitive. A Mr. Alvin Chen (DROC) contacted me back by email and tried to justify his companies fees and listed the services they provide and why it is so good, etc (June 29, 2007).
I replied back and demanded my money again. July 2, 2007, DROC (Domain Registry of Canada) emailed me the following email pasted below (Edited for Privacy):
%%%%%%%%%%
Hello #*#*# *#*#*# Ltd.,
Your request for a refund (edited) has been accepted.
The amount of refund is: $42.40
Your refund will be processed on 8/1/2007
If you paid by check, the refund check will be mailed to the following
address:
(My Name and address)
If the address above is incorrect please reply to this email with the
correct information.
If you have any further questions, please contact us.
-Domain Registry of America
[email protected]
Customer Service can be reached by calling 1-866-434-0212.
Please have your Order Number (#1492020) ready when calling.
7/2/2007 3:12:07 PM
%%%%%%_
I waited for August 1st and about a month or so went by after it, I contacted DROC again by replying to their email on the refund and asking them; "When am I going to get my refund? " Well it is now November 2007 and I have yet to receive my refund from Domain Registry of Canada, or a reply from my last email.
It has now been almost 4 months since August 1, 2007 and I feel like I have been ripped off. When I first discovered the possible scam, I also contacted the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) "Phone Busters" and they took info on it, and so did the Competition Bureau. Both agencies were familiar with DROC. Even in filing the complaint with them, I still have not received my refund as DROC promised me on July 2, 2007; that my refund would be processed August 1, 2007. All the info they had on the email for the refund on my address, etc., was correct. There is no reason or excuse as to why they can't send the refund!!! They have simply lied to me!!!
I am interested in a class action against DROC, I am strongly suspicious that their business practices are dishonest, misleading to the public, and border line criminal (fraud?) in nature. I have given up now on ever getting my $42.40 back from DROC. I have documentation on this and this is a real complaint.
If this has been going on for a long time, why? Why is it allowed?
Please also keep in mind the time and energy I have had to put into pursuing my $42.40. Some may argue it isn't all that much, I argue it is the principal of it.
If DROC or their lawyers are reading this? You should do what is right and stop doing this to people, and put at the very top of the bill "WE ARE NOT YOUR CURRENT PROVIDER."
A very pissed off consumer!
d.r.o.c. victim
Lake Cowichan, British Columbia
Canada
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