GoDaddy vs 1and1 - What Is Your Experience?

VERSUS

Well I just wanted to air my opinion here for what it's worth :-)

Some of you know I bought my first domain with GoDaddy for just GBP 0.99 and even wrote a blog about the specials at that time.

I have subsequently bought another 3 at very low prices.

It occurred to me that there was also 1and1 Domains as well as a whole host of other sellers of domains. So I thought I'd try 1and1 and the other attraction was that they have a referral program.

No problem, I go and choose my domain name and purchase it with a few hiccups here and there, eventually the order goes through and is processed and the money debited against my card.

Now with GoDaddy, it was a matter of 5 minutes and I switched my domain to WA Hosting, no questions asked. I was expecting the same thing with 1and1 - not a chance!

I was so upset I wrote to their support team and queried it, they decided it was best to change my password... Uh..? What does that have to do with processing an order?

So complying with their request, we change my password. No, I still didn't receive confirmation that I could log in to 1and1 to transfer my domain to WA Hosting.

Well, now I'm getting very cheery! After the 5th DAY! never mind the 5th Minute, STILL no satisfactory reply from support or the security team.

Eventually after lengthy emails back and forth and disappointment galore, I finally get an email to say they cannot honour my purchase as they don't have the necessary information to verify my purchase, and they have reversed the transaction. Huh?

Needless to say I will not deal with 1and1 Domains again.

The reason I decided to write this blog was because after having bought 4 domains in total at GoDaddy, only today did they ask for verification, and were happy to accept the identification documents I sent them.

Has anyone else had any similar interaction with 1and1? It would be good to hear your comments.