I've been with Homestead for several years and have been paying $24 per year for each Domain name I have. It's nuts! If I keep my sites (4) there but transfer the names to somewhere else, would they cause me problems? Hold my sites hostage?

No reputable registrar should hold your sites "hostage" if you want to transfer registration.

If you actual owner of the domain names you can do with them what you need or want

Its upto the registrar.. Like godaddy and enom there is no problem they allow any transfer

I have heard of a few hosts, registering domains under there company & giving people trouble, but I think those tend to be the "get a free domain, with hosting" deals. Homestead seems reputable. I doubt you'll have a problem.

This is why I do all my Regs. w/ Godaddy. Cheap & no hassle. I can change hosts whenever I want.

You may also use one.com for domain registration and hosting, it is very cheap.

Always buy your own domain name...no matter where you get it. Your intent is to build value into that name...therefore it should be "locked in a secure box" were that feasible. If your host gives you any hassle about doing whatever you want with your domain name then you need to let them know your next phone call is to your lawyer. I have had clients run into issues like this especially with hosting resellers that have domain reseller accounts. All we did was mention lawyer and they woke up and smelled the coffee. Don't mess around with there games...this is business.

Originally Posted by shakir

Its upto the registrar.. Like godaddy and enom there is no problem they allow any transfer

In the end its the Registrant of the Domain Name who is the final owner ~ unless the owner defaulting in payment issues or other policy issues....So any registrar doesn't have the right to not approve the transfer request !!

Originally Posted by tsmusician

I've been with Homestead for several years and have been paying $24 per year for each Domain name I have. It's nuts! If I keep my sites (4) there but transfer the names to somewhere else, would they cause me problems? Hold my sites hostage?

tsmusician : Did you get your Domains back?

Originally Posted by watergirl

I have heard of a few hosts, registering domains under there company & giving people trouble, but I think those tend to be the "get a free domain, with hosting" deals. Homestead seems reputable. I doubt you'll have a problem.

Are you talking about hostmonster.com ?

Originally Posted by tsmusician

I've been with Homestead for several years and have been paying $24 per year for each Domain name I have.

I would transfer the domain name out asap. Sometimes these web hosting companies are not a real domain register, instead, they are the middleman reseller. I used to have Yahoo host my websites and bought my domains from them. Later I found out that Yahoo use an Australian company for domain names. When you have too many companies involved, you lose the control of your domain names. Sometimes even changing the dns server can be a real pain in the neck. If you transfer the domain name, you have the total control, not a third party. Good luck!

Originally Posted by t-wins

I would transfer the domain name out asap. Sometimes these web hosting companies are not a real domain register, instead, they are the middleman reseller. I used to have Yahoo host my websites and bought my domains from them. Later I found out that Yahoo use an Australian company for domain names. When you have too many companies involved, you lose the control of your domain names. Sometimes even changing the dns server can be a real pain in the neck. If you transfer the domain name, you have the total control, not a third party. Good luck!

Agreed. $24/yr is a bit to pricy IMO for a domain. I would recommend transferring it over to GoDaddy or somewhere else. Yes, Yahoo! uses Melbourne IT, I do agree it is a lot of trouble with them. But, that doesn't mean a reseller for someone else is always bad.

Originally Posted by jesi

Are you talking about hostmonster.com ?

I've personally have never heard the case in where HostMonster has registers domains under their name. I've seen this happen with HostGator it coming under the owners name "Brent". But, you just have to contact them and they'll resolve it asap.