I have about 100 domains registered with GoDaddy and every year I add some and let some go. If I decide to let them go, I set them to Manual Renewal and just wait for them to expire.
In Feb. 2012, GoDaddy began to send this message (this was new at the time and still is happening, probably for everyone): "The domain names below expired on [date]. You must act before [another date 10 days later] or incur the additional $80.00 fee."
According to GoDaddy's policy, this fee will NOT be incurred unless you decide you want to keep the domain name, which is NOT what this says. The above message is a threat to charge $80, if you don't renew, whether you want to or not. It is not applicable to ANYONE that has domains set to Manual Renewal - it will just be cancelled and there is no charge for this.
It's not just a threat... It's criminally deceptive!
I have opened 6 support tickets on this issue with them, but they don't acknowledge this as a problem. In fact, they ignore me all together on this issue, but send some nice impersonal notes about the policy, which is the basis of my support ticket, and which I have read about 20 times now. I am forced to read the policy because of the threatening nature of the message, and because the policy also states that they can change the policy at any time, at its sole discretion! 
Standard Dictionary Definitions:
- FRAUD: "Wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain."
- EXTORTION: "The practice of obtaining something, esp. money, through force or threats.
When GoDaddy threatens to charge money for something their policy says they will not charge for, it is criminal deception, as well as a threat. It meets both definitions above, not one or the other... So, in answer to the question "Is GoDaddy Committing Fraud or Extortion?" - the answer is NO!
GoDaddy is committing fraud AND extortion!
I filed an FTC complaint this morning you bunch of criminals! I filed a complaint with ICANN.org too. I may invest some money in spreading this article around too to get support from people like you. I am currently looking for a new registrar. I am not going to take it any more! HEEE KUM DEE JUDGE!
I may have to document some pain and suffering here too - it's a lengthy legal policy and my head hurts. Judges love pain and suffering. It is the basis of giant awards to plaintiffs like I might come to be real soon if they continue to force me to read their policy with each threatening email...
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GoDaddy Policy <--
