Network Solutions Shady Marketing
I have stopped registering any new domains with Network Solutions. I used to have all my domains with them, but have moved all but one over to Godaddy.com. I like NetSol's web site and account interface much more than GoDaddy's, which is a nightmare of advertising and small links that I find annoying and confusing. But GoDaddy's service is sufficient and the prices are so much cheaper - we're talking less than 25% of NetSol's. NetSol has been the leading registrar since the rise of the internet, and they are capitalizing on that name recognition to keep prices high, but if you're like me and you maintain dozens of domains it's just not worth it, you have to go to a discount registrar.

As I said, I have one domain left with NetSol and I just got a letter informing that I have a domain due to expire in early July (it's the end of June now). I look at the domain and I'm beginning to start the transfer to GoDaddy and I realize that the expiration date is July 6, 2008. So, that domain isn't going to expire any time soon, but the marketing geniuses at NetSol figured (rightly) that if they send out expiration notices for domains 1 year in advance that many will overlook the year and just see the upcoming date and will renew. That's shady. So much for me being a 'Gold VIP' customer, eh?