Paper Domain Renewal Notices — GoDaddy Tries

GoDaddy is sending snail mail domain renewal notices

Over the weekend I received a snail mail from GoDaddy. Yeah, one of those things you get in the metal box with a flag on it. Big bright orange letters on the outside read “RENEWAL NOTICE!”:

This is the first time I recall receiving snail mail from GoDaddy. At first I assumed GoDaddy was trying paper mailers to improve domain renewal rates. But all of the domain names listed in the renewal letter are set to auto-renew. The letter even pointed that out:

“The domain names listed below will be renewed automatically on the date provided”

The letter also offered a 15% off code for the renewals and listed “regular renewal pricing”. Snail mail is too slow to keep up with recent GoDaddy price changes. For example, the letter listed .ws domain names at $9.99 (yes, I own some .ws domains). The current price is $14.99 and bulk renewal rate is $13.99. Also, I renewed the domains the prior week so I missed out on the coupon code.

There’s a disclaimer on the letter stating that prices may change at any time.

It makes sense for GoDaddy to send paper notices for domain names that aren’t set to automatically renew and if e-mail renewal notices aren’t resulting in a renewal for a domain. For example, the firm could send out a few renewal notices by e-mail. If the domains aren’t renewed, GoDaddy would send a letter to remind the domain owner.

But in my case I’m a bit baffled given the circumstances. Although I’ve never received a letter ahead of, the envelope had a modest code “RENEW07” on the lower left corner, which makes me wonder if this is something GoDaddy started in 2007.

I called GoDaddy to inquire regarding the price differences. I talked with the perhaps the nicest and best client service representative I’ve ever talked to, who was able to do a price match.

Has anyone else received paper renewal notices like this?