How do you cancel a contract or a domain on 1&1?

I have all my domains on automatic renewal – it really helps to make sure that you keep hold of them.

Ttoday I was reminded that my domain stopsmokingcentre.biz. is due for renewal. That was a domain I purchased  stop smoking business but my on line site www.stopsmokingsuccess.com 1&1 helpfully e mailed me a month before the renewal date.  It seemed like a good idea at the time I set it up but two years later I want to cancel it because I just haven’t used it and I know I never will. So I am going to cancel it but how do you cancel a contract or a domain on 1&1? Well they certainly don’t make it easy thats for sure!

I get on well with 1&1 and have 26 or so domains registered with them. Of course I could keep it, it doesn’t cost a lot – or I could sell it, f it were a red hot domain name I would, but I don’t own the .com and the english spelling of centre probably means it it isn’t worth hanging on to.

So how do you do it? – the instruction is well hidden away in the Help (FAQ) and Contract section for which there is a link on the banner and the Account tab so if you want to follow a paper chase start there (or you could go to the short cuts  below – it will save time.

Click FAQ on left side panel

Then click on the Launch FAQ’s button

Then search for ‘delete a domain name’

A bit of research will take you here http://faq.1and1.com/domains/other_issues_regarding_domains/10.html

And here is the short cut!!!!

For 1and1.com go straight tohttps://cancel.1and1.com or for 1and1.co.uk use this different link https://contract.oneandone.co.uk

Enter your account number and password

Click on change contract

Select if you want to delete the entire contract or an individual domain

Select cancellation option as expire

Select Execute on either ‘end of contract’ or ‘as soon as possible’  ‘OK’

Note your Auth code if you are moving the domain elsewhere ‘OK’

Check details and Press ‘Finish’

BUT IT DOESN’T END THERE!

You will get two emails from 1&1, one saying sorry you are leaving and another with a website link to activate the cancellation. YOU MUST RESPOND TO THE SECOND ONE.

Your cancellation will not be completed until you have confirmed the cancellation request by following the special link emailed to you. If you do not activate your cancellation request within the next 7 days, your cancellation request will be discarded and your contract will remain active.

Of course I would be very upset if it was too easy to cancel my domains – my competitors might decide to ‘help’ me by cancelling them for me! So thank you 1&1 for my timely reminder, I have had excellent service from them and the telephone helpdesk is quick patient and efficient. I can recommend them Have a look for yourself here

For helpful advice to make your internet experience simpler to understand visit www.internetmarketingvirgin.com