While this is bad news for the client, there is a silver lining for
the industry.  A case like this seems like a pretty straightforward
one for the ACCC to look at: supplier has offered a service, client
has actually paid for that service (Sep 2001), service has not been
delivered, and supplier has apparently refused to give a refund.

Can you please make absolutely sure that the client does actually
complain to the ACCC as quickly as possible.  The ACCC can only
do its job based on the information it has at hand.

Unfortunately (for the industry) this case is complicated by the
fact that the domain can't actually be renewed through Melb IT
until 60 days before it expires (apparently 24th June 2002).

But it definitely sounds like something the ACCC needs to know
about, and which hopefully might provide ACCC with a basis for
action.

] I have a new IRA story from one of my clients today. It's unbelievable!
] 
] We registed a new .com.au for our client in Aug 2000
] 
] IRA send out a renewal notice in SEP 2001 and the client paid it - $251 for
] two years - this was part of their "get a free .biz domain name).
] 
] IRA send out another invoice to our client today - $251 and a request for
] the Registry Key (which I have thank God and the client doesn't). So I check
] the expiry date at INWW and its 24th Aug 2002.  That's right, this year. IRA
] never renewed the registration.
] 
] Called IRA and they say sorry about the second Invoice - "we must have
] doubled up" and they go on to say they need the Registry Key before the
] renewal can take place.  I say, "Not on your life are you going to get the
] Registry Key", and they say they "cannot renew the domain without it".
] 
] I ask what happens about the $251 already paid - we'll accept a refund and
] they so, "Not likely - that was part of the terms and conditions.  Just
] provide us with the Registry Key so we can renew the domain".
] 
] So I say I will get the client to contact the ACCC and they so, "That's
] fine".
] 
] BTW, a check to see if the client received their .biz (WHOIS at IRA site)
] revealed it is 'available to register'.
] 
] 
] Chas Cleland

__________________________________________________________________________
 David Keegel <djk&#167;cyber.com.au>  URL: http://www.cyber.com.au/users/djk/
Cybersource P/L: Unix Systems Administration and TCP/IP network management