I did not go looking for a 1and1 account.  In November, I bought a bulk lot of domain names from a 1and1 client, so I had to set up an account to accept the domains.

Now, normally a domain name transfer can be accomplished in hours if there you know what you are doing.  I will admit that this involved 270+ domains, so I would expect some extra time.  I think a week would not be unreasonable.

It took 1and1 over a month.  During that month, neither the seller nor I had any access to any of the domains.  We could not mange them in any way.  They were effectively nonexistent.  1and1 never made any attempt to update us on the status unless we sent a specific request, and every time they just said they were having difficulties and were working on it.

Then, before the domains ever got transferred, they billed me for domains that expired during their transfer difficulties.  Keep in mind that I bought 270+ domains.  I had no intention of keeping all of them.  Some I am developing, some I am selling, and others are worth neither, so I am just letting them expire.

I had no ability to cancel the ones I did not want, because they were not transferred to me yet!

I have sent dozens of requests for resolution of this to everyone I can find at 1and1.  I have been lied to, put off, given the runaround, and basically treated like scum;  all because they cannot keep their own business straight.

This is just a short blurb for clients who check this website.  I posted the whole sordid affair at http://RippedOffConsumers.org. Pages and pages of proof that 1and1 is incompetent and dishonest.

AVOID 1AND1 LIKE THE PLAGUE!