Network Solutions has recently announced a misleading Price Match Guarantee on their Web Hosting Services page.

In large bold print, the guarantee states, “THE BEST PRICE IN THE MARKET, GUARANTEED.”

Here’s the fine print written in a tiny light gray font at the bottom of the page:

For the Network Solutions Hosting Price Match Guarantee, any such price must be a non-introductory, non-promotional price, which is in writing and available to the general public, for a materially comparable hosting solution and must be redeemed within two (2) weeks of initial purchase of the Network Solution Hosting services by customer.

The Price Match Guarantee only applies to ongoing monthly (or other similar billing period) fees equal to or greater than $10.00 per month, is only applicable to one (1) hosting package per customer and will be honored by Network Solutions for a minimum of six (6) months from the initial purchase date, after which Network Solutions may change the pricing at its discretion to the then-current rates. Other terms and conditions may apply.

Translation?

They are guaranteeing that they will only only be the lowest price for six months, and that is limited to only one hosting service per user. Then they can charge you whatever they like.

So, basically they are guaranteeing you that they aren’t going to be the best price in the market.

What’s not disclosed in their advertising is that they charge over $35 per year for domain registration and more than $15 per year for forwarding. So, even if you end up hosting somewhere else, they will get $50 per year from you.

Update

Since this was posted two days ago, we received a comment/response from Network Solutions (on 5 March 2014):

Dear Consumer Defense Resource Group,

Thank you for your feedback. It’s not our goal to be misleading in any way, rather to put terms on price matching to ensure we are matching a similar offer for similar services. These terms are for the benefit of the consumer more than anything else. If you would like more information on whether another offer would qualify for a price match, please contact our Hosting Support Team at 1-866-391-4357.

Sincerely,
The Executive Support Team