Just wondering why there is such a HUGE variation in domain name registration prices

I'm not sure, My Host offers them, but they are really expensive. I've always just used Godaddy.com then transfer it to my host. Its about 10.00 Cheaper.

i have no idea why though

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The biggest factor would be the size of the registrar. The larger they are (i.e. the more domains that have been registered through them), the cheaper they're able to offer domains to their customers. GoDaddy is one of the largest and so has some of the lowest prices. Smaller hosting companies and domain registrars are not able to aquire the domains at a low enough price to really compete with GoDaddy and others like them. There's not much profit to be made when you're selling something for $8/year unless you sell a lot of that something at that low of a price.

Then there's the fact that the trend has been to try to undercut everyone else with prices. If I remember correctly, when Network Solutions was the main/only registrar around, you had to pay $60 for your domain. (I don't remember if that was per year or for 2 years, but I do remember it was a minimum of 2 years to register a new domain). Since that time, prices have dropped like a rock.

To understand the pricing, you have to look at the business providing the registration service. Most web hosting providers are not registrars, they simply resell for Enom, GoDaddy or another domain reseller business. In addition, not all businesses that provide domain registration are fully registered registrars either, they're still resellers of another company.

True registrars receive discounts based on their ability to move domains. NameCheap and GoDaddy are able to offer them at a more affordable rate simply because they are moving domains like they are going out of style .

Last I recall, NameCheap used to resell for Enom, though they may be a fully qualified registrar at this point. This was a few years back and quite a bit has changed since then.

Yes they still are an enom reseller.

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GoDaddy is selling .mobi for $15, while another for $9 so that theory is out the door.

It probably depends on the cost of the infrastructure they are using. You'll notice GoDaddy have phone support - not many companies do. I guess what GoDaddy do is make .com/.org cheap-ish and make it back on .tv .mobi .info etc

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