Before we dive into this Northwest Registered Agent review, please note that there are affiliate links in the description below. I earn a commission when you use these links. However, I do not recommend using my Northwest Registered Agent link.
Background and Frustrations
With a background in marketing, I've witnessed plenty of questionable tactics, which frustrate me deeply. One such tactic is what I call "Black Friday pricing." We've all seen this—prices are artificially inflated and then "discounted" to make you think you're getting a deal.
Misleading Pricing
When registering an LLC with Northwest Registered Agent, I encountered two different prices. The state filing fee for Colorado was $50, and you can file it yourself for free. Their service offers to handle this for $39 plus the state fee. However, this is misleading. They present this as a service, but you're essentially doing the work yourself.
Comparison with Other LLC Services
Other top LLC services like LegalZoom, ZenBusiness, Tailor Brands, and Incfile offer packages where they file the forms for you at no extra cost beyond the state fee. For example, imagine five auto mechanics in town offering free oil changes to upsell additional services. Northwest, on the other hand, is like a mechanic who hands you the oil and tells you to change it yourself, only to charge you for a sticker afterward.
Hidden Fees and Deceptive Practices
Northwest Registered Agent lists a $100 fee plus a state fee of $184. This is deceptive. Their fee is actually $234 when you include the registered agent service fee of $125 and a mandatory $50 expedited service fee. They mislabel the registered agent fee as a state fee to make their pricing seem lower.
Affiliate Link Discrepancies
Using my affiliate link, the service costs $89, including a $39 fee, a $0 registered agent fee, and a $0 filing fee. However, other affiliates offer better deals, like $29 plus a free operating agreement. This inconsistency is frustrating and unfair to the consumer.
Registered Agent Service Renewal
Northwest's registered agent service renews at $125 per year. Comparatively, Incfile offers a similar service starting at $0 with a first-year free registered agent service that renews at $119—$6 cheaper than Northwest.
Beneficial Ownership Information Report
Northwest charges $9 for the Beneficial Ownership Information Report, which you can file yourself for free on the IRS website. While their charge is modest compared to others who charge $200-$300, you can easily do it yourself in about five minutes.
Charity Donations
If you use my affiliate links, we donate $20 to charity on your behalf. Currently, we partner with Crisis Services of Western New York, supporting their staff with wellness initiatives. We've donated $114,000 in 2024 thanks to your support.
Conclusion
This review contains a lot of information, but the key takeaway is that Northwest Registered Agent's pricing is misleading and inconsistent. Consider other services that offer more transparent pricing and better deals.
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