Website Hosting WARNING !

[Hawnjigs]

WTF is going on in the industry?  My current host provided build/edit software no longer works and he's ignored my emails including a simple request for access to a service included control panel. And of course we're aware of the JigCraft site problems. 

Thought finding a new host based on online reviews would be a snap. WRONG! Based on #1 rankings on at least 2 review sites, I emailed questions and satisfied with answers started the process of online sign up with eHosts.com. Chose a special 3 year $99 plan, entered my info choosing Paypal payment, and on the payment login page noticed in fine print 2 years. So, exited without authorizing payment, or so I thought. Almost immediately, I get a signup confirmation email from eHosts, so I called on the phone to speak to a rep and got the used car dodge "let me speak with my manager, please hold".  After 10 minutes hung up and eventually got a call back that they couldn't cancel the original $83.76(?!) order but could add another year for an extra payment for the difference to $99. I suggested I'd rather start over and was put on hold again & hung up after a few minutes. Next call back the original support guy transferred me to his manager who assured me that they could cancel the order. Losing confidence in eHosts I verified previous assurance that their included build software could integrate a Paypal cart which was correct but an Ecommerce use of the website required additional fees of $10-$25 monthly! So I requested cancellation and time to evaluate and choose my commerce options. Checking my Paypal account there was still a charge of $83.76 levied WITHOUT MY SIGNING IN TO AUTHORIZE!! So, emailed eHosts a request to cancel as promised by support staff which several hours later the charge appeared to have been reversed on Paypal. BUT, checking details a RECURRING PAYMENT OF $167.52 EVERY 24 MONTHS was intact and luckily I could cancel that within my Paypal account. The recurring payment did not show on my Paypal "activity" page and I had to dig for it.

OK, starting over emailed second rated hostclear.com and got a reply listing ecommerce fees identical with eHosts. And support tickets from both had similar letter-digit #s structure. One could conclude that any # of the same business is operating under different names and review sites may also be under the same ownership! And, additional add on charges aren't listed until signup is completed!

Geez, can anyone advise how to proceed without getting ripped by "gotchas!" ?

 

[Fatman]

Chose a special 3 year $99 plan, entered my info choosing Paypal payment, and on the payment login page noticed in fine print 2 years. So, exited without authorizing payment, or so I thought. Almost immediately, I get a signup confirmation email from eHosts, so I called on the phone to speak to a rep and got the used car dodge "let me speak with my manager, please hold".  After 10 minutes hung up and eventually got a call back that they couldn't cancel the original $83.76(?!) order but could add another year for an extra payment for the difference to $99. 

That right there sounds fishy!!  As you keep getting the run around I'd tell them to get with it or you'll file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.  

 

[Fin and Fur]

Still problems huh? Stupid! Sounds like old school phone call is crucial. Good thing for them you can't just walk in door.

 

[Fin and Fur]

BTW they took your money and spent it w/ Google to be labeled number 1 and number 2

 

[AtticaFish]

Wish i had a solution to give you. I have done a fair amount of research and still haven't found a reasonable place i want to work with. One option you might want to look into since your site would be fairly simple and small in size is if there are any local media or print advertising companies located near you. We have a print shop (biz cards, brochures, forms, etc.) that also offers some simple web hosting plans. They very well could be hosting through another service (the server is not in their actual shop) but you will at least be able to go in and talk to someone FACE TO FACE about it.

The JigCraft site/server issue is stuck between a rock and a hard place because of the exponential and constant growth of the database. Right now it is on a 'shared' server (was moved to it with a company transition) with no telling how many other sites 'sharing' the same bandwidth. All the traffic from different sites on the shared server adds up and eventually causes a bottleneck.

 

[Fatman]

My IT guy said to check out Vbulletin - I showed him the site and all that gets saved.

 

[Fin and Fur]

I agree that finding a local business would be better. Most computer repair guys can come to your house and set you up in less than an hour I bet

 

[AtticaFish]

I never knew that Vbulletin offered hosting service along with their software. Thanks for the info. Their software used to be pricey by itself, not quite as bad when it is lumped together with a hosting plan. Still almost 6 times more than what i am spending now.

 

[Hawnjigs]

My website is very low traffic easily managed in a shared server account. Meaning cheap. Not sure, but local based website management is probably pricey.

Further research disclosed that NEARLY ALL the popular Google search hosts are OWNED BY THE SAME COMPANY EIG !

Think I'm gonna go with webhostinghub.com which according to customer rep Patrick is employee owned and doesn't appear to have any add on GOTCHA!s - the reasonable fee includes modest but adequate ecommerce capability.

 

[Fin and Fur]

Well good luck, I hope it all gets worked out in a timely fashion.