Hi All,
I felt the need for a little bit of a rant ref webhosts, I won't mention names as I don't want this to look like an attack.

I had my personal websites, really just testing sites, nothing for clients etc, hosted on a small server, it sat there for years, the bills leaving my account, everything up to date...

The credit card I had registered with them had expired, bearing in mind I have a lot of accounts with a lot of people, I never thought about it.. a professional hosting company would get in touch if there was a problem with payment.... not this one, the first I'd heard about it was when I logged on one day to find my websites deactivated.. When I contacted the web host asking for an explanation they explained that the last few months payments had not gone through and they took the move to just delete the sites... please bear in mind for years I paid them on time...

Was I in the wrong for not updating my payment details? Should I have been notified, should they have tried to make contact prior to erasing my work? Who knows...

They really create a bad name for the small web hosting companys who are trying to survive..

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... etc..

Normally emails regarding the failure to receive funds would be sent automatically by the billing software. It may be that you didn't receive them, and the host had to take further action.

Again, normally, hosts would suspend the account (leaving data intact, but inaccessible), not terminate it (delete the data for good). In that sense, their action isn't entirely understandable.

I can tell you I send out a bill daily, if the CC does not process you get an email stating you must update your card information.

After 30 days (and 30 emails) the site is suspended and I make an attempt to contact the customer by phone, I continue to attempt to process the card weekly from that point and when the account has reached 90 days past due the data is deleted.

The biggest issue I find is that people change emails and phone numbers and never update it in our system. Not sure if this is possible in your case but figured I would mention is as it is extremely common.

I think that you always have a rich choice nowadays. And if you are not satisfied with one provider you can switch to another.

Usually the billing system will send overdue invoice reminders. Also in our case we will open a ticket regarding Invoice overdue. If he still not make the payment one or two updates will be sent on that ticket. After that the account will be automatically suspended by the billing system. But it will be kept for a couple of months with out termination. You may be failed to check the mails?
How many months did pass with out payment?

They must have sent you reminder emails about the dues, If they did and unfortunately you didn't check them, that's totally your fault. You can't blame them if it was the case. However, If they didn't notice you about the bills, you have got a case here and can fight their crap service.

The account deactivation and termination periods change from company to company. It's most probably stated in their bill remainder emails.

They must have sent you reminder emails about the dues, If they did and unfortunately you didn't check them, that's totally your fault.

But they didn't as far as I can see here. I assume that it must be sent everyday until make sure that customer got and understand it.

I can categorically assure you that I did not receive reminder emails in any form, further more, my email address has NOT changed in years - I would also point out that I was getting information about technical updates... To be honest, after doing a little research, it's pretty clear to me that they hosting company was being run by a bunch of kids... I guess that's the problem when you try to trust a smaller company. Rackspace for me in future..

Andy

Good luck Andy. I hope your next experience will be better.

This is why I try to limit my number of hosting companies I use. The main one is really good about notifications and such so I generally just stick with them.

I understand that it is important to all to get notification in time and be aware about all changes. But that alsio can be the situation when notification is sent and not read or received at all.
What in this case would you do? Say web host sucks?

To be honest, after doing a little research, it's pretty clear to me that they hosting company was being run by a bunch of kids... I guess that's the problem when you try to trust a smaller company.

I see that as proof that doing more research in the first place is the way to go, rather than a proof of Rackspace (and the like) being the only valid hosting options.

Just use that company which can suit you. In other worlds do not pay attantion on the age. Maybe do some short research for their domain name.

Originally Posted by ldcdc

Normally emails regarding the failure to receive funds would be sent automatically by the billing software. It may be that you didn't receive them, and the host had to take further action.

Again, normally, hosts would suspend the account (leaving data intact, but inaccessible), not terminate it (delete the data for good). In that sense, their action isn't entirely understandable.

Exactly I'm not sure because your post wasn't specific. However if your host dissipeared (man yhosts dissipear overnight) I'm sorry but theres not much you can do do your research and find another.