Well what can I say... I am amazed that this company managed to scoop second in the Linux Format Awards for hosting providers! Their service is absolutely terrible, they have a poorly set out automated cancellation system and take out the money they are supposed to be refunding on the day they confirm the cancellation! Then won't even tell me when they intend to refund the money for the account, for which they did absolutely nothing.
I am glad I cancelled this account, as with service like this I do not think that this would have been a productive business relationship. If anyone has any recommendations for reasonable hosting providers please let me know. I just want root and will either build a 2U box, or rent one. All I really require from the company is a reasonable price, good transit links and the ability to tell me the truth/do what they say they will. Is this really too much to ask?
It obviously is for 1&1.
The same day I got a phone call from a colleague from Milan asking me to check our Sharepoint Site because it wasn’t working. I tried to connect to the server using “Remote desktop connection” and the server crashed. I called back technical support, told them the server wasn’t working and their answer was “it’s working, there is not a problem”. I tried again “Remote desktop connection” and it did work. I said I’m sorry and just one minute after the phone call it crashed again. I called back, told them what happened and the guy on the phone told me that it wasn’t their problem. That it could be something wrong with Windows and that it didn’t have anything to do with them. My reaction was, “Wait, we hadn’t had any problems before yesterday, today you are telling me that you changed the memory of the server because there was a failure, and the server is crashing every 10 minutes and you are telling me that it is not your problem”. The answer from the guy was “Yes, it is not our problem. The only think we can do is to re-image your server”. I couldn’t believe what I heard. After two weeks I haven’t managed to backup the information because the server crashes in the middle of anything I try to do. I have talked at least to 10 different people in the company. Never in my life have I come across such a rude service. They have their notes on their system and every time I call to ask for help or ask them to check the server they tell me that I have been adviced that the only solution is to re-image the server and that’s it. The server has crashed when I’m with them on the line and the only thing they can say is “oops”.
I have tried to explain to them that every time the system restores I click on “send the error to Microsoft” and I get back a web page advising that there is a problem with the Hardware. And their answer is that the hardware is OK and there is nothing they can do.
I haven’t accepted to have the re-image done because I still have not been able to backup all our information from SharePoint Services, and because I don’t believe that we caused the problem.
Has anyone else experienced similar problems with 1&1?
When he finally came back to me he informed me that I would get a full refund, and that he would do it right now. He then said the reply I received from the other person was a new support center in the Phillipines, and that she probably wasn't fully trained yet. I commented that reading their own web site would have provided her with the knowledge that they offer a 60 day money back guarantee!
He then went on to say that "I assure you, this is a legitimate company", at that point I really started losing faith. He then continued to tell me that he couldn't refund the money right now as he had stated because he just remembered their system had set my account termination date set to the fourth of April. I protested and said I wanted a refund now, as they never even set the server up... He said he couldn't do anything - it was their "system" apparently, and it could not be changed.
I have taken the person's name, and said I would be contacting my credit card company and their head office if I did not receive my refund on the fourth. I think this company is in shambles, and I have read of others with hardware issues that were denied for months. I just want out, and wish I had never heard their name. I would recommend that you steer clear of them - their service is shockingly bad.
I have been working in IT professionally since 1998 and have never dealt with a company with such poor customer service. I will be getting my credit card company involved if they do not refund me the full amount by the fourth.
I hope you got your refund okay.
See my later post about the latest developments - I truly wish I had never gone near them. I still need to get a dedicated host, and they have wasted more than a month of my time on this.
I added some 30 sites to the service thinking they are a valid solution. Big mistake!!!!
I have been a web site developer since 1992, I have used dozens of hosting services and this one is by far the worst ever!
Anyway....
It has been weeks, and I am still unable to get my domains off their server.
Please, Please!
STAY AWAY FROM 1&1,
YOU WILL REGRET IT IF YOU DON'T!
These jerks are spending TENS of THOUSANDs
of dollars on advertising on 10 page ads
(yes, ten page full color spreads)
in magazines instead of
help for the service department.
Don't believe me? Just check the
last nine issues of MAX PC.
P.S....I've been on hold now for 46 minutes, waiting for a "human" at 1and1 to come to the phone. Guess they are just so busy with new sales, huh Paul?...nope, they are handling COMPLAINT calls out the ying yang. Smell the coffee Paul, or perhaps just drink it and WAKE the hell up.
I had ordered a web-space with 1&1 for a period of six months. After six months, when i expected that the service will be terminated, 1&1 extended it on my behalf and charged for the next six months.
After I was able to track down hidden telephone numbers, and could talk to one of 1&1 employee(they keep referring you from one department to another, 12c/minute), she said, if you dont cancel, the service is charged automatically for the next six months. On my request that I had no such knowledge and that I have not really used this service during the last six months, and would not use during the next six months and that the six-month's period has just ended, she agreed to cancel my service and return the money 1&1 had drawn from my bank account.
Three months have passed, and 1&1 has not returned the money. After many calls and many emails(to contact 1 &1 is a project by itself!), I get the same answer. "your contract period is not over yet and the money cannot be returned!". Interesting to note that that they did cancel my service after I talked to 1&1 representative -- since than, my web-space is not there, BUT I MUST PAY! Not sure, if the contract will expire even afer second period is over. My advice is STAY AWAY FROM 1&1.
Please guide me, if you can, what should i do if they still charge me for further six months, after one year is complete!
They lock you from domains that are NOT in dispute. That is, according to ICANN, a violation of their agreement with them. Throwing all purchased domains into one “account” and disabling access to configurations for ALL domains (even when not in dispute, overdue, etc.) is supposedly not allowed. 1and1 does it all the time. Avoid at all costs and don't be lured into their private domain hell with cheap rates.
HealthWatcher.net is moving its web site in a few days. For temporary access to our main URLs just click on the links below. We will let you know when all is back to normal.
http://70.103.140.117/~healthwa/
Our previous ISP was 1and1.com in Pennsylvania. They and their lawyer in Philadelphia have both failed to provide the necessary services in a manner that would protect the right to free speech and fair comment. It seems that they knuckled under to a frivolous and vexatious attack on my right to criticize an advertisement that appeared in a weekly newspaper in Canada. If your ISP has treated you as poorly as I have been treated, we are all in for a big wakeup call.
Please send all e-mail to drpolevoy@yahoo.com for further information.
Please put this in the Subject line: Update on healthwatcher
We will send you complete details about what this company has done, and would like to see the right to fair comment protected on the internet.
Terry Polevoy, MD
938 King Street West
Kitchener, ON N2G 1G4
Believe these posts. Do not use this company.
When I chose 1&1 it was on the recommendation of a friend who said they were the best in cheap service. I am finding that they are merely cheap.
Calling to get permissions added for my manually installed word press blog I found no help whatsoever. The first half and hour took me back through the install I did correctly. When I asked how long it would take to simply allow me to add a user so I could install wordpress and modify it myself, they said they'd update me by email. This was a while ago - no email. I'm not sure they even knew what I was talking about. Since they "don't do phone calls" I will have to call back, go through the whole run-around again and try to get the case escalated. The situation looks grim.
Meanwhile I notice that the blog you're using is one of the styles provided by 1&1. It looks nice, but I wonder if you've been able to edit any of it.
I am close to changing providers myself. I hear dreamcast is awesome. (And from someone who chose it because it's good, not because it's cheap and somehow hoodwinks awards.)
My blog is actually powered by serendipity which I installed myself and this is the default style. If I ever find the time I might try and come up with a style all of my own, but until then it will stay as it is... I would recommend moving away from 1&1 based upon my experiences - I have no idea how 1&1 have managed to win any awards and I have never looked back since moving (they never actually got my dedicated server set up - they just put it back a few times until I cancelled).
They also locked my account meaning I was unable to transfer my domain names to another provider.
Even had to cancel my debit card as they kept taking money from my account for a service I had cancelled
ABSOLUTE JOKE - STAY AWAY AT ALL COSTS
As far as I was aware, my dedicated server was here in the UK. For the last 2 weeks my server has experienced severe comnnectivity problems, and this is just day s before I am due to launch a network of sites.
I called support and selected option 3 for dedicated servers. I spoke to a nervous but friendly sounding indian man. He suggested I start the server in safe mode, which I had already tried. He was clearly struggling with the script he was following on his screen. His second suggestion was for me to phone the dedicated server depatment in the United States. Umm, ok. So I tried the number he gave me, which after 2 attempts still wasn't answered after 5 mins.
I have emailed 6 times since, each time being told my problem is still in the queue with the dedicated server team in the United States.
I also notiecd a huge slow down on admin.1and1.co.uk to a point that the connection is reset and my coockie expired, meaning I have to log in about once a minute.
It's all gone a wee bit pear shaped for 1&1 i think.
Can anyone suggest a good UK based host offering a dedicated server package, maybe even with Plesk installed?
Does anyone have anything good to say about Fasthosts?
Do they deliver their promises?
You are in for total grief if you ever choose 1&1 for ANY service whatsoever.
AVOID 1&1 like the plague!
I would advise anyone looking for hosting to steer well clear of these jokers. I am sure my problems are far from the worst - I didn't even get a server they just kept threatening to set one up one day...
other than 1and1 (spit), who would you recommend that can i guess provide a far better service and cost me less, i realise that i can do better, or anone who reads this, let me know who you would suggest. Hear from you all soon, have a great weekend...
Not sure I am a typical customer though. I want root access to the server and good connectivity. I take care of keeping the server up to date and use SSH almost exclusively. OH Telecom are honest, charge reasonable prices and have always been very helpful on the odd occasions I have had call to ask them for anything.
There are some companies that get it, and others that really don't. I would put 1&1 in the latter category. I am sure there are lots of good companies out there but I stopped looking when I found one that was able to satisfy my basic requirements. I also do far less web development these days... I mainly put this up as an honest account of my dealings with 1&1.
Please if you love your business avoid this company like a plague.
I finally spent 3 weeks preparing my own site to move. The domain renewal was due on the 6th of April so I decided to wait until the 7th to shut this down (I had auto domain renewal). When I canceled they put the domain into redemption and shut it down. The service manager for 1and1.com acknowledged the error and said he would rectify the problem. I just got an email indicating it could take up to 5 days to resolve the problem. This has not only shut down my site, but also emails.
I think that people expect too much for their money - you lease a dedicated server then it is largely your responsibility. You lease virtual server space .... well, what do you expect? People without server skills shouldn't be leasing dedicated servers, then wondering why it screws up - you have to MAINTAIN it. Also, if you rant instead of explaining problems properly, you are unliklely to get problems resolved quickly. Also, if you go for Windows 2003, you deserve eveything you get
No hosting company is perfect and I think 1and1 do a good job. Learn how to maintain a server, then maybe you wont have such a headache - too many people assume they dont have to do anything expect load the server up with domains and files. Learn your server admin, and dont waste support's time. They are not here to deal with your web application screwups, or cackhanded domain setups.