View Full Version : [Rant n Rave] Cheap Hosts .. GRR!
I promised myself I wouldn't let them get to me, because in the end, we would succeed and they would fail, but they are driving me insane!
There is 1 company [name to remain anonymous] that offers 4 packages, but NEVER offers them, ALWAYS offers a custom package based on the previous host's posts. I offer xxx for $85/year, they offer xxx for $80/yearly.
Ahh I'm goin insane!
[Chicken]
We need a Rant n RAVE!
DarktidesNET
04-26-03, 11:23 PM
Heh... lemme guess, at WHT?
101sales
04-26-03, 11:41 PM
:D:D
Well, after much thinking and pondering I finally figured out why these hosts offering too much space and bandwidth suddenly shut down - and it's not the money....
Look at Featureprice - Unlimited webspace...eventually you're server is going to fill...meaning it's going to get more busy....menaing people aren't going to be happy = chargebacks = Host goes down in flames
These people offering insane amounts of bandwidth and space don't know what they're setting themselves up for, a major server crash when even 1 customer tries to use the bandwidth and space given to them = Huge avalanche of customer complaints and the host can't change the server the customer is on because that would mean another 48 hours of downtime guaranteed. They just hope it's up and running soon which means a week.
It really creates a vicious whirlpool effect that once you enter it there is no escaping until the current takes you drowns you.
I'm completely with you Robert (As are all people in "THIS" forum) And I wish there was something we could do to blow the whistle on these cheaters who think hosting is residule income without any responsibility.
Every host at HHO should become part of a non-profit, non competitive organization. All those cheap hosts will hate us.
We'll crash the "other" forum and wreak havoc on all those no good cheap hosts (biting my lip) *&^%%*$*#*@(@:soapbox:
heh, that feels good every once and a while.
I deal with it by continually reminding myself to focus on the clients we would want to have rather than the clients that would simply drive us crazy and run US out of business.
"Those Hosts" tend to attract "Those Clients" so let's just thank THOSE hosts for keeping THOSE clients off of OUR servers! ;)
(Ok..and I admit to pitching a fit every now and then too... but that's what treadmills and punching bags were made for right? *sigh*)
net-trend
04-27-03, 01:25 AM
Originally posted by Deb:
I deal with it by continually reminding myself to focus on the clients we would want to have rather than the clients that would simply drive us crazy and run US out of business.
What Deb said!!! :D
Anyways why let those who undercut you, get you down?
WHT isn't the only place you can get business.
KualoJo
04-27-03, 04:24 AM
Originally posted by Deb:
I deal with it by continually reminding myself to focus on the clients we would want to have rather than the clients that would simply drive us crazy and run US out of business.
"Those Hosts" tend to attract "Those Clients" so let's just thank THOSE hosts for keeping THOSE clients off of OUR servers! ;)
(Ok..and I admit to pitching a fit every now and then too... but that's what treadmills and punching bags were made for right? *sigh*)
Deb... I've admired your business for years now. You have an amazing setup, spot on philosophy and from what I've seen great staff too. It's where I would like to be in the next few years to come, so congratulations. :)
DarktidesNET
04-27-03, 05:15 AM
I'm going to agree with Deb. WHT is just turning into pure **** (sorry Chicken for the cussing). I don't even try to bid on requests anymore.
I got called stupid because I offered 35 gb of transfer @ $40.99 and not < $15.
Excuse me for wanting Darktides to reach 2 years old next March!
WHT isn't as bad as FWS (where all the newbie hosts, 12 year old hosts, the hosts who don't know nothing) start out by offering 500mb of space, 30GB of bandwidth, $1.95/mo.!
KualoJo
04-27-03, 07:39 AM
excuse my ignorance... but FWS?
WHT= WebHostingTalk.Com
FWS = FreeWebSpace.Net
Theres a cycle here people... you just have to find your place in it...
Theres always new people building websites, when their websites first go up most do not know if the site will be a sucess. So they get the cheap hosting from the crap provider. Then the crap provider goes down and they buy a better hosting package from a better provider because they don't want the same thing to happen again.
you just have to decide if you want to be the better provider thats going to be there when the other provider falls on thier face or not.
Me personally, I am getting ready to start our hosting company but it will not be anywhere near those WHT prices. Why? because as deb said.. I don't want THOSE customers.
Our prices are reasonable, but I will NOT lower than or modify them to match "someone elses" prices.
It just makes me mad when this "12 year old hosts" are offering this and everyone falls for it, yet, 3 weeks before they said it was impossible and now they think IT IS possible!
DarktidesNET
04-27-03, 08:09 AM
I don't blame the kids, I blame the ignorant people so willing to give out their money. First thing I ask "Are you over 18? Can I see some kind of legal proof you're allowed to run a company?"
If I get none, buh bye.
I won't hate too much, I started Dim8.Net at the age of 15.
Now at 19, I have a better understanding of what people Want, Need, and can Afford.
The problem being underage is legal issues. How is a 15 year old able to manage someone else's money when they don't even know what a real job is all about?
In the end, the hosts here on HHO wil succeed, while those who offer everthing for nothing will not succeed. It's the waiting and the cleaning up that bothers me.
Living Media
04-27-03, 08:47 AM
I actually have some success stories from WHT, and I'm far from the least expensive host that posts there. The once that chose to go with Scribehost chose it because my posts were mature, calm, and knowledgeable, especially in comparison to the other things they saw and read.
Though - hey, let's all be real - it's pretty easy to do with the majority of the posters "over there".
Left Handed Compliments R Us :D
About biding our time until the majority of the ubercheap hosts go under: The waiting is relatively easy. It's the cleanup that's a real hassle.
shaunewing
04-27-03, 06:07 PM
Originally posted by Living Media:
I actually have some success stories from WHT, and I'm far from the least expensive host that posts there.
Yes, the same over here. As one of our most recent clients from WHT said:
Great to hear from you :) Personally, I like your offer most, even
though I've been getting cheaper offers from others on the board
(ignoring the $1.95 one ;) )
He now has 2 domains with us and more possibly on the way.
-Shaun
101sales
04-27-03, 09:58 PM
I poke my head in once and a while and post an offer - i've never had a reply to any of them.
Originally posted by Living Media:
I actually have some success stories from WHT, and I'm far from the least expensive host that posts there. The once that chose to go with Scribehost chose it because my posts were mature, calm, and knowledgeable, especially in comparison to the other things they saw and read.
Though - hey, let's all be real - it's pretty easy to do with the majority of the posters "over there".
Left Handed Compliments R Us :D
About biding our time until the majority of the ubercheap hosts go under: The waiting is relatively easy. It's the cleanup that's a real hassle.
Heck Lesli,
I've told you before what I thought of your posts so no need to go there again. It would jut give you a big head, but heck, pretty soon I'm going to sign up with you just becuase you have great posts!
I don't even try to compete with the $1.99 hosts, that is not what I designed my business model to follow. My goal is to provide the support that will eventually lead to growth through word of mouth. That will certainly take a while to accomplish, but well worth it once it does.
It saddens me to see all of the dirt cheap packages being sold on the "other" forum. I know in the back of my mind that the same individuals signing up for them will be back a month later looking for a new host. That activity damages our industry as a whole, and let's face it, we have enough of an image problem already (can anyone say FP?).
The other thing I don't get is why people continuously go after the cheap hosting, even after they have had bad experiences with it prior. Look at buying a car, are you going to purchase the cheapest one out there with the expectation of no issues or maintanence? Probably not. It amazed me to watch the feeding frenzy that occured when FP announced it's closure. The same individuals that got burned by them, were going after the same cheap hosting again.
The best way to to handle the cheap host issue (in my opinion) is to not drop to their level. Continue to offer the superior support and service and you should make out fine.
Phoenix
05-03-03, 10:08 PM
I always found it humurous how other hosts would 'lower' their posted prices (not a sale) to be able to compete with the cheapies. :eek:
I think that is just degrading your business integrity. If the same were true in other industries it would mean you could get a haircut for $1 on Tuesday but then you might have to pay $10 on Friday. :mad:
That's just not a reasonable business practice to follow. Unless you want to follow the loss-leader philosophy, just offer good plans at fair prices and stick to them day in and day out. ;)
What bugs me is that there is a certain host that ALWAYS provides "custom packages" to his customers by offering the same as someone else, but cheaper. If I offer it at $85/year and $10 a month, he offers it at $80/year and $5 a month. Can he just leave me alone? heh
Living Media
05-04-03, 09:28 AM
Originally posted by Dapon:
Heck Lesli,
I've told you before what I thought of your posts so no need to go there again. It would jut give you a big head, but heck, pretty soon I'm going to sign up with you just becuase you have great posts!
See, my sweet tyrannical plans for world domination are coming to fruition..!
LOL
Congrats on your client, Shaun!
Target more experienced hostees - they will have learnt from previous mistakes that you get what you pay for so should be willing to pay a reasonable price for a quality level of service.
Reality Hosting
05-10-03, 12:19 PM
I don't let it bother me, and I'll occasionally make an offer in the WHT forums, but not very often. I'm happy with the clientelle I attract. I'm experiencing relatively slow, but steady growth...which is just how I like it. I provide quality service and my customers are all very very low maintenance. It's all about your target market :p
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