Sleaze Tactics

[admin]

As we always do, we sent a reminder to a customer that their hosting was expired and subject to suspension if not paid - giving them a reasonable amount of time to contact us.


Hello domainname.com

We're writing concerning payment on your domain domainname.com

Our records indicate your account is now *OVERDUE* and subject to suspension/cancellation.
Your hosting account was due to renew on 2006-09-11 in the amount of $29.99.

IMPORTANT: If you believe this report is in error, please forward a copy of your latest
billing receipt into an email address to sales@hostpc.com

You can renew at https://tech.hostpc.com/orders/orderformR.php




This morning, I was delighted to see a response from a customer.


I never reordered this Domain, therefore I NEVER renewed it and these charges are total bullshit. I really like your sleaze technique of trying to force me to reorder a Domain. If you don't drop these charges I am going to report and forward ALL your badgering E-mails to the Better Business Bureau.

Sleaze? Badgering? Forcing a renewal? Drop Charges?

I'm thinking someone has had way too much coffee this morning, and really should start trying decaf.

[ozee]

But the same customer would accuse you of something sleazy when you just dropped their account for non-payment without contacting them first... :rolleyes:

[mutter]

I agree that the customer is a bit overexcited. However, I don't know if the reminder email was the ONLY one or if this was one of several. The "badgering" comment makes it sound like there was more than one.

You have to admit that the "overdue" wording of the reminder notice does imply that money is already owed whereas Joe makes it sound like this is only a reminder to the customer that if they want to renew they must pay. If it is only a reminder, perhaps wording more like this would work:


Hello domainname.com

We're writing concerning status of your domain domainname.com

Our records indicate your account is now EXPIRED and subject to cancellation. Your hosting account was due to renew on 2006-09-11 in the amount of $29.99. If you would like to renew, please remit that amount by 2006-XX-XX.

IMPORTANT: If you believe this report is in error, please forward a copy of your latest
billing receipt into an email address to sales@hostpc.com

You can renew at https://tech.hostpc.com/orders/orderformR.php
When I left my last host, I notified them 2 weeks before my due date that I would be leaving, yet they still are sending me account overdue/cancellation notices. :confused:

[admin]

Our policy is to remind one time at 15 days prior to the renewal and then the date it expires they get a new email saying it's currently expired, last chance to renew - else it would be shut off in 48 hours. 99% of the time, only 2 emails go out to the client. Is that "badgering" ?

It rather clearly says:


If you would like to renew, please remit that amount by 2006-XX-XX.

IMPORTANT: If you believe this report is in error, please forward a copy of your latest
billing receipt into an email address to sales@hostpc.com

if you would LIKE to renew .. and If this is an error ...

You wouldn't believe how many times people complain that they DONT get the email and their site ends up getting suspended ...

We try to be as clear as possible... if you're cancelling, that's ok, really, but at least tell us - dont complain that we're "badgering" - I really dont feel that we are.

Hell, have ya ever waited to renew your domain name at GoDaddy till the last day - I must get 15 emails starting 90 days before the domain expires ... then up to 30 days AFTER it expires.

[Sean]

I love how ppl threaten to contact teh BBB. As if that matters to anyone?

Honestly, when was the last time anyone checked with the BBB before buying hosting, or for that matter, anything? I doubt very few ppl do.

The only people who would get upset over that is maybe those who have the BBB seal on their site.

You can't please everyone...send them notices..the complain, don't..they complain...what is a person to do? LOL.