Scumbag businesses in the web hosting world

[pfarber]

My Bluehost service is up shortly. I signed up for 2 years at just under $4 a month. Renewal is $8 a month, no discount. So as usual, its time to shop for a hosting service.

So I find scumbag hosting aka webhostinghub.com which lists Virginia as its location. Its a standard 'unlimited' account for a teaser rate of $3.95 for the fist year. So I read the TOS and AUP and scumbag business has this:

http://www.webhostinghub.com/terms-of-service.html

a. The initial term of this Agreement shall be as set forth in the Order Form (the "Initial Term"). The Initial Term shall begin upon commencement of the Services to Customer. After the Initial Term, this Agreement shall automatically renew. ADDITIONALLY AFTER THE INITIAL TERM, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE, AGREE AND AUTHORIZE COMPANY TO AUTOMATICALLY BILL AND/OR CHARGE ON YOUR CREDIT CARD FOR YEARLY TERMS AT THE PRICE OF $107.40, UNLESS TERMINATED OR CANCELLED BY EITHER PARTY AS PROVIDED IN THE SECTION LABELED "CANCELLATION POLICY". The Initial Term and all successive renewal periods shall be referred to, collectively, as the "Term".

So scumbag business DOESN'T advertise its HIGHER THAN ADVERTISED RENEWAL RATE. On the main page is lists $6.95 as a rate. But $107.40/12 = $8.95! DOUBLE the inital rate, and 30% higher than the rate listed on the home page.

Scumbag hosting company.

Sadly, almost ALL of the sub $5/mo hosting companies are pulling this bait and switch.

[pfarber]

Scumbag hosting company #2, WWW.JUSTHOST.COM

http://www.justhost.com/cgi/info/terms?no_navigation=1

Automatic Renewal of Hosting Account. As a courtesy and not as an obligation (contractual or otherwise), fifteen (15) days prior to the expiration of Subscriber's Hosting Account or Domain(s) Just host will automatically renew Subscriber's Hosting Account by charging the applicable fee for the non-promotional rate to Subscriber's current method of payment on file. The initial term of this Agreement shall be as set forth in the Registration Form (the "Initial Term"). The Initial Term shall begin upon commencement of the Services to User, and after the Initial Term, this Agreement shall continue for successive periods (or renewal period) of equal length as the Initial Term or such other Term and price that shall be set forth in a notice to the customer at least 24 hours prior to the commencement of such successive period or renewal period. In the case of insufficient funds we will attempt to collect at a partial term quantity ( not changing your current term) to continue service as per contract. Additionally after the initial Term, you acknowledge, agree and authorize us to automatically bill and/or charge on your credit card for successive or renewal periods, unless terminated or cancelled by either party as provided in this section. The Initial Term and all successive renewal periods shall be referred to, collectively, as the "Term". Subscriber acknowledges and confirms that if the Subscriber pays for a hosting plan which qualifies for a Free Domain that the Subscriber will be provided with a digital domain registration voucher to be used for purchasing their Free Domain. The domain registration voucher is only applicable as long as the Subscriber maintains a qualifying hosting plan.

These scumbags will not even TELL YOU THE RENEWAL PRICE until at 1 day before hand!

Then the scumbags say if your account has NSF, or the CC is near the limit, they will CHARGE WHATEVER THEY CAN GET!!!!! Just to keep you running.

Here's something that's completely against every CC Merchant rule that VISA/MASTERCARD put out:

Chargebacks and Reversals. In the event Subscriber issues a chargeback or reversal of charges without first following the above cancellation procedures, the Subscriber will be responsible for a $25.00 billing service fee. Hosting accounts that have an open dispute may be disabled for security purposes.

This is flat out scare the customer into thinking that scumbag web hoster can ever do that and get away with it.