The past month, I’ve been on the hunt for a new Web host for a few personal domains. I have an account with 1&1, but they have a limitation on how long CNAME entries can be, so I need to look elsewhere. I signed up with BlueHost, only to discover their horribly limited control panel software didn’t do what I needed, so after three days I cancelled my account. Next I tried WestHost, quizzing their pre-sales people on exactly what I needed before signing up. They said they could do what I needed, so I signed up. Again, they had horrible control panel software that didn’t do what I needed it to do – the pre-sales people either didn’t understand my questions, or they weren’t being honest with me. So I cancelled my account with WestHost. It’s frustrating to waste time with this, but I’m thankful that both BlueHost and WestHost have simple cancellation policies and I got a full refund.
So I went on the hunt for other Web hosts, this time for ones that had better control panels. I’m not looking for “cheap” – I’d happily pay $10 to $15 a month for the account – but what I need is something powerful and flexible and based around the concept of multiple domains. I was looking at JustHost.com, and decided to sign up with them because they use Cpanel, which I’ve used on my own server before. I was going through the sign-up process, and on the second phase it asked me about adding upgrades to the account. One of them for for SPAM Assassin. I was a bit confused, because SPAM Assassin is free software that virtually every Web host out there uses. And JustHost wanted to charge me $19.95 for it:
In another browser tab I looked at the list of features, and sure enough, SPAM Assassin was listed:
So which was it? When I was clicking around the JustHost site a chat window popped up, so I thought I might as well ask them about this. Here’s the transcript of that chat:
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Connecting to Agent…
You have been connected to Amber
Amber Says:Hey Wait! We would hate to see you go without seeing what’s made us Award Winning Web Hosts. So just this once I can give you a 20% discount on our unlimited hosting. That’s a $24 saving! To take advantage of this one-time offer just CLICK HERE
Amber Says:When you are ready just say “Hi” and we can get started….
You:Hi there, I have a question
Amber Says:Hi my name is Amber thanks for visiting Just Host today!
Amber Says:Is there anything I can help you with? Or if you would like to check out our last minute 20% discount, please CLICK HERE!
You:I’m in the midst of signing up now, and I’m confused about something….
Amber Says:Signing up for hosting with Justhost couldn’t be easier! If you want to sign up now just CLICK HERE and complete our simple 1 page order form!
You:on the Features page, it lists Spam Assassin and there’s a check mark next to it, seeming to indicate that it’s included in the package
Amber Says:Unfortunately we cannot accept checks or money orders. We only accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Paypal
You:Yet as part of my sign up package I’m being offered Spam Assassin for $19.95/year….
Amber Says:You get a free domain for life, free instant setup and you can host unlimited domains, plus, much much more.
Amber Says:Today only I can offer you this special 20% discount so you can sign up for just $3.95 month. Just CLICK HERE to get this today only offer!
You:are you reading what I’m writing? I’m asking you a question
Amber Says:Please repeat your question
You:You don’t have a scroll bar?
Amber Says:Would you like to sign up for our most popular hosting plan for just $3.95 / month?
You:No, I’m asking a question. Let me repeat it…
Amber Says:Ok Great!! To sign up for the $3.95 a month offer CLICK HERE
You:http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/subclass.asp?logon=&langid=EN&catid=24930
You:sorry, ignore that
You:on the Features page, it lists Spam Assasin and there’s a check mark next to it, seeming to indicate that it’s included in the package
Amber Says:Unfortunately we cannot accept checks or money orders. We only accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Paypal
You:Yet as part of my sign up package I’m being offered Spam Assassin for $19.95/year….
Amber Says:You may not have noticed but I am actually just a virtual agent, so I dont fully understand your question.
Amber Says:You can try asking me again and re-phrase your question, or why not contact our freindly phone support team toll-free at: 1-(888)-755-7585 they should be able to assist you further
You:A virtual agent. I’m talking to software. I assumed I was talking to someone who might as well have been software.
Amber Says:A virtual agent, basically means i’m not real,,, BUT that doesnt have to be a bad thing
You:Trust me, it’s a bad thing.
Amber Says:Sorry I can’t understand your question. Please can you repeat it for me?
[chat disconnected]
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And that’s how I started off my day today: trying to have a discussion with software. 🙂