Rude staff at iWeb.com - any alternative recommendation?
Hi,
It is the last day of the year for 2011, and I was all prepared to proceed to order a dedicated server at iWeb.com. (iWeb.com had been on my mind for a long time and I have also used the services of Gigenet, Ubiquity Servers and Joyent - all without experiencing any problems.)
I happily chatted with someone called "Mohamed K." from the sales department (of iWeb.com) when he told me he would be leaving in 3 hours. I left but came back just before 3 hours and ready to send in the order - I had even filled in the order form until the credit card submission page! Then, I tried to contact "Mohamed K." again, but he wasn't there. There was this person called "Etienne F." (from tech support dept.) who took over the conversation who presumed that I am fraudster and made me extremely disappointed with iWeb.com.
Here's how it went:
I told Etienne that I was all ready to proceed and wanted to take advantage of the end-of-year offer of 1 month free hosting. I had some final questions, but after clarifications I was all ready to submit my credit card. Out of goodwill - as I know that the New Year is approaching - I even said there was no need process my order immediately. They can let thee order sit there until the next year - as long as I can qualify for the offer and set up my server sometime by January 6th would be fine.
Then, this person called Etienne said that it was necessary to 'validate my identity'? I was puzzled and asked for clarifications. She responded, quote - "We call you by phone, and ask for a proof of ID to make sure your credit card is legitimate." and then "There is so much phishing going on it's the only way we can keep business running."
After reading those statements, I already began to feel offended. It is like assuming that I am fraudster in the first place. (And, further, I am sensitive to submission of IDs because they can use it for fraud purposes as well.)
So, I responded by saying "You can call me by phone - it is OK. Asking me to fax or email my ID/documents is too intrusive. I will not do that."
Etienne replied "No one forces you to do business with us."
At this moment, I could feel that Etienne is really treating me as a potential criminal trying to defraud them. I responded by calling Etienne 'sick', hoping that this person would rectify the situation. But instead, Etienne defended all the statements made and the presumptions that I am a potential fraudster, and finally abruptly hang up the chat!
Etienne said that I had no respect for the other party - while I was trying to give the other party to rectify the insult of being presumed a potential fraudster.
In general, I know there are many fraud cases, but I am a legitimate customer who is very interested to do business with iWeb.com. I cannot but feel shocked, disappointed and offended when I am presumed a criminal or fraudster. If you were in this situation, would you feel good to proceed to deal with iWeb.com?
I feel that I - and we legitimate consumers in general - are true victims of the fraudsters. Just because of there are so many fraud cases means that we consumers have to be presumed a criminal - like going court and presumed guilty until proven innocent - when dealing with these merchants. I feel offended to be treated like this. And, it is very sad that these merchants cannot and fail to deal with legitimate customers respectfully.
Anyway, can anyone recommend me a good dedicated server hosting provided? Preferably, it should be good and around the price range like iWeb.com? (Note: outside U.S. would be preferred in order to qualify for Non U.S. Business for taxation purpose - eventually, we will need to purchase and own colocated servers)
:-)
Thanks!
Kevin.
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