This is my first post here, and after doing quite a bit of searching, I wanted to ask your opinions about United Hosting vs. Pair Networks.

I'm a current Pair Networks customer/reseller whose primary business online is web design. I've just signed up for a startup reseller account at United Hosting, and I'm curious as to what I can expect from the perspective of a long-time Pair Networks customer.

I've decided to try United Hosting because I've felt that Pair is largely overpriced for what they offer. Now, some of what they offer is what has been nearly impeccable reliability for the sites I've hosted with them--and that's why I've stuck with them for so long...not a second of downtime that's been at all an inconvenience for me or any of my clients.

But this reliability has come at the cost of disk space and bandwidth limitations that have cost me additional overage fees on already expensive accounts and the frustration of more than one of my clients. It's difficult to justify a premium price for web hosting when you've got clients savvy enough to see the freebie and less than $10/month plans out there that claim to have more features (whether or not they're able to deliver what they advertise).

United Hosting looks like they offer the solution to the frustrations I've had with Pair. Their reseller accounts (and reseller rules and transparancy) are more relaxed for me and potentially less costly and more valuable for my clients, and their service seems wonderfully prompt and intelligent.

But, what do you think? Can United Hosting really deliver everything that Pair can and more? Or am I really getting what I pay for by paying more with Pair Networks??

I guess ultimately time will tell. But, if all goes well, I hope to upgrade my reseller account (or maybe move to dedicated) at United Hosting and be able to be free of Pair's prices altogether...

Thanks for your feedback. Cheers!

But, what do you think? Can United Hosting really deliver everything that Pair can and more? Or am I really getting what I pay for by paying more with Pair Networks??

Pair has their own datacenter while UH rents most of their servers from EV1. There is a big difference here.

My question is this, why are you asking this now? Should you have not asked before hand? I'm not sure about you but we stay with providers that charge $500-600USD/mth a server when we can get the same for $400 elsewhere. Why? Two reasons they have proved that they are reliable in the past. Why would I wish to compromise the reliability of our customers by saving ourselves a few dollars a month?

Originally posted by MN-Robert
My question is this, why are you asking this now? Should you have not asked before hand? I'm not sure about you but we stay with providers that charge $500-600USD/mth a server when we can get the same for $400 elsewhere. Why? Two reasons they have proved that they are reliable in the past. Why would I wish to compromise the reliability of our customers by saving ourselves a few dollars a month?

I wouldn't, which is why I asked the question in the first place. After reading about UH on these forums, I started the account with them to give the service a try, which I figure there's no harm in doing (not with my clients' sites, of course). I guess I just asked the opposite question--why sacrifice a few hundred dollars a month when I could go elsewhere for less money without compromising on reliability. Based on the reviews I found by searching other threads here, it sounded like UH might make it possible to do just that.

But then my "you get what you pay for" tendancies kicked in, and I thought I'd ask whether going with UH over Pair would mean a compromise in service. You get the idea...

In any case, thanks for the feedback. If enough of you experts here on these forums think UH is great, but not nearly as good as Pair, then I might just stay put after all. :)

Cheers.

Don't get me wrong Matt & crew run a tight ship but why move if your happy with the service your receiving :)?

Originally posted by MN-Robert
Don't get me wrong Matt & crew run a tight ship but why move if your happy with the service your receiving :)?

It sounds strange, but I do agree.

Although im sure we can accomodate you and keep you happy I find it odd when people move from a host they are totally happy with. Its hard to find a host you can depend on these days, so when you do find one you really shouldnt jump ship - appreciate what they give you regardless of $$$

Anyway, I hope you enjoy UH :)

Originally posted by SoundMessage
But, what do you think? Can United Hosting really deliver everything that Pair can and more? Or am I really getting what I pay for by paying more with Pair Networks??

Yes, UnitedHosting can deliver the reliability and customer service to match Pair. I have worked for, and been involved with many webhosting companies, everything from webhosts with a reseller account, to 25,000 accounts. Yet, I still remain a paying customer of UnitedHosting.

Most of the time, you're right, you get what you pay for. I have no doubt there is things that Pair can offer that UH doesn't (not neccessaily can't, but doesn't.) however, reliablity, performance, and customer service, the things that count to me, aren't those things.

I can't figure out whether you already signed up with UH, or are considering it, but either way, there's very few providers I'm willing to recommend, and UH is one of them. :)

Im with UH, been nothing but pleased and had NO, I mean NO problems at UH, other than the fact I had to get use to using Enism besides Cpanel.

EV1 is a great network and the guys at UH know their stuff well.

If you going to move for any reason including price, you cant go wrong with UH

Alright, well...no hard feelings to Matt or UH, but I think I am going to keep my accounts with Pair. I've spent awhile trying to reconfigure some settings and transfer some elements over to UH, and the time and hassle probably aren't worth the potential benefits to me. That said, UH still looks like a wonderful option for someone who's starting from scratch or who enjoys/knows more about making things work than I do. :)