"Lifetime Hosting, pay one time and don't pay again!"

I see this as a bad business practice. I just wonder if any person/business has lived up to their promise in the Lifetime Hosting deal?

I have seen one, but seems to be slowly going down, I believe its nomonthlyhosting.com or something like that, they charge $200 just 1 time and they host you site forever (in theory). But lately I have seen Cyberwings offering it (http://www.cyberwings.com/hosting/party/) and well this just pops into my head, if this is how people plan to do business, I mean right away looking at it I see it as a company just wanting money, nothing else, nothing more. And then later on shutting down its doors, just like everyone else.

How can they keep up the costs of this? I mean over the years money is being spent on all variables put into just hosting 1 website, I don't know if anyone can afford it for a lifetime (average lifespan of a human - 80 years).

I just want to know you comments regarding this issue, is it a good, bad or just a ridiculous business plan?

If they are legitamently doing it, I agree... I dont see how profit can be made. However if a web hosting company needs some sort of cash quickly, in order to buy a couple more servers. Then this may be a viable solution for a short period of time, but in the long run, the cost of running that perticular server with "lifetime hosting" clients will cost a load of money.

Just my .02

You're probably thinking of nomonthlyfees.com, but they have an annual "Domain Registration/Maintenance" fee, so it's not really lifetime hosting.

I've noticed a few of these companies put in their TOC that the Lifetime not only means YOUR LIFETIME, but the lifetime of the company as well.

In theory they could collect your $200 and be out of business in three months.

Not only that, before they started charging "annual fees", they used to have a flat rate one time fee. I know several people, however, that just had their sites completely disappear even thought they paid the one time "flat rate" before Nomonthlyfees.com added the annual fees. So, do your self a favor and avoid these people (or anyone else offering this scam) unless you want to through away money.

They could essentially just not provide you with any support. That would make me leave. This sounds like a TOTAL scam to me. Totally in the Host's best interests.

I don't understand how some people believe in these unlimited offers there is no such thing as unlimited. Now that the unlimited theme has been exploited a small percent of the hosting industry is coming up with "lifetime hosting accounts" which is funnier than unlimited :D can you imagine going to your doctor paying 50 dollars and your doctors promises that you will live for ever!!! :cartman:

A hosts lifetime is usually ended once their HDD crashes and they realise they only did local backups in most cases anyway :P

Yes, learn a lesson from Uncle Stupid Chicken. A long time ago I saw an ad in one of the free computer mags that you see in supermarkets and various places. Lifetime internet access for ummm, $39 or something like that, maybe it was $59. I figured that even if they died in 3 months, well it was the same as whatever I was using at the time. Well, they must have run that ad and then closed up shop as 3 weeks later, no access numbers worked.

Nomonthly has been around a bit, however remember Uncle Stupid Chicken's story next time you're about to sign up for lifetime anything.

Originally posted by Chicken
Yes, learn a lesson from Uncle Stupid Chicken.
*sits down on floor with warn cup of milk* :D :)
A long time ago I saw an ad in one of the free computer mags that you see in supermarkets and various places. Lifetime internet access for ummm, $39 or something like that, maybe it was $59. I figured that even if they died in 3 months, well it was the same as whatever I was using at the time. Well, they must have run that ad and then closed up shop as 3 weeks later, no access numbers worked.
:eek: dangit - there goes the business model of the century. :eek2:
Nomonthly has been around a bit, however remember Uncle Stupid Chicken's story next time you're about to sign up for lifetime anything.
A company around these parts - http://Free2Air.com just went bust offerring the "pay once for internet access" model. Those business models only work on a highish customer churn rate. There is no long term cashflow stability IMO. They also usually hide yearly "membership" or "admin" fees in there as well, so so help their pressured cashflows.

A company with a negative cashflow will also start cutting back on services which will lead to a decline in customer satisfaction which leads to clients leaving - which improves their cashflow... :buck:

lifetime hosting is a bit of a joke..........

although a couple years back I bought a lifetime plan for $5...........and i still have it.....best money I ever spent.........

Originally posted by XTNet
I've noticed a few of these companies put in their TOC that the Lifetime not only means YOUR LIFETIME, but the lifetime of the company as well.

In theory they could collect your $200 and be out of business in three months.
That's a given. Once any company goes out of business, its contractual or implied obligations to its customers cease. So adding in the TOS that "lifetime" means not only the customer's lifetime, but the provider's as well, is technically unnecessary. The only reason to add such language might be to protect the personal assets of the provider company's owners if said company is not incorporated or an LLC. And even then it's probably not truly necessary as a practical matter.

"Lifetime" should always be presumed to mean the customer's lifetime.

Hehe, maybe they count on you getting a heart attack or a stroke because of all their downtime :D :confused:

I had a spam recently from one of these "lifetime" hosts who wanted to sell his business. Had about 200 clients signed up I believe (I'm working from memory) and wanted $40,000 for the business. Seemed like the bargain of the century to me, $40k for 200 clients who would never generate any further revenue. How could I have passed it up...

Simon.

Originally posted by AQHost
I had a spam recently from one of these "lifetime" hosts who wanted to sell his business. Had about 200 clients signed up I believe (I'm working from memory) and wanted $40,000 for the business. Seemed like the bargain of the century to me, $40k for 200 clients who would never generate any further revenue. How could I have passed it up...

Simon.

i though he should pay u 40K instead . :D

Originally posted by HostInspect
"Lifetime Hosting, pay one time and don't pay again!"

I see this as a bad business practice.

Try not to worry about it. They can look after their own affairs.

Dial up ISPs have been offering space-for-life for years.

Tim.

Originally posted by AQHost
I had a spam recently from one of these "lifetime" hosts who wanted to sell his business. Had about 200 clients signed up I believe (I'm working from memory) and wanted $40,000 for the business. Seemed like the bargain of the century to me, $40k for 200 clients who would never generate any further revenue. How could I have passed it up...


I wouldn't offer a penny over $20K for that ;)

i bid 21K!
oh wait, this isnt an auction? :P