I just received an email announcing that DIYHosting has been sold....again. Here's the content of the message:

*****

Dear ________

I am pleased to announce the acquisition of DIYHosting by Trip.net, Inc. of Houston Texas.

Trip.net is a provider of internet connectivity and web hosting services with over ten years of experience. We pride ourselves on exceptional customer service and providing our customers products and services that are second to none.

I want to personally welcome you to the Trip.net family. I think you will find that we truly care about each and every customer. Let me first address a few things that you must be thinking about.

* Your credit card statement may now say Trip.net
* Nothing on your account will change.
* The rate you pay will remain the same. We have acquired companies over the years and we have never increased prices.
* The customer service number will remain the same.

I like to know what our members are thinking and experiencing. You can email me (president @trip.net) at anytime and I (not an assistant) will read your email. I respond to many of the emails that are sent to me, however, there are times I forward certain emails onto someone who is better qualified to answer your question.

Again, welcome to the Trip.net family. We are glad to have you aboard.

David Allen

President

Trip.net, Inc

PS: Don’t write to me too soon, as I will be on vacation Dec 13-17.

*****


This comes just days after EIRCA Internet Solutions (original founders of DIY) announced they are taking The Internet Group Inc., the current owners, to court to try to take back ownership of DIY. If you haven't seen that news item yet, it's here - webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=567361

Am I the only one not left instilled with confidence in this company?

I've been with DIY for 2 years now... And like many other current and former customers (and I know there are a few of you around here), I too have experienced the sharp decline in customer service since the company was sold last year. (Most recently this week with them continually giving me completely moronic BS answers to a clearly described trouble ticket)

I would have moved to another provider by now if it weren't for the daunting work involved in doing so (I already did that once when I moved to DIY from OurInternet).

But now I'm not sure what to think. On hand maybe things will improve under new ownership. I don't think it could get alot worse, except I suppose if I woke up and they didn't exist anymore. (That dream---nightmare...I have had before).

Simon, if you're around...Can you shine any more light on what's going on, particularly with your fight to regain ownership of DIY? Does this sale affect that in any way?

Will DIY make a triumphant comeback to once again be a leader in reseller hosting, or is it now a sinking battleship?

Anyone else's opinions or experiences?

I'm never a fan of hosts changing ownerships often. It's always a risk when the ownership changes hands...

Simon, if you're around...Can you shine any more light on what's going on, particularly with your fight to regain ownership of DIY? Does this sale affect that in any way?
It doesn't affect it in a negative sense.

As you can probably imagine, we're still reeling from this news (I had the dubious honour of being the second person to find out) and we're just adjusting our sights a touch, though not too much. I admit that this was somewhat expected. The old directors landed themselves in a real mess by trying to default and hide.


As for our press release: We still hope to have a resolution by the same date as stated in the press release. Unfortunately there is not much extra I can offer you other than to tell you that you are, without a doubt, better off under the ownership of David Allen than the previous directors.


I spoke to David on Friday about this issue and he has a good head on his shoulders. I do expect you'll see a dramatic increase in quality of service when compared with the rest of 2006.


You won't see much happen on the EIRCA vs DIYHosting front until after the new year. I extended a courtesy to David and his directors, giving them the opportunity to resolve the matter ammicably in the near future.

Why do companies change hosts so often. Only thing I can suggest is financial issues.
I am unsure about other companies, but you'd be safe betting that DIYHosting was sold because of the legal issues.


Simon

So in a nutshell, Simon is still owned $$ from the first DIY sale? I read the "significant outstanding monetary compensation" as being they renegged on their payments for DIY?

Simon, bugger. Hope you get the resolution you deserve.

I do hope you recover from this Simon, but honestly, I am still in disbelief you sold your company to these people some 1.5 years ago

It was more than a risk.. it was certain death if you knew who the new owners were, and their past history. Anyway...
Well, let's leave aside the obvious. Ernesto wasn't a noted director at the time of sale. That was, in my opinion, deliberate on their part because they know I wouldn't have signed off on the sale. Haberli was added to the list of directors a month or so afterward.

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There's nothing there (at DIY) that can't be repaired with some good ol' fashioned hard work. Either David Allen's guys will do it, or EIRCA will--we're ready and waiting. Either way, I think you'll start to see more DIYHosting in the near future.

So in a nutshell, Simon is still owned $$ from the first DIY sale? I read the "significant outstanding monetary compensation" as being they renegged on their payments for DIY?
That's about the size of it.


Simon

Hope everything works out for you Simon

Good luck Simon! May justice prevail! :agree:

wow - I honestly do not fully understand the ramifications of trying to take back ownership of something that was already sold. This can happen in real estate sometimes, and the outcome is messy at best.

Simon, known you awhile and wish you the best in this - DIY will be much better off in your hands, as will all of the customers and their respective businesses.

Well, let's leave aside the obvious. Ernesto wasn't a noted director at the time of sale.

Never really understood fully the relationship between Mark & Ernesto...

Never really understood fully the relationship between Mark & Ernesto...
Me either. It's a strange one. Mark seems to do whatever Ernesto says. I seem to remember Mark also telling you that he owned VIP during the RC sale and that Ernesto was not with the company anymore. RC was sold too, by the way, along with "You're the host" and VIP-Hosting.


Simon

hey at least they told you they sold out I had to find out the hard way after the server had been down for 72 hours with no response from tech support and nobody answering the phone.

Wow. I guess I should be shocked but I am not. I have been with DIY Hosting for 2-3 years now and have just been dealing with the problems since the sale. I to have not moved because of the work involved. This may be the final straw. I have not received any notifications about the sale, Big Suprise! Now all I can do is wait to see what happens or move. I think moving away from DIY is the smartest move and I would have done so long ago if it didn't involve so much work.

Considering the work involved, why isn't there some way to more easily migrate HSphere hosting to another HSphere host? It seems there would be a market for this service. Alternately, does anyone know of a reseller system that easily migrates from host to host? This would be particularly useful in regards to the seemingly unstable nature of the industry, especially for the small resellers like myself.

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I have not received any notifications about the sale, Big Suprise!
From the emails I got, at least 19 people got notified because 19 people emailed me wondering what my response to it was.


Simon

Considering the work involved, why isn't there some way to more easily migrate HSphere hosting to another HSphere host?Sounds like a good thing to suggest (asl/push for) to Psoft, H-Sphere's developers. Maybe they don't want the hosts that use this system to get each other's customers? :P

I'm not sure what the story is behind the story here, and I don't really care to know, but I just read the "press release" and I have to say that's one of the sorriest and silliest excuses for a pr I've ever seen.

I'm not sure what the story is behind the story here, and I don't really care to know, but I just read the "press release" and I have to say that's one of the sorriest and silliest excuses for a pr I've ever seen.
It's called a public statement of intent. It is also commonly advised with such cases.


Simon

It does not matter what your "intent" is, or whether you state it publicly or not. The wording is laughable: you "rebuke" the sale? That makes no sense. You "launch a scathing attack"? That's just childish. The whole thing reads like some kid with a grudge instead of something that a bona fide legal counsel would write and/or approve. Most competent legal advisors would properly advise you to keep your mouth shut and just go about whatever legal action you think you need to take instead of discussing things like this in the public arena.

It does not matter what your "intent" is, or whether you state it publicly or not. The wording is laughable: you "rebuke" the sale? That makes no sense. You "launch a scathing attack"? That's just childish.
Something tells me you have more than a general interest. You seem to be taking it to heart ;)

If you have any constructive feedback, please do contact us per the instructions in the press item.

As for discussing it publicly: It has barely been discussed. In fact, the press item from last week was the first time we as a company have ever officially commented (publicly) on the DIYHosting acquisition, despite being well within our rights to do so. Callum, one of the EIRCA team, had an interview with a web hosting magazine at the start of the year where it was referenced but we had that pulled out of fairness to all parties and because I personally thought it was the professional thing to do, despite the obvious.

Your legal advice: Thanks. Read the thread again, though. You'll notice that nothing in this thread or any other thread or web page references anything that isn't public information or information personal to me, which I can choose to share at my own discretion. And trust me: I know what my rights are with regards to commenting on the matter and I am well within them.

It seems to, for some unknown reason, push your buttons that I reply to questions directed at me. If someone asks me a question (like the questions directed at me in this thread), they are going to get an answer if I am "allowed" to. It's that simple. If you don't like it, don't continue to read it.

Simon

. . . Considering the work involved, why isn't there some way to more easily migrate HSphere hosting to another HSphere host?
It's social engineering, with the psoft developers not wanting h-sphere hosts being able to easily migrate clients from other h-sphere hosts. I shudder what our business would be like if we couldn't migrate clients from other cpanel providers. Ouch. :eek:

I shudder what our business would be like if we couldn't migrate clients from other cpanel providers. Ouch. :eek:

Yes that would most certainly hurt a bit. Which raises a question...why do control panels not have these transfer features built into them, or even consideration for this. I know that a panel or two has some migration (from a different control panel to the current) but not many. You would think that the development team would focus efforts on this to increase awareness of the product to first timers...

Yes that would most certainly hurt a bit. Which raises a question...why do control panels not have these transfer features built into them, or even consideration for this. I know that a panel or two has some migration (from a different control panel to the current) but not many. You would think that the development team would focus efforts on this to increase awareness of the product to first timers...

While this is no discussion of Hsphere, you can certainly import from other CPs, just not easily from hsphere(and it can be done, we have done it a few times, but it requires root on both sides, making xml files, etc, quite complex)

All I know is that DIY hosting still owes me $687 and some change from not refunding my money after I left them and nobody would ever give me my money back...... If I were any potential customer of DIY I steer clear of anything to do with them.... VIP-hosting stated Simon owed it to me and Simon says DIYhosting owes it.... VIP refused to return any of my calls and refused all my certified letters.....So basicall I got reamed out of $687 and nobody cares Stay clear of DIY they have poor business ethics poor business practices and are no more than common theives

VIP-hosting stated Simon owed it to me and Simon says DIYhosting owes it....
Simon didn't say anything ;)

If you feel you are owed a refund by DIYHosting then DIYHosting is the only company you should be requesting a refund from. You certainly didn't request a refund from me. You were still an active DIYHosting customer when I sold the company, and at least two months afterward, judging from your posts on this forum at that time.

Edit: You still had an account with DIYHosting in January, four-five months after I sold the company. See your post under your username "eplanetunlim" for confirmation.


Simon

It's social engineering, with the psoft developers not wanting h-sphere hosts being able to easily migrate clients from other h-sphere hosts.

I dont necessarily think that is the case - as an hsphere provider we have a much larger requirement to migrate users from cpanel then from hsphere. I think the psoft development team is just meeting the requirements of their customers. Now that alot more companies are using hsphere, I think you will see a utility for migrating hsphere to hsphere come out pretty quickly here.

I shudder what our business would be like if we couldn't migrate clients from other cpanel providers. Ouch.

Agreed, and thankfully those of us using hsphere are easily able to migrate customers from cpanel :)

simon,
I talked to you on the phone you told me i have to take that up with DIY and that it was no longer your problem. DIY refused to refund my money stating you owed it to me because i paid before they acquired DIY... it really doesnt matter anymore I got screwed by DIY and i could care less about it I will give my opinion on DIY until it closes and or I die about how i got screwed to any potential clients of DIY I know of at least 15 people that went to JODO host via my request because I got screwed.

Something tells me you have more than a general interest. You seem to be taking it to heart ;)

Nice attempt to deflect. Doesn't wash here. I have no vested interest and I already said I don't know the story about all this. I'm commenting on the stupidity apparent in that so-called "press release", which you posted to a public forum and to which someone linked.

If you have any constructive feedback, please do contact us per the instructions in the press item.

I'll do what I like, thanks. That means continuing to call attention to the bit players in the hosting arena when they get a serious case of foot in mouth disease and showing why they will always be bit players.


Your legal advice: Thanks. Read the thread again, though. You'll notice that nothing in this thread or any other thread or web page references anything that isn't public information or information personal to me, which I can choose to share at my own discretion. And trust me: I know what my rights are with regards to commenting on the matter and I am well within them.

You're pretty thick. Here it is again, for the slow learners: you do not discuss things like this in the public arena. You don't issue ridiculous "press releases" where you claim you've launched a "scathing attack" on another and say things like you "rebuke" a sale, which makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

It seems to, for some unknown reason, push your buttons that I reply to questions directed at me. If someone asks me a question (like the questions directed at me in this thread), they are going to get an answer if I am "allowed" to. It's that simple. If you don't like it, don't continue to read it.

Simon

Suddenly because I posted a single comment on the asinine "press release", your responses are somehow pushing my buttons? WTF are you talking about? You don't rank high enough on my radar to qualify for that sort of attention.

However, this does give me and everyone else a good insight into your thought processes (not good), your attitude when someone has an opinion you don't like (ditto), and your arrogance in assuming that you hold some level of importance that exists only in your mind. I'll pat myself on the back for providing a public service.

Nice attempt to deflect. Doesn't wash here. I have no vested interest and I already said I don't know the story about all this. I'm commenting on the stupidity apparent in that so-called "press release", which you posted to a public forum and to which someone linked.




I think the announcement is a perfectly credible and honest attempt to shed light on the situation and to re-establish credibility. I have been a DIY customer since it was a part of ERICA. I have been fortunate enough to not have experienced any major issues since the sale but I have noticed a serious feeling of disconnect between myself and support. This announcement (and this thread) has provided me with a reason to hang on and hope for the best. The announcement is certainly more colorful than what you might find on the prnewswire but it doesn't make it "stupid". You clearly have other issues.

btw, I did receive the "sale" email from trip.net. I guess that makes me #20 :stickout:

I think the announcement is a perfectly credible and honest attempt to shed light on the situation and to re-establish credibility. I have been a DIY customer since it was a part of ERICA. I have been fortunate enough to not have experienced any major issues since the sale but I have noticed a serious feeling of disconnect between myself and support. This announcement (and this thread) has provided me with a reason to hang on and hope for the best. The announcement is certainly more colorful than what you might find on the prnewswire but it doesn't make it "stupid". You clearly have other issues.

btw, I did receive the "sale" email from trip.net. I guess that makes me #20 :stickout:

Would the tables be turned if infact you were having downtime issues and the same announcement went out? I sure do hope that everyone makes out good at the end of the day, all who were involved.

simon,
I talked to you on the phone you told me i have to take that up with DIY and that it was no longer your problem. DIY refused to refund my money stating you owed it to me because i paid before they acquired DIY...
Simon does not owe you money. The owners of DIY owe you money and if they're not prepared to refund you, then you need to seek legal options. Simon sold the business, so is no longer the one you contact for billing issues.

Hope you get it sorted. :)

Simon does not owe you money. The owners of DIY owe you money and if they're not prepared to refund you, then you need to seek legal options. Simon sold the business, so is no longer the one you contact for billing issues.I'm not so sure we can conclude that with certainty without knowing the exact terms of the sale. From the presented evidence, we have the DIYhosting's position, and Simon's (EIRCA's). I know which party I trust, but that's no proof.

(...) you need to seek legal optionsThat's pretty clear. I doubt's it's really feasible though. In the vast majority of cases, the hosting fees are too low to be worth fighting for. :)

I'm not so sure we can conclude that with certainty without knowing the exact terms of the sale. From the presented evidence, we have the DIYhosting's position, and Simon's (EIRCA's). I know which party I trust, but that's no proof.
It's highly unlikely that Simon would have contracturally assumed responsibility for all yearly payments made to him, prior to selling DIY. It's more the case here that the new DIY owners didn't want to refund a yearly client, because it would leave them out of pocket. One of the downsides to purchasing a host with yearly clients. But yes you're right, there could be a slight possibility that Simon did contracturally assume responsibilty for all yearly refunds that were resultant post sale.

Would the tables be turned if infact you were having downtime issues and the same announcement went out? I sure do hope that everyone makes out good at the end of the day, all who were involved.

Actually, it wouldn't change my hope that help and improvement may soon be on the way. If I were having serious problems though, I may not be able to hang in with DIY until the help arrives.

I fully appreciated the competent support that I received while DIY was under ERICA. I don't have that same level of confidence right now.

Sounds like a good thing to suggest (asl/push for) to Psoft, H-Sphere's developers. Maybe they don't want the hosts that use this system to get each other's customers? :P

Not at all, au contraire.

It's just a development scheduling issue, there are other more important features that take precedent, but we will eventually develop such a tool, we ourselves do not wish to see clients "stuck" with any hosts becuase it's too hard to move.

Agreed, and thankfully those of us using hsphere are easily able to migrate customers from cpanel :)

Hehe, you said it :D

It's highly unlikely that Simon would have contracturally assumed responsibility for all yearly payments made to him, prior to selling DIY. It's more the case here that the new DIY owners didn't want to refund a yearly client, because it would leave them out of pocket. One of the downsides to purchasing a host with yearly clients. But yes you're right, there could be a slight possibility that Simon did contracturally assume responsibilty for all yearly refunds that were resultant post sale.
Definitely not. There's no way I'd do that without my own staff being able to determine how that year went.

It really is simple: After August 22nd, 2005, anyone who is/was unhappy with the service being rendered by DIYHosting should contact DIYHosting. The Internet Group Inc (and later, trip.net) purchased a full corporation. That includes all assets whether it's clients who they later annoy to the Nth degree or advertising that is pre-paid for X number of months. Clients entered in to an agreement with DIYHosting (not EIRCA, not me, not any member of my company). That agreement stands until one of the parties breaks it. That agreement, just to be clear, did not include a money back guarantee. It would need to be a mutual decision between you (the client) and DIYHosting (the provider) with regards to getting your money back.


lcdcd: DIYHosting do not have an apparent position. Their position, as is pertains to this thread, is being represented in this thread by a third party with an obvious agenda to get his money back from anyone who's willing to give it, even if they aren't the ones that owe it (actually nobody owes it, but that's neither here nor there).

Look, I severely dislike the guys that took over DIYHosting. I despise them because of what has happened post-sale. I am doing everything in my power to make sure that those guys are never able to form a board in the future and it kills me to have to be somewhat muted with regards to the whole situation. My wife wants to hunt them down and feed them brussel sprouts smothered with Marmite every day for the next nine years. I am willing to believe almost anything said about them. I do not, however, believe for a single minute that they told any user to get a refund from EIRCA.


Simon

Not at all, au contraire.

It's just a development scheduling issue, there are other more important features that take precedent, but we will eventually develop such a tool, we ourselves do not wish to see clients "stuck" with any hosts becuase it's too hard to move.

:agree: Thanks for the info CRego3D. This has been one of my main problems with HSphere. The HSphere CP is great, not including some hosts poor implementations, but as a reseller who needs a solid platform to stay in business and keep my clients happy, I have had to move hosts numerous times. Usually because the support falls apart, the performance degrades, or the current host is sold to a company who drops the ball. As I mentioned this takes a bit of work or requires paying a new host to do it.

Having a built in function to migrate from HSphere to HSphere would be a extremely useful. Even if I am not moving hosts, it would allow me to purchase a second hosting plan, at another HSphere host, as a backup solution, which would provide some redundancy on the reseller end. Then if things go to pot at one host, I at least have some recourse other than trying to pick up the pieces from scratch at a new host.

I am still a DIY reseller.

I also received the information about the new sale, but i am not "happy enough" since DIY was first sold by Simon, not feel conected to DIY support since then, till now, and now with the last events, I won't trust DIY anymore even for free... owned by Simon, Trip or whoever.

I been migrating to JodoHost and been a customer of them for years now, they very good and also have improved the support and giving me, almost all the time, a rapid and very serious and professional response and in any aspect.