You have a great resource for finding a web host.

The 2 special offer topics and requests topic are outstanding.

But I waste too much time looking at a host web site to check the full details of their offer only to find no legal address or phone number of their business. Even, looking at their whois record sometimes will not list valid information.

When a host is caught posting in those 3 topics, ban them from those topics until they post a legal address and phone on their own web site.

just my 2 cents worth!

I dont know about other hosts but I know with us we will freely give you our address/telephone number.

Well, doing this type of off board work isn't really up my alley personally... have enough to do than keep track of hosts and their details they post on their own sites, etc. I'm sorry but I just don't see this one happening.

Chicken you work to hard:) On here more than me!

Chicken,

I would think the legit hosts would gladly report the offening companies. Just like they question all unlimited or other ridiculous plans being offered. It would be worth the viewers time to see if their competition is legit.

However, you would still have to change their account here to stop from posting.

Nonesense, this is the most stupid thing i've heard!

There are many successful companies out there who don't provide a toll free phone number, myacen for one..

Its just not included in some hosts business model...

Nonesense, and i mean this is the most stupid thing i've read on WHT. :angry: :angry:

Originally posted by markcw
...only to find no legal address or phone number of their business. Even, looking at their whois record sometimes will not list valid information ... ban them from those topics until they post a legal address and phone on their own web site.
I know what you are saying and personally, I wouldn't touch a host that doesn't have somethign in the whois and some form of information listed, however it just seems to be a bit above and beyond the scope of what we can check. For example, even if they did have it, they could remove it from the site the next day. They also may not offer phone support and thus may not list phone numbers.

I understand what you are saying, however it just isn't something that we'd implement. You are smart to check up on things like this if it concerns you though.

:agree: Chicken :agree:

+ there are many hosts that are outside of the us, so if they even post fake numbers and adresses you want be able to investigate it, or did wht became US-Only and i somehow overlooked it?

edude,

I said a telephone number, not a toll-free number.

Let me just say that anyone recommending a host should think twice about recommending any business without a phone number.

To be honest, I use a P.O. box because I travel a lot and I am a one man show, so no one is available, however, I get the job done and you can reach me anytime of the day or night via toll free.

Also, there are the odd psycho clients or potantial customers that I would like to protect myself from.

;)

It is true, people I see running hosting companies should all have registered company names in the country they trade in, a valid contact address and a valid telephone number.

It is also true that it would be very difficult for WHT or anyone to maintain, it seems like its something people will have to be fore warned about and check themselves each time they are about to choose a host.

I also find it useful phoning a host every month to ensure the line still actually exists, just incase they are getting ready to shut shop and run off with your money :)

I for one would never consider using a company without detailed information. I find one of my hosts currently (deru internet) provides everything, something I think everyone should do without a doubt.

I still disagree, its not in the business model of many hosts to offer a telephone number for support, maybe one in the whois..

But a phone number on the site will definetly be abused..

Also say the host is from Australia, he offers a toll free number - it can't be reached from the U.S anyway?

Clearly some people don't think that it's an issue at all whether a host (or any other company) lists a physical address and/or phone number on their website... while other people think it's very important. There's no reason for WHT to decide for visitors what features are most valuable in a potential host, or which must be offered in order for someone to host here.

If you think a host has to has a phone number available, it seems reasonable to assume that it would be your responsibility to take the time to check it out. Some else might think that a main-page link to a TOS page is important, someone else might think that a particular clause in those terms is essential, etc. We all decide what's important to us, and have to do some amount of investigation based on our priorities.

JayC :agree: :agree:

Spot on!!

Jay C

Your points are all valid and I see that everyone may have other ideas of what shoudl be listed.

How about a message at the top of the ad topics. IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL CONSUMERS: with similar text to your reasons that WHT does NOT endorse or validate any offers listed in the ad or request topics.

By the way I have looked at 40 host offers the past week and less than 20 percent list an address and or a phone number. It is "buyers beware" in webhosting.

Some of the rotating ads on WHT also do not have a valid phone and address. I'm not sure if thats wise for WHT which is owned by a legal company to accept advertising from questionable companies.

Purely nonesense, many companies don't offer phone support because of their business plan..

So what, if they prefer to do sales & support over e-mail its their choice...

No reason why they should be black listed when you haven't used their service..

I prefer to do sales and support via email, but if someone was to specifically request a telephone number, I wouldn't say no....

My host, Site 5 does not have phone support, which doesn't bother me because their email support is great. I would be hesitant to sign up with a host that doesn't give a phone #, but Site 5 has prooved that they can provide great support via email.

I don't like talking on the phone much, so of course, a host not providing telephone support doesn't bother me.

Even if a host didn't provide their mailing address and phone number, there would be other ways for a potential customer to look into their validity.