That is the price I can get if I sign a two year contract with my existing host. I am currently paying $600 per mbit/sec. This is a fully managed dedicated server by the way, hosting about 230 of our own domains, and soon other domains. It has multiple high-speed connections to UUNET, Sprint, and Level3. Solid as a rock. I've been with them since '97, but still I hate to lock myself in long term.

What do you think the prices are going to be in another year or two? In your opinion, do you think it is worth the chance signing a two year contract for the savings today and possibly the future?

thanks

have them add a clause saying if they lower prices below what you sign for, that they have to give you the lower prices also, or a choice to walk. they want your business obviously, and may do it.

but in regards to bandwidth pricing, you never know.. 300 may be where you really want to be in in 2 years though.

Hey Rockerhard,
Sounds like a tricky situation, but hey, if you've been with them since '97, maybe they will compromise.
You never know whats going to happen in the next couple of years, so before signing a contract, try and barter with them.
Surely by now they understand you're a loyal customer, and the service sounds sweet, but why do they need to tie you down to a contract in order to give you a discount, they must realise you're sticking with them, so I suggest asking for the deal without the contract, and see what they say. If they refuse, tell them you adore their service and you've been with them for many years, hopefully it will persuade them.
If they still refuse, tell them you know another provider who can provide the same stable service for the same price but without the contract.
If they still dont budge, its your call, but I wouldn't sign a 2 year contract, even if I have had 5 years of solid service.
I hope this helps
take it easy
- Ross

Thanks guys. Great advice. Yea, like I said, I hate the thought of my hands being tied two years down the road. I'll email him and do as you suggested. There is just too much competition out here to be losing customers over something like this, especially long time customers.

$400 per mbit is quite a bit, how much bw are you using each month?

I am not using much bandwidth. The last 3 month average is about 108 gb per month.

thats only about 294 kb/s

for that amount of bandwidth per month, i dont see why they cant give you a better deal. Even when i first started out at HE, i wasnt paying as much as you are now

Thanks Alaskan, and true.

When were you on HE? They were my very first webhost back in late '96 or early '97 and I remember our first bill being around $900 for 30 gb over the limit or something like that :) I forget the exact cost per gb, but whatever it was, it was very high. For some reason I am thinking around $30 per gig.

Also, right now I only pay the bandwidth that I use. Last month for example, I used a total of 0.46 mbits/sec, and got charged $276. Now, this was just for the bandwidth. That didn't include the $100 manage server fee or the $50 port charge or the $75 daily backup fee.

Wow, looking at all that, yes, I would say a new negotiation is in order. Especially since I started researching for another dedicated server, and notice a lot of cheaper prices.

I'd try to get to $300 and take it. I'd bet they're paying in the $250 - 275 range if they own their own facility. $0.40/kbps is a good deal for a carrier class facility with good support, most of the kids on here think $50/meg is a rip off.

Brandon

bandwidthagents.com offered me 10mbs at $180 per meg, I believe they are tier 3 provder

$400/mbit seems a little high, but seems decent for those connections. Do you have an IP to trace?

- Matt

Actually because of the amount and rock solid network, I would say that's a pretty nice deal! 2 years does sound like a long time, 1 year would be good.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it :)