Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Dedicated Server : review: LiquidWeb dedicated

[BlazeBox]

[ot]too long time lurker, but everything ends, so here i am posting, not lurking hope this is the right forum, but i'm pretty sure it is[/ot]

Because of some problems with our last host (let's call that, very mysteriously host X, since the case is still rolling) we needed a new home to stick our sites on. I had seen various samples of the VDI Cpanel and WHM and was rather smashed, so a VDI host was gonna be my best bet. After a bit of lurking and researching, I found LiquidWeb, and their Dedicated Server I plan rather good. Did some newsgroup and WHT searches on them, nothing bad showed up.

I talked to "Ross" over ICQ a bit, he convinced me LW would be my best bet. So I went ahead, filled in the form, with my valuable CC stuff of course and it wouldn't submit. It might because I am on a MAC, but the damn form wouldn't go through. If you ask me, a *really* bad first impression (I tried on 3 different connections, and could submit forms to other secured servers). That was January fifth. I informed LW about the situation and was told to email the form entries to them. Sure, I did that, but I ain't gonna mail my CC details, so I faxed them over. The first fax did not arrive (while I got a confirmation, and I believe you don't get a "succeed" confirmation when a fax does not succeed), I was not pleased. Any moron could have gotten my CC when that fax went into wrong hands. Oh well, I re-send the fax that monday (the earliest I heard it didn't come through) and they received it. Thank god.

I was told they'd set up my server within 3 to 4 days. Acceptable. I signed up Friday, so I was pretty convinced server would be there Tuesday ... Wednesday latest. End of the week still nothing was there. When I asked for an explanation I was told there were problems with the shipping of the server from the hardware vendor to them. Suprised me - as a host I'd be sure to have enough hardware in stock myself to cope with any occassion. I talked saturday, a server that only had been used a few days came free, would be set up same day. Well, I woke up Sunday, nothing new.

Yesterday I was told servers were in, and I'd be set up today. Their last chance for me, if it's not setup before I go to sleep, I'm blocking my payment. This is not the way you treat new customers right? Or is it? Let me hear your opinions on this story!

(oh, and they didn't even have free Ginsu knives! They had a free food processor though, but that doesn't count, Ginsu knives rule the waves )

Thanks,
Mike

[kunal]

hmm.. that is interesting.. I wonder what all the confusion was about. I have spoken to Ross a few times too. Seemed a little sketchy about everything, but there pricing was, umm, *tempting*?

I havent signed with them as yet. Maybe there problem was geniune. But the first impression is the last one. It maybe VDI to. Cause, ultimately, its VDI who has to setup the server. So I think you should ask Ross as to what is happening, and if no concrete answere is given, block the payment.

[cbaker17]

I looked a their pricing and wasnt very impressed at all.

250.00/month and it only comes with 20gigs of traffic and each additional gig is 5.00...

Am i missing something???

By the way Im a competitor yes, but Im not being biased, I give props where their deserved, IE 4webspace I am very impressed with.

[kunal]

Bleep.. I just checked there pages out again. The initially had no setup fee. Now they do.

[BlazeBox]

Pretty funny - they set that up just days after i signed with them

[BlazeBox]

Okay this is only getting worse

I was in touch with Ross again yesterday and he said me, let me quote:
Me -> "Ross, when will the server be up?"
Ross -> "%90 chance today, 110% chance by tommorow morning."

Well guys, ain't that the truth ... the "tomorrow morning" has passed by several hours already without any sign of Ross (curiously enough, he has always been on at this time of the day except today) nor a server, I am once again being confronted with bad service on the web, it's all around ... sigh ... look's like I'll be needing a new new host - anyone any tips or quotes for me (if I can ask .. )

I am so pissed really - lol -

[webfors]

There's nothing I hate more than being told something will be done at a certain date/time and it not being done. I would rather someone tell me "it will take 3 weeks to get your server up". That's way better than stringing someone along for 2 weeks.

[BlazeBox]

"I found out why it is taking so long, they have installed the wrong NIC cards in the machines, they ordered them express shipping a couple days ago. Just waiting on them. They are supposed to be in today." <- LiquidWeb

Now, is this another lame excuse, or is this a terribly lame excuse ... sigh, why can't companies just provide a good service and *meet* promises. I got a 15 day discount, but argh, just get the box up, that's the only thing i want ... how long can they drag this!

[cbaker17]

If they did order them withthe wrong NIC cards why not just go down to the local store and pick up some 3com's, thats one of the lamest excuses ive ever heard...

[Ross@liquidweb.com]

Hello everyone. Here is the situation, just to clear a few things up. Our hardware provider did not provide the correct NIC cards to the servers. We have since switched hardware providers to linuxlab. We are currently working on getting all our servers up. The servers were ordered when the orderd were placed for accounts at liquid web. So both the customers and ourselves are wiating on hardware, we are not simply sitting on our hands just so you know. The NIC cards will be in tommorow and the servers will be setup. This was just to clear up the situation. If any one has any questions feel free to email me ross@liquidweb.com.

[SI-Chris]

Out of curiosity, what kind of NIC cards did they provide? What was wrong with them?

[Tae-Hwan]

i tried using liquid web a long time ago.. a couple years ago maybe, for a virtual site account. the experience was very bad, to say the least. i received no service whatsoever over the course of 3 months, even after constantly emailing them. it was a hassle to file a chargeback against them.

i wouldn't ever go with an amateur company like liquid web.. BlazeBox, i suggest you leave them immedietely.

[noTek]

My experience has been just the opposite. I have been happy with them since day 1. I've only needed the technical support twice ( in ~2 months ), but recieved prompt replies ( within 24hrs, usually within 6 ) both times. The 3-4 times my site has been down, it was very late at night, and was only down for 5-10 minutes. Out of the 7 hosts I've been with ( Addr, OneStop.net, Tera-Byte, LiquidWeb, Your-Site.com, etc. ), LiquidWeb is by far the best. Just thought I'd throw my $.02 in since they're getting hammered here.

noTek

BTW, this is for a virtual account, not a dedicated server.

[bdraco]

Sounds to me like they are handling the situation quite well if they are giving you 15 days free.