Featureprice.com, Hosting-Network Inc. ripoff web host Fort Myers, Florida

In July of 2002, I acquired a domain name (MagickMemories.com) and hosting from FeaturePrice.com (aka Hosting-Network, Inc.), paying $179.40. Things started off pretty good and by September of 2002, I purchased several other domains and hosting from them, including HawaiiCallsFlorida.org.

We finally noticed in late October, on a WHOIS search, that the registrar was incorrect, as well as all the admin, tech, and billing contact info. We started battling with FeaturePrice.com (FP) in early November over our incorrect domain name registration. However, even though that battle was going on and our sites and email were starting to go up and down a bit, we decided to initiate new domains/websites and migrate all our other domains/websites from Earthlink to FP and upgrade (like trusting big dopes) to the HSP server and system from our original PLESK server and system.

In order to do this, we were required to purchase multiple subscriptions, including a Platinum, a Budget, and several Mini accounts at the first of the year (January 2003) from FP that would accommodate our 10 domains/websites, paying another $1,137.00.

Then, out of the blue, in late January, FP decided to migrate us back to PLESK. They did this without notice and when question, they only blamed us for not being "technical enough" to handle HSP and driving them crazy with our support requests.

It was at that time, in mid-January, that ALL our sites and email went down pretty much 24/7.

I started to do research into FP on the internet and found out that there were thousands of people having trouble with FP like I was, including:

http://thewhir.com/marketwatch/fea050903.cfm

http://www.yourhostsucks.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?forumid=48&s=

http://www.feature-price.info

http://www.feature-price.info/horror.html

http://featureprice-review.com/class_action_form.html

http://www.featureprice-review.com/postnuke/

We paid for all domains and hosting in advance for anywhere from 1-3 years ownership/service, including 24/7 technical support. We were getting NO support and NO solutions from FP to our registration problem. We were getting NO support and NO solutions to our domains/websites/email being down all the time. We were getting NO support from DotRegistrar.com, who registered the domain names for FP. We were getting charged $25.00 per support ticket that was never resolved - paying an additional $250.00 for NOTHING.

Out of both frustration and desperation, finding the sites listed above and others like it, helped us to realize - WE HAD BEEN SCAMMED. So, as of April 2003, we had only been able to get 4 of our 6 incorrectly registered domains fixed and were left with 2 being held hostage and NO technical support or satisfaction. We quickly began seeking other hosting and in May of 2003, we moved everything except the 2 hostaged domains/websites.

Needless to say, things were pretty depressing.

Finally, it was during these last 2 weeks that we broke free 1 of last hostaged domains and now, as of May 13th, we finally have the last. That means we now have control over all 12 domains/websites (we added 2) safe and secure (hopefully) at Network Solutions (for domain name management) and HostGator.com (for hosting under a reseller account).

Sound like things are getting better???

WRONG!

Although HostGator.com is great, even with all our domains now hosted with them, and even with all our DNS addresses configured to their servers - FP CONTINUES TO HOLD OUR DNS/DOMAINS HOSTAGE! That means that they still do not propagate fully when you search for the domain or use the URL for the domain names because FP continues to list them.

They refuse to release them. We can not cancel our accounts. In fact, they have no phones or support contact means that work any longer!

FP and DotRegistrar.com (DR) has destroyed in 8 short months our online businesses that took my family and clients 3 long years to build up prior to joining them. We have been totally ripped off, paid in full for services never delivered, and literally held hostage by this company.

We have reported FP and DR to the Florida and US Attorney General's offices, the FBI, ICANN, and several other agencies. They ARE being investigated and rumor has it that Travis Johnson has been arrested by the FBI.
But, what about us consumers?

Our losses are substantial and have jeopardized our business and personal security. We have lost revenue, clients, and credibility for our business. Not to mention TIME.

What's that mean? So, what are my losses? Well, let's see... ummmm late October/early November until now? In addition to the original $1566.40 paid for services/hosting NOT DELIVERED AS PROMISED? And, with hassling tech support at FP and trying to get our domain names straightened out between them and DR, and that'd be 7 months. I'd give a conservative 15 hours per week wasted on dealing with FP and then DR BS during that timeframe. Ok, that's about 28 weeks at 15 hours on average per week at $125.00 per hour (and that'd be my lowest rate for any work I do), which equates to about $53K of my time wasted away. Add to that our revenue losses from our sites being down since January at about $7.5K per month and that's another $34K.

Now, add to all that the emotional stress of the financial strain and our lost credibility with our customers, and we are talking some major bucks here in serious damages.

Can we recoup? Who knows... but I'm at least hoping national media coverage can expose this company for what they are... A SCAM.

FP had a reported 64K customers from around the world. Can you imagine the losses by all of us combined?

Something MUST be done to bring FP/DR to justice for everyone hurt by them.

Please help us go after FeaturePrice.com aka Hosting-Network, Inc. (located in Ft. Myers, Owners Travis Johnson/Fathi Said) and DotRegistrar.com aka iHoldings, Inc. (located in Miami, Owners Martin Cenci).

Thank you in advance for taking action regarding this SCAM. Feel free to contact me directly to assist in any way or answer any questions you may have.

Keiki
Palm Beach, Florida
U.S.A.