Is this the way to do business?

[BoneHeadicus]

I had an account at CIHOST (I know I feel stupid). They messed up the billing and charged me for a whole year up front instead of the quarterly like I had said.

Since I can't access the site no less than 5 TIMES A DAY because of whatever reason or difficulty they experience EVERY DAY, I decided to move the domain and cancel the account.

Guess what? They won't pro-rate the difference. Seems they have a 30 day money back guarantee. After that....you don't have any recourse.

Something stinks here. I am wondering if there is anyone who may have some advice in a situation like this. I haven't ever seen a situation where pre paid services are not pro-rated upon cancellation....never even crossed my mind.

[DaveAtIFG]

If you paid by credit card, threaten to complain to the CC company, then do it if necessary. Make the threat first, chargebacks and the potential for merchant account cancellation usually gets a merchant's attention. It's costly...

[drbill]

BoneHeadicus,

My suggestion would be as Dave said to cancel and Charge back the funds. Don't even threaten them as they probley deal with that all day and will string you along until you can no longer charge back on the CC. Understand that the CC company will only chargeback with in 6 months...

OR cancel and be on good terms and ask for a refund. Sometimes you get more with sugar than vinager.

"May all your clicks be sales"

[rcjordan]

BH, I've had to deal with several errant merchants over the past 2 years. Send a certified letter to the the card company contesting the charge. If at all possible, include any and all documentation (from their website, maybe?) that led you to believe it was quarterly or would be prorated. So far, I've nuked every inflated charge and one merchant didn't even bother to resubmit the corrected bill (I really nailed them in a bait-and-switch scheme.).

[CyberSpaced]

You don't even have to send the CC company a letter... Call them, and ask to talk to a chargeback manager... They'll send you a packet that explains exactly how to do it and take all your information down in order to start the process...

Just make sure you have your ducks in a row before you start... If the hosting company has anything that contests what you say, the CC company will get real pissed off...