Webhosting Review: HostGator is Not All They Are Supposed to Be

Many web entrepreneurs push HostGator as THE web hosting company to use, but in my experience they are not all they are supposed to be.  Their customer service has gotten progressively worse, I have never ever received an affiliate payment (despite having at least two of my clients sign up) - and the worst part is that they've been charging me for an upgraded hosting plan I did not order - and never used.

Instead of charging me for the $7.96 a month "Baby" plan, they have been charging me $14.95 a month for their "Business" plan (which only costs $11.96 a month).  I've never used any of the features of the business plan, but they still insist on charging me for services I've never ordered and never used.  It should be noted that they've been charging an extra $3 a month on top of their current rates as well.

When I pointed this out to their 'customer service' via an online chat, I was told that I would have to fill out a form and pay something like $25 to downgrade.  After I filled out the form and sent it in, the representative wrote back and said that I already had the "Baby" plan and asked if there was any way she could help me.  I replied "Yes, please tell me why I've been getting billed for a "Business" plan for over a year, when I never ordered it or used the services".  Then I heard back from someone named 'Michael D' who just wanted to argue and be right - guess he never heard that the customer is always right ...

"Michael D." wanted me to prove that I did not order the business plan - but how in the heck is someone supposed to be able to do that?  That was 3 computers ago and emails were long deleted.  He already has proof that the services were not used - and HostGator themselves had already told me I didn't need to downgrade, because I already had their "Baby" plan.  All very confusing, but it is plain to see that "Michael D." is going to insist on being 'right' and keep all the money they stole from me.

Over the past year, I have recommended HostGator to many friends and clients, have advertised for them on many websites, but I can no longer recommend HostGator - it is obvious that they do not value their customers at all.  HostGator (especially 'Michael D' in the 'Customer Service Department) insists on ripping off their best customers - and that is not a good way to grow a webhosting company.