Call from UKFast

[dingbat]

Got a call today from UKFast, a hosting company.

The guy claimed he'd met me at ecommerce expo...hmmmm. Anyway, he then goes on to say that he can't get onto my website because 'it keeps timing out'.

How stupid does he think I am?

(no obvious replies please:))

[ozbon]

UK Fast are currently heavily plugging the entire "you need a fast server and a rapid site response" thing.

As a host they're OK (if expensive) but they do have a tendency to try and do marketing stuff like this.

[KidsBeeHappy]

Ah, way it Ali? He'll be your new best mate now, phone you at least once a week, and if you don't answer he'll just keep calling you, just for a chat :)

[dingbat]

Ah, way it Ali? He'll be your new best mate now, phone you at least once a week, and if you don't answer he'll just keep calling you, just for a chat :)

Wasn't Ali but can't remember what it was. He started off with general chit chat about the exhibition and if I thought it was useful. I first thought they may have organised it, otherwise why is he asking.They've obviously all been given the same script.

If he wants to chat he can call the Samaritans. It can be lonely working for yourself...but not that lonely.

[That Guy]

That would just annoy me. Couldn't be doing with random phone calls for chats.

Most people in business have enough things to keep them busy already.

[peaches]

I remember what UKFast were like before I signed upto them 4 years ago. I think they just have rather a passionate team over there, can be a bit keen. At least you know they're not complacent unlike Rackspace and Dedipower. Maybe we need to all look at ourselves and just accept that they are doing their job. Maybe your website was timing out - I can test it, let me know if you want, I doubt very much they would bullsh*t you on that, they're very professional.

Sales hey, who'd be in that game?!!

[SneakSMS]

called me a few times, apparently I did a server speed test with them? Asked them not to call back the second time, and they haven't

[dingbat]

I remember what UKFast were like before I signed upto them 4 years ago. I think they just have rather a passionate team over there, can be a bit keen. At least you know they're not complacent unlike Rackspace and Dedipower. Maybe we need to all look at ourselves and just accept that they are doing their job. Maybe your website was timing out - I can test it, let me know if you want, I doubt very much they would bullsh*t you on that, they're very professional.

Sales hey, who'd be in that game?!!

First post, peaches? ;) Now where did you come from.

Look, I'm not against anyone trying to make a living. But considering I've never had a problem accessing my website - ever. And a hosting company is calling me up. It doesn't take a genius to smell BS.

They may well offer a great service, I've dealt with many companies who have great products and service but their sales force will tell you anything to get a sale. Nothing new.

[TFGtv]

How stupid does he think I am?

(no obvious replies please:))

Sorry, can't resist VERY!

But guess who's a prime example of male bovine digestive waste product and who isn't? I wish he'd phone me.... I'm a bit bored and haven't ripped a single head off anyone for maybe two or theee days now....:mad::mad::mad:

I've a mate called Stu.... Equiphase his company's called. It works, it's cheap... If Stu p!$$es you off I'll personally pour beer on his head....

Beat THAT for a guarantee..... :D:D:D

[edmondscommerce]

For the record I really rate UKF as a hosting company. The support guys are top notch.

At the end of the day the sales team / telesales people aren't really the best people to judge a company by. You will only talk to them at the very start and once your with the company that's when you find out how good they are. I'm happy to say I think UKF are good and have a few dedis with them, all working nicely thanks.

[Dominic Taylor]

I would seriously question any company who will ring you up and claim that "your site is timing out" without any form of independent third-party evidence....

I also wonder about their claims of being the fastest. They're in Manchester. 90% of UK net traffic goes through E14. So, logic says, the closer to London you host the quicker your site will be. If you could even detect a few milliseconds which I doubt you could - unless you were in financial services, in which case you pay through the nose to host in the best location which is...E14.

Anyway better not bore everyone with facts; marketing speak is much more exciting isn't it :p

[WHUK]

It seems to be a new tactic used by UKFast to promote their services. :D

[bluestagstudio]

we were at the ecommerce expo they were on about, they had free champagne, girls in hotpants and a ferrari - so if nothing else they're good at marketing! The guy I spoke to wasn't pushy at all but then I suppose you don't need to be if they can just get you hammered instead.

i agree with the previous statements that it's only when you get past the sales stage that you discover if they're any good or not and I wouldn't not go with a company because they had pushy telesales guys if my own research concluded they would be good for me.

but to call you out of the blue, claim you were at a show you weren't and telling you your website times out is a bit below the belt, complete opposite of my first impressions of them, just shows how important first impressions are!

[Alicatt]

I was with UK Fast for a couple of years.

The sales pitch was very low key when I signed up. Last year at renewal I got a new account manager, v chatty, talked about lots of freebies (which never actually materialised) and renewed my contract at a discount. Unfortunately instead of renewing the old contract, he set up a new one and I got charged twice the next month! When I spoke to accounts I got the impression I wasn't the only one.....

One year on and I'm having the website revamped and the new site will be hosted via the developers. Ring the account manager to cancel (pointing out that I'm not unhappy, just changing circumstances) and he gives me a long lecture about speeds etc and is pretty off with me.

Although I had no problems with the tech side at all, I'd think twice about going back in the future.

[british steve]

we were at the ecommerce expo they were on about, they had free champagne, girls in hotpants and a ferrari - so if nothing else they're good at marketing! The guy I spoke to wasn't pushy at all but then I suppose you don't need to be if they can just get you hammered instead.

i agree with the previous statements that it's only when you get past the sales stage that you discover if they're any good or not and I wouldn't not go with a company because they had pushy telesales guys if my own research concluded they would be good for me.

but to call you out of the blue, claim you were at a show you weren't and telling you your website times out is a bit below the belt, complete opposite of my first impressions of them, just shows how important first impressions are!

If UKFast offer to chuck in a couple of the girls in hotpants and a Ferrari to sweeten the deal I may just be tempted enough to sign up with them for a server!!! FOR LIFE.

[bluestagstudio]

Yea I tried that, they said no because the girls were employees of the company. So I asked for a job instead :)

[dingbat]

I was at the ecommerce expo, I just didn't meet them, as he claimed. But I do remember going past their stand, now that you've described it.

Women in hot pants at a stand just smacks of desperation. We can't tempt you with our prices but we'll hook you with some scantily clad women wearing more make up than Aeroflot Air Hostesses. Presumably they were targetting Gareth Cheeseman. I thought all that went out with Big D peanuts.

[bluestagstudio]

Yea it's a matter of perception, I think the aim of it was to make people talk about it and remember it. It did feel like I was in a strip club though and not sure if sleeze is quite the look they were going for!

...not that I've ever been to any strip clubs.

[Dominic Taylor]

I don't have a Ferrari but we do have a hot girl on our homepage, is that ok :(

[bluestagstudio]

funnily enough they just called me, she asked me if i still wanted that job lol...