So I saw this email message arrive in my mailbox.  It advertised 500mb of web hosting for only $120 a year… $10 a month in Canadian funds with a Canadian vendor. 

In my first message, I sent a clip from their ad, and asked about hosting. Little did I know I’d end up unhappy 8 days later.

>Get best web hosting for $120 CAD / year>500 MB space

I am interested in this deal. What do I do next?

A day goes by without a reply.. I understand maybe they’re busy.  After all, it was a SPAM message sent out presumably to thousands of people.  The next day I re-send a more detailed query.

Oh Oh… A second request via email. That could mean trouble.
I want a web hosting account.  I want to sign up without calling you on the phone.
Hello?

At 18/02/2003, they replied:

Hello Jeff:
Thank you for your interest.
We can certainly set up an account for you.
What we need from you is followed.
1.We need domain management info via email if you already have one, so we can point your domain to new host. Domain name, the company web site name from which you bought domain from, user name and password
2. Make a check of $120 CAD payable to Ottawa Web Experts. We will open account for you as soon as we receive it.
Thank you for your business.
Helen (613)726-8746 Ottawa Web Experts

Yeah!  A reply.  I guess my first message was skipped by accident.  Maybe I used the word penis or mortgage in there somewhere and it got deleted as SPAM (heheheh)
Anyway, I can PAYPAL you the $120 if you like.
As for the domain, can you give me a temp sub-domain for now, like frogstar.ottawawebexperts.com ?  I’ll arrange for a real domain later, but it isn’t terribly important to me right now.  At least this way, I’ll kind of be promoting your name in mine.
If not, I’ll give you the full domain details in another message.

Yeah!  A reply.  I guess my first message was skipped by accident.  Maybe I used the word penis or mortgage in there somewhere and it got deleted as SPAM (heheheh)
Anyway, I can PAYPAL you the $120 if you like.
As for the domain, can you give me a temp sub-domain for now, like frogstar.ottawawebexperts.com ?  I’ll arrange for a real domain later, but it isn’t terribly important to me right now.  At least this way, I’ll kind of be promoting your name in mine.
If not, I’ll give you the full domain details in another message.

Hi Jeff:
We do not manage sub-domains. There are many companies who offer that even for free with displaying banner ad on the site. I am not sure if you would like those. Just a suggestion!
You are welcome to send domain info to us anytime if you prefer features provided with our hosting. We accept payment via Paypal.
Thank you for your inquiry.

Helen
(613)726-8746

You can probably handle my domain needs for me then, and bill me this too?
If so, please register “itsyourfault.ca” to me.
I am;
Jeff Goebel

22 Olive Road Suite 2302 Toronto, Ontario Canada M2N 7G6

contact@frogstar.biz

416 580-3549

Tell me how much for a year, plus the domain and I’ll paypal you right away.

Hi Jeff I got chance to visit your website and saw your smiling face. It is a very nice website and I like it.

I didn?t know we are in the same business. So it is silly to send you the ad. I like your joke, Itsyourfault.ca ?  How about  Jeffisjoking.com? Best regards,

Helen

Darn it.  I was hoping to always remember to not send my signature.
I would like to register a domain itsyourfault.ca and setup a $120 a year webspace
I have given you no indication that this is a joke to me, although we’re onto the fourth day of our discussions and I am almost ready to believe new customers are a joke to you.
Ok, that was uncalled for and I am sorry.
Please tell me what is involved.  I wish to create an account and pay for it.  I was really hoping it wouldn’t have been this difficult.

Hi Jeff:
Perhaps I misunderstood you. We haven’t had any customer who is in web/internet business.

So I have a question for you. Could you tell me why you need to get service from us, while you offer domain reg./ hosting service yourself?

Thank you,
Helen

Wow.  I can’t believe how hard it is to get a web site registered on your server.  Shocking.
Should I look elsewhere, or can I please register a domain and start hosting?  Why is it so hard to understand I want a web site that isn’t on my own server.

I tried starting fresh, and sending a formal email request.

Hello.
I would like to open a web account on your server.  If you could give me a price to register a domain, and pay for a year, I’ll PayPal you the money today, and start uploading my web site.
Please register:
fault.ca
Jeff Goebel 22 Olive Road Suite 2302 Toronto, Ontario Canada M2N 7G6

contact@frogstar.biz

416 580-3549

Let me know.  Thanks.

At 21/02/2003, the replied:

Hi Jeff:
Have you ever heard that Saudi Arabia bought oil from anyone else? That is why we were surprised.
We had frequently encountered inquires from web masters because they did not believe the hosting package. It all turned out that they were trying to find out why the deal was so good.
If you have the same motive, then we could consider giving you what you want. It is really important you let us know that, otherwise we could not figure out the reason..
Thank you,
Helen

Fine. I am sorry you seem to be doing so well that you turn down business.  I am glad for you.  Enjoy your life.  Sadly I was “testing” you for another client who was potentially going to be signing up 20 or 30 clients on your service.  Since it took 6 days for you to say “No thanks ” to me, I guess we’ll look elsewhere.
Wow.  Amazing business you must be doing.
I am sad, surprised and angry – all at once.
P.S.  The USA drills for oil in the USA, and also in other countries too.  That was just a silly reply.

Hi Jeff:

Domain reg.: http://www.lowcostdomains.ca Hosting: http://www.readyhosting.com
Good luck!
Helen