Beware of Host Smart

[cre8giving]

Hi Everyone,
I joined this forum about 6 weeks ago and followed a referral to Host Smart.

I now realize that the "ad" was placed, and I jumped in thinking I was all sorted staying within Australia for a hosting plan.

While I'm sure that the 'deal' will be good value in the future, I am here to warn others that at the moment, stay away!

I waited for over one month for design templates to be provided, and whilst the 5 domain names that I registered were very cheap, I am now paying by not being able to forward them to up and running sites and affiliate masking.

My biggest problem is that I am unable to call their office to get assistance. They offer a 24/7 online help - but it is only good if you already have a website up and running. NO PHONE NUMBER PROVIDED!!!!

It has been a very frustrating 4-5 weeks.

I've done my money (not that this is a problem) but what is annoying is the fact that i cannot forward my really cool registered domain names.

If anyone has any suggestions, I'd really appreciate it.

Cheers
Jodie

[HarveyJ]

Damn, that sucks Jodie.

The only thing I can think of is to pay a couple of bucks per domain for a transfer free, and move them domains to a host that's more reliable.
It may seem like good money after bad, but if the new host is better at support I'd consider it money well spent.

[Robdeb01]

Well Jodie, you are not the only one to get stung by Host Smart.
I even went through the process of contacting them to make sure that the format that I created my web page in was supported by Host Smart. After I joined I had difficulties uploading the web page. When I asked for support all they would say was to use there web page building program. That was the last time I was able to contact them. I have sent requests for help via ALL of their contact email addresses but get no response. The 24/7 help line can only tell me to email the company. This site sure does look like a scam site to me. Cheap hosting, expensive rip off. Very disappointing for us all. I would recommend to anyone considering using Host Smart, don't: the problems you will face are not worth the savings.

[Tim]

Can i just say the best company I have found for hosting is www.swishconnect.com.au. Responsive, helpful and have some great packages available.

And no I don't work for them - I just find them good for my needs..

[El Craigo]

Amazing, if some companies spent as much time and energy in creating quality services as they do trying to think up scam opportunities .......

[cathy]

Hi

I'm also a hostsmart affiliate and have a website with them ($1 a month). I did have an initial setup problem, but when I sent them email they always responded fairly quickly, within a day. Often the administrator contacted me.

My site is up and running now - websitesetup.info , but i have only used the rvbuilder for this, can't comment on using the ftp etc yet as I have been exploring many of the other services they provide.

I don't now if this helps but I have been emailing admin@hostsmart.com.au and have always had a pretty good response.

It's good to see comments on affiliate companies service!

[Robyn]

Jodie,

We have had a couple of customers transfer to us from Host Smart and we've had some difficulty to say the least.

However, you should be able to regain control of your domain names by doing a whois search and then contacting the registrar that Host Smart used to register your domain names directly.

The registrar we contacted that H.S used was domaincentral.com.au, they were very helpful; provided us with login and password to manage the domain.

All you need to do from there is change the DNS details (domains nameservers) to point your domain to your new host's DNS.

We have very affordable hosting plans as well as domain registration and transfers at http://www.synchronicityhosting.com/

Hope this helps,
Robyn

[WPS]

Hi all, I am a new member and signed up to help those who are having issues with Hostsmart. I also got alot out of this forum as well. (Bonus)

I did alot of research into Hostsmart as I too am a victim of Hostsmart.

If you are having problems with response from Hostsmart then source another service provider.

Hostsmart uses everyone's internet as the registrar for .info, .com, which has been taken over by "The Planet" www.theplanet.com . They use Domain Central for their .com.au

I got in contact with "The Planet" via online chat to request for the EPP Code (which all servicer proivders requires for transfers) for all of my domains, so I can tranfer them to another service provider.

This is probably the best way to get out of Hostsmart.

Hope this helps those who have hit a wall like I have.