Fraudulent company! Took my money, (cost me over $100.00 cdn.), and gave me a link to their website and absolutely no web service or hosting whatsoever in return! & stay far away from web.com, (http://www.web.com/), products to avoid other potential scams from this company!
I purchased Web Site Builder and Hosting Suite by WEB.com, (http://www.web.com/), in a brand new box with a full security seal at a well known "Best Buy" retail outlet, (I paid over $100 dollars including taxes for the contents inside this box.), because, according to the advertising on the box, it provides 12 months of web hosting and appeared to be a convenient way for me to build a web site.
After taking the contents out of the box, (contained a CD, a small pamphlet with an online activation code), I realized that this was just another online service marketed in a fancy big box.
I loaded up the CD and watched the short tutorial. I then decided to click on the "Activate Now!" button. This quickly brought me to a web page where I could enter my 32 digit registration number.
On the Registration Page they thank you for purchasing Site Builder, etc. You are then directed to follow 5 steps.
STEP 1. They want you to enter your code in the field at the bottom of the page...
I enter my 32 digit license key;
STEP 2. Choose domain name...
The following page prompts me to Specify a web domain where there are two choices available to me. I choose "Register a new web address" and then proceed to enter a web address name that I desire to use as my web address.
This brings me to yet another page. At the top I receive a message showing that the web address I have chosen is confirmed.
Underneath this same page under a heading titled "Technical Support" I have many choices to make now;
STEP 3. Choose add-on products and services...
I can choose "No Technical Support" or "Per Incident Technical Support at $15.00 per incident" or Technical Support Unlimited for $75.00 per year"
I opt for "No Technical Support".
Under the heading called "Extras" the default check box is for "1 year registration included" although I do not consider this an "Extra" since I just paid over $100.00 for this "Site Builder-powered by web com" product.
They offer several other "Extras" with some default values already checked. Again, the defaults should NOT be classed under "Extras", as this service was properly paid for by me when I purchased this entire product at Best Buy.
I leave all the default values checked and press "Continue"...
Take note. The following "credit card information requirement" was not advertised on the box! This is where the biggest deception occurs;
STEP 4."Enter Your Credit Card and Billing Information. (A required field for activation of product!)
In addition to this, and, despite the fact you already spent the money to buy this product;
You are required to give this entity the following personal information;
Complete billing information and your full address, then, create a password, Enter complete Credit Card information, (BTW - this entity says the following about your credit card information; ("Your credit card will not be charged until the expiration of your free term of hosting or unless you purchase additional features or services. See the Terms of Service for more information.")
Not going to happen!
Why should I provide my banking information to an entity which does not advertise specific personal information requirements on the outside of the box for me to read and make a decision?! This product and the 12 month use of it was already paid for in full! - (over $100.00 at Best Buy) Furthermore, WHY WOULD I BE SO DAFT AS TO TRUST SUCH A DECEITFUL ENTITY WITH BOTH MY PERSONAL, AND BANKING INFORMATION!)
On the bottom of this page I readily decline to give my Credit Card information and click the Submit Order button...
Guess what... The page would not advance and activate my purchased software product! It actually requires that this information be given!
Ok, I thought to try to contact customer support so I can get my 12 months web hosting and everything else that I have already paid for and use it until it expires. Ahhh, but wait! That will cost me MORE money! THEIR CUSTOMER SUPPORT CHARGES YOU MONEY TO CALL THEM!
As a last resort I tried emailing the WEB.com website, (http://www.web.com/),
three times. A copy of my third email to them is shown below;
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Dear sir or madam,
I purchased a web site builder powered by webcom.
I paid over $100.00 Canadian for the "Site Builder-Powered By - web com" product at a
Major retailer called Best Buy located in Canada and I have the documentation to substantiate this purchase.
I tried to register my purchased product on your web site but your web site insists on taking a credit card entry which I WILL NOT provide. I have already paid for this service and would like to activate my web builder product. Your web site will not register my purchased product even when I provide the license number provided to me with my installer package.
I would like to activate my purchase and use it until it expires. The Site Builder customer support charges $15 per phone call therefore this is not an option which I am prepared to take to activate the product that I purchased.
If you are indeed the entity which powers Site Builder, I would like to start using it as I have paid good money for its use.
Thanks for your anticipated cooperation in this matter.
Yours very truly,
Signed: &
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Web.com, (http://www.web.com/), did not, nor has to this date of writing, resolved this issue with me in any way so as to provide me the services for which i have already paid. I have thus received absolutely nothing from them.
I am going to pursue this fraudulent company and will inform retailers of this terrible scam. I have my receipt for this Web.com product and a full record of the transaction on file.
I shall never purchase any other products from web.com,
(http://www.web.com/), or any other business or entity which currently has, or has had in the past, any association with this fraudulent company.
Concerned Consumer
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
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