Even if your life depended on it, I hope you are smart enough that you would still not resort to using 1&1 Internet - partly because their service is of insanely poor quality, also because they have no consumer relations department, and lastly because their tech support team doesn’t even know how their own service works.
You might recall how, several months ago, some of my sites went down for quite some time when I changed their domains. This was due to 1&1 Internet failing miserably at providing their services. Not only were there several problems in the process, but it also conveniently takes 1&1 an eternity and a half to change DNS addresses, sometimes taking almost a week before my domains were finally functional again.
I also had tons of problems trying to get my email functioning with a third-party service. While trying to figure out how to set this up, I ended up calling 1&1 tech support. Of course, they had no idea what they were talking about when they attempted to advise me on what to do. It was obvious to me that the service representatives I spoke with had little understanding of how domains and DNS work.
Lastly, I received an invoice from 1&1 via email a few days ago. I observed that I was being charged for renewal of a domain which I had cancelled several months ago. Not to mention, when I tried to do this, I had to hunt for quite some time to locate the cancellation site. So, like any other upset customer, I called to speak with the billing department. And, like any other upset customer would, I became angry when the representative refused to help me and attempted to blame me for the situation.
She claimed that I did not click a confirmation link sent to me in an email after I cancelled the domain. Furthermore, she refused to help me over the phone and said that I had to go back to the well-hidden cancellation site and repeat the process I had already done several months ago.
I called because I wanted two things. I wanted the domain cancelled, and the amount I was being charged for this domain refunded. Since neither were accomplished, I called back, this time looking for a consumer relations specialist. I discovered instead that 1&1 does not have a consumer relations department.
So, based on all this, I would never go with 1&1 Internet for any more services again, and hope you would not either. If you’re considering using 1&1, stop and rethink…it could be the worst decision you could make.
Comments
I was stupid enough to get my family name with the .fr from 1&1. Later found out that my pages were numbered, 1 to 100000000000000 if I wanted, but no names in france, just numbers. simple for them but tell someone to go to my site and hit page 345654323456.html and they will assume you have an odd sense of humor, or are just an idiot
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1 & 1 Internet is a horrible company, but some recourse is possible! Not only am I a very disgruntled customer after they lied to me repeatedly after reselling a name I had registered and paid for with them, but I am an investigative journalist. In the last 8 months, I have written more than 30 articles, interviewed more than 200 people who have been blatantly wronged by 1 & 1 Internet, talked to several consumer groups and interested attorneys, and worked with over 60 radio and TV stations on this story. Everyone has been very interested, and the investigation continues. If you have had an issue with the company, you can do the following make a difference, and get your justice:
1.) File a complaint with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office at http://www.pa.gov, or call the investigator Madelaine Dakour directly at (215) 560-6790. They have already received a large number of complaints, and have escalated the investigation, so make sure and contact them.
2.) File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau where they already have a completely Unsatisfactory rating by going to http://www.bbb.org
3.) File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at http://www.ftc.gov
4.) File a complaint with your state consumer advocacy group through the Attorney General’s office or Secretary of State’s office. Indiana’s is http://www.indianaconsumer.com
5.) Explore your state’s legislative code and find out where they stand on mandatory arbitration clauses. The Federal Arbitration Act has been shot down by state courts if they find the 1 & 1 contract to be “unconscionable” and without “mutuality” as they offer nothing for the consumer. More and more courts are ruling in favor of consumers, especially with terms and conditions that allow for illegal activity. Breach of contract, fair trade laws, fraud, and consumer laws are the tip of the legal iceberg for 1 & 1.
6.) I’m working with station affiliates of each of the major TV networks, and you can help by contacting your local station through the main sites at http://www.cbs.com, http://www.nbc.com, http://www.abc.com, and http://www.foxnews.com. Contact the investigative reporter, or simply send a news tip to the newsroom and they will follow up. Chances are, they are already aware of the major problems with the company.
7.) Keep meticulous records!
My lawsuit is pending, and I’ve been inundated with law firms wanting to take on the abysmal business practices, or lack thereof, with 1 & 1. The blatant disregard for the consumers has gotten the attention of the legal community, media, and consumers all across the country and by banding together, we can get some justice. You do not have to succumb to their tactics!
Best wishes,
Kelli J. Jack
President
Lines, Inc. Media
8425 Woodfield Crossing Blvd.
Suite #100
Indianapolis, IN 46240
(317) 469-7529
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