GoDaddy demanded $6,579 from Adam Fendelman after his disk usage skyrocketed to over 250 GB without warning, vastly exceeding his account’s 150 GB allowance. GoDaddy’s security department launched a “full-scale investigation” and quickly determined that Adam was responsible for both the data binge and the extraordinary bill. Adam refused to let the matter drop…
The massive data splurge was apparently caused by a bug in the widely-used open source website management software Drupal, which, like a cancerous tumor, was unstoppably copying thousands of temporary files into Adam’s account. GoDaddy agreed to slash Adam’s bill to $969, supposedly the maximum discount they could offer under special circumstances, but because of the bug, they explained, Adam was going to get a bill next month for another $6,579.
Adam considered canceling his account and eating his prepaid hosting fees. GoDaddy claimed that they wouldn’t send the matter to collections, but refused to put the guarantee in writing.
Adam started chronicling his issue on the Huffington Post, drawing the attention of GoDaddy’s President. He directed his executive team to wipe out the $969 charge, and promised to kill any additional obscene bills that might pop up.
While GoDaddy’s second resolution was the only action that made sense this week, will its billing system pour salt on the wound a month from now? What caused the influx of data in the first place? Was the refund a result of the Huffington Post blog or would it have come without it? Most important, will GoDaddy listen up, learn and install processes to prevent this situation and others like it in the future?
I’m on the fence whether I’ll be around to see GoDaddy through to my 2010 hosting renewal date. On Thursday, I said it wasn’t a pleasure to meet you, Bob, and I’m sure you can understand why. Now that it’s Friday, we’ve somewhat kissed and made up. Consumers deserve and demand more, Bob, and it’ll take you and your machine time to earn back my trust and your credibility.
In the meantime, I know one lesson for sure: If you’re in the right and you’ve been wronged, people hear you so long as you’re loud enough.
As a result of Adam’s experience, GoDaddy may now warn customers when their accounts are set to exceed their allowances, a basic precaution you’d think any responsible web host would have already implemented.
Adam’s story reaffirms one of our core strategies: when reasoning fails, get the attention of the executive office and watch your previously intransigent problem melt into a surprisingly satisfactory resolution.
[Every week, CC and John will bring you some of the wierdest, funniest, saddest things he hears on his college campus. Join the Overheard revolution! Leave your own overheard convos in the comments.]
“Is that your phone?”
“Yeah.”
“You have a pink phone?”
“Mmhm.”
“Is it, like, your girlfriend’s phone?””
“Nope.”
“Seriously?”
“Yup.”
Found in a dining hall, on a piece of paper shoved into a napkin dispenser:
“Students! Rise up! Class riot today, 3:00 in the courtyard. Refreshments will be served.”
Two in the morning - a pair of legs is poking out of a broken window. Two guys in striped hipster hoodies are standing nearby, craning their necks to look in.
“No, no,” say the legs. “This isn’t going to work. I’ll still be locked out, I’ll just be locked out inside.”
Ten or so sweaty people in t-shirts and tank tops are clustered around a cooler. One guy lifts the top off the cooler and dumps some colored powder in.
“What was that?” asks one, confused.
“Nothing,” says the dumper. “Just drink the Kool-aid.”
There’s a commotion outside, in the hallway. I poke my head out. A man is sprinting down the hallway with his sweater unzipped, a rhinestone necklace bouncing on his exposed chest hair, and his mouth wrapped tightly around a beer bottle. (more…)
Tina Fey reprised her role as the illustrious Republican VP candidate in last night’s SNL sketch that parodied Palin’s Katie Couric interview. We gotta say, this video is subtly hilarious…especially the parts about Russia and $700 million bailout…
Okay, well, they’re the hottest for now, since we all know how quickly things can change. If I had to make this list a couple of years ago, Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillipe (ohhh, RP, how I lust after you) would have been on for sure. And if I wrote this a few weeks ago, Drew Barrymore and the dude from the Apple commercials would definitely be in the top 5.
Let’s just hope none of these couples break up before the end of the day.
Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens
Say it with me, “Awwwww.” She’s pretty; he may be prettier. Will they last? Does it matter? Zanessa or Zacquesha and their seemingly sweet relationship are hot enough for the photogs to care what they’re doing now — even if you find Zac and his hetero meter a little…uh…questionable. (more…)
Did you watch the presidential debate last Friday night? We did (and we included some good friends, two bottles of wine, and double-stuff Oreos), and even though we tried very hard, a lot of what was said was hard to follow — especially since both McCain and Obama would not. stop. SMIRKING while their opponent was talking. Those “my opponent is ridiculous” smiles were plain ridiculous.
Practiced grins and political doublespeak notwithstanding, something that a lot of people were talking about this weekend was the issue of John McCain refusing to look at Barack during the entire debate. While Obama kept his gaze on the camera, on the moderator, and on John, McCain just couldn’t seem to bring himself to look Obama in the eye.
Some political analysts are saying McCain completely disrespected Obama, “dismissing” him multiple times as well as keeping his eyes anywhere but on the Senator’s face. What do you think? Did you watch the debate? (If not, catch it HERE) Did you notice this? How would you interpret McCain’s tactic?
School’s back in session, the temperature is dropping and those wistful days at the beach are behind us — yes, fall has returned. (Is it just me or does time seem to go faster each year? Sigh.) Unfortunately, that means the cold’ll be knockin’ at our doors soon, and hitting the books has become a necessity once again.
But it also means new trends - not only in fashion, but in beauty as well.
It’s time to throw out those bright nail colors of the summer and transition back into the darker hues of fall and winter.
Purple Reign
Purple is one of the most popular colors of the season when it comes to clothing, and the same can be said for nails. Instead of the bright purples and lavendars we saw for spring and summer, look for deep shades like plum, aubergine and violet. OPI has a new French-inspired collection and also recently teamed up with Sephora to create some beautiful shades, perfect for the Fall. I’m loving Louvre Me, Louvre Me Not (a gorgeous royal purple) and Don’t Go There (a lovely muted violet). I also love Rock Royalty by Creative Nail Design, it’s a beautiful deep purple shade. (more…)
Jim needed to replace the gold-tone filter on his $70 Hamilton Beach coffee maker, but the filter recommended by Hamilton Beach’s website clearly didn’t fit. When Jim called to complain, a customer service representative insisted that Jim’s coffee maker didn’t come with a gold-tone filter, and that if Jim thought otherwise, he was entirely out of luck and would need to buy a new machine.
Jim writes:
I’m writing to make you aware that Hamilton Beach is selling a product that you cannot purchase a replacement filter basket for, at all, in no way, shape, or form. It’s really too bad that we had to get this seventy dollar paperweight from Hamilton Beach before realizing how stupid we apparently are for wanting such an item. How foolish of us to think that we could actually get a replacement part for their coffee maker.
The model in question is the 47454, “Brewstation Deluxe” Coffee Maker from Hamilton Beach.
A few weeks ago after pulling the gold-tone filter for our Brewstation Deluxe from the dishwasher, I noticed that a hole had somehow been made in the metal fabric of which the filter is comprised. My wife ordered a replacement filter for the Brewstation Deluxe - the one that Hamilton Beach recommends as a replacement *on their website,* so we figured that all was in the clear. Once the replacement gold-tone filter arrived, it was immediately obvious that there was no way in Hell that this replacement was going to fit the coffeemaker. It’s too small on all sides by about 1/4″ to 3/8″ - and since the original filter basket had plastic tabs on the sides and back to make it sit flush in place, there’s no way that this replacement could possibly fit.
I called the number underneath the lid of my Brewstation Deluxe and spoke with a woman who spoke at first in a straightforward fashion, and became increasingly difficult as the point of the matter came to fruition. I asked her repeatedly if I could order a replacement filter for my Brewstation Deluxe, and her repeated answer was that the unit does not HAVE a gold-tone filter basket. I reassured her that, inside the box for my Brewstation Deluxe, was packed in plastic a gold tone filter basket that held the coffee for the coffeemaker. Again, she replied with the fact that there is no gold tone filter for the Brewmaster Deluxe.
The rest of the conversation went like this:
Me: “Ma’am, I just discarded of my damaged gold tone filter basket for my Brewstation Deluxe, model 47454.” HB: “Sir, there is no such gold tone filter for the Brewstation Deluxe.” Me: “I just threw mine away, which is why I am calling Hamilton Beach for a replacement.” HB: “Sir, that model does not have a gold tone filter basket.” Me: “Are you calling me a liar?” HB: “Sir, that model has no replacement filter basket.” Me: “The Hamilton beach website says that the filter that I purchased to replace my damaged one does not fit. Is the website wrong?” HB: “The website is wrong.” Me: “So, a customer needing a filter basket is ostensibly permanently out of luck?” HB: “Yes.” Me: “So, I now have a seventy dollar coffeemaker that has no replacement filter, and I have to buy another machine?” HB: “Yes, that is correct.”
Hmmph. Well, knowing what I know now about my big ol’ seventy dollar non-coffeemaking piece of shit from Hamilton Beach, I want to make sure that other Consumerist fans don’t purchase this product. What a waste. I can rig it so that it works, but that means destroying the fifteen dollar replacement filter to make it kind-of work. What a joke. Thanks for nothing, Hamilton Beach.
I hope this helps SOMEONE, because I’m pissed about this. I like my morning coffee! Now I have a replacement filter that HB SAYS works, but does not fit at all.
Does anyone know of a DIY solution that can shrink a gold-tone filter?
Sorry PotBelly Sandwich Works customers, you can’t order the Chicken Salad Sandwich unless you qualify for a mortgage. Ashley’s husband thought his usual lunchtime meal cost $4.23, but, as his wife discovered when trying to pay their credit card bill, the sandwich actually costs $858,432.06.
Ashley writes:
My husband works in downtown Minneapolis and has the annoying habit of putting small purchases on his credit card (under $5.00). He patronizes a chain here called PotBelly Sandwich Works, never spending more than $4.50 a pop. Last week I was paying our credit card bill online and noticed we had pending charges of $858,432.06. Yes—almost a million dollars. Needless to say, our credit limit is about $825,000 less than that. We called Chase and were told that the pending charges were indeed correct but that the charge had been rejected. When the rep told us the charge was made by PotBelly, I couldn’t help but laugh. There was a charge that same day from PotBelly for $4.23 because my husband had purchased a sandwich, but that was it. The fraud rep said that because the charge was rejected, not to worry about it, but that it wouldn’t disappear from our pending column unless PotBelly reversed the charge. There was no mention from the fraud department of canceling our cards and issuing us new ones. When my husband went to PotBelly the next day, they could give us no information. I can’t imagine them reversing an $858,000 charge anyway, especially without a receipt (given this was done after my husband had left the premises.) My husband works in IT for a large corporation and thinks this is nothing but a system glitch and doesn’t think it’s worth pursuing because the charge was rejected.
My question is: what is our next step and what should we be worried about? It sounds as if someone didn’t close out a ticket and just kept charging my husband’s card. However, there’s no way in hell this Potbelly does $858,000 in business in a day—or even a year, I imagine. Anyone who wanted to commit fraud wouldn’t, I presume, be so dumb as to charge nearly a million bucks on a personal credit card. The charge is bound to be rejected. I am also disturbed that we did not receive a call from Chase when this charge was put through, but that’s a minor quibble at this point. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Ashley is covered under the Fair Credit Billing Act, which protects against incorrect charges. The FTC has instructions for formally disputing the charge, but we wouldn’t fret. Chase rejected the charge, and even if they hadn’t, it wouldn’t be a tough charge to reverse. Sure, her husband may have eaten the sandwich, but PotBelly’s still hasn’t delivered the pool, tennis court, or the several cars that had to have been promised as side dishes.
Reader Mark is a California Tortilla fanatic. He slept outside the Ranson store so he could be their first customer, earning a year of free burritos. Mark kept patronizing California Tortilla even after he fractured his back in a car accident and started wearing a bulky back brace that limited his ability to move or bend. On one visit, Mark accidentally knocked over his tray. When nobody came to help, Mark asked the cashier for assistance and was startled when she replied, “So I guess you want me to clean it up?” She then managed to further embarrass Mark by loudly explaining to other customers, “Sorry I kinda have to clean up when someone makes a mess.”
Mark cc’d us on his email to California Tortilla headquarters:
I wanted to convey my recent dining experience at the Ranson California Tortilla.
I have been a long time customer and was extremely excited when the Ranson location opened in the summer of 2007. Heck I was so excited I slept outside the restaurant and managed to be the 1st customer in line on opening day garnering the fame and awe of my friends and co-workers and even random strangers I meet when I tell the tale of that fateful night, how awesome and spunky California Tortilla is and the fact that yes they may shake my hand since I have earned the prestigious honor of free burritos for a year!
Ever since that fateful day I have been religiously eating out at California Tortilla, admittedly spending way too much money (Damn you and your gimmicky marketing ploy!).
In early December of 2007 I was involved in a serious car accident fracturing my back and leaving my incapacitated for several weeks. When I finally regained the ability to move I was placed in a brace that runs from my lower back up to my neck. As you can imagine this not only made life not so fun it also limited my ability to do simple things like bend or move, isn’t it amazing how much these basic activities play a roll in your daily life? Needless to say I neglected my duty to eat at California Tortilla for almost two grueling months.
Despite the fact that I was still unable to fully function and had limited mobility I took the family to the Ranson California Tortilla and ordered 1 kids burrito, 1 chili taco bowl, 1 Caribbean Jerk burrito combo and 1 Kids MYO platter at 12:20pm (order #221). I received the food and began to prepare to eat having the usual joyous time picking out a new hot sauce and to get a drink. Upon attempting to sit down in my seat my body brace made contact with my food tray and spilled my entire meal ($19.57 after discount) onto the floor spilling the drink on the floor, throwing the chips and queso around and destroying the meals. After the customary cursing at myself for being so stupid and figured your normally awesome, attentive and friendly employees, several of whom were walking around the restaurant would come to help me out, none did. Several fellow customers offered napkins to help me clean up but obviously making such a mess required more than several napkins, not to mention the fact that I could not bend over to attempt to clean up. Seeing that no one was helping me I approached the take out cashier station and began to explain my predicament to the female behind the counter (white female, 18-22 years old, 5’3”), she yelled ‘what I can’t hear you’. I again told her that spilled my food and drink all over the floor, she rudely sighed and stated ‘so I guess you want me to clean it up?’ A short while later the employee trudged over to began to assist in cleaning up the mess, when another customer attempted to walk by the employee yelled to him ‘sorry I kinda have to clean up when someone makes a mess’. Needless to say if I didn’t feel enough like shit for ruining my family’s meal the comment by the employee and her entire reaction to the event pretty much sealed the deal.
The employee than left the area, neither her nor any other employee approached me and offered any replacement food items or any other type of encouragement. I allowed my children to finish their brownies and drinks and promptly left feeling about as big as an ant, still hungry after paying $20 to throw food on the floor.
I understand that this incident is not your employees fault, but as awesome as employees, managers and store owners have been in the past helping refill drinks and other needs I was a little shocked at the treatment I received. I’ve received friendlier and warmer customer service from the employees at McDonald’s when such an event happens there then I received from the employees on this visit. Knowing how you strive to provide an exceptional customer experience I’m sure you share my disgust with the treatment I received on this visit. If this is going to be the type of treatment I receive from your employees I think I’ll take my business elsewhere!
The Chicago Tribune confirms that Christmas is creeping up earlier this year as skittish retailers try to stay ahead of the ever-crescendoing non-recession. Walgreens, Kohls, and Home Depot were all singled out for defying the calendar, but blame also belongs with consumers who fuel seasonal ignorance with their buying choices.
Chandra Greer, owner of a luxury paper store in Old Town, decided to jump on the Christmas creep bandwagon for the first time this year. She held a holiday sale last weekend, offering markdowns of 25 percent to 90 percent on cards, stationery and wrapping paper.
“Not only have we never had a holiday sale, we never had a sale before,” said Greer, whose store goes by her last name. “Given what’s going on in the economy, we felt a sale would be well-received.”
The promotion generated 75 percent more in dollar volume than an average day, even with the steep discounts, said Greer, who had planned to take the day off but went to the store to help clerks handle the crowd.
In these days of heady excess, we could all benefit by waiting until after Thanksgiving to kick off our holiday binge-shopping.
GoDaddy demanded $6,579 from Adam Fendelman after his disk usage skyrocketed to over 250 GB without warning, vastly exceeding his account’s 150 GB allowance. GoDaddy’s security department launched a “full-scale investigation” and quickly determined that Adam was responsible for both the data binge and the extraordinary bill. Adam refused to let the matter drop…
[Every week, CC and John will bring you some of the wierdest, funniest, saddest things 
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School’s back in session, the temperature is dropping and those wistful days at the beach are behind us — yes, fall has returned. (Is it just me or does time seem to go faster each year? Sigh.) Unfortunately, that means the cold’ll be knockin’ at our doors soon, and hitting the books has become a necessity once again.
Jim needed to replace the gold-tone filter on his $70 Hamilton Beach coffee maker, but the filter recommended by Hamilton Beach’s website clearly didn’t fit. When Jim called to complain, a customer service representative insisted that Jim’s coffee maker didn’t come with a gold-tone filter, and that if Jim thought otherwise, he was entirely out of luck and would need to buy a new machine.
Sorry PotBelly Sandwich Works customers, you can’t order the Chicken Salad Sandwich unless you qualify for a mortgage. Ashley’s husband thought his usual lunchtime meal cost $4.23, but, as his wife discovered when trying to pay their credit card bill, the sandwich actually costs $858,432.06.
Reader Mark is a California Tortilla fanatic. He slept outside the Ranson store so he could be their first customer, earning a year of free burritos. Mark kept patronizing California Tortilla even after he fractured his back in a car accident and started wearing a bulky back brace that limited his ability to move or bend. On one visit, Mark accidentally knocked over his tray. When nobody came to help, Mark asked the cashier for assistance and was startled when she replied, “So I guess you want me to clean it up?” She then managed to further embarrass Mark by loudly explaining to other customers, “Sorry I kinda have to clean up when someone makes a mess.”
The Chicago Tribune confirms that Christmas is creeping up earlier this year as skittish retailers try to stay ahead of the ever-crescendoing non-recession. Walgreens, Kohls, and Home Depot were all singled out for defying the calendar, but blame also belongs with consumers who fuel seasonal ignorance with their buying choices.
