RE: [cobalt-users] ISPs offering RAQ rental

["Paul Duffield" <paul@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I was going to post this some days ago but didn't in case it was to
"controversial". Now reassured by some other contributions to this list I
thought it may be interesting to post it instead of leaving it in my drafts
folder.... This was in reply to Magic Moments posting about the best value
for money...

Given that MM have just, I believe, been merged with webfusion why do MM now
charge exactly the same monthly fee as webfusion but webfusion have waived
the £295 setup fee on the £99. deal ? This actually makes them dearer than a
company in their own group and hence not the "best value for money" in the
UK - unless of course my information from Webfusion about a takeover is
incorrect ? A quick check on some internal competition figures before
responding ?

I had to wait two weeks and suffer many broken promises by webfusion before
my server was eventually set up some two weeks late. Apparently this was due
to supply problems and missed deliveries in turn from Cobalt - frustrating
at the time but now overcome. And to be fair to webfusion their tech support
and accounts support subsequently (to rectify a detail) has been very good
subsequently.

Interestingly, a document leaked by MM (which in case MM are concerned I
will not be passing full details of on on this list nor to any requests for
the same - human mistakes happen on the web do they not ? ) gave all of MM
costings and margins on their RaQ's. I was shocked at the margins - not at
how big they were but at how slim ! I've been in business for 20 years now
and appreciate the full implications of a companies OHeads and doing some
rough calcs on figures that I know for the UK I don't think MM is over
charging. Companies can sometimes get away with lower prices but often they
go out of business if they do and where does that leave everyone ?

The sales staff at the companies conerned were in fact much better (albeit a
bit let down on deliveries by wf) and Magic moments were helpful in response
to some domain registration problems I had despite the fact that I wasn't
even a customer at the time. Responses were quick and compared to some other
colocators that I contacted were in a different league. I spent 15 years
with my own sales and Marketing Consultancy business - training sales people
amongst other things, before moving into IT  and I believe the process is
being done approximately right and I think the staff at magic moments went
the extra mile when helping me sort out a problem - particularly in
comaprison to some other ISP's that I have had cause to deal with over the
last few years. Having said that I only have my experience to go on and it
would be interesting to see how they fair over a larger group of people...

It all gets just a bit frustrating when you see the smaller "hicups" appear
on a list concerning costs, which prompt email corrections from people like
myself !

In a nutshell both apparently need to polish up some details (who doesn't?)
but broadly speaking I think they can be recomended - unless as they say
"you know other wise... ?"

In case anyone was wondering I have no links with either of the companies
but host at WF a Raq 4 now. But some good, bad and interesting news on both
of them?

Paul Duffield.




> -----Original Message-----
> From: cobalt-users-admin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:cobalt-users-admin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Baron Bowen
> Sent: 03 November 2000 14:34
> To: cobalt-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: RE: [cobalt-users] ISPs offering RAQ rental
>
>
>
> In response to the comment and comparison below.
>
> Magic Moments offers a full range of payment options for the RaQ4i. Those
> who do not wish to commit to a three year contract can chose from
> a range of
> options from a £99 monthly payment plus set up (£295) for a RaQ4i 128
> including 5GB of bandwidth. We also offer a range of annual payments.
> Whichever option a customer chooses, the Magic Moments Group
> offers the best
> value for money for a hosted Cobalt RaQ4i in the UK.
>
> Our website details all our Cobalt RaQ4i products and pricing options,
> www.magic-moments.com
>
> Kind regards,
>
> Baron Bowen
> UK Sales Manager
> Magic Moments Internet
>
>
>
>  -----Original Message-----
> From: 	cobalt-users-admin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:cobalt-users-admin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]  On Behalf Of Stephen Mc
> Carron - Novara
> Sent:	03 November 2000 11:53
> To:	cobalt-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject:	RE: [cobalt-users] ISPs offering RAQ rental
>
> Looked at Magic Moments - it costs £59 per month sterling, when you pay in
> advance for 3 years! That's as bas as uk2net!!
>
> Stephen
>
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