I use 1&1 for my web hosting as, well I signed up as I was learning so didn't really know any better, but I keep hearing how bad they are yet I've never had a problem with them, my site's have never been down and the hosting packages I've set up have been done really quickly. Also I've never had any problems with uploading sites. I will admit their support teams are useless and I always end up ignoring their advice as it doesn't make sense and going with a video off YouTube. The latest one was me asking how I can set up custom 404 error pages for php files as their own website states that their method doesn't work with php. The first response I got back was a very detailed explanation of how and what I needed to do, finished with the line "this doesn't work for .php files" which is what my original question was! Then the second response I got was just simply a link to wiki page outside of 1&1 telling me how to do it. Very strange if you ask me.

 

The reason I ask is I've just read another thread on here where someone said 1&1 is a bit of a dirty word, and to be honest I'm not really that clued up on service providers. So what is so bad about them, or is it just that their customer support teams don't appear to know what they're talking about?

Well if you know their support is completely useless, doesn't that tell you something?

 

Yes, it works OK for you now. But what happens when something goes wrong? You get no help, even if it's not your fault.

 

It happened to me. They crippled one of my websites and they refused to do anything about it, even though it was their fault.

 

http://michaelgunner.co.uk/11-try-to-blame-me-for-slow-website/

Interesting read. I suppose as someone who is still a bit wet behind the ears that sort of problem never occurred to me. I suppose I'm luck so far in that the only problems I've had, haven't been with service and are more to do with me still learning.

I think the majority of issues with companies like 1&1 relate to customer service and support. I much prefer dealing with smaller hosting companies. I use a small hosting company and I've been with them for years. I know I will get a response within an hour and they get the issues resolved quickly in a straightforward manner. There have been times where they have sorted things for me in the early hours of the morning, crucial for tight deadlines when things aren't going to plan. I've also dealt directly with the guys that own the company, it's great having that personal touch and knowing who you are dealing with. Bottom line is I know I can rely on them. Their servers are all uk based too, so added bonus. Dealing with some of the big name hosting companies I've found to be a drag, chasing support tickets, long turn around, no response and so on.

In the answer to your original question: "Absolutely, yes, 100%".

 

Quoted for the truth.

 

Take this from personal experience as well as the experience of many, many clients.