Woke this morning with a letter in my box from my web hosting company. It went something like this...Hello Heather,Just wanted to touch base with you in regards to your site.  I monitor your site frequently to make sure everything goes well.  I don't want you to go through all the drama that you did with the representative that mislead you.I can say that your site is a SUCCESS!!!!!  Your getting a lot of response.  The downside of that is that you've exceeded the bandwidth (traffic copacity) on your Platinum plan.  It allows you to have 15 GiGs of data transfer.  Which is equivalent to about over 200,000 page views per month.  As of today, 4/26/001 you are at 22 GiGs.  about 7 GiGs that you are allowed x $.10 per MB (1000 MB=1 Gig) =$700 in overages you will occur.  Remember, it's not because we cannot handle your site.  It's because your website is a BIG SUCCESS.  Most, if not all, adult sites are on dedicated servers because of high volume traffic.  I know that you are not that technical savvy and the dedicated server will require some technical needs.VERIO has created a HIGH VOLUME PACKAGE.  This option gives you the copacity of a dedicated server without the administration headaches.  You will have is to go on our HIGH VOLUME package to avoid overage charges.  This will allow you up to 500 MB of disk space (more pictures you can put up) and 35 GiGs of bandwidth.Your current plan: PLATINUM =$249.95/mo. + 7 Gigs overage x $.10 per MB = $700 overages =$950+/moThe High Volume Package = $600/mo500 MB disk space35 GiGs of data transferAlso, I would like to inform you that i've been getting errors once I try to hit your enter page.  It might be my browser but I'll keep checking.  You might want to look on it.  I'll let you know if I find anything else.In the meanwhile, it is important that you upgrade immediately so that you are not charged the extra $700 of overages.  If you cannot contact me, please just reply to this email and I will upgrade your account.  It will not affect your site in anyway.  It will just increase your disk space and bandwidth capabilities.Hope you feel better!  And hopefully, your site continues to grow and be more successful than ever!!!>>Now this coming from the same company that told me it would cost 50 hours at 200-250 an hour or $10,000 to do the programming for ecommerce when $200-300 is more like the standard.  And yes, I got my cgi scripts installed for $300.Web hosting companies rope you in with seemingly reasonable rates and then send you a mirage of emails on how well your site is doing and how your bandwidth usuages are going up, up and away.  When I started out, I was paying $49.99 a month and now I'm up to $300 but yes, my site has grown.  My response to the above email:I am tired of ...'s lack of follow through. My relationship with you cost me a complete month's worth of business and the members area of my site being down for a whole month cost me my reputation. I was promised 1 month of free hosting for all the grief you put me through and you didn't make good on that. I still have that promise in a message on my answering machine. I am contacting my credit card company to dispute all charges since your company's poor service cost me 5x your hosting charges.  Close my account.>>So the search continues for a hosting company that will deliver, return calls and not continually try to upgrade you.If anyone has any specific suggestions as to hosting companies. with plans under 300 with unlimited bandwidth...I would rather not go the dedicated server route.Determined not to let THEM take me down....Rocky

The word should get around about the good, professional web host/master business people out there. Put the slobs to shame!

HBX-Even tho I am an ex web exec-  I know shit about the technical side...But I do remember that you can look through ComputerWorld or any of the computer throwaways (Computer currents, etc.) and find hosting ads-   then I am afraid you will have to shop...  But perhaps you can mySimon the process(shopping bot)Good luck thuogh-  I wonder if your gift for marketing wil;l always soak up the extra bandwidht you procure...(ha-ha)God- now I need to get more cash in hand so we can discuss this further in person....   getting web questions from providers is usually a mood buster, but somehow your Entrepreeurial nature is a turn-on...

HB,What about setting up your own server and running it off a T1 or T3 line.  I hear you can get them (T1 or T3) for $500 to $600 per month.  Then you don't have to f**k around with these a**holes.Of course you still have to get someone to do the programming and e-commerce stuff, but at least they don't ream you for using their precious bandwidth.

I remember when your site first went up. You've come a long way baby! 200K pageviews/ mo! I'm no tech-head but I'd shop it around and you may be able to get a better deal. Sounds like your package has outgrown itself.Think long and hard and ask around before you think about doing your own hosting. the best you can get at a residence is what your local carrier offers. they don't provision T1/3's to homes.Good luck.B.K.

With respect to your bandwidth usage Heather. Your pictures are way to big in file size for the size that gets displayed on screen. This can cause long download times, and if your site is really busy it can cause you to go over your bandwidth limit each month.

Well if it's not emergency room bills it's web hosting bills or the high cost of rent or some other story.  No one is interested in your problems.  That's not why we're here.  We all have our problems to deal with without having to worry about poor Heather Barron.  So what's next?  $500 an hour?  Guys, quit falling for this crap.

I agree with Dobson.  Who cares about her web hosting problems.  This is a discussion board not a complaint dept.

Having a child swallow an object and be safe isn't a problem.  It's a blessing. Having bandwidth issues is also a blessing and learning web design, quite fun. I share the realities of my life with my friends on this board. When guys come to see me they often tell me about their problems and relationships. If they want to hear about my life, I talk about it. If not, then we just have fun and I listen. I try to get a sense of what my male friends seek early in our session so I can fill in the pieces and so they leave feeling happy. You are not seeking friendship or any sort of personal connection in an escort. That's obvious, Dobson.  An enema and a cup of Wendy's .99c chilli might be all you need to purge all this anger. I'd be happy to loan you the money for the chilla. And my son Nicholas (penny swallower)has a hospital quality enema with your name on it.  Heck, if you can get him to cough up that penny, you might actually be able to spring for the level of companionship you are seeking but I don't think you'll be able to find it in the greater LA area. But Nicholas will probably swallow more change and god knows you'll need more enemas.

On the contrary, I am seeking a personal connection in an escort, but our definitions are a little different.  You always seem to present your "problems" in a way that highlights the financial impact, as if to say, "poor me, I have to pay for this and pay for that.....where am I ever going to find the money?"I think we take for granted that you do what you do for the money, I don't blame you for that.  But if I posted that I just had to pay my taxes and the mortgage is due and little Timmy needs braces and I'm not sure if I can afford $$$ for a session, what do you think the response would be?  Let me tell you.  Sorry Doson, no pay no play.  Tough crap.I don't mind paying for service, but I'm not doing it because I feel sorry for a provider, it's purely selfish.  Most guys may not admit it, but it's true.  I could care less about your personal life or your problems.

...feel compelled to read and respond to nearly EVERY post Heather puts on these boards...hhhmmmmm.

Oh my god, you're right.  I guess I really do care?

Well, we should all send her a bill for $$$$$