Debit order required for Cybersmart 'free' hosting

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Greggle

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Despite being a keen Afrihost supporter, I eagerly signed up for Cybersmart's free pink package which offers FREE hosting.
They asked me for FICA documents which I happily supplied (proof of address and ID). I have indicated to them that any amounts due by me will be paid via EFT (e.g. annual domain registration), and I have provided them with the first EFT payment confirmation.

They are now they are insisting that I sign a debit order form and advised that "We do know that you apply for the free pink Hosting but the reason why we need you to give us a signed debit order form it is because our FICA legislation require us to have a signed debit order form." [sic].

Is a debit order really necessary for FICA?
 
Greggle said:
Despite being a keen Afrihost supporter, I eagerly signed up for Cybersmart's free pink package which offers FREE hosting.
They asked me for FICA documents which I happily supplied (proof of address and ID). I have indicated to them that any amounts due by me will be paid via EFT (e.g. annual domain registration), and I have provided them with the first EFT payment confirmation.

They are now they are insisting that I sign a debit order form and advised that "We do know that you apply for the free pink Hosting but the reason why we need you to give us a signed debit order form it is because our FICA legislation require us to have a signed debit order form." [sic].

Is a debit order really necessary for FICA?
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They are lying about requiring a signed debit order form for FICA.

And I am pretty sure they wanted proof of address and ID for RICA.
 
Last edited:
supersunbird said:
They are lying about requiring a signed debit order form for FICA.

And I am pretty sure they wanted proof of address and ID for RICA.
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Why would they need RICA? I would refuse to send through anything that promises it's free but requires a debit order. It's the same with trial sites that won't let you sign up without providing CC details... dodgy business practice IMO.
 
Not that I've read their Terms, but there's likely something in there about having to charge you if you fail to abide by the terms as laid out. Hence needing a form of payment in order to claim for potential abuse of service should it occur.
 
chopsky said:
Not that I've read their Terms, but there's likely something in there about having to charge you if you fail to abide by the terms as laid out. Hence needing a form of payment in order to claim for potential abuse of service should it occur.
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That's understandable, but it's not in the FICA legislation.
 
Four days ago I sent Cybersmart a small list of questions regarding their free hosting and haven't received a reply yet. So this morning I contacted them again and still no reply.

It made me realize that I would rather pay for a small site knowing that I will get support when I need it. Very disappointed.
 
Solitude said:
Four days ago I sent Cybersmart a small list of questions regarding their free hosting and haven't received a reply yet. So this morning I contacted them again and still no reply.

It made me realize that I would rather pay for a small site knowing that I will get support when I need it. Very disappointed.
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The ol' adage "You get what you pay for" remains true...
 
chopsky said:
Wouldn't need to be. It's their own terms and conditions (if they do indeed state that).
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Which is what I said.
It's definitely not in the FIC Act, and I don't see any such information on any of their FAQ's or policies.
 
Solitude said:
Four days ago I sent Cybersmart a small list of questions regarding their free hosting and haven't received a reply yet. So this morning I contacted them again and still no reply.

It made me realize that I would rather pay for a small site knowing that I will get support when I need it. Very disappointed.
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couldnt agree more with you!
 
I think I can safely say that I remain an Afrihost fan!

I have notified them that I have done research and it appears that the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FIC Act) does not require a debit order to be signed and asked them to point me to the place in the act where it specifies this. I think that they are still looking because I have not heard anything back yet.
 
Hahaha.. post the reply here if you get one. Want to see their response.
 
Interested to hear if anyone has had joy yet with Cybersmart's free hosting? I contacted them as a potential new client on email and phone. Total lack of response. If I were looking for paid hosting I would avoid this lot totally.
I know wanting it for free sounds cheapskate (I pay for my personal site hosting) I was trying to get a deal for a Section21 nonprofit.
 
linuxgal said:
Interested to hear if anyone has had joy yet with Cybersmart's free hosting? I contacted them as a potential new client on email and phone. Total lack of response. If I were looking for paid hosting I would avoid this lot totally.
I know wanting it for free sounds cheapskate (I pay for my personal site hosting) I was trying to get a deal for a Section21 nonprofit.
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Never actually tried them. I was rather annoyed when it took a long while for them to answer my query regarding their free hosting. Will eventually try it out though.

Domaincheap also has free hosting, however without a database: https://www.domaincheap.co.za/cpanel-hosting/
 
I actually have one of these free accounts, the debit order form also made me question what the hell was going on and how is it free if you want to have me fill out a debit application--its basically just so they can bill you for the domain registration and that made sense since they are giving me the hosting space. Eventually moved it to my home server since the demand was not so great and I needed to do a bit more testing.

Not sure who you dealt with but they are generally on par when it comes to hosting and there are some witty people offering insight into allot of things. Though I wont deny that sometimes their holding time makes me feel like swallowing my handset.

I generally just ask to be put through to Cheslyn or Malon, they get things done, I think it because their main focus is ADSL and you have to get through general support to get to the people who can actually help you.
 
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