I visited the Dreamhost site tonight, all primed to sign up and move this blog to a different host. Keyed in the first screen of info, made sure PJ’s promo code was there, and proceeded to something called “Google Checkout.” I was then asked for my “Google Login”, which I don’t have, and another option to get a “Google Account.”
I don’t like The Google, I don’t trust The Google, and the last thing I want is a “Google Account.” I also don’t want a “Microsoft Passport” or whatever it’s called, and have zero intention of acquiring either. So I contacted Dreamhost with the following:
Subject: Lost Sale – Maybe
Message: Hello: I was all fired up to get a DH Code Monster account tonight; I’d checked your offering, saw a nice write-up about your company on a friend’s weblog, and was salivating at the prospect of hosting my blog with you. Upon checkout, I was asked for my “Google Account Number”, and as asked to register for a “Google Account” if I didn’t have one. Is the only way to pay you folks through Google? I don’t do business with the Google, and I have zero intention of acquiring a “Google account”. And if this is the only way we can do business, I’ll be looking elsewhere for a hosting solution that isn’t as good as your offering. Thanks. Ken Nelson www.quietvoice.org
And, man, while I type this, a reply from the Dreamsters:
Hey, Ken
Unfortunately there is only google and cheque/money orders when signing
up. The reason we use google is to help prevent fraudsters from signing
up and since then it has cut the number of fraud cases down to an
absolute zero. We apologize if it is to much of an inconvience, but it is
for the greater good. We wish you good luck on your future hosting
venues.
The reply was fast, spoke to my question, and unfortunately means that we won’t be doing any business. Dreamhost would have been a good provider; I was prepared to pay them with American Express, who would have been on the hook for any fraud. In the last two weeks, I’ve bought more than $5K of stuff online; a Sharp teevee, and a RedHat class come immediately to mind. Neither of them required that I register with The Google.
I don’t know where I go from here, but I came across some other asshole hosting outfit that wanted a Drivers License to turn on ssh access. Those bums probably wanted a DNA sample to sign up with them.
Still Speakin’ Easy.
-k-