web host deal gone bad...

[katie9143]

i have a close friend who owns a cd website that randomly went down on fri. it seems the host just disapeared - the server went down and no one can contact them. this has left her floundering to find a new host and transferring an old backup and the cart and all that. i feel so bad for her and wondered if anyone on here has ever had anything like that happen to them or someone they know and what you all did? is there an authority that governs this type of business or that helps small businesses with fraud like that? she apparently had paid for the hosting and cart services up until march of 09....so its a bit of money she is out, nevermind the lost business and time and so forth. i would love to help her out if anyone has any advice

thanks ladies

[CawMama]

That is such a bummer. I'm sure that someone might have some suggestions here.

Did she not back her site up remotely? I try to back mine every time I make a lot of changes, or every couple of weeks.

I hope she gets reimbursed and gets her site up again quickly!

[Kristine233]

You should always back up your site! This is why I save copies of all my client sites.

If she has records of payment and the business name and owner name she can file with the BBB. If she used her credit card she could try to make a claim on that as well.