It has happened to me. I recently wrote about my problems with Web Hosting with Globat and I mentioned a post by Rajesh Setty called From Globat with Love – Automatic upgrade which described how Globat is apparently “upgrading” hosting accounts automatically and including one off charges unless you specifically opt-out. If you get as many emails as I do this sort of email could possibly be missed and then a charge would appear on your credit card. Well, I received this email today and I have copied it below. I have had ongoing problems with Globats service since I took out the hosting package and support requests I submit just get the same standard response. Needless to say I have opted out of the automatic upgrade and I am seriously considering cancelling my account with Globat.

 The opt-out reply read

 “Upgrade Promotion Opt-Out

Thank you for being a Globat.com customer. We hope you’ll check out our other available upgrades; maybe you’ll find something more to your liking. You have successfully opted out of this promotion. You will NOT be charged or included. If you reconsider, you can opt-in again at any time before the promotion start date.”

The email reads: 

Dear Jason,

We have some exiting news!  Based on customer requests and in-depth analysis of usage patterns, we’ve created a mega-sized new Web hosting package that’s currently only available to select customers like you.

In 10 days from this date, we will be upgrading you to this exclusive new package, the TeraByte Ultra Plus(tm) for the low one-time upgrade fee of $49.95.  You’ll get an enormous 200%* more hosting space and 200%* more transfer bandwidth.

Go to Globat.com and you’ll see our most popular package, the TeraByte Xtreme(tm).  While that package is the one most people will see on our Web site, this new package, the TeraByte Ultra Plus, is not available to the public!  You won’t find these packages available anywhere on our site:

•       3 TB (3,000 GB) of Web Hosting Space – 200% MORE*
•       3 TB (3,000 GB) of Data Transfer Bandwidth – 200% MORE*
•       15 MySQL Databases – 400% MORE*
•       Host Unlimited Additional Domains – The 10-domain limit is gone!

*Versus our standard TeraByte Xtreme package

Of course, the features you’re used to such as GloBlog(tm), the Globat Photo Gallery, and other 1-Click Installs will still be part of your enhanced hosting package.  The TeraByte Ultra Plus is an upgraded package designed to bring you more features and give you the best Web hosting package available anywhere.

Click the link below to read more about the new TeraByte Ultra Plus.
(If the link doesn’t work, please copy and paste the entire link into your browser.)

http://www.globat.com/learnmore-ultraplus.htm

As your trusted Web host, we strive to provide current and relevant products and services to maximize your experience with us. It is our pleasure and honor to host monkandhisitjunk.com, and we appreciate that you continue to give Globat.com the opportunity to serve your Web hosting needs.

Since we began our upgrade program, we have received lots of feedback from our customers who only heard about these upgrade promotions too late or through a friend. Many customers then suggested that we utilize an automatic upgrade process along with some form of an additional incentive to initiate these upgrades. Well, we have listened to your feedback and we are now acting on it!

= = = Important: This Is an Automatic Upgrade = = =
As one of our most valued customers and based on our customer feedback, we are absolutely certain that you want to take advantage of this opportunity.  This truly is the largest and most feature-rich Web hosting package we’ve made available and we’re sure you do not want to miss out.

For that reason, we will automatically upgrade your current hosting package to the TeraByte Ultra Plus and charge the $49.95 one-time upgrade fee to your account on file on Thursday, March 6, 2008, unless you specifically tell us not to upgrade you by clicking on the link at the end of this e-mail.

Last but not least, your upgraded account will also qualify for 3 free months of hosting once the upgrade is complete and you are fully satisfied with it. I know that this sounds too good to pass up, but if you for any reason do NOT wish to take advantage of this incredible upgrade promotion, you will need to tell us so by clicking on the link at the end of this e-mail.

= = = TeraByte Ultra Plus – The Best Ever = = =

Our customers told us they wanted more space.  Done.  You wanted more transfer.  Done.  In addition, you wanted to be able to take full advantage of your space and transfer by hosting as many different sites as you want.  Well, that’s done too.  We also know that many of you run dynamic sites requiring more MySQL databases.  Done and done!  The TeraByte Ultra Plus was created to give you everything you wanted and address the concerns you voiced to us.

If you are still not convinced that this is a tremendous opportunity and you are positive that you do not want to participate, you need to tell us not to upgrade your account by clicking on the link below. (If you do not click this link, your account will automatically be upgraded and you will be charged the $49.95 one-time upgrade fee.):

NO, I DO NOT WANT this upgrade and hereby decline my 3 free months (click below):
(If the link doesn’t work, please copy and paste the entire link into your browser.)

Thank you for your continued trust!

Best regards,

Globat.com – Sales and Marketing Team