HostPapa-- read the fine print

[bevw]

These guys do not offer a backup / restore service in any of their packages.  They don't make exceptions.  They say they simply "don't have backups" which is hard to imagine, even for a sleazy outfit.  Most reputable hosting services offer backup / restore services as a regular feature.

So be sure to read the fine print in the contract with HostPapa.  They may be green, but their service is brown, and its smells.

[ldcdc]

Many hosts that do make backups, only make them for internal use, so a restore will cost the customer some money. There's virtually no host out there that guarantees the availability of data/backup, so, the only real safe way is to make your own backups as often as necessary.

They say they simply "don't have backups"

At  least they don't beat around the bush.

In any case, they're a budget provider, some corners have to be cut, and apparently, backups were one.

Sorry to hear you put your trust on them being available. I can only imagine the nightmare that losing data can be.

As per the rules, can you share a domain that you are/have been hosting with them? You can just send it to me by PM.

[bevw]

This was the company that my employer chose-- the hosting service I normally use actually promotes its backup/restore services as a feature.  I guess I assumed that most reputable hosts did provide that service, even for an additional fee.  HostPapa didn't want our money for the "extra" service.

Anyway, the site is back up, everything normal, no lost data.  I had backups for all but the software-generated files.

My main beef is the marketing they do on their web site (http://www.hostpapa.com/Plan_Features.shtml )

"Dedicated customer service
Quality equipment
Maximum guaranteed uptime
Highly functional tools for administration
The leading feature set available
Secure and reliable backups "

This looks a lot like false advertising to me.

[ldcdc]

If they said that they don't make backups but they advertise it as a feature, it's surely false advertising. Can't disagree with you there.

For the record, bevw has sent a domain that is still hosted at Hostpapa. Thank you!