Geneva perspective: CHF-denominated contracts with Hetzner, promo via server auction, renewal at auction price plus inflation adjustment. Notice: 0 days, but price is market-clearing so you know what you bid.
Not comparable to promo-to-sticker models. Different contract logic entirely.
Time4VPS is in Vilnius. I am in Vilnius. I have visited their datacenter. Single location, own building, not leased. This does not make their renewal pricing ethical but it explains why they can run €2.99 promos: no transit cost to local eyeballs.
Renewal €9.99 confirmed. No notice observed in my sample n=2.
Following. I have three promos expiring in Q3 and no data on any of them.
Member
Single location is a risk vector, not a virtue. Their ASN announces from one building. I checked RIPE. Renewal pricing should reflect concentration risk, not exploit it.
Updated sample format request: add ASN and datacenter count to srelet's template. Correlation with pricing opacity likely.
Member OP
Added to template. Will backfill existing entries.
New entry: Linode (now Akamai), promo $5/mo via referral, renewal $5/mo, no change. 30 days notice. The exception that tests the rule. N=1 for this provider, need more.
18 VMs on NUC plus 4 external. My external sample:
Contabo is the control. They do not run promos. Their price is the price. Refreshing.
Member
São Paulo reality: international promo pricing often excludes BR tax. Sticker shows $4, charge shows $4 plus IOF plus state VAT. Renewal "same price" but tax base changes because promo was classified as discount, renewal as service.
I document total cost of ownership, not headline. The thread's USD/EUR focus misses this layer entirely.
This. Same issue in Argentina with PAIS tax and withholdings. Promo pricing is fiction.
Member
I tested Contabo properly before complaining. Network throughput to US East: 180 Mbps on 200 Mbps promise. CPU steal measurable under load. You get what you pay for and you know what you pay.
Their renewal is the same because there was never a promo to begin with. Honesty through absence of promotion.
Has anyone compiled the raw data into a sheet yet? I can scrape this thread if needed.
