I have been documenting a support ticket with Vultr regarding a basic SSL certificate installation. The thread now spans fourteen messages. I will summarize the exchange for the community's benefit.
Message 1: I open a ticket requesting Let's Encrypt SSL for my primary domain.
Message 2: Support asks me to "please install the SSL from your control panel."
Message 3: I reply that cPanel AutoSSL is failing with "local DCV error."
Message 4: Support suggests I "contact your developer for assistance with this technical issue."
Message 5: I explain I am the developer and request specific guidance.
Message 6: Support sends a generic knowledge base link about "what is SSL."
Message 7: I clarify that I need the CA bundle path for manual installation.
Message 8: Support asks "what is a CA bundle."
Message 9: I provide the Let's Encrypt documentation URL.
Message 10: Support escalates to "senior team."
Message 11: Senior team suggests I "purchase a premium SSL from our store."
Message 12: I note that Let's Encrypt is free and included in my plan.
Message 13: Support states "we do not support third-party SSL providers."
Message 14: I point out Let's Encrypt is not third-party; it is the industry standard.
Fourteen messages. Basic SSL. The knowledge base contains no article on AutoSSL troubleshooting. Has anyone else observed this pattern with budget hosts? Is this a training gap or a deliberate deflection tactic?