Skip to content

Why do providers hide the real renewal price?

VPS Hosting by center807 19 replies 1.8K views
4 #1

I was comparing three checkout flows for our redundant feeds deployment. Screenshots attached.

  • HostHatch: $2.50/mo becomes $8.99 on renewal
  • Leaseweb: €35/mo becomes €85 with no N+1 backup included
  • Time4VPS: €3/mo becomes €6 but enterprise-grade support drops to ticket-only

This is standard practice in the industry but frustrating for capacity planning. Sales can clarify individual contracts.

#2

How do I know the real price before I buy? I almost clicked buy on that Leaseweb deal for my shop website. Would have been a nasty surprise next year. 😬 do they have to tell you by law or what

frames, tables, still valid HTML
#3

In the European Union, the Price Indication Directive requires that the Final Price and the Unit Price be clearly displayed before the Purchase. Please to check if the Provider has an Impressum with full Company Details. This is not always the case with Resellers.

I have observed that KnownHost shows the Renewal Price in the Shopping Cart Summary. GreenCloudVPS does not. Please to compare.

Regards,
Klaus Mueller
2025-08-14 14:32 UTC

#4

Pro tip: always check step 4 of checkout, not just the landing page. Here's what I do:

  • Add to cart but don't pay
  • Look for "renewal at" or "then"
  • Screenshot everything
  • Email sales if unclear

Heads up: I just tested OVHcloud and they actually updated their flow after I complained. The renewal price now appears in bold under the promo price. Took them 48 hours. Worth trying with others.

licensing is a suggestion
#5

Most Terms of Service, in section 7.3, define most Terms of Service defines "promotional pricing" versus "standard pricing." The acceptable use policy is unrelated, but the billing section often states renewal rates are "as published at time of renewal," which creates no obligation to lock rates.

I would be pedantic here: "price" and "renewal price" are distinct contractual terms unless explicitly linked. Check if your jurisdiction has consumer protection laws overriding this.

#6
wilmaethqn44 said:
Would have been a nasty surprise next year

The ticket said: "your hidden fee is illegal I will report to FBI"

Customer bought $2/mo VPS, renewal $9. Wrote three paragraphs about "bait and switch." The ticket said he needed it for "crypto mining empire." We pointed to the TOS paragraph he agreed to. He opened PayPal dispute. Lost.

Another one: "why is my 99% off not forever." The math was not strong with this one.

reported. resolved. repeat.
#7

99% off forever. The math was not strong.

#8

Leaseweb with no N+1 backup is a bad deal for shops

#9
olya said:
OVHcloud and they actually updated their flow after I complained

This is interesting. I have filed three complaints with German regulators about unclear renewal pricing in 2024. Two were against hosting resellers operating from Cyprus but targeting German customers. The Bundeskartellamt does not move quickly, but the threat letter alone caused one reseller to add a price breakdown.

Please to note: OVHcloud has German language support and an office in Limburg. This makes them easier to hold accountable under German law than a provider with only US presence.

Regards,
Klaus Mueller

#10

So if I'm in Cardiff and buying from a US company, do I have any protection at all? Or am I just stuck with whatever their TOS says? My flower shop site can't handle a surprise jump to $9/mo, that's my entire hosting budget.

frames, tables, still valid HTML

Post a reply

You need an account to reply. Log in or register to join the conversation.

Post reply Preview Save draft