AirborneFive - major disappointment

**DeathByPixels** · 07-21-2008, 11:41 PM

A while ago I went from ASO to AirborneFive because their smallest shared hosting package offered a better deal than ASO's does. Then one day I received this email.

Quote:

Hello,

This is Jonathan from AirborneFive. Over the course of the past few days, we have been working with [deleted for privacy purposes] from TheHosted.com to transfer existing accounts on the Server1 AirborneFive server over to a new server, a Quad Core with 4GB's of RAM. This will not only improve speed, performance and reliability, it will also allow for greater growth!

Now, as of last night, all websites were successfully transferred over and [deleted for privacy purposes] will be working with each of you to ensure that all of your data is in tact and in place. [deleted for privacy purposes] and the TheHosted Team will also be taking over support, billing and account management. As such, I would like to ask each of you to please save the following details and contact [deleted for privacy purposes] if you have any questions regarding the transfer of your account over to the new server or if you have any problems on the new server.

Contact Details: [deleted for privacy purposes]

AIM: [deleted for privacy purposes]
MSN: [deleted for privacy purposes]
Yahoo! IM: [deleted for privacy purposes]

[deleted for privacy purposes] has also asked me to give each of you her personal cell phone number for contact purposes in the even that you have any questions and would like to speak with her over the phone.

Cell Phone: [deleted for privacy purposes]

So what exactly does this all mean? Will AirborneFive be closing down? Simply put, AirborneFive is not closing down, however, we are refocusing on our specialty areas. We will no longer be offering shared or reseller hosting services, however, we will continue to offer VPS and Dedicated Servers.

We've worked hard to ensure that we found a GOOD and RELIABLE home for each of you and will continue to be in touch to see it all through and to ensure your satisfaction with TheHosted.com and [deleted for privacy purposes].

[deleted for privacy purposes] has promised that you'll all be in good hands and will be providing each of you with personal support.

I encourage each of you to get in touch with [deleted for privacy purposes] as soon as possible so that she can forward your new account details over to you as soon as possible. You will also need to switch over the DNS, however, [deleted for privacy purposes] will be able to provide this information to you.

If you have any questions regarding this transfer, please contact me directly at [deleted for privacy purposes].

All the best,

Jonathan T. - AirborneFive Owner

I've deleted names and contact details for privacy purposes. I sent two emails to ask about an offer he previously sent me, and to ask about some funds that I had deposited into my account to cover the cost of the plans I had purchased.

Quote:

My account was transferred from AirborneFive to TheHosted. I had added some funds previously to my account to cover the costs of the two plans I had purchased. Please could you confirm that these funds will be transferred from my account at AirborneFive to my account at TheHosted or refunded?

Quote:

Hello Jon,

Seeing that my account has been transferred to TheHosted, will this offer be honoured there if I were to purchase a third plan equivalent to the AirborneONE plan?

I was going to purchase another AirborneONE plan for an upcoming project, using this offer, but now I don't know where I stand because of the transfer.

I don't expect the offer to be honoured but it's always worth asking. The offer was something like getting six months free if I bought a third A5One plan.

Jon has not responded to these emails to date.

So I contacted TheHosted who informed me that there are others in the same boat. They told me that they have been trying to get hold of AirborneFive to sort the problems out. I was told that AirborneFive never returned their calls.

On the 11th July, AirborneFive sent me an invoice billing me for one of the plans on my account (using the cash I had added to my account - like an escrow type of thing) even though TheHosted had already been paid for it prior to me receiving the invoice from AirborneFive.

Today I spoke to TheHosted on MSN Messenger to ask about how to get AirborneFive to stop billing me and how to get a refund for the escrow I've mentioned because the invoice from AirborneFive was paid with what is left of the $28 I had deposited. I was told that AirborneFive STILL hasn't returned their emails or their calls. They advised me to sue AirborneFive. I'm in the UK so I know nothing about suing a company that operates from the US. I visited AirborneFive's website and found that it doesn't seem to exist anymore.

I want to email Jon about the problem, but I don't know how I should approach the problem via email - I don't want to get negative and angry because that achieves very little. Plus I doubt he'll reply - I don't even know if he'll get my email. It's as though AirborneFive doesn't exist anymore!

Any ideas about what I should do? Are any of you having a similar problem?

**Cori** · 07-22-2008, 12:28 AM

Well you are not alone. I also left ASO for airbornefive. I actually never had any trouble with my hosting account there, until I didn't receive the same letter you got. Apparently, a lot of clients never got the email. Not sure why. I found out by logging into my site, and it not being there. So I sent in a support ticket and later that day I received notice that my account was move to the hosted.

Jon is actually the one that did the major overhaul on my site, so I never had any issues with him and money. I just never paid until it was all completed. I can say that trying to get ahold of them by email is nearly impossible. It was always hard to contact him.

I am not sure what to tell you about the legal stuff. I am just sorry you had to go through this. Michelle over at thehosted, is really, really nice and has been nothing but gracious and helpful.

Just checked and you are right, the site is gone. Wonder what happened to them? Strange..indeed...

**Cori** · 07-22-2008, 12:40 AM

Hey, did some research, and I am not sure this will help, but check out This link It has their contact information on it. Not sure if it is still good, but it's worth a shot!

ETA: Here is another link that may help you!

**Rocket 442** · 07-22-2008, 12:59 AM

Airborne Five is a group of idiots trying to run a show from what I've seen. Check out my thread here: Recommendations for Designer

Read from post #8 on. I had to file a Paypal claim just to get my cash back.

The only time I got a response was when I was angry but they're probably just ignoring all emails now because they just completely suck as a company and business. It's sad people still treat others this way and I hope to god their whole business fails miserably.

**DeathByPixels** · 07-22-2008, 01:05 AM

Thanks Cori but I get the feeling I may have to go with the legal route. Even TheHosted can't get hold of them.

Rocket, I did use Paypal (I used a new debit card via Paypal without signing into my Paypal account) to add funds to my account at AirborneFive so I'll try opening a dispute thingy with them and see where that takes me.

**Ashley** · 07-22-2008, 11:17 AM

How long has it been since the company/accounts supposedly changed hands? I expect that if they are genuine they might simply be busy moving the accounts to a new server. However they should really keep their customers updated with the status at least, or offer some sort of compensation for the downtime.

**Rocket 442** · 07-22-2008, 03:48 PM

Well they screwed me over 2 months ago, and another person looking for a design 1 month ago. I've finished making excuses for them to be honest.

They just really suck as a company.

**DeathByPixels** · 07-23-2008, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashley

How long has it been since the company/accounts supposedly changed hands? I expect that if they are genuine they might simply be busy moving the accounts to a new server. However they should really keep their customers updated with the status at least, or offer some sort of compensation for the downtime.

TheHosted has said they haven't been responded to whenever they've tried to get hold of them over the phone, emails etc. There is no issue with the accounts being moved, they have already been moved so I've been told. My account has been moved and is operating fully, but AirborneFive should not be billing me, and they should have transferred the funds in escrow to my account at TheHosted since TheHosted are handling the billing and the hosting.

**mh0825** · 07-23-2008, 02:07 PM

They're a member on here so I'm sure they will be more than happy shed light.

**DeathByPixels** · 07-23-2008, 02:15 PM

We'll see.

07-22-2008, 12:28 AM	#2
Cori Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 1,551	Well you are not alone. I also left ASO for airbornefive. I actually never had any trouble with my hosting account there, until I didn't receive the same letter you got. Apparently, a lot of clients never got the email. Not sure why. I found out by logging into my site, and it not being there. So I sent in a support ticket and later that day I received notice that my account was move to the hosted. Jon is actually the one that did the major overhaul on my site, so I never had any issues with him and money. I just never paid until it was all completed. I can say that trying to get ahold of them by email is nearly impossible. It was always hard to contact him. I am not sure what to tell you about the legal stuff. I am just sorry you had to go through this. Michelle over at thehosted, is really, really nice and has been nothing but gracious and helpful. Just checked and you are right, the site is gone. Wonder what happened to them? Strange..indeed... __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-22-2008, 12:40 AM	#3
Cori Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 1,551	Hey, did some research, and I am not sure this will help, but check out This link It has their contact information on it. Not sure if it is still good, but it's worth a shot! ETA: Here is another link that may help you! __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-22-2008, 12:59 AM	#4
Rocket 442 Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 496	Airborne Five is a group of idiots trying to run a show from what I've seen. Check out my thread here: Recommendations for Designer Read from post #8 on. I had to file a Paypal claim just to get my cash back. The only time I got a response was when I was angry but they're probably just ignoring all emails now because they just completely suck as a company and business. It's sad people still treat others this way and I hope to god their whole business fails miserably. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. \|\| To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Check out To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. for all your vBulletin SEO Questions & Tips There is always someone faster, and in your case, that someone is Me To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-22-2008, 01:05 AM	#5
DeathByPixels Apprentice Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 174	Thanks Cori but I get the feeling I may have to go with the legal route. Even TheHosted can't get hold of them. Rocket, I did use Paypal (I used a new debit card via Paypal without signing into my Paypal account) to add funds to my account at AirborneFive so I'll try opening a dispute thingy with them and see where that takes me. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - Currently in development. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - Up and running since 01/Jun/08, but the theme is being developed at present. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-22-2008, 11:17 AM	#6
Ashley ... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Devon, United Kingdom Posts: 1,017	How long has it been since the company/accounts supposedly changed hands? I expect that if they are genuine they might simply be busy moving the accounts to a new server. However they should really keep their customers updated with the status at least, or offer some sort of compensation for the downtime. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-22-2008, 03:48 PM	#7
Rocket 442 Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 496	Well they screwed me over 2 months ago, and another person looking for a design 1 month ago. I've finished making excuses for them to be honest. They just really suck as a company. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. \|\| To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Check out To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. for all your vBulletin SEO Questions & Tips There is always someone faster, and in your case, that someone is Me To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-23-2008, 02:07 PM	#9
mh0825 Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 1,287	They're a member on here so I'm sure they will be more than happy shed light. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - Gators Sports Blog for Gator Nation To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. or To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-23-2008, 02:15 PM	#10
DeathByPixels Apprentice Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 174	We'll see. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - Currently in development. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - Up and running since 01/Jun/08, but the theme is being developed at present. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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