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I used a shortened version of my last name for my account details. It's difficult to pronounce, so I usually go by my preferred name. (They have my full name
by kjaftaedi 5y ago
I used a shortened version of my last name for my account details.
It's difficult to pronounce, so I usually go by my preferred name.
(They have my full name from my e-mail and credit card)
I'm most upset that there was no opportunity to resolve this minor confusion amicably, and what really got me the most is that there was no attempt at an apology, considering the e-mail I got clearly stated that service would resume "once steps are taken to remedy the situation"
I was very polite to them, but everyone I talked to at the company was telling me that it was my fault.
I've never left an encounter with a company feeling more frustrated.
- thatwasunusual 5y ago> I used a shortened version of my last name for my account details. So not Hetzner's fault, then.
- zyx321 5y agoIt was your fault. IANAL, but I'm reasonably sure that under German law a contract that you deliberately enter under a wrong name is retroactively void (von Anfang an nichtig). Sorry. When it comes to names, Germany doesn't f'k around.
- redwood 5y agoWell then Americans ought to use their nee Virginia region with caution?
- kjaftaedi 5y agoThis may very well be the case, which would only strengthen the need for posting such a warning so that other people are aware that they can have their data wiped due to minor trivialities.
- zyx321 5y agoMay I ask what your native culture is? In Germany, you enter legal contracts under your legal name. It goes without saying.
- kjaftaedi 5y agoEurope, but not Germany, but I am sure it similar everywhere. I am not trying to express that I am absent of blame, but rather expressing frustration that there was no attempt to resolve the matter. It was only a guess on their side about my name, and they jumped straight to deletion without knowing anything for certain. This is the warning I wish to convey, that if you get caught up in such a mixup, that you may not expect some sort of due process.
- rudedogg 5y agoWhat about if you don’t use your middle name? Or make a typo? Seems like a silly argument to say because the contract could be unenforceable you should expect them to delete your data. The more likely scenario is a script or employee thought it was a fraud account, and deleted the vms.
- zyx321 5y agoIf the contract is unenforceable, Hetzner has no legal obligation to keep your data. If you make a typo, you need to remedy the issue as soon as you become aware of it. You need to use at least your first and last name, unless you are from a culture that does not use last names.
- kjaftaedi 5y agoI autofilled the form with my browser and was unaware of the issue until I got their e-mail. There was no chance to remedy this. I understand that they have no legal obligation to me, and am posting to make others aware that the company might not be interested in resolving conflicts with anything other than the heaviest of hammers.
- zorked 5y agoThat Hetzner cannot be sued for this is different from claiming this is acceptable behavior. Most people come from cultures where filling a form incorrectly does not entitle people to immediately destroy their things. I also come from a country where putting "full name" on a form only means people expect more than your first name and it is customary to not use all of your last names. I am sure many are in the same boat.
- iamtheworstdev 5y agoTry approaching it from another scenario. What if his name had simply been misspelled? And they just nuked all of his wares in thirty minutes?