NYNOC - Perverse People Or Industry Standard

I recently moved a client of mine to a dedicated server with a hosting company called the NYNOC. After losing a few weeks of data for my client in the incedent described below, I am wondering if what happened was industry standard, or this was a case of choosing the wrong hosting company.

After signing up and paying the initial hosting charge, I received two notices - one on 18 july, and the second on 26th july - for a bill that was due 25th july.

On 2nd august I get a complaint from my client saying the website is down. I figured the hosting company had cut me off for a late bill. Fine, I figure i go and pay the bill and the reconnection charge and they put me back on.

After waiting 8 hours to get a support person (they dont have 24 hours customer service), I was told that I no longer had a account with them! No client log in. No server. Nothing. The disk was wiped clean and the server was sold to another customer. Without any warning that this would happen.

So my client lost a few weeks of customer data and I lost my credibility.

I was just wondering if this is standard practice in the dedicated hosting industry, or these guys are just bad news.

One more thing. When you talk to these people (they have only one customer support person) its almost as if they really really dislike their customers. As in, they talk down to you even as they exhibit complete disregard for your interests. This I know is not an industry standard. I have several accounts at Hurricane Electric, and they are tops. Unfortunately they do not offer well priced dedicated hosting.

I think I will try Interserver next. I spoke with one of the support guys on AOL late at night, and they seem good, and more importantly, are able to have a pleasant conversation with their customers.