Well, it looks like OVH just lost what would have been a very good customer.
Called to confirm the server was server available - confirmed. Ordered through the site and then received the following email:
Dear Customer,
We have received your payment related to the order nr xxxxxxx received by cb and we would like to thank you for trusting us.
For your security, we would like to check the information that you have provided and specially the identity of the billing contact.
Therefore, we would be grateful if you could send us the following documents as soon as possible in order to validate your order:
If it's an order placed on behalf of an individual:
- copy of your ID (passport, driving license)
- proof of address (utility bill)
Thanks in advance for providing the documents to us
Obviously I called back and asked WTF. After explaining that I don't have a fax machine at home and that I'm not happy about sending personal documents to complete strangers, the guy on the phone didn't want to compromise.
I then offered to take the documents in person to OVH's UK office as I live nearby in central London. Guess what? No can do.
Fair enough. I also offered to pay in cash or by cheque in person at OVH's UK office. Again, no can do.
Getting desperate, I made a final attempt at compromise: I offered to pay directly into OVH's bank account - the account listed on their website.
Again, I was told that this was not possible.
Now, either OVH don't want new customers or they are being ridiculously uncooperative for a reason. Either way, I requested that my payment of £140.99 be refunded immediately.
I have eight dedicated servers with Fasthosts and have NEVER had this sort of nonsense - especially from a UK company.
Would someone in authority at OVH care to comment?