Email cut off after migrating from IDNET

davej99 · Dec 07, 2014, 23:31:28

After 7 absolutely trouble free years with IDNET, I have at least to consider cheaper options, especially given some of the offers out there.

One of the things that makes migrating difficult for me is moving extensive email away from IDNET. I was wondering how long a period is allowed before IDNET would turn off my email. I was also wondering if a paid for continuing service is available. It seems pointless moving email to a hosted service, if I could pay IDNET and avoid the hassle. Google, Outlook and other freee services are really not suitable for me.

Thx, Dave

Steve · Dec 08, 2014, 06:36:52

As I understand it as long as the email account shows continued use it will not be closed.

Bill · Dec 08, 2014, 08:53:35

Although my understanding is the same as Steve's, it doesn't seem (to me) to be an entirely satisfactory position to be in.

Quote from: davej99 on Dec 07, 2014, 23:31:28I was also wondering if a paid for continuing service is available. It seems pointless moving email to a hosted service, if I could pay IDNET and avoid the hassle.

I don't know all the details but it looks as though there may be, have a look at the bottom option here:

Mail Transfer From Existing IDNet Hosted Email Address

and give Support (Sales?) a call if it seems a likely candidate.

pctech · Dec 08, 2014, 21:58:17

This type of issue was why I ended up registering my own domain and paying for cheap mail hosting so that I could move ISPs as often as required to get myself the best deal.

IDNet are a great company and will help you am sure but the thing to always remember with ISP mail accounts provided gratis with connections is that it is a free add on and is a bit of marketing for the ISP as some recipients will look up the domain and so see the products.

They won't keep it running when you go elsewhere unless you agree some sort of payment as there's no incentive to do so as they are not making any money from you.

Bill · Dec 08, 2014, 22:24:48

Quote from: pctech on Dec 08, 2014, 21:58:17
They won't keep it running when you go elsewhere unless you agree some sort of payment

Sorry, that simply isn't true.

It comes up not infrequently on tbb, and most will leave the account running.

Certainly for long enough for you to note any senders that you forgot to inform of a new address at the time and remedy it.

Some people have had accounts still working for years after they left- if it gets an email every month or so that's enough for it to stay enabled, it's not as though it takes up any significant server resources.

Simon · Dec 08, 2014, 23:06:20

IDNet confirmed fairly recently, in response to a similar query, that even if a customer leaves, their email account will not be deleted while it remains active.

pctech · Dec 09, 2014, 19:45:58

Ok, I stand corrected.

As I've had my own domain and hosting in operation for the past 9 years I haven't kept up to date on the situation.

Fair play to IDNet

davej99 · Dec 10, 2014, 17:15:23

Many thanks everyone for all your helpful advice.

Travelling around rural Scotland one is often without a connection (forget 3G outside the central belt, Dundee and Aberdeen), so on-line email is not much use. It would be good if IDNET let me stay on. I would pay a fee to be fair. I do not use much space because I use pop3 to save and archive email.

I foolishly paid 12mo advance rental to BT, so its hard to take advantage of new IDNET tarriffs. Being a lightish user there are cheaper options for sure, but I am very suspicious and sceptical of all you can eat providers.

Quote from: pctech on Dec 09, 2014, 19:45:58
As I've had my own domain and hosting in operation for the past 9 years I haven't kept up to date on the situation.

Pc tech, I switch gas and electricity all the time and really should do the same with Phone & BB. With this in mind I should get email independently hosted. Do have a recommendation I could look at

Thx Dave

stevenrw · Dec 11, 2014, 16:36:06

I know this is probably going to be met by howls of derision but I've had a Hotmail account for many years, spanning several ISP's, and by and large its been pretty good.
With the advent of the new Microsoft Outlook you get access to online versions of MS Word, Excel etc and if/when you are forced to migrate to Windows 8 a Microsoft account (such as Hotmail) will be necessary to log in.
You have the option of @Hotmail.com, @Hotmail.co.uk and @live.com.
According to some forums I've read, quite a few people have been disappointed (to say the least) with the latest offering from Yahoo mail - they "enhanced" the GUI and as is normally the case with these "enhancements" the general view from users is that (surprise surprise) its rubbish.
Gmail from Google is another web based email that's not too bad, but you'll still need a Microsoft one for the Windows 8 scenario.

davej99 · Dec 11, 2014, 20:07:58

Quote from: stevenrw on Dec 11, 2014, 16:36:06
I know this is probably going to be met by howls of derision but I've had a Hotmail account for many years

Funnily enough, Steve, I took out an outlook account right at the launch and managed to get my full name with no extra characters. I was looking at it today and I would say it was a definite possibility if it now has generic IMAP. Trying to work out how to get several IDs linked backed to me. I use different IDs for different application. Need to understand aliasing. So no howls from me. Just thanks

Dave