Value vs Premium (Services & Products)

[Blighter]

So, from experience, what do you normally find best value out of the two?

If you order a premium service do you actually notice a difference compared to the basic one?

A week ago I bought a new server with what I would class as a premium host. Before purchasing they told me it was possible to install Windows with my own key, etc but once I tried I found out it was actually impossible. So contacted them and they are being really stupid about it saying that it's impossible so I shouldn't have tried etc.
Now I've just contacted a company that are cheap as chips, and they have even said if I send them an ISO they will do it all for me free of charge!!

I find similar with trains too. First Class tickets are exactly the same as normal class but with different coloured seats. Both have unusable toilets ;D And it's the same conductor for both sections so you aren't really getting anything else for your money (apart from dying first if you are in a head on collision :p)

[Mark]

A week ago I bought a new server with what I would class as a premium host...
You chose the wrong host then. Sounds like you got yourself an idiot for a salesman. Installing any OS requires NOC intervention unless the host has pre-configured install images at their command (some of the big boys like The Planet do this). The proper premium players will send in the NOC guys (at a price), and the smaller players (where the sales guy often *is* the NOC guy) will do it too. The ones in-between tend either to have crap customer service in general or just find it uneconomical to spend the time and effort needed to do a custom install for a single-server guy like you or I. My host installed Gentoo for me - now that's service. ;D

I find similar with trains too. First Class tickets are exactly the same as normal class but with different coloured seats.
In the proper (i.e. inter-city/crosscountry) first class carriages you get more legroom and a wider seat. Ever noticed the seating density in first class is lower? You also escape the hordes of screaming oiks (being a young'un yourself you won't understand yet) and may get freebies at the on-board shop (if they can be bothered to open it). For local stopping services, first class isn't worth bothering with.

[Blighter]

being a young'un yourself you won't understand yet

Excuse me?!

I may be young to you but I'm quite mature in public.

Had to tell a group of school kids off the other day for jumping around on the seats and being noisey :angry:;)

[Slinwagh]

We have a "Premier" bank account but to be honest other than a phone number to a dedicated account manager I am not sure what it does for us.

[Mark]

Excuse me?!
Pipe and slippers are in the post. :p ;D

Telling a bunch of unruly schoolkids off is one thing. Try that with a bunch of miscreants who seem to like nothing better than a threesome in the toilets to imbibe substances of dubious origin (no wonder they're always wrecked/broken), or upchuck in the aisles. I've witnessed both. :(

[Blighter]

Pipe and slippers are in the post. :p ;D

Telling a bunch of unruly schoolkids off is one thing. Try that with a bunch of miscreants who seem to like nothing better than a threesome in the toilets to imbibe substances of dubious origin (no wonder they're always wrecked/broken), or upchuck in the aisles. I've witnessed both. :(

\0/ The slippers better be filled with goose down :D

I hate kids that behave badly and are a nuisance to everyone else. If it's a group of kids just chilling out talking and having a laugh that's cool, but people who smoke on the train, swear in front of little children, spit (eww), abuse others, etc just annoy me :(

Also, it's not just kids that do this. Many a time I've seen men and women in their 30s/40s doing the above.

Anyway... back on topic... ;D

[Mark]

There was a topic? ;D

OK then, I'll answer. It very much depends on the circumstances (what 'service' you want, how you're comparing, and what you consider to be value for money).

For example, there's an entire solar system of difference between McDonalds and the Fat Duck restaurant, but both are capable of sending you to the bathroom in a hurry, so which is the best value there? (gastronomic tastes aside)

The axiom 'you get what you pay for' does generally hold true, but there are always exceptions.

[Del Lardo]

Having flown trans Atlantic many a time in scum class and a few times in First (American carriers) and Premium Economy (UK carriers) I can say without a shadow of a doubt that the extra money gets you a better service. The leg room alone makes the whole experience far better and with a US Carrier you actually get edible food and don't have to pay for your alcohol (UK carriers are generally OK in scum class).

[Fayshun]

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/5965/uktescovaluelgr4404.jpg

Say no more.