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Where's Imbris?

by BILL BULEY
Staff Writer | March 26, 2010 9:00 PM

Worden was one of many Imbris customers who found they didn't have Internet service Thursday. The lights were off at the Imbris office at 610 W. Hubbard in Coeur d'Alene and the doors were locked, with a hand-written note on the glass window that said, "Office closed." It also offered an address to mail payments or a phone number to pay by credit card. That number led to more recordings and full voice mails.

COEUR d'ALENE - When Gail Worden went to read her e-mail and do some Internet banking Thursday, she couldn't.

There was a problem, though she wasn't sure what it was.

First, she checked her computer connections and electrical outlets to be sure everything was in order. It was, so she tried again. No luck.

"I started getting a little suspicious," the Post Falls woman said.

So Worden called her Internet provider, Imbris, based in Coeur d'Alene. Nothing but recordings and messages that the voice mailbox was full.

"I've tried every single number I can possibly try. There's no humans there," she said.

The Imbris Web site couldn't be accessed, either, which puzzled Worden. In her 10 years or so with the business, she's never had a problem.

"They've always had great technical support and constant prices," she said.

Worden was one of many Imbris customers who found they didn't have Internet service Thursday.

The lights were off at the Imbris office at 610 W. Hubbard in Coeur d'Alene and the doors were locked, with a hand-written note on the glass window that said, "Office closed." It also offered an address to mail payments or a phone number to pay by credit card. That number led to more recordings and full voice mails.

Imbris, formerly known as NidLink, has been in the data processing business about 10 years.

Manta, which provides information on small businesses, estimates that Imbris has an annual revenue of $2.5 to $5 million and employs a staff of about 25.

Anita Nikiforuk, listed as Imbris president, did not return a Press message left at her home.

Bob Pearson of Georgetown, Texas, has been a longtime Imbris subscriber and like Worden, said he's never had any trouble.

His e-mail didn't work and his attempts to log in to the Imbris Web site failed.

"We're not getting any answers," he said.

Another Imbris customer, Paulina Freeburg of Plummer, said she had no e-mail and no technical support on Thursday to find out what was happening.

"There's no one there to take any phone calls," she said.

She said there have been no indications the company was having problems.

"I'm a little concerned," she said. "I hope they don't leave everybody high and dry."