When I bought my PC from Dell in September of last year, I had 6 months free with AOL and Earthlink. I first tried Earthlink and stayed with it for 4 months and then switched to AOL. My PC was running slow and I kept getting bumped off for no reason at all. I switched to different Internet Providers for a while just to see which one I liked best.
My husband and I live far out in the country in Kentucky so all I have is dial-up. As we all know, dial-up is very slow and that got on my nerves so bad! This is why I had to find the one that suited me best. Anyway, I eventually switched back to AOL and when I did I made a huge mistake! I was paying $23.90 every month for their service but it was actually doing a little better. I was happy with it now, but a month later my husband and I ran in to some financial problems.
I did everything I could just to save us money. I think I'm the only person this side of the Mississippi who doesn't have Call-Waiting! Yes, I actually took this service off my phone, plus I went from 180 channels on our Dish Network to 60. This was a huge challenge for my household. There was one more way for me to save money and that was to agree to 12 months at $17 and some odd cents and if I were to break my contract, I would have to pay a $50.00 penalty fee. At first I thought I was making the right decision but then I started having problems with my service again!
This was bad now because I have my own business and I work from my house and every time I would be IM'ing one of my buyers, I would get bumped off for no reason. Also, my connection was so slow. It was going to take me 6hours! To download AOL's toolbar. Now, to me this was crazy! I had so many problems with AOL it was pitiful. They even sent me a free ActionTec External Modem hoping my connection speed would pick up. Well, it didn't work so I kept calling AOL reporting my technical problems and they told me to get a free CD from my Post Office or Wal-Mart and uninstall my AOL and re-install it. I did this about 15 times (No joking!)
I got so upset about this. It seemed like I was calling them at least twice a week for four months and I was getting fed up with this. The last time I called, I asked to speak with a Supervisor. I spoke with Tim Conners from the Washington State Call Center and I told him all the problems I was having. I also told him I didn't think I should be liable for the penalty fee since I didn't get the service I was promised from AOL. He agreed with me and he said he would cancel my membership and I would not have to pay the $50.00. Also, I got 2 months free just in case I wanted to stay with AOL if I couldn't find a better ISP.
I was so relieved when this call was over because they finally broke my contract!
I thought everything was fine now. I was free from AOL. I uninstalled it for the last time and now I'm so happy with what I have and I'm only paying $9.95! A few weeks went by and I got our statements from our bank and noticed AOL had charged me for this monthnot supposed to happen! I still have 2 months free. I called them and told them to cancel my membership and that I didn't want anything to do with them, not even the two free months. She said I was cancelled but I had to pay for the penalty fee! What!!!
I raised cain with this chick and asked to speak with a Supervisor. At first she wasn't going to let me. She told me she had the same "power" as a Supervisor. I wouldn't shut up until I spoke with him. Finally she transfered me and he was a cocky smart as#! I told him about Tim Conners waiving my fee and he said, It aint gonna happen. He also said there was no Washington Sate Call Center. I don't know whats going on now! We had some words and after 2 hours listening to him, I told him if he took one cent out of my checking account he would be hearing from my lawyer. I asked him the # to the Corporate Office and he said they have no # and no one was over him.
He said they had me down twice on the same contract! I only agreed to one and where this other one came in to play, I have no idea. All I know is, I will never get mixed up with AOL again!
I was wondering how I can get this taken care of. What can I do and who can I call or write about this? If you can help me please do! I called my bank and told them to stop all payments with AOL because I will not pay for this penalty fee that I did not agree to! Please help me.
Ashley
Paintsville, Kentucky
U.S.A.
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