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Brandie of Ashford, WV December 17, 2007
My husband and I purchased a computer for my parents in November 2007. I had just had a second surgery to remove cancer from my body. My mother was having to do almost everything for me so the computer was a thank you. With the computer came a 6 month free trial. She hadn't had the service for an entire month yet and AOL charged 109.95 to her bank account. I called AOL and the service representative told me she was sorry but the system could only allow her to refund me 60.00 back. She then told me I would only be charged 9.95 a month after. Are you kidding me? As if I would wish to continue such a service. It took me nearly an hour to cancel the service. Each time I told her I wanted to cancel my service, she would reply with an upsale. Cancel means cancel, I no longer want AOL. I am still unsure if the service was cancelled or not. 6 Months Free Trial, yeah right. I am sick to my stomache.
Shawn of South Bend, IN December 16, 2007
I bought a Dell computer in January of 2006. I was to receive 6 months free AOL. I only received 3 months free and was told to fax them copies of my Dell bills. After trying for over a week to fax to a constant busy signal on there end, I gave up in frustration and just assumed I was getting ripped off out of my other 3 months. A while after that I started having problems with my service and called tech support to help me out. The first lady out of the many people that I spoke to that day asked why I was paying for the dial up plan at 25.90 a month when I was on high speed and should only be paying 9.95 a month? She told me they would refund the over-charges and that she would transfer me to billing. The lady in billing said that they would not refund any thing and that the billing was my problem.
I proceeded to ask for a supervisor and explain my free months, and now the new problem and the promise of a refund. She also said that they would not do a thing about it. I said that I want my 3 months or my refund of my over-payments of 25.90 or both--which is the proper thing for them to do. After arguing with her she finally said I would see a refund in 2-3 billing cycles. After about 5 months or so still nothing. I called to cancel and demand my money. Still no refunds, and as a final insult after 18 months of service with high speed, they charged my credit card 100.00. I called and asked what is this-- and was told I went over my 10 FREE HOURS of dial up, even though I never had dial up until my cancellation!
This has added stress to my life which can shorten my life, and loss of time on telephone that could have been used to spend time with family and friends during what little time we have here on earth.
Robert of Riverside, CA December 13, 2007
One of the rare times that I checked my checking account statement, I noticed an AOL charge. Strange, I don't use AOL. I signed up in 2004 on a 90 day free trial, having been made aware of their tactics, I was sure to cancel the membership after 30-days. I made the cancellation on-line and via telephone. I did not get a name of the person that I spoke with for the cancellation. I recently lost my ATM card and closed the account, shortly thereafter I received a past due notice and a notice of cancellation due to nonpayment on my AOL account. Funny, I don't have an AOL account! I called their customer service and explained my situation to a gentleman with what seemed to be a Middle Eastern accent, who informed me that there is or was no notice of cancellation from me, and since I could not produce a cancellation code, I am liable for the past due amount. Futhermore, if I did not pay, they would send the bill to a collection company. Even though he looked at my account and admitted that there was no activity since 2004, I had been a member since no record of cancellation was on file. This is the very reason, I will never willingly become an AOL member!
As of this time there has been no actions against me. However, I'm positive that AOL action is on the horizon.
Chris of Palatine, IL November 8, 2007
I set up a free trail and was billed for two months of two services and then promised it would be canceled. It was not canceled and they have not issued the refund by the numerous dates they have promised. They have lied to me and set up more then one account.
I have lost money and time dealing with this.
Karen of Angier, NC July 18, 2007
I had to call AOL on numerous occasions to cancel my service after receiving a disk from AOL with a free-trial period of 30 days.
Before the 30 day trial period ended, we contacted AOL to let them know we were not interested in their internet service and we were billed countless times and harrassed constantly. When it was finally cancelled, I still received invoices for payment and it took months before I ever got this straight. I still had to pay AOL money that they told me was owed to them.
Robin of Woonsocket, RI April 25, 2007
In February of this year, my daughter purchased a computer with 6 months of 'free' AOL service. She had to use my debit card as AOL wouldn't let her use the phone bill option. She called to cancel on April 6, (they have a record of this call, but 'no one was on the line'!?!). Well needless to say, my account was debited 25.90 to AOL on April 23. They refuse to give a credit It's non-refundable, how can a FREE trial be charged and then NOT be refundable?
All they would tell me was the the account had to be cancelled before the free trial was over, I explained that it wasn't even two full months of the six free. They just didn't comprehend this. I have sent an e-mail to the attorney general's office, and am still waiting for a response. John of Tucson, AZ April 9, 2007
I am one of many who have been fraudulently billed for services that I did not use. I cancelled the Free subscription within 30 days of initiation. Actually I never used it and went with DSL & Qwest Comm. Anyhow approx. six months after the fact I receive a notice that I owe 51.80 (past due).
I called AOL twice to rectify the situation and was informed that the only way to resolve the matter is to submit a check/payment in the amount of 51.80 to AOL. I refused and told them so in a diplomatic manner. The AOL Rep. simply said that the bill would be turned over to a collection agency. I have never been late on a bill and have a blemish free credit record. Their unresponsive, demanding manner makes me resolve even more so to stick to my guns. I told them there is no way they're going to see any payment from me. Barbara of Dresden, OH April 9, 2007
I bought a laptop and was to receive 3 months free. I noticed that in the month of March I was billed 3 times and it was deducted from my checking account. I was told that I would receive
it all back into my checking account the
way it was removed. I have not received
anything back at this point.
Ray of Rochester, NY April 6, 2007
I have attempted to resolve over billing which developed from a free trial and have since incurred billing charges, overdrafts, charges due to same and these resulted in closure of my personal account with Chase. I have been spent literally HOURS trying to get this resolved, and have been unsuccessful. they tell me it is my banks fault ( not true). My bank advised me to take legal action. Now I am wondering if there is any way to recoup this money?
Arlyn of Sterling, VA March 30, 2007
I work for AOL. And I totally understand how their members feel. I have resigned already, because of these practices they have. First, they have this 90day risk free trial. In the cover it says no credit card required, which is totally a big hoax because it does require a payment method. What's worse, is that you will be getting charged for the 90 days that you will be using the service and not get a refund if you cancel AFTER the 3month period. There's no need for me to defend a company whose marketing strategies are very misleading. I feel sorry for the customers who get overdraft fees because of this so-called promotion.
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