WASHINGTON, Nov. 29, 1999 -- Consumer protection officials say
Internet service providers (ISPs) lead the top 10 list of Web-related
complaints this year.
A survey by the National Association of
Consumer Agency Administrators and the Consumer Federation of
America found that disputes over ISP refunds and billing were the
most frequent Internet complaints filed with their offices.
Next were complaints about merchandise
ordered over the Web and online auctions.
America Online was the source of many
complaints from consumers who said they were unable to get through to
the popular service.
Other common complaints included long
distance charges to reach ISP numbers that customers thought were
local.
As for auctions, many consumers said they
received nothing in return for their "successful" bids or got
something other than what was described. In one case, at least 60
consumers complained to the San Francisco District Attorney that they
didn't get the Beanie Baby they bid on.
The good news for e-commerce, though, is
that Internet problems didn't make the consumer agencies' overall top 10
list. As usual, auto sales headed that list. |
