SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Technology Stocks : America On-Line: will it survive ...?
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: Brian K Crawford who wrote (1827)2/24/1997 10:18:00 AM
From: John Howell   of 13594
 
Brian,

>>Won't the users typically settle for one provider who gives them the most performance and flexibility?<<

I'm having trouble equating AOL's service with the words "performance" and "flexibility".

A good friend of mine used AOL's electronic option to convert from his old plan to the 19.95 unlimited plan. When he got his VISA statement there was a 27.95 AOL charge. After three days of trying, he got the AOL customer "service" desk. They informed him that they had no record of his enrollment in the unlimited plan. They then refused to detail why he was billed 27.95; whether that price reflected an unlimited plan or a lower rate plus hourly charge, etc. When he asked to have his service discontinued, the customer service agent hung up.

Here's what happened when my friend called the issuer of his credit card, Regions Bank (Huntsville, AL). Regions has had so many chargebacks from customers disputing billings from AOL that they have generated a form letter to send to a Mr. Ray Oglethorpe, the Vice President of Member Services in Ogden, Utah, along with a statement from the bank that they will no longer accept charges from AOL on the indicated members credit card. Regions Bank has publicly stated that this is the only way that the bank has been able to mediate disputes between their cardholders and AOL, since AOL does not respond in a timely matter to the banks requests for information.

If any one wants it, I'll be happy to fax the response from AOL to my friend who cancelled his service. All it contains is a page of ad copy. It doesn't address any of the fraudulent billing practices.

When my friend contacted the State AG's office he was informed that there have been a significant number of complaints concerning AOL's CC billing practices, and that the AG is investigating.

P.S. Would still appreciate your comments on a business model that will allow AOL to turn a profit.
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  

HomeMailHotSubjectMarksPeopleMarksKeepersSettings
Terms Of UseContact UsCopyright/IP PolicyPrivacy PolicyAbout UsFAQAdvertise on SI
© 2026 Knight Sac Media.  Data provided by Twelve Data, Alpha Vantage, and CityFALCON News