Even dead people can't escape AOL

[Scotty]

[JER Soaps Fan]

Oh my gosh. As an AOL customer (broadband), that MORTIFIED me to read. And it's so true, too. You can NOT cancel from them. This story broke my heart. I really feel for that lady. What an awful thing to deal with it.

[poohbear19]

The horror stories I can tell dealing with AOL customer service... they are some of the rudest and meanest people I have ever encountered. They also don't know the meaning of no and don't listen. They allowed my younger sister (who was 13 at the time) to sign up for an AOL account and charged it to my mother's phone bill... and then hasseled my mother for their mistake when she blocked them from doing it and told her that she had to pay an almost $150 bill (they kept charging her after it was discontinued). They finally stopped when she threatened to sue, because my sister was underage and figured out that she only had to pay one month (which is an outrageous price anyways).

[Ms. Walsh]

That's awful.

AOL is pathetic. We used to have it when we used dial-up a few years ago, and we still pay for it! My family uses Comcast, but my mom pays for 4 hours a month of AOL. It's ridiculous. We should just cut all ties w/ them. They charge way too much and are not any better than most internet providers.

[KMan101]

AOL is horrendous! When I went to cancel from them last year, to switch to DSL, the guy was nice, but at the same time, really trying to stone-wall me, etc... He told me they have to do all they can to keep subscribers, and he even apologized after I screamed at him. It was just horrendous. I'm glad he apologized because I was getting livid. Ugh. I'm getting mad all over again just thinking about it! And thankfully, I'm not being charged for it, so... they did cancel it.

[bellcurve]

Yuck! Thank goodness I never had to deal with that!

[Keith]

So glad I've never had to deal with AOL.

[Drew]

you're really a Verizon customer. You just don't know it, and you're much better off ending affiliation to aol. If you encounter problems with the service, AOL refers you to us, but we can't help you very much because most of the time you're not in our systems.

Now, on to this woman's situation. I take escalations for Verizon DSL. From what she's describing, and what was done to her - she mustn't have been talking to any of the reps in a calm or professional mannor. The one thing I'd love to say to customers but can't because the calls are recorded by corporate (due to the nature of the calls we take): I can be either your best friend, or you're worst enemy depending on the attitude you give me - make a choice.

[JER Soaps Fan]

What is this about Verizon?

I'm completely and utterly shocked and stunned!

I do intend to cut off AOL service...although I want to not to do that, and stick wtih them until they switch over to completely free (they're doing that you know). FYI: I'm an AOL broadband customer so I'll never need technical service. I don't dial up or any of that crap. I just let Bellsouth Ultra-high speed DSL do ALL the work for me. Life. Is. Sweet. So if AOL ever conks out, why should I care? I certainly won't have to deal with their crappy customer service anymore. After all, I'm ONLY an AOL broadband customer. $4.95 a month just to get their crappy broadband content. L-A-M-E.

[Bree]

I never had AOL but my brother did and he hated it. Luckily, he was able to end service before it became a soap opera.

I have Comcast broadband and despite it's monthly price of $49.95, it's the best. It's worth the money. I did have Verizon DSL but it sucked. When I told them I was dropping my account because I was switching to Comcast, they offered to lower my monthly rate to $13.95 a month. I said no dice. They were that bad.

[Rhiannon]

Free AOL For Anyone With Own Internet Connection

Frequently Asked Questions About the New aol

1. Why Is aol Doing This?

2. What Is Included for Free?

3. What Don't I Get for Free?

4. I'm Thinking About Switching to Broadband: What Should I Do?

5. Does aol Work With Any Broadband or Dial-Up Provider?

6. Where's the Catch?

7. When Can I Get aol for Free?

8. Does This Mean I Can Stop Paying for aol?

9. Will There Be a Service Disruption if I Choose the Free aol Option?

10. Will I Be Bombarded With Advertising if I Choose the Free aol Option?

11. What if I Still Need Internet Access?

12. Can I Keep Using aol in Spanish or English?

1. Why Is aol Doing This?

To give members more choice and flexibility so they can get the online experience that's right for them. As aol changes, other sources of revenue (such as advertising) will allow us to offer many of our services free of charge.

2. What Is Included for Free?

Regardless of how you choose to get online, here's what you'll get for free from aol: An email account with up to seven screen names, the Buddy List® feature, Address Book, aol software, comprehensive safety and security protection, Parental Controls, access to millions of online videos, aol® Radio with XM and more.

3. What Don't I Get for Free?

There will still be a monthly charge to use aol to connect to the Internet, and we will offer several reliable and affordable options, on both dial-up and broadband. These options will include access to our 24/7 Live (telephone) Customer Support, which is not available with our free services. Additionally, we will offer various a la carte products and services, many of which we will announce this fall.

4. I'm Thinking About Switching to Broadband: What Should I Do?

aol offers several reliable and affordable options for switching to a high-speed (cable or DSL) Internet connection. Call us at 1-800-984-7134 to find out if the service is available at your home address. If you purchase your high-speed Internet connection separately, you can still use aol's free services -- including email, video, radio, online security and more.

5. Does aol Work With Any Broadband or Dial-Up Provider?

Yes, aol works with any dial-up or broadband provider. You do not need to change your email address or do anything differently. Once you connect to the Internet with your dial-up, cable, DSL, satellite or wi-fi provider, you simply go to aol.com or start your existing aol software. For information on how to set up your aol software to work with another provider, please go to http://help.aol.com and search for "Connection" or click here.

aol will continue to provide several reliable and affordable options for connecting to the Internet, on both dial-up and high-speed (cable or DSL) plans. Please call 1-866-280-0618 to find out more about the connectivity plans aol provides.

6. Where's the Catch?

There is no catch. Choose to connect to the Internet however you want, and enjoy the benefits of aol's software, email, and features at no extra cost. We'll still have pay plans for people who need an Internet connection and full customer support, as well as certain a la carte services, but anyone can use aol's free features regardless of how they get online.

7. When Can I Get aol for Free?

If you already have an alternative way to connect to the Internet, either by dial-up or broadband, you can move to the free aol plan and continue to access your aol e-mail, software, and security features. To change your current aol plan, simply call Member Services at 1-800-984-6207.

8. Does This Mean I Can Stop Paying for aol?

That depends. You can choose the free aol option and stop paying for Internet access and customer support from aol if you have another way to get online. Once you're online, you can continue to use aol's software, email and security features at no charge. We will, however, continue to offer dial-up and high-speed (cable or DSL) plans for those who need a connection to the Internet and customer support.

9. Will There Be a Service Disruption if I Choose the Free aol Option?

No -- you should be able to continue accessing the aol software, your email account and additional aol features, as long as you have a connection to the Internet. Make sure you first start up your Internet connection before you open your aol software.

10. Will I Be Bombarded With Advertising if I Choose the Free aol Option?

We do not anticipate significant changes to the advertising and pop-up policies in place on the aol.com Web site and throughout the aol service.

11. What if I Still Need Internet Access?

aol will continue to offer several reliable and affordable options for connecting to the Internet, on both dial-up and high-speed (cable or DSL) plans.

12. Can I Keep Using aol in Spanish or English?

Yes, you can continue to use aol in the language that you prefer -- Spanish or English.