watch out for AOL "free trials"

Mosey · Apr 10, 2003

watch out for AOL \"free trials\"

I just became a victim of AOL. Their scam is to offer a free trial. Then, when I call to cancel they offer to extended it and tell you a date to cancel by. What they don't tell you is that you have to call and cancel 72 hours before that date. I got rooked out of a month of their service because of that, since I really didn't even use it because I thought it was still a free trial.

Anonymous Poster · Apr 10, 2003

Re: watch out for AOL \"free trials\"

File a complaint with your state's Attorney General. AOL has done stuff like this before, and was sued by several AG's. IIRC, AOL signed a consent degree regarding this sort of practice.

SnowRidge

RoyJackson · Apr 10, 2003

Re: watch out for AOL \"free trials\"

AOL is a real rip off. I used AOL in '96 or '97. When I canceled it (boy, do they bug you when you call to cancel!!), they kept charging on the credit card until I called the credit card company.
They also keep saying "no credit card required" on their "free" trials...until you actually try to use the service.
Whenever I get one of the AOL trial CD-ROM's, I just toss it in the trash.

As far as I'm concerned, AOL can drop dead!

BillG_in_TX · Apr 10, 2003

Re: watch out for AOL \"free trials\"

I always refer to AOL as "The Dark Side"

yooperdave · Apr 10, 2003

Re: watch out for AOL \"free trials\"

I refer to AOL as SOL (&%$# out of luck).

This type of company only survives from advertising.

AOL is a marketing company, and not a ISP company.

You may have the worst product, but if you advertise, it must be good (right?) so the masses will buy.

IBM used to be this way in the 80's with the original PC. The only thing wrong with their product was I, B & M. People bought because they were told to.

Yooper Dave

Anonymous Poster · Apr 10, 2003

Re: watch out for AOL \"free trials\"

( I always refer to AOL as "The Dark Side" )

Naw, that would be Micro$haft.

There is no appropriate term for AOL that can be printed in a family forum.

SnowRidge

dummy · Apr 10, 2003

Re: watch out for AOL \"free trials\"

But now they come in those neat little metal boxes. You don't throw those out too , do you?

MDNick · Apr 10, 2003

Re: watch out for AOL \"free trials\"

Don't trash them. Shoot 'em. Throw them up in the air, then shoot with a shotgun. Great fun. Wait 2 weeks and get 4 of them in the mail. Throw all up at once, shoot one with each shell. Requires more than a double barrel, though. Is a great challenge.

Actually, AOL serves my college roommate quite well. He is an airline pilot, so gets all over the country. AOL reliably has hookup anywhere (cities anyway) in the US for a local call. Other ISP's may as well, don't know. It's good for a frequent traveler.

The commercialization would annoy the crap out of me. But then, I don't even have a connection at home.

cstocks · Apr 10, 2003

Re: watch out for AOL \"free trials\"

AOLOL I call it because it is laughable that I would consider using it. I have done my best over the years to steer my friends away from AOL. I had it in late '97 and early '98. I was new to the internet but knew enough that AOL was not for me.