AOL Declared War On SuperCitizen

[Solomwi]

It only makes sense, no, PH? I'd start right there, Pekka, and definitely get an e-mail off bringing that to light to the higher-ups. They tend to see "Bad PR bought for a pittance" quicker than those answering the phones.

[Pekka]

That's what I said to her, that if she can't cancel it, thne they can't hold her responsible for paying it. I mean what's that? That's like lifetime service you pay until you die, even though you don't want it, and even though you can't even use it. ANd right now without even a computer. That's pretty much the case. I knwo it's impossible, but that's what AOL is saying. And that's why I want them to really consider showing good faith and nto only give the money back she's been paying for all this time (she contacted them in the beginning, not just last week), but something extra to make her feel welcome. Not necessary money, a poster, just something, that would be in order and not too much to ask IMO. I'll e-mail those higher ups though, and I'll give them the details of what happened, the dates and all that and just ask what are we going to do with this. If they are unwilling to come up with any solution, I'll call them up. If they suggest ok we cancel it then damn it, well I just have to call them up and ask are they not going to do anything about all the bills she's being paying for all this time while they've been refusing to cancel it.

Oh and just to make it clear, her english is very fluent. That's definitely not the case.

PS. I've called them before myself too, as my mom explained this to me back in May when I was there. I called them up and said we need to cancel this service, however they refused to do that because they needed my mom to call there, so I told them she's tried it before and they refused so I'm calling on her behalf, to which they said 'well she needs to make the call, we can't continue any further, she has to be the one talking to us, you can't cancel it on anyones behalf'. This much I figured they would say anyway, and that's cool. But it showed the attitude, because it's deadlocked, they won't serve her either. Basically they say we should shut up and pay the bills.

[Solomwi]

One thing to keep in mind: you're likely not going to see any of that money already paid, much less a little extra. Ask for it, but don't get your heart set on getting it. Once they have it in hand, it's tough to get back.

[DanielXY]

if its illegal. Sue them.

[Pekka]

Solomwi, well my mom's money of course. I'm not trying to get anything for myself naturally. But if I find this to be illegal, which might be the case, they better pay up the moeny she's been giving to them. THere's just no way I'll give up before that happens. I'm a stubborn young man, I'll give butt massage to drunk men just to get the plane ticket money and go there and prove my point. I'll fight it for 10 years just to make my point, that's not the question.

[Solomwi]

Good luck with it, and if you do get it, would it be worth a couple bills my way to keep that butt massages to drunk men line out of my sig?

[Pekka]

Hey you do what you have to do. Just like I do what I have to do.. to get this thing done.

[MrFun]

I canceled my AOL account last month, after having had mine for seven years.

[pchang]

Have your mom ask for a cancellation in a letter. Keep a copy of that letter. Then, stop paying.

[Pekka]

.. but I want to fight...

[Moral Hazard]

Unfortunately it looks like your Mother has been voluntarily paying the bill each time? Im afraid that means she probably can't get any money back. It implies agreement. IF SHE DOESN'T PAY THE BILL HER SERVICE WILL BE CANCELLED.

If it's Autocharge to a Credit Card? Or even just paid with CC.

If that's the case dispute the last 3 charges or 2 charges on the card(monthly). If it's Amex she can dispute charges going back 6 months. Also instruct the card company not to authorize any future charges from AOL. If they can't do this you need a new card. After this file a greivance in small claims court, jurisdiction is tricky. If you have to hire a lawyer you'll never recoup costs. Unfortunatel, there are no class actions against AOL at the moment for this that I know of. I'm not sure why, but given your Mothers 'unique' circumstances she probably wouldn't qualify.

If she is paying by Debit Card or Check. Your out of luck, go straight to small claims if applicable. If debit card you'll probably need to switch your card, don't know if any banks will refuse all future charges to a card. Don't know about Direct Debit, besides the fact that it's a bad idea to pay this way unless you have to. (loans etc.) Due to lack of Recourse.

I'm not a lawyer but I was a billing manager, and dealt with this from the other side. We weren't quite this bad though.

[Pekka]

Uhh ohh.. I don't understand why customer is in situation like this and there are no people who help in situations like these. Who protects the customers right? No one? Don't say law, there should be officials that are like hawks and on customer side and attack every business who screws customers like this.

SO, this is actually legal? How can this be legal? This can't be legal? Why should customer go all this trouble because AOL ****s up? I think they need to have my e-mail really bad and read it carefully. If this is the way it's going down, then I'm angry and will seek every support possible to slam AOL at every corner possible and **** with them every single chance I get. That is, if they don't want to cooperate with me and continue being criminals that somehow are not outlaws.

[Moral Hazard]

America is business friendly haven't you heard.

She can file a complaint with the State Autorney Generals Office of Consumer protection. They will send an information request to the company. All the company has to do with first step is explain the situation. Consumer protection will then forward the letter to the customer. The customer then has to say they aren't satisfied and send another letter to the Attorney General OCP. The AGOCP will then decide who they feel is in the right, and send a semi-threatening letter of reccomendations to the company, if they feel the consumer has been wronged. Companies will usually do what the AGOCP recommends but they can write another letter to AGOCP explaining their position. Letter goes back to consumer they have to write an essay explaining their position. AGOCP decides who they feel is in the right. If they back the consumer they send an even more menacing letter to Company threatening legal action. We never went this far, so I don't know who pays what in the legal process. Good thing about this; most companies will rectify situation after first letter from AGOCP.

A) Points for your mother - she tried to cancel.
B) Point against she continued to voluntarily pay the bill implying acceptance.

Another option is the Better Business Bureau. They are private mediator supported by companies, usually local. Toothless but they do have a rating scale so companies will often rectify situation given letters.

I don't know why I didn't mention these two options previously. Sorry, given your situation these are your best bets.

[Pekka]

Implying acceptance? That's criminal thinking. So if I start blackmailign someone, and they willingly pay me, it's not a crime? Damn.. I must try that one out.

I'm angry now, the pig gear has kicked in. I will not rest, I will fight these people, the war has started and I'm ready to CHAAAAAAAAARGE UUAAAUAAAAUUUAUAUUAAUAAAA LET those who believe in me follow me and I WILL PROMISE YOU VICTORYYYY!!! If you have no love for me turn your back now and leave, no one will judge you and you can return to your homes, as the battle is about to begin and there will be no mercy for anyone, not you, me or the enemy and I will personally execute cowards who run from the battle field.. ... FOLLOW ME!!!! UAAUAUAUAUAUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

THis crap is LONG overdue. THey'll get theirs! HHa! Pissing off SuperCitizen...

[Moral Hazard]

Good thing about this; most companies will rectify situation after first letter from AGOCP.

I'd recommend this be your opening salvo. Also if your Mother is old enough a Senior Citizens advocacy group might do all this for her.