Posted on 08/06/2006 7:53:47 AM PDT by BenLurkin
Maxine Gauthier doesn't own a computer. She doesn't know the first thing about Web browsing or sending e-mail. She's not even sure where to find a computer's "on" button, as she describes it.
Yet for the past nine months, she has been fighting one of the most persistent and some say irritating institutions in cyberspace: AOL, formerly known as America Online.
"An AOL service guy told me to stop complaining and learn to use a computer," she said. "Then he hung up."
Most of AOL's $1 billion in profits continues to come from subscriptions to dial-up service, a market it still dominates.
When Gauthier's father, Melvin Berkowitz, died last summer, he was living in Florida and had one credit card. Its only charges were to AOL. Gauthier's mother, Marion Berkowitz, now 80, and still living in Florida, had her name on the account but never used it.
Gauthier discovered the continuing dial-up service charge as she was settling her father's estate. She first called to cancel the AOL account last November.
With each subsequent call, AOL became more curt with Gauthier. During one exchange, "the guy - I think it was a manager - just told me to 'shut up and listen to what I have to say or don't bother calling.' Then he hung up on me," she said.
Finally, this month, Gauthier was able to cancel her father's credit card. The AOL charges, going back to last summer, were wiped away, and she was reimbursed for both the charges and late fees.
A few days ago, Gauthier obtained a letter from AOL that was sent to her mother in Florida. The letter was addressed to Melvin Berkowitz.
"Dear Mr. Berkowitz," it said. "We hope you'll come back to AOL."
(Excerpt) Read more at stltoday.com ...
It's a little bizarre, for you to be waxing philosophical at this point. So, you've made a jerk of yourself. Let it go. I know I'm not losing any sleep.
LOL! See, as I said earlier, it is no use trying to discuss anything with an AOL member... Thank so much for proving my point. Now go back to sleep, I know you did the best you could do and it was just precious, bless your heart!
You're nothing if not repititious. Have the last word, child.
You know you don't need a "portal" to surf the web, right? So in other words, you use AOL for nothing. Of course it's "great." I do nothing and I'm great at it, if I do say so myself. Now pay me 20$ per month.
While it is true that a retailer with a current number "could" continue to charge and bill....only if you haven't put a stop order on that merchant and their business. Another way to "stop" an order, would be to call your credit company and report a lost/stolen card....you get an entirely new number.
I've had an AOL account for over 13 years....it happens to be the email address most people know me by. I don't use Aol for web browsing, I much prefer Mozilla, but have found that Aol has terrific child security settings. I can set the access for my 12 year old daughter, and ensure no one can send her inappropriate crap. My husband, who although having used a PC for almost 20 years, is not internet savvy, and likes his Aol. We both hate their news content, so eventually we may get rid of the accounts, but I'd dare say there are others out there like our family who've hung on for various reasons.
when you already have an existing connection, aol only charges 9.99 a month.. i use it for chat and other things too like the news information when I'm not on FR..
Thank you for your reasoned post. What you say is true and is often used as a rationale by AOL users. And as I have said, the exeption proves the rule.
I would, however, caution you to not relay on the child-friendly features. There is no better internet guardian than an involved parent. Kids are kids and they WILL work-around locks, bars, passwords and all other security measurs set up by parents and teachers. Technology changes every month and what was secure this month is an exploit next month. You will probably have better luck teaching your child how to browse and email safely rather than relying on the someone else's idea of security.
And FYI, you would not believe how manny perverts use AOL and I hope you guard yourself and your family against them. After all, it is your responsility, not AOL's. There have been some really tragic stories of girls who have been left alone on AOL with all its child-friendly features.
Cain't be satellite. They point downward.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.