Refund from AOL - how likely?
 

Having used the AOL software for a 50hr/30-day trial, I decided it was useless, quite frankly!

Unfortunately, on trying to disconnect from AOL using their freephone number I was kept on hold for 2 hours, with no response. I then e-mailed them, asking them to remove me from their records and un-installed their software.

Imagine my surprise(!) to find that AOL had billed me on my February credit card bill. I tried another couple of times to disconnect, but gave up after 2 hour holds.

I then tried a different tack, and used their freephone number to 'make a billing enquiry'. Lo and behold I was only waiting 3 minutes and somebody spoke to me! I then explained my situation and they have finally taken me off their billing.

I never once used AOL after the period of the free trial, and I have written to them with the above details and requested a refund of the £29.98 which they have charged me over the last two months.

Anybody had a similiar experience - if so, what are my chances of a refund?

Cheers.

http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/wokka.gif

Contact your credit card supplier. Billing without authority is a big no-no.

Depends on the fine print that you agree to. If it says that the **only** way to cancel is by xxxx then that might affect things.

Cheers, tinstaafl.

Unfortunately, it does say that the only way to disconnect is by phoning, which is ridiculous for an ISP! However, the fact that I was kept on hold for a total of 7 hours trying this method will hopefully persuade them to refund. (Probably a little naive on my part!)

Jeez.....I'd run straight to my local Trading Standards office or Consumer Advocacy branch.

Don't let shoddy trading standards win.

Hope it goes well!