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The W - Internet & Computers - Fun with cancelling AOL
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Reverend J Shaft
Toulouse








Since: 25.6.03
From: Home of The Big House

Since last post: 1438 days
Last activity: 22 days
#1 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.35
Heard an interesting story on the radio this morning about a guy recording his call to AOL "attempting" to cancel his account. You can hear it here.

I heard the AOL rep lost his job soon after, but I'm sure he could use this call as a reference for a new job at the DMV.
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rinberg
Boudin rouge








Since: 30.1.02
From: South Georgia

Since last post: 4461 days
Last activity: 743 days
#2 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.97
I knew this seemed like a familiar topic. It seems that DJ FrostyFreeze had the same problem a couple of years ago. It's amazing that a company with such horrible customer service is still in business. On the other hand, if the customers can't endure the harrasment it takes to quit, maybe it's not so surprising....



"Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning." --Rick Cook
EddieBurkett
Boudin blanc








Since: 3.1.02
From: GA in person, NJ in heart

Since last post: 63 days
Last activity: 1 day
#3 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.08
I particularly enjoyed this AOL cancellation (consumerist.com) story too.

I remember when I tried to cancel a few years ago. I just kept insisting that the software was too much for my ancient computer, and after a while that finally seemed to do the trick.



You believe me, don't you?
Please believe what I just said...
estragand
Summer sausage








Since: 18.6.02

Since last post: 5999 days
Last activity: 5999 days
#4 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.61
It wouldn't be funny if a similar scenario hadn't happened to EVERYONE.

I originally "cancelled" my AOL account about two years ago. I'd call up to cancel and they'd set me up with 3 more free months everytime. I was still using AOL for testing purposes, so I wasn't 100% opposed to the free months.

Then a little over a year ago, I called up for my usual "cancellation" request. The guy I got was a complete prick and said "well, BUDDY..we CHARGE MONEY for our service!" Then he asked me, condescendingly "do YOU have a job? One that you acually get PAID for? Tell me, do you have a job?!!" I cracked and asked him if he had ever had sex outside of a hand job. Or if he ever had a REAL job-- one that didn't include the words "Subway" or "AOL" (weak comebacks.. but I was pissed).

Couldn't hang up...because the cockbag was set to charge me 14.95 for the past year of "free" months. I finally got the "bill" down to 4.95 and got a FINAL cancellation confirmation. I knew that if I called back, I would probably get a different rep--one who would refund me that 4.95. But time is money and paying less than 5 bucks to never hear from them again, or go through another 20 minute cancellation sparring session, was worth it.

Basically, I had to pay 5 bucks to get AOL to go away.



-ES
Visit ES online- it's "Internet Entertainment"!
DJ FrostyFreeze
Scrapple








Since: 2.1.02
From: Hawthorne, CA

Since last post: 137 days
Last activity: 137 days
#5 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.64

I havent listened to the clip yet, but I just saved it to my HD and I'm emailing it to myself so I can check it out when I get home from work.

BACK ON TOPIC: I was just DLing it and reading through all of the comments on that page* Rev. Shaft linked to and I just heard the guys on ESPN Radio here in L.A. teasing that they were about to talk about this story/clip when they come back from the break, but I missed it. But if these 2 bozos picked up on it, hopefully the big media outlets will do the same too. I'm really interested in hearing big wig from AOL try to explain this.


*I must've read through 50 or 60 comments on that page and even though everyone's "That happened to me too!" story was exactly the same, I couldnt stop reading them. Good stuff. I'm actually starting to think that maybe the AOL guy I dealt with wasnt trying hard enough!



NOW you've done it
drjayphd
Scrapple
Moderator








Since: 22.4.02
From: New Hampshire

Since last post: 766 days
Last activity: 350 days
ICQ:  
#6 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.06
You wanted the best, you got... Out of Context Quote of the Week.

"I know, I know you are saying "sure there was some bad calls, but Jake Gyllenhaal obviously dropped too many easy catches and Ang Lee had some horrible clock management at the end of each half!"" (krakken2000)


They already have, Frosty. Saw this last night on Countdown as the #1 segment. They edited it down a bit, so it's only about three minutes, I think, but it was hilarious.



DJ FrostyFreeze
Scrapple








Since: 2.1.02
From: Hawthorne, CA

Since last post: 137 days
Last activity: 137 days
#7 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.64

    Originally posted by drjayphd
    They already have, Frosty.
Word. The guys on ESPN Radio said they originally saw it on The Today Show. I havent seen anything on it yet, maybe I dont watch enough TV?

I finally got a chance to listen to it last night and it was hilarious. But like one of the people who left comments on the page Rev. Shaft linked us to said, the caller clearly had a chip on his shoulder going in. The call would have been even funnier if he had played it like he didnt know what was coming.



NOW you've done it
Mr. Boffo
Scrapple








Since: 24.3.02
From: Oshkosh, WI

Since last post: 3895 days
Last activity: 3856 days
#8 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.12
Jim Rome keeps hyping it on his radio show, saying he'll discuss it when he has time.



In the real world, WWE believes that no matter what our race, religious creed or ethnic background in America, we all share the common bond of being Americans. American-Arabs are a part of the fabric of America, and they should be embraced by all of us.
cranlsn
Toulouse








Since: 18.3.02
From: Hartland, WI

Since last post: 1964 days
Last activity: 66 days
#9 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.82

Just nit-picking at something here. Someone on the linked page brought up the legality of him recording the conversation.

Correct me if I'm wrong (been there before ) but don't most customer service lines state "this call may be recorded for 'whatever' purposes"? If so, doesn't that imply that you should be able to record it too?

In any case, put me in the "me too" club for AOL. Way back before they allowed "internet" access I had them as an online provider. I was billed for four months after canceling...and had to make a phone call each time. Fun times.

(edited by cranlsn on 23.6.06 1425)
Mr. Boffo
Scrapple








Since: 24.3.02
From: Oshkosh, WI

Since last post: 3895 days
Last activity: 3856 days
#10 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.12
I think the fact that you tell someone that you are recording it makes it legal. Since he apparently didn't tell the guy on the other end that he was recording it, I think that is, in fact, illegal.

But then, I don't know. Do all the people on Crank Yankers get told that they're being recorded? Or is all that fake?



In the real world, WWE believes that no matter what our race, religious creed or ethnic background in America, we all share the common bond of being Americans. American-Arabs are a part of the fabric of America, and they should be embraced by all of us.
KJames199
Scrapple
Moderator








Since: 10.12.01
From: #yqr

Since last post: 226 days
Last activity: 7 days
#11 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.73
It's my understanding it's legal to record a call as long as one of the parties is aware that it's being recorded. So I can call you and record the call without telling you, and that's legal, but I can't legally intercept and record a call between you and someone else.

It's also my understanding that everytime I say "it's my understanding that..." it turns out that I am hopelessly wrong, so you might want to watch that.




JK
Guru Zim
SQL Dejection
Administrator








Since: 9.12.01
From: Bay City, OR

Since last post: 8 days
Last activity: 18 hours
ICQ:  
#12 Posted on | Instant Rating: 8.81
    Originally posted by KJames199
    It's my understanding it's legal to record a call as long as one of the parties is aware that it's being recorded. So I can call you and record the call without telling you, and that's legal, but I can't legally intercept and record a call between you and someone else.

    It's also my understanding that everytime I say "it's my understanding that..." it turns out that I am hopelessly wrong, so you might want to watch that.


Wiretapping / phone recording laws vary state by state. This is why it was OK for Lewinsky to be recorded by Tripp at some times but not at others.



Ignorance is bliss for you, hell for me.
Guru Zim
SQL Dejection
Administrator








Since: 9.12.01
From: Bay City, OR

Since last post: 8 days
Last activity: 18 hours
ICQ:  
#13 Posted on | Instant Rating: 8.81
On a related note, I'm not a lawyer, but it has never been proven/disproven that you can't tell the automatic recording that you will be recording the call. You would have a better case if you told a voice recognition menu that you were doing it. Still, its not like a person is informing you that you are being recorded.

You, like me, probably have less money than AOL, and therefore worse lawyers.



Ignorance is bliss for you, hell for me.
hansen9j
Andouille








Since: 7.11.02
From: Riderville, SK

Since last post: 115 days
Last activity: 115 days
#14 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.46
When I worked service for Cingular, we had a pat answer for requests to record. Something along the lines of "Of course you may, sir, and thank you for asking me", implying that the right was always there.

(edited by hansen9j on 23.6.06 1937)


Idle hand spend time at the genitals, and you know how God hates that.
bubblesthechimp
Boudin rouge








Since: 22.3.02
From: Weymouth, Ma

Since last post: 3178 days
Last activity: 3052 days
#15 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.80
I'd like to think that since the calls are already being recorded "for quility assurance purposes" That you are allowed to record the calls on your own without informing the rep that you are doing so.



“Let me tell you something, the day JBL rubs soap on my ass will be JBL's last day.”

- Batista-
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