Complaint Review: Earthlink

In May of 2004, I briefly subscribed to a "free trial" of earthlink that came with my new PC. As soon as I was able to download my main internet provider onto my PC, I called and cancelled my account with Earthlink. I had learned in the past to get a confirmation number from a previous experience with Compuserve where they took me for about $100.00. So this time I made sure to write down my confirmation number after cancelling the account.

Sure enough, on this months (12/04)credit card statement I found a charge from earthlink for $21.95. I called customer service and was asked several times if I was sure that I had cancelled my account. After I told the representative that I had and even had my confirmation number, I was put on hold for approx. 1/2 hour waiting for a "supervisor" to confirm my cancellation.

When a "supervisor" finally did pick up, I was told that I had been given some special "6 months free" offer by the original party that had taken my call. It was only after giving this confirmation number and insisting on my money back that I was believed. Watch out for these tactics from Earthlink and other internet companies. I guess I should thank Compuserve for teaching me a lesson in all of this.

Joel
Glenwood, Iowa
U.S.A.