vanderwal.net

WSJ's Kara Swisher, in her last Boom Town Exchange, posts readers comments about AOL. Many of the comments are critical, but it is a good look at how users interact with services. Many of these folks writing in have been AOL users for years. Services is important and keeping a broad user group happy is really tough, as you will see if you read.

11. I BOUTGHT THE 2002 AOL PLANNER. NEVER USED IT AS IT WAS NOT WANT WAS WANTED. 2. A FEW MONTHS AGO IANSWER THE "POPUP" WITH A NO, THAT I DID NOT WANT THJE 2004 PLANNER. 3. OCT 28TH ,$34.70 WAS DEBITED FROM MY BANK ACCOUTNT. 4. NOV 1ST, THE PLANNER WAS RECEIVED AND RETURNED THE SAME DAY. 5. I HAVE YET TO SEE MY BANK ACCOUNT CREDITED FOR $34.70. MANY CONTACTS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH THE AOL PLANNER PHONE NUMBER.

Why would aol be so stupid as to spoil a good thing? Why don't you strainghten up your act? I happen to like your planner! Where do I find the link to order the 2004 planner? The name on it engraved would read NORELLA ZUNIGA, AND THE ADDRESS TO SEND IT: c/o Matty Hirai 14835 SW 45th Lane Miami, FL 33185 BUT DON'T SCREW UP THIS TIME!!!!!

I also received a 2004 planner that I did NOT order this year. What the h___ is Time AOL doing? How do I go about being credited for this without going to court in a class action suit?

I, too, received an AOL 2004 planner that I had not ordered. An unauthorized transaction of $29.90 was made on my visa card in October. I returned the planner, and two months later I received a credit for $24.90. AOL wants me to pay the shipping charges for their mistake (or was it a mistake that so many planners were sent to people who did not want them). I'm also out the $2.26 it cost me to send the planner back. I have written (snail mail) twice to AOL have made at least 4 phone calls. I was told my credit would be applied by December 20th, then by January 20th, both dates have come and gone and I'm still out $7.26. My credit card company can help me get the $5.00 back, but I'm out the rest. Do you want to hear the real kicker?? If one was to stay on the phone with AOL planner, and keep refusing the planner, the bottom available price was $9.90. For two dollars more than I am already out, I could have had the planner, but then I really didn't want it anyway which brings me back to the beginning of my story.

i did not order the planner, yet my visa was debited $29.90 0n nov 13, 2003. i phoned the next day and was promised a credit in that amount, instead they mailed mre the planner around xmas time. i returned it the next day, but still have not receved my credit!

I love my AOL Desk Planner. I bought it as part of a renewal program two years ago and have been getting it ever since. To AOL's defense they stated that I would get it every year on the original advertisement. Anyway, I love AOL and love my planner.

I don`t clik any YES any NO and aol charged me $38.65 from my VISA for 2004 aol planner !!! Where is some explanation

I did not order the AOL 2004 planner either and was charged to my account but I never received it. They send it to some other address. I played phone tag between departments(planner & service) and then was told I would get a refund. Which I finally received 2 months later. But I too only got 24.95 not the 29.90 which I should receive us are the one that messed up. I should receive a full refund.

Wow..looks like quite a few consumers got scammed. In 2002 the pop-up appeared about the 2003 personalized planner and I was interested in learning more...not placing an order and realized that I couldn't go back to the begining after typing in some information...well, I couldn't esp so I turned the computer off. The planner arrives a few weeks later! The credit card # on file was not mine, so I had to come up with $ that I did not have. Anyway, the first weekend in Janury, 2004 I received a package & did open it because I did not order anything from AOL. That Monday I spoke w/ an AOL representative & he told me to go to "keyword" to find out what was sent. After finding out it was the planner, I was livid!!! Spoke w/ an AOL representative & was told that there was some sort of agreement (in small print & I wonder even it was there) stating that I agreed to receive future yearly planners. She told me that if I kept the planner a credit would be issed in the amount $20.00, I could keep the planner for $9.90. She told me that I would receive a credit in 4 weeks and I would be responsible for the s/h!! I ws not very upset and told her I did not want the planner period and did not want the first planner sent in 2003. The business tactics are very tacky and sneaky. I would appreciate a response back regarding this matter.

I recvd a 2003 planner I did not order and was credited for the full price. At that time I told AOL not to charge my credit card for anything without my permission. I recvd an e-mail that an error has been made and was shipped a 2004 planner, but not toworry they will credit my account. I recvd the planner that was shipped in error and returned it. I have yet to get a credit on my acct. I talked to SEVERAL people and was told my acct would credited in 12/03, it was not. I than was told it would be credited in 1/04, it was not. I was sent an e-mail on 1/29/04 that said my acct would be credited in 10 bus. days, it was not. I called a sixth time and was told they shw that my acct has been credited, my bank says it has not. How can AOL charge my acct without my consent acknowledge the error and do nothing to fix it? I am careful not to get scammed on websites that I vist, I did not expect to get it from my internet provider.

Dear Sirs: I would desparately love to obtain a copy of your 2004 aol desk planner as soon as possible! Please advise as how to achieve this Very Sincerely, CR STONE

I also received a 2004 planner that I never ordered back in November returned within three days and I still, June 18th, 2004 have not received my credit. Why is AOL invading people's privacy by charging credit cards without people permission. Isn't this a violation of the new federal privacy act that went into effect last year?

I have found my desk planners a very useful help. Saves carying around a phone book and a calendar. I love it and I was not given the chance for the 2004 calendar. Please offer again Please tell me if I can and also for next year. However,, the initial price paid was quite higher than the reduced price offer just a couple of months later. Please reoffer.

I WAS CHARGED FOR A 2004 PLANNER I DIDNOT ORDER OR RECIVE I HAVE TRIED FOR SIX MONTHS TO GET MY ACCOUNT CREDITED FOR THE 35.00 PLUS TO NO AVAIL I CALLED AND E-MAILED BUT NO CREDIT PLEASE HELP SOMEONE.

I purchased the 2003 Planner, but wasn't in need of the 2004 Planner. I now could use it. Any suggestions?

I was on free subscription trial w/ AOL after purchasing my home computer. During this free trial I cancelled because of poor service by AOL. Almost 3 years later AOL charges my checking account without my knowledge or authorization. There was no offer of services, no acceptance, and absolutely no agreement between AOL and myself. AOL decided to withdraw money on a service designed to save me money, which I did not have any clue until I saw my bank statement. I want to sue.

my sister got a desk planner from aol with her name on it free for being a good customer with aol and i would like to get one for my mother in law with her name on it because she is always on the go and i really liked the style and design of the one aol sent my sister. could you please let me know how ican receive one aol is my favorite on line connections.