Prodigy: Class Action suit?
Written: Jan 03 '00 (Updated Jan 18 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: None
Cons: This service borders thievery
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| Jerry_Maras's Full Review: Prodigy |
I've used AOL for a few years now, but for some reason, it started kicking my modem speed down to 26kbps. Thinking that it might be a software problem with AOL, I decided to load up a "Free" trial of Prodigy to see if it had a problem connecting at 55.6kbps. I also figured that this was a good opportunity to check out a different ISP to see if I was missing anything. This has become a nightmare!
First, the connect speed was no different. Secondly, the system that was provided to me contained no E-Mail reader leaving me unable to read or write E-mail. Thirdly, I found the system entirely too cumbersome to walk through and after a mere 30 minutes on line, decided to just stick with AOL.
When I tried to contact their toll free number for cancellation, I had to listen to a recording that walked through 9 dialing options in random order until I was told what button to press to connect to the cancellation department. Then I was put on indefinite hold. After 15 minutes on hold, I hung up and went to work.
The next day, I tried again, and after 20 minutes on hold, I hung up and went to work.
2 days later I called and received a recorded message that said "We are unable to access billing at this time".
5 days later, after 15 minutes on hold, I hung up and went to work.
2 weeks later, I tried again to cancel and was given a new message which gave me an E-Mail Address through which to cancel, but due to a missing E-Mail reader in Prodigy, I was only able to E-Mail them through AOL. Anyhow, they acknowledged receipt of my E-Mail which stated exactly what I have previously outlined in this Epinion, and gave them my user name. They wrote me back stating that "for security reasons", they could only cancel the account through the toll free (Hold til you die) line, or E-Mail them through the Prodigy system (which didn't work).
Out of total frustration and unwilling to spend any more of my lifetime
on hold, I wrote my credit card issuer, Discover, and explained the situation and requested that they remove the charge and disallow any future charges from prodigy.
They temporarily credited my account, but after hearing from Prodigy, rebilled me for the charge, and at this point, have billed me for 4 months of a service which I haven't used, am unable to use, and don't want to use. Prodigy has fully acknowledged receiving my request for cancellation and still are continuing to bill my credit card.
Prodigy is fraudulently offering an uncancellable service under the guise of it being a "free trial offer". I contend they they intentionally under staff the cancellation line so that they can receive fewer cancellations. Further, they give you no address with which to write.
I am seeking people who have had similar experiences with this company as I plan on initiating a class action law suit to deal with this infringement on a consumer's right to cancel a service. Further, I believe that there is basis for credit card fraud charges and the potential for additional liability involved with the credit card issuers.
I think it's totally abusive to require anyone to be put on hold for indefinite periods in order to NOT be charged for an unwanted service. Apparently that is Prodigy's intent.
Please write a response to this Epinion to help me in my case.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
Jerry_Maras
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Reviews written: 2
Trusted by: 1 member
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