::AOL::Is Proof Enough?::Automated Service Provides Costly Incorrect Billing Info::

::"Thank You", in Advance::

::Is This Enough to Hold AOL (America Online LLC) Legally Responsible?::

(Scenario: On May 6 2008 I initiated 2 '50 Days Free' Trial Memberships with AOL... While I was still in the 'Free Trial' programs, the last week in May, I utilized the AOL Automated Phone Assistance Service to find out the date my first bills would be due... The info I was given stated my account was "Current" for May, "Current" for June, and that my "Next Bill" would be due July 25... However... On July 7, 2 charges for $25.90 were withdrawn from my bank account for bills dated June 25, resulting in 2 $33.00 overdraft fees... I based my bank deposit activity on the information I received from the AOL Automated Service, which provided me with incorrect information... and a 'Free Trial' bill for $117.80)

::Excerpts From AOL Online Live Help Conversation::July 23 2008::

::A Clay Bean::the information i received from the AOL automated service, in
May, stated that my account for June was current and that
my bill date was July 25
::MHI Jex::Yes that is correct. Your AOL free service started on May 6, 2008
and ended on June 25, 2008.
::MHI Jex::Once your free trial period ends, you don't need to contact us to
keep enjoying the AOL® service. You will automatically be placed
on the $25.90 AOL® service with Unlimited Dial-up plan unless
you change to a different price plan or cancel your account.


::A Clay Bean::i was calling to find out when my first bill was due.. and the
AOL automated service informed me that the first bill due would be
July 25, not June 25..
::MHI Jex::I apologize for the confusions, since the first billing has past the
automated will confirm your next billing date, that is why you
were given the July 25, 2008 billing date


::A Clay Bean::i called in May..during the free trial.. to find out the first bill
due date..
::A Clay Bean::and according to the service, in May, my account for May
was current, my account for June was current, and my next bill
date was July 25
::A Clay Bean::was June considered current because the free trial ran until
June 25?
::MHI Jex::Yes


::A Clay Bean::so when i called the service in May.. my first billing was not
past, correct?
::MHI Jex::Yes, however since you were still on the free trial then it will not
indicate your billing date


::A Clay Bean::i based my bank account deposit on the information i received
from the AOL automated service in May.. because i was given a
July 25 due date, i did not deposit the payment. the incorrect
information from the AOL automated service caused my bank
account to incur overdraft charges..
::A Clay Bean::33.00 each, 2 overdrafts b/c i had 2 free trials at the time.
::MHI Jex::I'm sorry about that matter
::A Clay Bean::both caused by the incorrect AOL automated service
information i received about my bill due date.
::MHI Jex::However, we cannot issue any credit to your account regarding
this issue, since the billing is automatically done once your free
trial expires.
::A Clay Bean::even though AOL is who provided me with incorrect
information?
::MHI Jex::Yes
::A Clay Bean::so AOL does not ensure the reliability of it's automated
service, the primary source of information for customers who call?
::MHI Jex::That is possible, however that free trial will indicate on how many
days or hours you will have.


::A Clay Bean::is there an address for written communication about this
matter?
::MHI Jex::Our main address is: AOL LLC, 22000 AOL Way, Dulles, VA 20166
::A Clay Bean::is there an address for billing disputes?
::MHI Jex::There is non, you may contact your bank regarding that matter.



*Folks... Please, Never use a service provider's Automated Assistance as a primary source of information... it may take 20 or 30 minutes of navigation through the maze of Pre-recorded Robotic Responses to get to an Actual Live Human Being... but it will be worth every minute of your time...


John 3:16...