For AOL masochists, AOL is going for broke with free accounts

[Dina Lerret]

http://www.investor.reuters.com/Article.aspx?docid=9782&target=%2f%2fcompanyoftheday

I tested out the theory today by calling to cancel** and AOL 'says' I
have the free plan and the website's billing reflects I'm on the
"$0.00" plan... But what cracks me up, when accessing bill.aol.com, is
this: "Price Plan: cleint only"

*Cleint*?  I could be wrong but I think it should be 'client'. {g}

Basically, you give up all dial-up (I'm already on broadband with
included dial-up, so no biggie) and all live/tech support (I didn't
know AOL even had support ;-) ).  However, I've heard there is an
inconsistency in if your plan setup will allow accessing via AOL
software or not.  Since I use webmail, again no biggie but I'd be
curious to test the theory when I get home.

**Ironically, the AOL CSR 'guided' me by saying something along the
lines of 'if you don't get the free service plan, you'll cancel,
correct' and I'm like 'yes' because he also (read between the lines)
said he couldn't offer the plan *unless* I was calling to cancel.
Since I called less than thirty days ago to cancel (at that point they
offered me $4.95 to stay), I wasn't in the default group to be offered
this, however, the CSR told his manager I'd cancel if I didn't get the
free plan because he had to override my account.

Hm, if it's free, guess I can't use cancellation to lower my billing.

Dina