ICE COLD! AmexOL changes terms of service.

[Hooobi]

A bit OT but for those who, like me signed up for this after seeing it here, it has just become a cold, cold deal. Originally free, a few months ago it changed to fee for over X hours and now here's the latest email I received:

> Dear AmexOL Member,
>
> On July 2, 2001, American Express will replace the existing AmexOL
> Internet service fee structure and implement a simple pricing arrangement.
> For the first 75 hours of Internet usage each monthly billing period you
> will be charged $12.95. If your Internet usage exceeds 75 hours for any
> monthly billing period, you will be charged $29.95 for that period.
>
> As you know, AmexOL is a valuable Cardmember service that comes with a
> number of benefits including:
>
> * Free 24/7 Customer Service
> * High-quality Internet access with more than 1,600 local access numbers
> * A personal, Web-based e-mail account (yournameselection@AmexOL.net) and
> POP3/SMTP mail
> * Easy access to the Web with one-click links to a variety of resources
> * Free 5 MB of Web space to post your own site on the Web
> * Instant messaging compatibility
> * Great online tools to manage your account
> * One-click access to Check/Pay My Bill, a secure connection to your
> private American Express® Card account information, Membership Rewards®
> program information, Cardmember offers and online shopping.
>
> CONTINUING AS AN AMEXOL MEMBER
>
> On July 2nd, we will provide you with instructions on accepting the
> terms and conditions under the new fee structure. Your existing e-mail
> username and password will remain the same.
>
> Our goal with the AmexOL Internet service is to provide you with superior
> value in the market for quality Internet access. If you have any
> questions, please contact Customer Service at (800) 281-0258. Thank you
> for your continued support.
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> AmexOL Team.
>

Thought I'd post here in case any of you have signed up for it as a second account, etc and don't really bother with it (I signed up as a backup for my DSL). Don't get surprised by a $13 bill.

Any suggestions for another good free ISP also appreciated.

H

 

[Sesopedalian]

The old bait and switch. Of course they were planning this from the very start...

 

[shurato]

Supposedly people with a 15.99 apr because of late payments from a 9.99 apr was raised to 17.99apr on their american express blue card also...i found it out the other day when i was looking at my account on the webpage. i just canceled the account because the csr just plain pissed me off...i never recieved notice of it and would have never really found out unless i looked closely at my bill as i dont recieve a paperbill and do all my transactions online.

 

[AnimEva]

well although their isp service was bad, overall amex is still my card of choice for buying stuff online or in b&ms.

 

[Hawke]

All credit card companies are out to make as much money off people as they can before we become wise and rebel against them.

Viva le bartering system!

 

[Rally1]

i never got that email, as i dont use that amexol email address! glad i didn't use my 'free' service then, or they would have been refunding me quick. Get NetZero/Juno , that will be one company here pretty soon.

PS does that mean i need to call and cancel? I never use it but maybe they will charge us anyway as we are signed up for it.

 

[tazmania99]

First, free unlimted access.

Then, $2 per min after first free 35 hours.

Last, $12.95 for the first 75 hours and $29.95 for exceeding the limit.

This is obviously a scheme. AMEX planned to do that at the beginning. This is a shame.

 

[iluvdeal]

Rally1, you can cancel here:
https://account.amexol.net/login/index.html


But I'd just keep it as a back up if I were you. You are only charged if you go over 35 hours.

 

[fargopilot]

$2 per min? that is high

 

[tazmania99]

<< $2 per min? that is high >>


My bad, what I meant is $2/hour. Shrug, who knows AMEX will not charge $2/min soon when playing with their plot?!

 

[drti]

those darn bastard, that it, amex internet service is dead, no one wills stay w/ their service.

 

[wjones]

Their explaination

 

[tazmania99]

<< Why did American Express encourage me to get a Card so I could get free Internet service and then change the rules. That is unfair!
American Express often offers new products and services to a controlled population of Cardmembers before offering them on a larger scale. The purpose is to determine the most viable means for a wider launch. From time to time we make changes to a product or services to ensure a consistent, high quality offering. We regret that AmexOL was changed to a fee-linked service after you chose to get a new Card and thank you for your suggestions. Your comments will help us improve our service and ensure we continue offering high quality, high value Internet access as a benefit to Cardmembers. >>


One word can describe this all. Bullsh*t!

 

[csc2]

To be fair, all the companies that created free ISPs thought they could make them work. None of them have been able to.

Amex thought they could make enough in advertising revenue to support the ISP. Just like all the others they learned it was just too expensive.

It wasn't a 'plan' from the start or they wouldn't have stopped people from signing up months ago. True the new plan totally stinks and I couldn't imagine anyone keeping it but it definately wasn't some great conspiracy.

Flagg

 

[kaiotes]

thanks for the heads up, just called and cancelled

 

[spec411]

why cancel now?? keep it until you are forced to agree to new terms....after july theyll pop up a new user agreement you will have to agre to before they charge you..

 

[unclebud]

i'm more mad at myself for not signing up before this. i could've been enjoying it -- but i wanted to wait till i got a hardware modem.
stupid.

 

[popong]

guess you will lose your email ( you@amexol.net ) if you cancel it. What if no usage for their service ISP, will they still charge you? (i.e. uninstalling it)... since for the first 75 hours is $12 or $29 if you use more than that.:disgust:

 

[CivilRightsLawyer]

does anyone know if i DONT USE their dial-up service

can i still use their POP email accounts and amexol web space WITHOUT being charged?

amexol is a very reliable POP ........

 

[RobHW]

Too bad. I was on the waiting list. In the meantime, I'm using ATT Worldnet. You get 150 hours for $4.95 per month. Not bad. I generally connect right at 40000bps.

One annoyance is the &quot;floating toolbar&quot;. It's not too big, has no ads, and you can move it around. It's a bit of nuisance, but tolerable. I don't see how you can close it.

The other annoyance is little window ads that appear every 5 minutes or so. They're not too bad since you can close them.

 

[preCRT]

CivilRightsLawyer, I called Amexol yesterday with exactly that question- they said that unless you agree to their new ripoff fee structure, amexol.net email accounts will be cancelled.

 

[Muffy]

To answer your question, I cancelled all my accounts(all 7 of em heheh) and the only thing that works now is the POP email accounts. I have no idea if they'll work in the future though. BTW you have to call in to cancel, you can't cancel on their site.