Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge? in Earthlink DSL

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 13:33:15 EDT

jimbo48 : Dr Olds has looked into the various EULAs for the Telcos and they are pretty much the same. They can raise rates, change delivered performance with the "best effort clause" they all like to include. None of the telcos will guarantee ANYthing except to bill you for whatever services they say they delivered. Its really sad because I've been with ELNK(and their "ancestor- mindspring) for along time(1998)and except for a memorable outage-Remember the Redback SNAFU-and my initial DSL provisioning-took 6 months) ELNK has been rather decent and solid. Its when they rolled out their premium DSL( Buyer beware) service and outsourced their Tech support to "who knows where these days" they started gong downhill and approaching "inept". ELNK (via COVAD) still delivers the best telco package DSL home phone a VOIP package in my neck of the woods. My CO distance really hinders me and lets not even consider Cable. I signed up for premium DSL etc and was "promised" 6-8 MB download from Sales and was told that because I was already provisioned at 1.5 there would be no problems. Well I ended up with a 3 MB download (most of the time) so they reduced my Rate to 64.95 a month. Now the very same service is back to 69.95 a month. Ah ain't technology grand.

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 15:10:23 EDT

amigo_boy :

said by jimbo48 :

their EULA is really quite astounding

Is Earthlink unique in this regard? What are the terms of service of other providers?

I haven't noticed yet whether my price has gone up. But, a 12% increase in 6 years (after a 25% reduction) doesn't seem bad. The price would still be competitive. I guess I could switch to Qwest and save a little. But, *all* my outages have been due to Qwest. Prisoner's dilemma.

I don't like the way Earthlink danced around it as something other than a price increase. That was as disgusting as President Clinton's quibbling about what the word "is" is.

Mark

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:45:44 EDT

jimbo48 : Hello Dr Olds,
Well I've received my ELNK invoice for October and they've raised myDSL/Home service 5.00 so its now a fact.
A rate hike is a rate hike and their EULA is really quite asonding in that they hold themselves blameless for "almost anything".
ELNK will go the way of a host of other companies who continue to deteriorate in terms of prouct and service and rate raises and we will have lost a one-time stellar ISP company. I hate the thought of having to go to Comcast for their lousy service and continual rate hikes for non-service or a Verizon that can't even tell you if it can supply me with DSL until I sign up!

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 10:40:05 EDT

jimbo48 : For what its worth: excerpt from a Livechat transcript

info: 'Aaron K' says: Thank you for contacting EarthLink LiveChat, how may I help you today?
*@earthlink.net: I received this 5.00 elecommunications network access fee email from ELNK. Is ELNK saying that they are raising my rate to connect to the Internet by an addiitonal 5.00 per month, access telephone services for an additional 5.00.
Aaron K: Hello. I will provide you the details. \
*@earthlink.net: ok
Aaron K: Yes. There is increase in price by $5.00 for net work access.
@earthlink.net: so it is a rate hike correct?
Aaron K: Yes. You are correct.
*@earthlink.net: so the contract I agreed to for services can be changed with a 30 day notice and ELNK doesn't have to do anything different
Aaron K: This increase is due to the increase in Net work access charges.

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 17:16:48 EDT

jimbo48 : I've been a fan of ELNK for years but they keep shooting themselves in the foot lately to the point that I am not too keen on them. Heck prices are going up we all know that so why don't they just be upfront about it. ELNK, even with its problems, offers more than AT&T, Verizon or some of the other providers in my area

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 16:57:45 EDT

Doctor Olds : Wow, I'm sorry to hear that. :[

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 16:48:29 EDT

jimbo48 : Yep- ELNKs EULA is a fine peice of legalese, absolving them of anything that remotely indicates a level of basic customer service, satisfaction or corporate responsibility. It truely is a "Buyer Beware" attitude they have sunk to-I'm referring to managerial decisions not the people. They're just doing what they've been told to do say (or not say)

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 16:40:16 EDT

jimbo48 : I was just told that there will be an additional 5.00 tacked onto my bill from ELNK for "Network Access" fee because ELNK is being charged more for access. This is a rate hike for services rendered and as Dr Olds points out covered in their EULA which absolves them of anything remotely connected with services, support or responsibility. ELNK communications are less than truthful and they do a fine job of wordsmithing and dancing around the fact that they are raising rates. Gotta hand it to their legal staff-pretty slick bottom-feeders. It wouldn't be as upsetting if they had just told me that we're raising our prices because our costs for providing service has risen as well but they chose to be deliberately vague in their wording.

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 13:21:50 EDT

Doctor Olds : It is no different that any contract like a Lease (Business or Residential) or an apartment rental Contract or a Cell Phone Contract. They do have to follow their rules though and provide you 30 days notice.

Even my standard DSL contract has the same boilerplate about 30 days notice being required.

Regards,

Doctor Olds
--
What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time?

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 09:32:32 EDT

chitownvet : Read it and found the line relating to this. What a crock. So the contract basically says that I am obligated for the year to pay them what could possibly be an ever increasing monthly (every 30 days)fee without any recourse save complaining. And if I decide to cancel based on this, I would pay a penalty. Somethings wrong with that picture... :mad:

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 21:48:25 EDT

TheHelpful1 :

said by Doctor Olds :

said by Glenn Norum :

Doctor Olds - do you work for Earthlink?

No.

That should be a given unless Doc lives in India :D
--
"My weakness is that I care too much"

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 18:00:06 EDT

Doctor Olds :

said by chitownvet :

Is it legal to raise your fee when you are still under contract for the agreed upon price?

As already posted, with 30 days notice it is legal. The details are online here:

»www.earthlink.net/about/policies···mephone/

Regards,

Doctor Olds
--
What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time?

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 17:33:57 EDT

chitownvet : My latest bill (received on the 6th) did not contain this $5 additional charge. I imagine it will be on the next one.

Is it legal to raise your fee when you are still under contract for the agreed upon price? It's not a "government charge or tax" as they mention. So they are jacking up my fee while I am still under contract.

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 17:13:38 EDT

dlathem : I have yet to receive any notice from them about the $5 "recovery fee". I will be interested to see what my statement looks like when I get it in a few weeks. If I did not recived the notice 30 days prior to the change then I don't intend to pay it.

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 17:13:22 EDT

RogerADSL : :mad: That's the craziest thing I have ever heard from the Scientology crowd! What are they thinking.. Mindspring...RIP! I don't think Charlie would have allowed that..... :(

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 16:40:23 EDT

Doctor Olds : Has anyone actually gotten a bill yet to see if the Total has changed to $5.00 bucks higher than the previous months or if $5.00 bucks is just itemized differently on the Invoicing with the Total bill remaining the same?

Regards,

Doctor Olds
--
What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time?

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 16:19:35 EDT

SeVere : Their customer service department insists my bill will not be more and that the $5.00 charge is for my enhanced call forwarding. LOL.

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 16:00:43 EDT

chitownvet : Yep, I received the same message here in Chicago.

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 09:35:03 EDT

Karl Bode : Can other users confirm that this "network access charge" is a new fee across Earthlink's territory?

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 05:55:32 EDT

Doctor Olds :

said by Glenn Norum :

Doctor Olds - do you work for Earthlink?

No.

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 23:54:18 EDT

anon : Doctor Olds - do you work for Earthlink?

You seem to have th details of all questions asked.

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 23:36:50 EDT

anon : Sorry, Euless.

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 23:34:40 EDT

anon : Good luck, but I suspect it will be a connection from Euliss to Clueless!

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 23:32:45 EDT

eric_n_dfw : I haven't had a day to spend on hold and being transfered around so I haven't tried yet.

I'm working from home tomorrow - maybe I'll open a chat session on my spare computer and see how far I get.

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 23:31:12 EDT

anon : So, I assume you didn't find a way to "opt out" with the service you were unhappy with?

Shit, now my email and phone won't work for another 14 months! :huh:

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 23:27:33 EDT

anon : Thanks for the pointer - guess I need to learn to read the "fine print"?

All I see is under "jurisdiction":

"EarthLink reserves the right to change prices and institute new fees at any time upon 30 days prior notice."

So, if they decide to charge me a fee of $500 a month, I'm stuck?

And if I dispute it, I can bring a claim in CA small claims court, but it is governed by Georgia law?

I guess I'm an idiot - probably time to cut my losses, pay the early termination fee, and get a phone service and DSL hookup that are actually reliable. Any recommendations?

Thanks again for the info,
Glenn

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 23:19:28 EDT

eric_n_dfw : Another ironic coincidence, on 9/4/07 I got an email saying:

----
Yours from EarthLink
A $5 Amazon.com gift certificate!

It's our way of saying thanks for being a member!
Because we appreciate your business, EarthLink would like to thank you with a $5 Amazon.com gift certificate.

Don't delay! To claim your gift certificate, you must click above by September 30, 2007

Happy shopping from your friends at EarthLink!

EarthLink we revolve around you.
------

... so maybe they'll charge us $5 extra a month and offset it with gift cert's every month. (not holding my breath)

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 23:14:38 EDT

Doctor Olds :

said by Glenn Norum :

They won't tell me what in my contract allows this - if it were a federal tax or fee, I'd gripe, but it wouldn't be their fault.

This is the policy page on the EL DSL & Home Phone Service for anyone to review.

»www.earthlink.net/about/policies···mephone/
--
What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time?

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 22:57:05 EDT

anon : I just got off a chat session (I assume with the guys in India - Janon and Savio). Here was there response to all you "esteemed customers":

I see that is a charge applicable to all our esteemed customers, this charge is set by the accounts department taking all aspects into consideration. EarthLink has been rated highest in customer satisfaction by J.D. Powers and Associates for three out of the last five years. Bundling your Internet access and your home phone service actually saves you money, and will now save you time because you only have to pay one bill.”

They won't tell me what in my contract allows this - if it were a federal tax or fee, I'd gripe, but it wouldn't be their fault.

I think it boils down to the issue I raised that ended the conversation: "You are having financial problems, closing offices, laying people off, and seem to be trying to get me to cover your financial problems through this random fee."

How do we proceed?

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 07:21:22 EDT

eric_n_dfw : Yes - I was being sarcastic.

Also I updated that other thread - to summarize, Raybro (Covad tech here on BBR) wasn't able to help nor was EL tech support.

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 06:46:37 EDT

Doctor Olds :

said by eric_n_dfw :

... how appropriate, immediately after posting the above message, by DSL connection lost sync. :huh:

So are alluding that your posts are being watched by Earthlink and when you post about EL in a negative light, they are retaliating by dropping your DSL Sync? After all you said appropriate*, not unseemly or coincidentally or inopportune. ;)

* Acceptable behaviour within a given setting. aka FITTING appropriate response> appropriate to the occasion>

Or should I have my Sarcasm indicator recalibrated? ;)

But seriously, getting back to your issue I am unable to see if you ever did as suggested here? If not, I highly suggest it still. ;)

»Re: [Line Problem] Losing sync left and right, line uncapped?

The "recovery fee" is news to me however. :[

Regards,

Doctor Olds
--
What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time?

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 04:57:45 EDT

vinnie97 : I bailed this month (a few months after the contract ended, took 6 weeks to port the number ;)) but only got a partial refund. It would appear I ditched it just in time if we have a rate hike on our hands.

Re: Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 22:49:06 EDT

eric_n_dfw : ... how appropriate, immedediatly after posting the above message, by DSL connection lost sync. :huh:

Invoice change: $5 Network Access Charge?

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 22:45:56 EDT

eric_n_dfw : Just got the following email from EL:

Dear EarthLink Subscriber,

We're writing to let you know there will be a change on the October 2007 invoice for your EarthLink DSL & Home Phone Service.

Monthly Charges
The monthly base charge for your service will remain the same. However, the total amount that you pay will include a $5 per month Network Access Charge.

This charge will help us recover a portion of the costs associated with connecting to the telecommunications network. This is not a government charge or tax.
...

The rest of email was a sales pitch for how great they are, an opinion I do *not* share.

I'm, going to read over my contract but I'm wondering if this little $5 a month change would void it and allow me out of my 12 month commitment early. (I'm stuck with them 'till December per my contract)
--
Eric Smalling DFW, TX