dclee
join:2006-04-26
Pasadena, CA
edit:
April 26th, @02:44PM
|  An Epic Battle: $49.95/mon vs. $39.95/mon
I just want to let everyone know my frustration with Earthlink.
Basically, I was brought on 5 years ago with the $49.95/mon rate, and sometime a couple years ago it became $39.95/mon. Apparently, as I am learning, they don't automatically update accounts (probably preferring that I pay more money). I discovered this last year and called to have them fix my rate to the regular rate everyone else is paying. In Earthlink's logic, they gave me the $39.95, but appeared in my billing invoice as $49.95 minus a $10 promo. A few months ago, this "promo" expired, and I am still stuck with $49.95. I've called at least 10 times trying to resolve this, each time the tech/service people assuring me that the change will take place the next billing cycle... but it doesn't.
It strikes me how ridiculous this situation is. How hard can it be to update my monthly rate? And what about all those months that I did not realize I was being overcharged? $10/mon can add up! Even if it doesn't seem like a lot of money, there is still the principle of the matter. Isn't there something unethical about this?
Edit: I tried Earthlink Chat Support last night and explained my situation, and was assured that I will be on the $39.95 rate in the next billing cycle. I am highly skeptical... |
|
bobx
join:2001-02-11
Novato, CA
| Same here
The same thing happened to me. The reps claim that they can not change the basic plan and can only give you credit. I believe that the accounting software was designed so the reps could not change your "plan rate". So all the rep can do is give you a credit. I also believe they can only give you credit for a year (or the length of your contract). So after the year is up your charges go back to your "plan rate". This is not an oversight it is sedigned that way. Many people will not notice the rate increase and after a year Earthlink get $10 more each month. The only way I can see around it is to cancel your service and sign up again with a new lower "plan rate".
BTW my Sprint phone is the same way. They meesed up and added $5 to my plan and now they can not remove it so I get a $5 credit every month.
Bob |
|
Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs:
| reply to dclee
Re: An Epic Battle: $49.95/mon vs. $39.95/mon
said by dclee  : I tried Earthlink Chat Support last night and explained my situation, and was assured that I will be on the $39.95 rate in the next billing cycle. I am highly skeptical... That will most like never work. Sorry.  Live Chat isn't for Account issues and you really should call on the phone for Customer Service.
Regards,
Doctor Olds
--
What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
|
BadFrog
The devil made me do it
join:2005-08-21
Oxford, MI
 ·EarthLink
| reply to dclee
 Hi folks .. read this one many times about monthly cost. If you want to get "the job done right" call CSR and ask for "Customer Saves Department". Be sure to ask nicely about the monthly cost !!
Anyhow ..these folks can change the "basic plan" on a permanent basis and will also more than likely give you a month or two freebie.
I have had my account reduced from $49.95 to $39.95 to $29.95 over the last couple years. I didn't have to extend my contract in any of the instances.
Now I must admit, I do have an "Ace up my sleeve" and that is I have been with them for 10 years. The fun part of the call (besides the price reduction) is when they ask me if I plan to use an Earthlink.net e-mail address..I reply ..no way ..having a Mindspring.com address is an "ICON". It also happens to "get their attention" when I call on servicing issues.
SO try Customer Saves ....it is most likely the best way to reduce your bucks ..! (and get some freebie months) ! |
|
dclee
join:2006-04-26
Pasadena, CA
| Apparently the "Service Details" under My Account shows $39.95/mon now!
We will see if this is reflected in the billing statement. Understandably, I'm still highly skeptical.
(I wonder now that they finally changed me to $39.95, if ELNK adsl will drop to $29.95, and I'll still be paying $10 more...) |
|
allclicks2
join:2004-08-17
Brooklyn, NY
| reply to dclee
I also had the same problem with my 1.5 covad provision dedicated line. I've been playing phone tag with them for the last year. All they could offer me was the promotion. They couldn't do anything about the speed. Since my line is used for work, I couldn't go through the process of disconnect (10 days) and re-provision for line sharing(another 10+ days). In the last two month, Verizon offered dry loop in area. Luckily, one of my line is not be used in my two family house. I had them installed the dry line (17 days) while the Earthlink dsl was untouched. After verify that my speed is stable.
»/archive?zip=1···t=Search
I cancelled Earthlink - May 4, 2006.
Sign off. Look for me in Verizon. |
|
Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs:
| Ouch. Many have gone to Verizon to only find evening slowdowns and high first hop pings plus other latency issues.
Good Luck.
Dedicated lines (dry line) were never upgradable, but you could have used your other line to install line sharing and once it was up transfer your account to it and then have the old dedicated line closed. That's what the moderator fatness did with his dedicated dry line. No downtime that way.
Regards,
Doctor Olds
--
What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
|
allclicks2
join:2004-08-17
Brooklyn, NY
| reply to dclee
The other line has no number associated with it and it is not used for call. Therefore I can't have line-sharing. Another thing is that the tax in NYC is EXPENSIVE, dial-tone and taxes is around $20. So open a new line is not a affordable alternative. ($20 line + $39 earthlink = $59)
Doc, I have always like Earthlink. I had times where my dsl service is still working where my verizon phone went dead.
I also know about the speed problem in Brooklyn.
I am 2000 ft from the CO. The only speed problem existed is when both Earthlink and Verizon service was on. Once I shutdown the Earthlink modem, the Verizon router (actiontec GT704-WG) indicated max speed 3360/860. As my previous post show, I am very happy with the speed I am getting. Actually anything over 1.5 is heaven sent for a person stuck in the last few year |
|
Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs:
| I may not have been clear, but fatness did not have to add a second working phone line to get the switch made. Your dry Circuit ID is not your phone number so you can have Line Sharing installed on your one working phone line (that does not have DSL on it) and then if it shows to be stable then you would call to disconnect the dry line since being a non-line sharing line, it has no dial tone and isn't tied to your POTS number.
As long as you are happy and the service is good then that is all that really matters. 
Regards,
Doctor Olds
--
What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
|
allclicks2
join:2004-08-17
Brooklyn, NY | reply to dclee
Doc, I actually ask CSR (3 of them) about the line sharing option but I guess the CSR are not being train for this option since many of them just gave me 'Not available' option for speed upgrade. |
|
Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs:
edit:
May 9th, @11:12AM
| Sorry to hear that. EL sadly does shoot itself in the foot all too often over training issues. I'll keep my fingers crossed that your new VZ service does great for you.
Regards,
Doctor Olds
--
What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
|
