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People PC Complaint - Will not refund my money - Internet service
Internet service - Complaint
In January 2006 I got an invitation to try People PC internet service for half-price for six months. I was using an old Windows 98 computer, and I just wanted a cheap internet service for this machine. I had no intention of keeping the service; in fact, I made a note in my computer to cancel the service on June 6 so I would not be charged full price for another month. I gave them my credit card number and tried to download the software. When I couldn't download, I called technical support. With my computer being an older model, it did not have the resources to carry the load. She told me the only way it would load would be for me to upgrade my computer. I didn't want to put the money into it, and, since I couldn't download it, I wanted my money back. She told me they would refund my $44.95 but, due to bookkeeping technicalities, it would not show on my credit card statement until June. My June credit card bill came in and no refund from People PC. July came and no refund. I called People PC and spoke to a person who was clearly from India, and told him what had happened. He was so sorry there was nothing he could do because no one had put any message on my account that I would be getting a refund. He did assure me that my account was not active and had never been active and I would not be charged any more money by People PC. I told him that I knew I was not going to be charged any more, but I wanted my money back that was promised, and he simply told me I would not be getting my money back. I feel I have been ripped off for a service I did not get.
Comments:
Posted by CrazyRedHead on 2006-07-11:
People PC is owned by AOL so I am not surprised. If you are due a refund you need to call in once a week and keep asking. Also I was told that the credit needs to clear there bank first. I would keep calling in and bugging them till it shows in your bank account. I had People PC along time ago and I had Win 98SE and I had no trouble downloading the software, and like AOL, you will probably need to reformat the hard drive in order to completely remove the software. People PC and AOL are like a virus in the computer.
Posted by Hugh_Jorgen on 2006-07-11:
FYI, PeoplePC is owned by Earthlink, not AOL. So in January they told you no refund until June? I would have just disputed it with my CC company at that time. They have made you wait until you are outside the window to dispute the charge. This could be a tough one. Good luck!
Posted by Doc J on 2006-07-11:
As the leader of a band of cheap, miserly consumers; I had no knowledge that PeoplePC would not run on Win98 machines. This ISP is appealing to those of us looking for another way to pinch a penny. I hear this ISP bantered around a bit by my tightfisted friends. So, your post provided a valuable service to those with "obsolete" machines. Thanks!
Posted by CrazyRedHead on 2006-07-11:
Oooops, I'm sorry for that. Then who is it that AOL owns? Anyways, with my Win98SE, I never had a problem running PPC (although I don't anymore), or is Win98 different than Win98SE?
Posted by Hugh_Jorgen on 2006-07-11:
FWIW, AOL's "economy brand" ISP is Netscape. Not sure what it works with.
Posted by Anonymous on 2006-07-11:
OK , Stare at my swinging watch as it goes back and forth. Your eyes are getting heavy. All you can hear is my voice. You are in complete control of your credit card. COMPLETE CONTROL . . . Next time this happens, Call your card company. Tell them to terminate your subscription immediatly. Don't ever wait around. . . . Now you will slowly awake and feel like no one will ever jerk you around with your credit card account. "SNAP" !
Posted by glc on 2006-07-11:
Win 98 Second Edition had a few upgrades and security updates that Win 98 did not. Recently, Microsoft announced that they will no longer offer upgrades or service for Win 98 and SE. If MS says it's antique, then I guess it is.However, most likely, it was not the OS that prevented you from loading People PC, but CPU speed and free space on your HD.Ruby, it's time to upgrade :>)
Posted by glc on 2006-07-11:
I meant to say that MS will no longer offer "updates" for 98 or 98SE. Either way, if you have 98, it's time to make like the Jeffersons and "move on up".
Posted by Doc J on 2006-07-11:
Kid-I absolutely loved the way you made your point. Nice!
Posted by Anonymous on 2006-07-11:
Folks couple of variables to consider when upgrading "your motheboard," somebody said to fdisk...no,no,no. A skilled tech can easily take care of the problem. To the original poster: Since your using Win98, when you upgrade video card, software, and so forth "you need to check to see if it's compatible with your operating system...usually it'll say minO/S" An excellent group to lurk about your proble would be the newsgroup (alt.windows98) there ain't a better group for the devout 98 user. Can be accessed through google | groups | search for a group | use the "advanced search" for the hairy problems. Good luck
Posted by Doc J on 2006-07-11:
Thanks Mrs M! I'll pass this (group info) on to my fellow grumpy misers who're just griping that Microsoft abandoned Win98 and Win98SE effective 7 July.
Posted by Anonymous on 2006-07-11:
Right, there's a link for Windows Update's (not microsofts) but an alternate site for win98 I'll find later. Get your burner's ready.
Posted by Anonymous on 2006-07-11:
I was assuming that the support for Windows98 already passed and support would cease, not so. But according to this message
"For Win98SE/WinME. Windows Update will still be available for at least a year. Windows Update Catalog will still be available for at least a year - MS intend to keep the KB articles and associated download up on their site until they run out of room, but refuse to commit further than 12 months beyond 11th July 2006" So on that merit, this'll take some time. Start downloading your updates for example Download the file's (KB-XXXXXX) (KB-YYYYYY) and create .txt files for KB-XXXXXX.txt and KB-YYYYYY.txt with the install details, very important you do that. Don't re-name the files as they'll be named appropriately. Lastly, here's another excellent Windows 98 resource (http://www.bootdisk.com)in addition to alt.windows98. Good luck
"For Win98SE/WinME. Windows Update will still be available for at least a year. Windows Update Catalog will still be available for at least a year - MS intend to keep the KB articles and associated download up on their site until they run out of room, but refuse to commit further than 12 months beyond 11th July 2006" So on that merit, this'll take some time. Start downloading your updates for example Download the file's (KB-XXXXXX) (KB-YYYYYY) and create .txt files for KB-XXXXXX.txt and KB-YYYYYY.txt with the install details, very important you do that. Don't re-name the files as they'll be named appropriately. Lastly, here's another excellent Windows 98 resource (http://www.bootdisk.com)in addition to alt.windows98. Good luck
Posted by ruby2sday on 2006-07-12:
I don't think I am miserly or tight-fisted, but I am 65, had just retired in December and neither my SS nor pension had kicked in yet and I didn't want to upgrade such an old machine. Approximately $6.00 a month sounded better than $20 -$25 a month for internet service when you lose the income you are used to receiving via paycheck. I do appreciate your comments.
Posted by Anonymous on 2006-07-12:
I like your nym -- ruby2sday. Anyway, you might want to try a local ISP. Call and ask if compatible with Win98. Also try Mindspring, here's some info (http://www.faughnan.com/fp/net/mindspring.html)they're suppose to be Windows 98 friendly. Ask you if you can manually configure the Dialup without installing their package full of bs bells and whistles. A lot of people in the same boat, Win98 is a good o/s if it's maintained - it's too bad Microsoft is abandoning their support. Good luck
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