Free AOL - what is different?

[nbodyhome]

Okay, I've been slow on this one - what is the difference between the free AOL and the $14.95 broadband AOL? I know that they may not do customer service for the free, but I never really got customer service when paying, either. (pretty useless!)

Do the online filing cabinets stay the same? I have kept AOL only due to using it for work, but I wasn't sure if the free would be as good (as far as storage for emails and such offline).

Thanks! I read up on the free AOL before vacation, but I still don't quite know if I am getting anything different for my $14.95 - probably not, and it'd be nice to save the money.

 

[Lisa_M]

I can't answer your question, but I don't know why anyone would pay extra for AOL if they have broadband service. Maybe it's an attachment to an email or an online community, but in your case you can use lotus notes or outlook and organize all of your emails and stuff on your computer and access without the internet. Also, I have a gmail account and it seems to be a great email account with no storage limits and easy accessibility.

Maybe someone else can answer your question, but I say save yourself $14.95 per month.

 

[nbodyhome]

I have probably thousands of emails in various filing cabinets online - I don't want to lose those. I would obviously prefer AOL for free (and if I didn't use it for work, I'd have already gone).

Thanks!

 

[brendat22]

I was wondering the same thing. I heard that aol was going to stop charging for their service but my visa is still charged $14.95 every month - I guess I've just been to lazy to check into it until now. Does anyone know what is going on - do you have to call aol and cancel and then sign up for a free service??

Thanks. Brenda

 

[LParente]

I don't quite get the free option either. I do know that one reason people keep AOL at all with cheaper options available now is because they have established contacts with their AOL email address. For me it wouldn't be a big deal to change, but my husband has a music production company and it would be almost impossible to contact everyone he has ever sent music to letting them know his email address has changed. We know it's money out the window, but we're pretty much stuck!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

There is NO difference between free AOL and the $14.95 bring your own broadband access. If you are currently paying for this service, you need to log into AOL and CANCEL the paying account. The new free service is exactly the same and you will keep all your settings, email, etc.

If you already have a bring your own access plan with AOL, no need to waste time calling on the phone. You can log into AOL, go to keyword "change plan," and chose free access that way. Takes about 10 seconds.

OP - Stop giving AOL money for something you should be getting for free.

This has been discussed here already - for more info:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1175789&referrerid=&highlight=aol

 

[Franne]

I have the free aol. I had aol for 10 years and didn't want to lose my email address either. With the new plan you keep everything you had before, email and file cabinet included. The only thing that is different with the free aol is you don't get support, and I never used it anyway so it didn't matter to me! So now I have aol without paying a dime for it!

 

[Nolcrest]

Definately go for the free AOL. I've had AOL for 9 years and was very hesitant to switch to free (cause I felt my screens would change or something). NOTHING has changed, except I wouldn't get support if I needed it. Personally I've Kept AOL because I happen to like the looks of their screens, plus there are some messgae boards I like to visit. For me thay are very easy to follow. Why pay the 14.95 per month when it is now offered for free. Go for it!

 

[nbodyhome]

Thanks! The AOL screen was a little screwed up, but I think that I have it switched now. I'll check again tomorrow.

I remember when AOL was like $3.00 an hour over 5 hours! So $14.95 wasn't bothering me, but free is even better. The customer service was practically non-existant anyway, I recall talking to someone in India a couple of years ago who had no idea what she was doing).

 

[disneyandme]

Thanks! I finally did it. I've had AOL since it first started and have changed plans to lesser and lesser ones. I just couldn't give it up because everyone tracks me down by knowing my email. It was easy to switch to free email and not lose you address. The CSR I spoke to was great!

 

[disneysteve]

The one thing you do lose is the ability to use dial-up access as a back-up. There are still occasions when I will dial up when we are traveling

 

[nbodyhome]

The one thing you do lose is the ability to use dial-up access as a back-up. There are still occasions when I will dial up when we are traveling

I'd thought about that, but I don't think I'd use it nearly enough to justify the cost. While at my dads, I can pop onto his computer occasionally. Not sure if I'm at Disney. Is there another free service where you can just dial in?

 

[disneysteve]

I'd thought about that, but I don't think I'd use it nearly enough to justify the cost.

Same here. Since I travel with my laptop, it would be easier to just pop over to a place that has wi-fi like a bookstore or Starbucks or such. Not worth paying the monthly fee for the once or twice a year I might need dial-up.

 

[Kimmumum]

Thanks for the heads up. I just saved $15/month