MSN - internet service - signed up for from Best Buy - paid $ 200 cancellation charge

# 14 for April 15, 2003

Complaints.com received the following on April 14, 2003:

From: John Till [Email User]

RE: MSN - internet service - signed up for from Best Buy - paid $ 200 cancellation charge I had America On-Line. Then one day I was shopping at the local best buy. While at Best Buy I saw an advertisement that read get a $200.00 instant Rebate off of your purchase when you sign up for MSN internet service.

I signed up and received a $200.00 instant rebate off of my purchase. However, After I signed up and started using the MSN internet service, I noticed that it was a great deal slower than AOL. I contacted the MSN tech support line several times regarding this issue. Finally after about 8 or 9 months of putting up with the slow connection and getting disconnected from the internet repeatedly, I decided to cancel the service only to be told that I could not cancel the service until the two year contract had expired or I would be charged a fee (larger than the original $200.00 rebate that I received) I questioned why I was being charged with a fee and was told that it is in the contract you signed. I then agreed to pay the $200.00 (amount of original rebate that I had received) and was told no that was not exceptable) They wanted 75 percent of the 21.95 monthly service fee time the number of remaining months left on the contract. 75% of 21.95 = 16.46 # of months = x 16 Total = 263.40 I do not feel I should have to pay more than the original $200.00 (amount of rebate) For a service I was not happy with due to the constantly slow connection speeds And disconnections I had to put up with while using their service. This is their way of getting paid for what I think is an inferior service. Why should I be forced to use and pay for a service that I am not happy with?