Earthlink - quoted $ 100 transfer fee and approx. six weeks to change location of service - so cancelled service and later charged cancellation fee which was sent to a collection agency

Complaints.com received the following consumer message on February 24, 2003:

From: TERENCE CLARK [Email User]

RE: Earthlink - quoted $ 100 transfer fee and approx. six weeks to change location of service - so cancelled service and later charged cancellation fee which was sent to a collection agency

Last August I moved to a new apartment and requested Earthlink to transfer my Broadband service to the new address which was approx 3 miles from my old address. I was told that there would be a $100 transfer fee and a delay of approx six weeks for the service to begin. I said that was unacceptable as another provider had told me I could have a new service up and running within seven days.

I told earthlink I wanted to cancel because they were not able to provide acceptable service. I was told that they would charge me a cancellation fee. I said I was disputing the validity of that charge as I believed they were unable to provide the service I contracted for.

Six months later I received a bill for the cancellation fee and a charge for "bouncing a check" (I requested my bank to stop the direct debit arrangement I had with Earthlink) They also threatened me with a collection agency if I did not pay. I wrote back to their legal dept. explaining why I disputed the charge. I heard nothing from earthlink, but receive a bill from a collection agency, CCS Inc. PO Box 22630, Cleveland, telling me the debt had been passed on to them for collection.

Totally frustrated by the non response of Earthlink, the rudeness of their customer service and the crassness of their email support which ends every automated response that they cannot help me with an invitation for me to recommend their service to my friends. As if!!!!!!!!