Compuserve - cancelled service - charged $ 250 cancellation fee

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

From: Adamcik [Email User]

RE: Compuserve - cancelled service - charged $ 250 cancellation fee

I discontinued service with Compuserve after calling them time and time again to tell them how my service was awful. I was kicked offline, had to actually check my and my husbands email from work and print his out. It was absolutely terrible. Finally I had had enough and asked them I no longer wanted their service. I was told I would be charged a 250.00 fee for doing so.

I wrote a letter to their corportate office and copied the SCC and FCC. Then one day I tried to check my email from work and I couldn't log on. I called Compuserve to verify the reason was due to my letter. I was assured it was and I asked if the 250.00 charge would be waived as I had asked due to service problems in my letter. I was assured that I would not be charged anything.

A few months passed and I received a collection notice from Compuserve in the amount of 250.00. I could not believe it. I immediatly called Compuserve to inqure about the collection letter and was told that there was nothing I could do but pay it. I explained the situation and the response I received in my previous call. Again, they would not help. I have not paid the 250.00, however I am afraid this will hit my credit report. Please help.