AOL Free Laptop vs Bad Reputation

Obi.

Hi All

I'm looking into broadband for my parents, light users and interested by the "free laptop" offers that seem to be circulating at the moment. I believe talk talk did one but at the moment it seems AOL are the only ones, apart from redten but I think there's enough in this thread to put me off them!!! (265 pages and counting!).

So, I've done my homework...

The offer: http://www.aolbroadband.co.uk/pages/productPages/acquisition/wirelessLaptop.jsp?urlseq=4

Seems sound, 2 year contract (not that long), £20/mo, some pain-in-the-ar*e redemption-cheque-back offer for 3 months half price (nothing new there) and a decent HP laptop.

The Cons:
http://www.thinkbroadband.com/isp/aol.html
http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/broadband/suppliers/aol/reviews/353/0/2/

Basically the package looks fine, but the cons listed above show some pretty bad customer service, BroadbandChoices gives a reasonable review of AOL and I'd say they're a fairly respectable source. Unfortunately there's no mention of AOL in the ISPAs, good or bad.

I'm tempted to steer clear on the basis of those complaints... but then again, people only seem to rate/review online when they have something to gripe about, perhaps making it a little biased.

In all honesty I expect they're very middle-of-the-road when it comes to broadband providors: All well and good until something goes wrong then an absolute nightmare to deal with - what is the matter with customer service in this country, eh?!

So - opinions please, people: go for it or not?

normanmark

I wouldn't bother with any 'free laptop' kinda deal.

Obi.

Why not????

S0litaire

Depends on what you want to do with the broadband.

If it's Basic Surfing, Email, IM's, Games & 'Legal' viewing of Videos (BBC Iplayer and youtube stuff ) Then AOL would be fine.

But people that use their broadband heavily might be better off going for another network..

ged1980

S0litaire wrote: »

Depends on what you want to do with the broadband.

If it's Basic Surfing, Email, IM's, Games & 'Legal' viewing of Videos (BBC Iplayer and youtube stuff ) Then AOL would be fine.

But people that use their broadband heavily might be better off going for another network..

i agree apart from the games bit plus you are stuck with a long contract take that into mind

Obi.

It's a 40gig cap - they're highly unlikely to break that (no to iplayer, a little youtube but mostly checking online bank accounts and email).

Jeez, I'm highly unlikely to break 40gig and I'm an avid gamer and DL plenty of demos/game patches all weighing in at 1-2gig plus more youtube and iplayer than them!

And yes, I realise about the long contract - I'm more interested in the dilemma, (what I think is a) good deal vs a dodgy rep. What's people's opinions of AOL?

But thanks for the feedback so far - don't stop!

normanmark

Regardless of any ISP or company i would never sign myself into that long of a contract.

o_t_e

Like a lot of people I've jumped ship from AOL/CarphoneWarehouse, as it became progressively unusable, towards O2Broadband and don't regret it for a moment - faster, more reliable, cheaper provision with uk customer service. I'd suggest getting a cheap Dell laptop by montoring the deals that periodically appear on HUKD then look elsewhere for your broadband.

*MF*

Obi. wrote: »

<snip> What's people's opinions of AOL?

But thanks for the feedback so far - don't stop!

Into the breach, lol.

I have been with AOL for so long I can't now remember when I frist signed up, now on the cheapest rate - unlimited - that I can find anywhere, and with the Carphone Warehouse takeover I am being offered free phone calls (they are all free for me - because of who and where I usually phone) , no monthly sub ... and that will save me what i currently pay to BT - bar the rental ...but that I guess is not what you are really asking.

Am I happy with AOL - basic answer - yes.

And my reason? Because over all the years I have been with them - I have had problems - some my fault (like not being able to pay the DD) to technical problems, and over what I guess is well over 10 years - I have never had a problem which has not been resolved, and resolved easily and quickly.

Now I know I am maybe out of step in all of that - I am on a number of USA based forums and AOL (won't obviously be C/Warehouse now) get slagged off something stupid - but I have just never had any reason ever to find fault.

*EDIT* Correction - When I say I am on the cheapest rate I can find anywhere - that is incorrect - I have not looked elsewhere because I am happy with them - (and before anyone asks £9.99 per month)

xerox

I've lost count of the number of years I have been with aol and up until carphone warehouse took over was very happy with the service they provided. However, due to the problems I have experienced since they changed me over to a new server, the fact that the customer service centre is in India and their answer to every problem is it is my equipment that is at fault, the way that they cut you off if you question the information they have given you, and dial up speeds even though I am on broadband I have decided I have had enough and will be moving to another provider.

2 years is a long time to be tied into a contract with a company who refuses to accept that there are problems with the service they are providing.

If I was looking for a provider for my parents I would be looking for a customer service centre based in the UK not India.

lifesuckssometimes

Obi. wrote: »

It's a 40gig cap - they're highly unlikely to break that (no to iplayer, a little youtube but mostly checking online bank accounts and email).

Jeez, I'm highly unlikely to break 40gig and I'm an avid gamer and DL plenty of demos/game patches all weighing in at 1-gig plus more you tube and iplayer than them!

And yes, I realise about the long contract - I'm more interested in the dilemma, (what I think is a) good deal vs a dodgy rep. What's people's opinions of AOL?

But thanks for the feedback so far - don't stop!

Hi i got the free laptop deal with wireless router. have had it now for a few months no problems. connection is great and i don't live that close to a bt exchange. had 1 problem and that was the disc for the drivers vista couldn't recognize it. I rang AOL about 5min wait.. Indian lady answered very polite and may i add QUICKLY got me up and running. No problems since i have been with a few providers over the years. But AOL SO far have been OK. 18months is not that long. but if you want to pay for broadband/ phone for 18 months and get nothing at the end of it thats your choice guys.:D

yes in a years time broadband may be free but thats 12 months away and no free laptop well not totally free but beats finance and interest.;) :rotfl: