WASHINGTON, Nov. 29, 1999 -- Consumer protection officials say
Internet service providers (ISPs) lead the top 10 list of Web-related
complaints this year.
A survey by the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators and the Consumer Federation of America found that disputes over ISP refunds and billing were the most frequent Internet complaints filed with their offices.
Next were complaints about merchandise ordered over the Web and online auctions.
America Online was the source of many complaints from consumers who said they were unable to get through to the popular service.
Other common complaints included long distance charges to reach ISP numbers that customers thought were local.
As for auctions, many consumers said they received nothing in return for their "successful" bids or got something other than what was described. In one case, at least 60 consumers complained to the San Francisco District Attorney that they didn't get the Beanie Baby they bid on.
The good news for e-commerce, though, is that Internet problems didn't make the consumer agencies' overall top 10 list. As usual, auto sales headed that list.
