http://www.consumerist.com/consumer/top/aol-internal-memos-after-vinnys-call-185493.php

I've had my own problems with cancelling various services, and AOL was the worst by far. When I tried to kill a 'free' account several years ago, I found out that calling back to get a different operator didn't help... they tracked the call and attached a note to my account. And even at the end of that sequence, they tried to bill me, which my credit card company helped block.

Is there any other reason never to use or endorse AOL?

Go forth, and heartily recommend that no computer ever be infected with AOL's internet servitude. I mean service. Tell everyone you know *never* to install a free disc, to refuse to allow the software to be installed on a boutique computer, to remove immediately any trial software already bundled.