magicJack

[Nonna]

www.magicjack.com
Has anyone had any experience with this?? I had at&t for years ,dsl and phone service.. Every time it rained hard I would lose my service for up to 2 weeks..I cancelled my internet service first (went back to comcast) then the day after Christmas my phone went out and when we were finally able to contact at&t it would have been 3 weeks without a phone so I decided I did not need a home phone anymore just my cell.
Last week I found this magic jack online and you can get a 30 day trial period free. It works through your computer. $39.99 initally for 1 year then $19.99 per year thereafter.. I sent in for it, got it yesterday and so far so good. So clear. They did not have my area code available so I choose Chicago (closest to me) and mine should be availabe within a month. Please let me know what you think..
$20.00 per year is pretty amazing for all free long distance calls..

[Poppy]

I heard about it on public radio just before Christmas and I'm very interested in knowing how it works for you over time.

[Michael]

Eh, anything that is "free" and costs $19.99 a year loses my business based solely on principle.

[Nonna]

I was really excited knowing I could use my cordless phone, plus I have one of the (plug into the outlet) add ons in the basement and it works also. This is really cool. I was reading some of the reviews.. some people were unhappy but the majority seemed pleased. You have to have high speed internet and windows xp or vista. I suppose some people are ordering it without doing their homework of what it takes to use it.
I guess time will tell.. I will keep you updated.

[Nonna]

Eh, anything that is "free" and costs $19.99 a year loses my business based solely on principle.

30 day FREE trial.. If you do not like it the 30 days you used it was free.

[Nonna]

Pros & cons comments..

http://patphelan.net/magic-jack/

[Valtyr]

From my standpoint. I'm an executive resolution specialist in the banking division of my company. I've seen thousands of disputes from magic jack. I wish I could have responded before you purchased it. I've seen countless members get their initial charge then they'll send through $99.99 charges on the card utilized. Then there will be small monthly charges designed for no one to notice $.99, $1.99, etcetera. Finally I've seen a bad trend of $12.99 charges on a monthly basis for some of my members.

MagicJack also will refuse to refund any of these charges and says that the charges "are in the contract." The only way I've come up with to rectify the situation for my members is by charging back the charges to MagicJack.

Please pay close attention to your bank statements while you are utilizing the services of MagicJack. I'm hoping you've paid with your debit card; if so, if you see any of those charges or any charges that don't seem legitimate please report your card lost or stolen. That is the only way MagicJack can bill you, if you have any resolutions/reimbursements that you're seeking (even if you've blocked the card) MagicJack will still able to refund to the closed card.

The entire product is a small transistor that plugs into a port in your computer and is made from about $5.00 worth of material.

[Valtyr]

I don't agree with most of the people on the majority of these sites but here are some things for you:

http://www.thepissedoffconsumer.com/computer/hardware/magic-jack-customer-service-***/view-details.html

http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2008/04/14/magicjacks-eula-says.html

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/320/ripoff0320581.htm

http://www.boingboing.net/2008/04/14/magicjack-netphone-s.html

This one is especially alarming:
http://volokh.com/posts/1203564092.shtml

[Nonna]

From my standpoint. I'm an executive resolution specialist in the banking division of my company. I've seen thousands of disputes from magic jack. I wish I could have responded before you purchased it. I've seen countless members get their initial charge then they'll send through $99.99 charges on the card utilized. Then there will be small monthly charges designed for no one to notice $.99, $1.99, etcetera. Finally I've seen a bad trend of $12.99 charges on a monthly basis for some of my members.

MagicJack also will refuse to refund any of these charges and says that the charges "are in the contract." The only way I've come up with to rectify the situation for my members is by charging back the charges to MagicJack.

Please pay close attention to your bank statements while you are utilizing the services of MagicJack. I'm hoping you've paid with your debit card; if so, if you see any of those charges or any charges that don't seem legitimate please report your card lost or stolen. That is the only way MagicJack can bill you, if you have any resolutions/reimbursements that you're seeking (even if you've blocked the card) MagicJack will still able to refund to the closed card.

The entire product is a small transistor that plugs into a port in your computer and is made from about $5.00 worth of material.

Thank you..Maybe I better send it back.. I am doing fine with just my cell phone. I just thought a backup would be nice.. Sounds like in the long run its not a deal.

[Michael]

30 day FREE trial.. If you do not like it the 30 days you used it was free.

That's not what I was referring to. On their commercial and website their main selling point is "free local & long distance." It may be unlimited but at $19.95 per year it is not free.

[Nonna]

Thanx guys.. It is definately going back tomorrow..
I'm hearing more bad than good about this product. It's always good to get others input.
It has not been paid for yet so hopefully I will not be one of the statistics.

[jenni-anti-fur]

Happy to hear that you are gonna be sending that back....I have heard stories about this...sorry that they are true.

peace love and happiness

[Valtyr]

Good choice Nonna.

Please be mindful that (even though) you've returned the product, they still have authorization authority on your card. If you notice anything please take the steps I mentioned in my first post. Be a hawk on your bank statements to make sure these slime balls can't get any more funds.

[SonicEarth]

If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is. Try Vonage instead.

[JustLiving]

I'm using a magicJack right now, and I gotta tell you: it sucks. It crashes if someone is using the cinputer while your on the phone, and you have to make sure you get a phone that is "compatible" with it. If your not the type of person who likes to keep their computer running 24/7, then you may see an increase in your electricity bills. Since it's an independent voIP program, your computer will always have to be running in order for your phone to be working.

[Nonna]

I sent the magicJack back yesterday by certified mail, it cost a bit more but that way someone has to sign for it and they cannot tell me they did not receive it.
Wish me luck that I have no future hasles.. Thank you again.

[jenni-anti-fur]

I was talking to my Fiance about this and he said a few of his co-workers like it...I was shocked that was the first time I ever heard anything positive about it.

[Valtyr]

Nonna, What's happening with your magicjack?

[Nonna]

I just received an email from the company telling me they got it back and seeing it was returned in the trial period they would not charge my card. I will certainly check my statement to be sure though. I do everything online so it is easy to check my statement whenever I am at computer.
When I had it here for the 2 days it seemed like a great idea to me but the people at the other end of the phone said it sounded like I was in a tunnel or had then on speaker phone. Just a lot of static. Again I thank you. Have a great weekend. It's 1 degree here.. I am SO SICK of winter.

[Valtyr]

I'm glad all is well.

Let me know if you have any questions about procedures with your bank. (If there is a problem).

[Nonna]

I'm glad all is well.

Let me know if you have any questions about procedures with your bank. (If there is a problem).

Thank you very much.. I wish I had got on the VB and asked all the questions BEFORE I ordered but is was spur of the moment..Not too bright on my part, I do not usually do things like that.

[Bmtn]

You may be interested in Skype (http://about.skype.com/). I have not used it myself, but it is free to call other Skype users all over the world. You can also use it to call landlines and cellphones, but that will cost you. I think it is well worth looking into if you can get people you constantly call to sign up as well, provided that they too have an internet connection.

[Nonna]

This would not work for me as everyone I know has phone service so I would end up paying for the calls. I will just stick to my cell phone for now. I have the T-Mobil fave 5 and that is mosty who I call.
Thank you for checking into this.