Anybody here using a Magic Jack??

[Betrade]

I just got a Magic Jack yesterday for 20 bucks at Walgreen's. It's awesome. I can't believe I have a phone for like, 4 cents a day. No more Bell Atlantic or their ever rising, already way too high rates.

This thing works really well and only took about 5 minutes to install and get my number. I'm very impressed so far.

I was wondering if anyone has had any problems with this device; and if so, what type of problems??

[flaming_liberal]

Most people seem to have problems with the free trial or customer service.
It's some sort of VoIP, right?

[Betrade]

Originally Posted by flaming_liberal

Most people seem to have problems with the free trial or customer service.
It's some sort of VoIP, right?

I didn't bother with the free trial. I just bought it and activated it. The first year of service is included in the price. it works just like any other phone as far as I can tell.

The only downside I have is that my computer has to be on. My router doesn't have a USB port to hook it into. I'll see what I can do about that later. I just wanted to make sure it worked.

I guess it's considered a VOIP. It's just a little USB device with a phone jack. You activate it, plug your phone into it and they give you a number. I've made a few calls and it works like any other phone I've ever had. The sound is just as clear as any other phone service I've had too.

I had an internet phone through Comcast, which is who I have my internet connection with, but it's like, 50.00 a month, so I canned the phone service. I only had it because I got free phone service for a year when I got my internet service, but 50 bucks is too high when I can get exactly the same servive for 20.00 a year.

I absolutely HATE dealing with Comcast, but where I live, it was the easiest way to go about getting internet service at the time I got it. It took them 38 days from the time I ordered the service to the time I got online. It was a disastrous experience, but the service is relatively good for the most part. They have been charging me for things that I don't even have a clue about.

My internet service is supposed to be around 52.00 a month but they've been billing me around 70.00 a month for about three months now. I have to call and get it straightened out but I just hate dealing with those people. I'll do it when I'm in the right frame of mind and try and get a credit for the over billing. They are good about credits as long as you can prove you deserve one.

But, this Magic Jack seems pretty cool. As long as it works I'll keep using it. I've already paid for a year so I don't have to worry about another phone bill for a while. I like the fact that it's so cheap. I also figure that millions of people have bought these things, so it must be okay for most of them, or they wouldn't still be using them. It also won some award for "product of the year" from some organization or another, for what it's worth. I guess it must not be too bad.

I'll post if I have any negative issues and have to deal with customer service and relay how my experience was. Hopefully I won't have to; but you never know. Anything can happen at any time.

[flaming_liberal]

Ooh, sounds like you had similar experiences to myself with Comcast.
Verizon FiOS is in Maryland. Love it by comparison to Comcast in all areas. Faster, more stable, better service, never had problems with hidden charges, etc. And it's more for less.
I personally recommend them over Comcast.

[Betrade]

Originally Posted by flaming_liberal

Ooh, sounds like you had similar experiences to myself with Comcast.
Verizon FiOS is in Maryland. Love it by comparison to Comcast in all areas. Faster, more stable, better service, never had problems with hidden charges, etc. And it's more for less.
I personally recommend them over Comcast.

I've used FIOS and loved it where I used to live, but where I'm living now they didn't offer it at the time I needed an internet connection; and I'm less than a mile away from where I used to live. I may switch back one of these days, but I'll stay with what I have for now. I just hate the hassle of dealing with these companies.

When I had FIOS installed and running, a guy showed up about three weeks later to do the install. Go figure. I told him it was already done and he showed me the ticket that told him I needed an installation. I sent him away and called to make sure I wasn't being billed for it, bit luckily I wasn't.

I had the deal with TV, internet and telephone for 99 bucks a month. I don't know what it costs now, but that's what I was paying at the time, which was about 2 1/2 years ago.

That's one of the problems with these huge companies. The left hand never knows what the right is doing; unless it involves collecting money; then they all seem to be on the same page.

[Snouter]

Sounds good. A retard left a dead tree standing and a storm took down all the lines the other day including two phone company lines that used to be used before using internet phone. I just rolled it up in a bundle and tossed it out. There is absolutely no reason to use phone lines anymore.

[oki]

taru send me one, but it instantly messed up all my soundcard settings, took me a day to repair. i use my laptop for music making , so that sucked.

[Betrade]

Originally Posted by oki

taru send me one, but it instantly messed up all my soundcard settings, took me a day to repair. i use my laptop for music making , so that sucked.

So far, I haven't had a lick of trouble with anything. I set up two computers so I can switch if I need to.

I read online that it can't be uninstalled or has to be done manually through regedit. I checked, and it doesn't come with an uninstaller, but an uninstall tool is available on the MJ website. I already downloaded it and tucked it away in case I ever need it.

I use a free little program called Revo Uninstaller that's awesome IMO. I've been using it for a few years now, and they just keep improving it. It gets rid all of the registry keys that Windows often leaves behind, etc. and works great.

But the magic Jack software doesn't even come up on the menu, nor does it come up on windows uninstall menu. So, That's why I got the tool from the site. I'm not worried about it and so far, I really like the gadget. It works great and costs practically nothing to use. I would definitely recommend it. If I have any problems down the road and change my mind, I'll post about it here.

[soylentgreen]

I use skype voip to call Japan. It works pretty well. Sometimes the calls get dropped. Still, it's worth it. For a year it costs $60 and you can call any landline in Japan up to 10,000 minutes per month.

The phone itself was relatively expensive...about $100 or something. But, it connects to your internet hookup via WiFi. There are cheaper phones that plug into your computer USB port. They're around $20.