MagicJack

[frostbitetwice]

The PC Magazine article is a complete failure in journalism...It found only two "cons" (not including their own) of Magicjack***, (1) only one line per unit and no linux drivers..

This piece is a discredit to PC Magazine...

[nomaxim]

Originally Posted by frostbitetwice

The PC Magazine article is a complete failure in journalism...It found only two "cons" (not including their own) of Magicjack***, (1) only one line per unit and no linux drivers..

This piece is a discredit to PC Magazine...

Wouldn't that kinda depend on what the BBB rating was back in JAN when the article was written?

The BBB file was opened in AUG2007, the PCMag article was written in JAN2008, ~5 months later. That BBB file isn't giving dates for the complaints, so we have no idea when the complaints were made. The first complaint on the PCMag forums was at the end of MAR2008, 2.5 months later. The other complaints and articles you listed are all dated in JUL and AUG 2008, 7-8 months after the PCMag article.

Besides, the PCMag article is a product review of the MagicJack itself, not a merchant review of company selling it or the calling plans.

When I first saw the website the first thing that popped into my head was, "Looks like a MLM" (Multi-Level Marketing). It dosen't appear to be a MLM, but that was my first impression based on the layout and content of the website.

[frostbitetwice]

Originally Posted by nomaxim

Wouldn't that kinda depend on what the BBB rating was back in JAN when the article was written?

I am not questioning any BBB ratings of this company...

The BBB file was opened in AUG2007, the PCMag article was written in JAN2008, ~5 months later. That BBB file isn't giving dates for the complaints, so we have no idea when the complaints were made. The first complaint on the PCMag forums was at the end of MAR2008, 2.5 months later. The other complaints and articles you listed are all dated in JUL and AUG 2008, 7-8 months after the PCMag article.

This product has been on the market for close to two years or more..The complains then as now are all the same..

Besides, the PCMag article is a product review of the MagicJack itself, not a merchant review of company selling it or the calling plans.

I would hardly call this article a review, Master Nomaxim..It is more akin to a product information release by the manufacture..MJ, is now doing late night infomercials with this article fully displayed...Frankly, it is nothing short of a hybrid ad.

When I first saw the website the first thing that popped into my head was, "Looks like a MLM" (Multi-Level Marketing). It dosen't appear to be a MLM, but that was my first impression based on the layout of the website.

This service cost a 1/2 cent per day and the price is indicative of it's service..I am pleased that some consumers may benefit from this item, however, in the main MJ has too many liabilities to ever become mainstream...

[nomaxim]

Originally Posted by frostbitetwice

I am not questioning any BBB ratings of this company...

It appears that you did not understand the statement so I'll repharse it into a question.

What was the BBB's rating for this company in early Jan 2008?
Was the rating in JAN2008 a "F", a "C", or perhaps a "AAA"?

I would also point out the complaint breakdown from the BBB report,

354 Making a full refund, as the consumer requested.
10 Making a partial refund.
238 Agreeing to perform according to their contract.
602 Total.

The company has responded to all the complaints. They have given a full refund to over have of the complaints and have relied on the terms of the contract for the rest.

At this time I would guess that the "F" rating is due to either the large number of complaints received in a short period of time. Or the large number of 'Agreeing to perform according to their contract' responses. Perhaps even a combination of the two. You also have to consider that this is a new way of doing things and many people will not be able to make it work or not like the terms and conditions of its use (some people may have not even bothered to read the ToS until after the signed up). That could also be the reason for many of the complaints.

Originally Posted by frostbitetwice

This product has been on the market for close to two years or more..The complains then as now are all the same..

Actually the WhoIs info shows the domain name was registered on 7MAY2003 (5.5 years ago). The BBB report gives a 'Business Start Date' of 13APR2007 (<1.5 years ago). As to when the product became available? I have no Idea.

Again, the BBB report shows 'BBB Created Record On' 21AUG2007 (<13 months ago). So the BBB had not heard of this company before that date.
I cannot locate any other complaints before this one dated 28MAR2008 (<6 months ago).
If you have found any complaints older then 13 months ago (AUG2007) then please post links to them.

Originally Posted by frostbitetwice

I would hardly call this article a review, Master Nomaxim..It is more akin to a product information release by the manufacture..MJ, is now doing late night infomercials with this article fully displayed...Frankly, it is nothing short of a hybrid ad.

You are more then entitled to your opinion about the product review. A product review written 8 months ago. And MagicJack has every right to use that article in their ads. They are also using news footage from a CBS affiliate, CNBC, and even the BBC (I have no idea when those were made at all) and some major news papers (NY Times, LA Times and The Boston Globe) on their website.
NOTE: The CNBC story was made before MagicJack was even available for sale.
Also, the actual service seems to be being provided by AT&T.

However, unless you can provide evidence that these media outlets had prior knowledge of YMax's future business practices and contracts, then your implication that they (the media outlets) are somehow responsible is based on speculation.

Besides, many people will have no problem letting advertiser's pay for their phone calls.

Personally, I may look into making use of this technology myself in the future. We've been using Vonage ($20/month) as a home phone for about 6 years now, and VOIP had just as many problems when it first came out. and we only use our home phone maybe 10-12 hours a year.
But, I'll wait a bit and see how this plays out.

[sweeper2]

i have it hooked up right now.. the only annoyence is when someone uses the phone or calls in... it pops up on the pc screen... so if you have another pc you want to hook it to... that you don't mind the pop up of the calling screen... then it's not bad.. it's been running now for a day in my house... with no problems.... works great... easy to install... no problems... no "ad" pop ups... you can even use your pc if you have a microphone to call... it's pretty amazing... and for 20$ a year.... i pay 20-30$ a month... !

the only other downfall is you have to re register it if you hook to another pc or another place... and i think re-do the phone number for that place... but hell.. beats using the cell phone when your out of town in your motel room.. you can just hook up their phone to your lappy.. and your good to go....

[RobRich]

Originally Posted by nomaxim

Besides, the PCMag article is a product review of the MagicJack itself, not a merchant review of company selling it or the calling plans.

Exactly.

In case anyone actually remembers, I was churning out computer hardware reviews during the height of the dot com bubble. It is quite possible for a a new product to initially receive a positive review regardless of however the manufacturer and/or related service ultimately turns out.

Note, I am not commenting about the quality of MagicJack, as I have not used the product and service. I am commenting on product reviews in general.

BTW, the backhaul service is provided by YMAX, which is the telecom company behind MagicJack. YMAX is apparently a landline carrier and CLEC. More information at Wikipedia.

[nomaxim]

Per this article magicJack Inventor Responds to Customer Service Complaints at The Pulse of Mobile Tech - Technology News and Views from LAPTOP Magazine dated 31JUL2008. The company responded to the two major complaint issues filed with the BBB.

Charge #1: Some customers are being charged the price of magicJack during their free 30-day trial.
DB: This is not true. You will not find one person who was charged before the 30 day trial was completed. The issue is debit card holders, who were told at least 2 times, that there would be a hold against their debit/credit card at time of order. The issue with debit cards is that a hold may have the same effect as a charge on their debit card, causing overdrafts and the like. We do not accept debit cards anymore for a Free Trial, but offer instead a 30 day money back guarantee now. We have had this new policy in effect for about 30 days, and it appears to have fixed this type of complaint.

Charge #2: Customers are finding it difficult to reach customer service for a refund.
DB: This is ridiculous; it is everywhere on the site. They do not need to reach customer service. It is completely automated and gives an RMA with a scan line. They will also be instructed by Live Chat when they sign on to it or when they ask an agent. Try it yourself.

Also, The product and service appear to have launched about a year ago.

Originally Posted by nomaxim

As to when the product became available? I have no Idea.

Per the above article.

magicJack is a point of contention for many users who’ve decided to give the low-cost telephony service a shot since its launch in late 2007.

[bob3160]

I've used it for about 3 month without any complaints.
I've used it as a call back # for our community association since it supplies you
with an MP3 recording of any messages left.
$19.95 per year is dirt cheap for a viable phone company alternative IMHO.

[vergara]

I also use MJ from time to time as a back up for main voip provider which is Onesuite. I never had to contact their customer service to I am not sure how true if its hard to call them or what not.

I am also not aware that MJ can call international, meaning other countries beside US and Canada. Anyhow, based on feedbacks on dslreports.com, MJ has mixed reviews, a little more complaints about numbers availability and quality of calls.

[sweeper2]

yeah.. the quality sometimes sounds "scratchy" ... but is clear and does work.. you can pick what ever number you want from any state is my understanding... but i was able to get a Local area code and number. I am going to cancel my phone and just use this and keep my internet and cable... to keep costs down... will give it a few months go...