I saw this ad on TV, said "home phone without the internet for $15 a month, unlimited calling.
So I'm thinking this is about like Magic Jack? um nope.
Magic Jack uses your internet connection to make calls. Use a standard phone but it wont do a whole house of phones. So I called them. Ya know how you look back and think good lord what the hell was I thinking? this is one of those times.....
The following is what happened.
First I tried my Teleblends phone. The computer that answered the phone didn't understand the buttons I pushed. Are those buttons different on phones made outta the country? No they are all the same, some programmer was a moron and didn't quite get it to understand my phone. So since I have a "land line" I used it to get more information.
Me ) Hello?
Them ) Please wait.
Me ) ok?
5 mins wait...not a good sign
Them ) You have the wrong extention
Hmm I called the number on the tv and it's wrong? ok
Them ) I will correct you.....
Ah a clue, not in the US!
Another 5 mins waiting
Them ) Can I help you set up your phoneline? what's your phone number?
Me) Um I dont have a phone to set up yet, I'm calling for information.
Them ) ok what is your question?
Note there is no s on question, since they must have a limit of questions they can answer?
Me ) Can you explain how this thing works? $100 is a large chunk of change and I'd like to get information about it.
Them ) It works like a cell phone, dont need a standard phone line to use nor the internet.
Me ) ok. Do you have a map of what area coverage I can expect?
Them ) Give me your number and I'll look it up.
My number? remember I dont have service with them why would they need my number if I'm not a customer?
Me ) dont have service with you, I'm trying to figure out if I can use this or not.
Them ) your number will tell me
Me ) no other way for me to see a coverage map?
Them ) um Give zip code and I'll look it up.
Me ) ok . (gave them the one near me, not mine )
Them ) maps shows pretty good coverage
Me ) I'd like to look at the map myself
Them ) sorry can not do that. The tower is close to where you are and should give good coverage with good signal.
Me ) Where is this tower located?
Them ) It's a Verizon tower.
When the tornado's came thru a year ago it took that tower to the ground. So I know how bad the service is using that tower or was before it was destroyed.
Me ) oh well that isn't a good sign. When I had a verizon cell it didn't work at my house. But your saying this thing will work?
Them ) It might
How many bells are going off in your head? I had a bunch of them!
Me ) ok now if I try this thing and it doesn't work at my house can I get a refund?
Them ) only for the box with the stuff to connect, not for service.
Me ) you mean I have to BUY a service card too? It's not in the box?
Them ) no that is another $45 for connection fees and $20 for the card.
What started out as a not a bad deal has just turned into a nitemare!
Me ) So I will be out $65 if it doesn't work? no refund on that?
Them ) No, prepaid service card does not refund.
Me ) Plus shipping? No refund on that either?
Them ) No just the box. Plus you must pay to ship it back.
That works out to around $200 to TEST this thing, and if it doesn't work I'm out $100 with no kiss or reach around? Who has that kinda money to throw away? NOT ME!
Me ) Can I see the map? or is that one of the things your company doesn't share with future customers?
Them ) No share map
Then I just hung up shaking my head.
Here are the facts this "person" didn't know. Yes I HAD a straight talk cell AND a verizon cell.
Neither worked worth beans due to the Steel Mill across the street from me. It messes with the signal so most cell phones dont work here, even cordless phones have a struggle to work correctly. I am not like a normal person, I ask questions BEFORE I jump on anything. What does this cover or that cover? Who is paying if it messes up? All those questions no one wants to bother to ask but does think about. What I decided was this, my teleblends phone works pretty good and I can block whoever I want whenever I want. And those folks speak proper English! I'm not changing to a company where English is the second lanuguage spoke by employees.
If you live close to a tower and have great signal it would be good for you. But not for me.
