Magic Jack - New Phone Service

[xrayzebra]

MagicJack does not live up to it's advertising and customer service is so feeble it has to be a joke. Anybody who reads the positive statements should be able to tell they are "ads" for MagicJack. Unfortunately the company behind MajicJack want's your money and doesn't care about if you get what you paid for. Customer service or honesty in advertising is not an important issue for this product. They have been taking advantage of the consumer since day one and nothing has changed but the amount of advertising. They are working hard to increase visibility to get your money.

In short, Magic Jack is a good con-job but doesn't deliver on it's promise.

Remember if it sounds to good to be true, chances are it is!
(you need to go with ++++++ company it is a better VOIP)

I started this thread in December of last year and got one
of the MJ in Jan. It worked and still works exactly as
advertised. Customer service (tech support) does suck,
that I will give you. But it works as it said it would.
I am still looking to buy another one if someone wants to
sell theirs at a discount rate. Just PM me.

[MRSMONTI]

How about paying 20 bucks a year for all the calls you
want and have the ability to call from any computer.
Not a joke or gimmick and I am not a salesman for them
but this what they promise.

magic Jack Link

By the way I haven't tried this, but I am going to try it.
30 day free trial. What can you lose?

[MRSMONTI]

OK HONESTLY I NEVER GOT MINE I WAITED 3 WEEKS AND ON TOP OF THAT I SEND EXTRA MONEY SO IT COULD BE SENT IN 3 DAYS NEVER GOT IT AND SO I WILL SEND YOU WHAT THEY WROTE TO ME IM ALYISSA..


THIS WAS TODAY


Chat InformationPlease wait for a site operator to respond.

Chat InformationYou are now chatting with 'Chuck'

Chuck: o, how may I help you?

ALYISSA and my name is alyissa please check my account

Chuck: thank you for addressing your concern

Chuck: May I know the exact nature of your problem with full details please?

ALYISSA : make sure that they do not charge me anything i still havent recieved the majic jack for going on 3 weeks ok then every time i ask it is always an excuse im no longer interest with this garbage im fustrated and all this is ...is a waste of time and money so i even paid for expidited shipping to recieve item in 3 days didnt get that either false advertisment i must say any ways make sure not to pull out money or i will have to address this in court ok

Chuck: thank you for that

Chuck: Your credit card company may put a hold on the amount temporarily, but we do not process any charges until the Trial Period has expired. Please contact your credit card company if you need more details

Chuck: you order has not yet been shipped and do not worry you will not be charged of anything

ALYISSA : exactly it still hasn't been shipped that is ridiculous and your company is a fraud and a waste im sure i will post this on the forum so everyone know how you handle business i should have listened to every one elses complains...............

Chuck: im very sorry for that

Chuck: please do not worry, we will report this to our engineering and billing department and we will look into this issue now

ALYISSA : and no im not contacting my credit card they better not even try to attempt to place an order more yet since i havent got the item nor it hasnt been shippd out plus you guys can remove my information

ALYISSA : i dont want it to go any further

Chuck: Im very sorry about this

ALYISSA : sure i bet i dont know how you guys expect to make business with the way they handle things

Chuck: we will try and resolve this issue of yours

ALYISSA : i will keep this conversation in hand

ALYISSA : bye and tell mrs majic jack he is a bs


AND THIS AS WELL WAS TODAY








Chat InformationPlease wait for a site operator to respond.

Chat InformationYou are now chatting with 'Amber'

Amber: o, how may I help you?

ALYISSA my name is alyissa and email is XXXXXXl.com ok listen i am pissed of you guys took 46.90 out of my damm account and i never recieved the majic jack i recorded all my conversation a matter of fact i have a recorded conversation on you guys stating you will not take out the amount since it was not shipped out nor did i ever get it on time i want my refund right away i am not playing this made my account bounce and you guys should be held responsible do to the damm fact you guys were not authorized to take it out and when you were authorized it was to be taken out in june what kind of company is this i am very upset

Amber: Are you use the debit card or credit card?

ALYISSA : and i have proof you guys sent showing it would be taken out in june 16 th 30 days later i still aint get my stuff

ALYISSA : this is my card you guys took money out off with out permission

Amber: we advertise that, we do not bill you for 30 days, we only made an authorization on your card that it will be billed after.30 days

Amber: Sorry for any inconvenience

ALYISSA : yes it hasnt been 30 days

Amber: The money is till there in your account,

Amber: It just that the bank has put a hold on it,.

ALYISSA : so why they are touching it

Amber: So it is not available for you to use.

Amber: An authorization is used to verify that the customer has the amount

Amber: I apologize for any inconvenience

ALYISSA : i dont care i didnt want it why the they touched

ALYISSA : i dont want the majic jack it is a fraud i want my money back now you guys need to release my money asap

Amber: Thank you for your patience. I will transfer you to a higher level of support. Please hold while I transfer you.

ALYISSA : or i will call the fraud department i said i didnt want it

Chat InformationPlease wait while I transfer the chat to the best suited site operator.

Chat InformationYou are now chatting with 'Maynard'

ALYISSA : no longer after waiting so long for something so simply and it hasnt even been shipped

Maynard: Hi Alyissa

ALYISSA : look at the previous conversation i am pissed and want my money the last operator i spoke with i kept the conversation in record said i will not be charge and my card will not be touched because i dint want this dumb majic jack i am so upset my account is going to bounce if you guys dont release my money

ALYISSA : plus you guys havent even shipped it how you figure to take the money quick but not send the item no no i will contact the fraud line if it is not release

ALYISSA: this is bs

Maynard: Are you using a debit card?

ALYISSA : debit credit which ever

ALYISSA : you can use it as both

Maynard: The difference is, if customer pay with a Debit Card, we automatically get the money since we can't put a hold status for such transactions. But, even if we got them billed we will still keep that bill as hold/pending on our end. If they decide not to continue with MJ and they're still under the 30 day trial period, then we will give back the charge as "refund".

ALYISSA : i did use my debit card ok but you can use it as credit to which way you guys did it is not my problem i want my money if my bills bounce cause of this i hope you guys are ready to pay

ALYISSA : more so that the representatives before said it wouldnt be touched

Maynard: Your money on our end will stay on hold and will be taken out after the trial.

ALYISSA : well i canceled my order i never received the darn thing and you guys still didnt ship it it has been 3 weeks and by the time i do get

ALYISSA : it i wouldnt even have 30 days to try it what kind of games are you guys playing

ALYISSA : dont put it on hold give me my money and i want it now i canceled my order ok before you guys took out the money ok so that is unauthorized

ALYISSA : that you took the money look at my account he just told me it hasnt even been shipped

ALYISSA : stop playing and release my money

Maynard: Please try check back later Alyissa since one of out tools which has the record of your order is not accessible.

ALYISSA : or i guess im contacting the fraud department and showing them all my previous conversation since 3 days ago

Maynard: I will work on this one and we will be releasing your money if your order is not yet shipped.

ALYISSA: no i guess it hasn't as of this morning like i have do you want to see what the rep wrote to me

Maynard: Let me check if I can see your record Alyissa.

ALYISSA : go right ahead

ALYISSA : i know i have the conversation recorded and it hasnt been shipped

Maynard: Thank you for patienlty waiting but your order was shipped today.

Maynard: It was earlier.

ALYISSA : Chuck: you order has not yet been shipped and do not worry you will not be charged of anything

ALYISSA : that is what he wrote i dont want the damm thing

ALYISSA : i said it very early

Maynard: Okay

ALYISSA : they on your end should have did what they needed to all i know is that i want my money

ALYISSA : i am not going to pay over draft fees for the mistakes on your end

Maynard: I will take off the charges so it will be removed on your account. When the package arrive at you, all you need to do is not to accept it so it will be shipped back to us.

ALYISSA : trust me i wont execpt something i never got on time im no longer interested

ALYISSA : at all and never would be again any ways when will i have my money my bills are comming threw tonight

Maynard: Okay

ALYISSA : and tomorrow

Maynard: It will be processed right away.

ALYISSA : ok so

Maynard: Please chat us back if tomorrow or the next day the charge is still showing.

ALYISSA : when will i get that refund or that hold should be removed right away can i get a confirmation number on that so i can give it to my credit card company so they will release it

ALYISSA : see thats the problem if it still shows my account will bounce and im not going threw this un nessesary junk

Maynard: You are welcome

Maynard: Please click the link below

Maynard: http://my.magicjack.com/returns.html

ALYISSA : and do what

Maynard: So that we will have record and you will get a number.

ALYISSA : ok i did nothnig is comming up

ALYISSA : it is blank with an x on it

Maynard: Scroll down

ALYISSA : yea i did

ALYISSA : nothing

Maynard: I will do it for you.

Maynard: One moment please...

ALYISSA: k

Maynard: Click here to get your RMA number

ALYISSA : Here is your magicJack™ Return Information You must return your magicJack™ within 2 weeks for return credit. Please print this page and return it along with your magicJack™ to: magicJack PO Box 6846 West Palm Beach, FL 33405

Maynard: Thanks

ALYISSA : why it says that im not waiting no freakin 2 weeks

ALYISSA : for my dam credit

Maynard: Don't worry about the message.

Maynard: I will report this issue and this will be take cared of right away.

ALYISSA : so if its not back in my account my money tonight what i need to do

ALYISSA : cause trust me im not paying for my account over draft

ALYISSA : i will have to call the fraud department

Maynard: You go it Alyissa, it will be processed right away.

ALYISSA : ok i will check by tonight and i will send our conversation immediately to the credit depart and fraud line just incase

Maynard: Okay

Maynard: Thank you for chatting. Good-bye.

ALYISSA : no just make sure i have what i need i really dont want to take it further or to court if my things bounce bye

ALYISSA : hope you understand what im saying

Maynard: Have a wonderful day!

ALYISSA: yeah sure and stressful one to bye

[Sjs1955]

You know Joe, one thing, if you are travelling and have a laptop
and access to hi-speed internet plug the thing in and start
calling.

This is the article that turned me on, forwarded to me by a
friend, yeah, Joe I do got friends....LOL

TOP STORY

MagicJack promises dirt-cheap phone calls

Scott Dunn By Scott Dunn

Making phone calls over the Internet is nothing new, thanks to well-known providers like Skype and Vonage.

But a simple USB device from an upstart, MagicJack, promises to bring voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to the masses for as little as $20 USD per year.

What is MagicJack and how does it work?

MagicJack is a $40 appliance that's about the size of two USB memory sticks. You plug any analog telephone into one end, and insert the other end into the USB port of a computer with broadband access. After waiting about one minute while the device self-installs, you can make free calls to any phone in the United States and Canada (no matter where in the world you are) — there are no per-minute charges. After the first year, you pay $20 annually for these calls. That's not $20 per month, it's $20 per year.

MagicJackFigure 1. The MagicJack device (left) is approximately the width of two USB flash drives and takes about 30 seconds to initialize itself each time it's plugged in.

MagicJack rates for calls to phones outside the U.S. and Canada vary from 2 cents per minute to landlines in the U.K., Germany, and France up to $1.21 per minute to Antarctica, according to a list posted by YMax, MagicJack's parent company. Service to these countries at these rates will reportedly begin in early 2008. If the international party you are calling also has a MagicJack, the call is free.

Except for a desktop shortcut, MagicJack installs no software on the host computer. The company says this allows the device to work on PCs at Internet cafés that don't permit the installation of executable files.

One frustration is that you must wait 30 seconds or more for the software to load from the device each time you plug it in. But the great benefit is that you can easily take this pocket-sized product with you to use on a laptop in hotels or wherever you may find broadband access. Currently, only Windows XP and Vista are supported, but a Mac version is in the works.

For home use, the product has an analog phone jack, into which you can plug any ordinary telephone. For travel, MagicJack works with any standard headset and microphone, including any that may be built into your laptop. Bluetooth headsets are also supported.

For incoming calls, U.S. customers currently receive a free inbound phone number. You can choose from 116 area codes in 31 cities. That sounds like a lot, but still includes only 23 states. Los Angeles is a major metropolis that's notably absent from MagicJack's service, but a company representative says L.A. area codes should be available by Dec. 25. A list of the currently available area codes is posted on the MagicJack site.

MagicJack
Figure 2. You dial calls using MagicJack's on-screen softphone or the buttons on an ordinary telephone that you plug into the USB device's RJ-11 phone jack.

Eventually, you'll reportedly be able to use MagicJack's site to change your phone number and even port your own, existing landline phone number (for a fee). Those features, however, are not yet available.

In our tests, the sound quality on MagicJack phone calls was very clear, although there was a faint buzzing sound on the caller's end on one call. Windows Secrets editorial director Brian Livingston recently took a MagicJack on a business trip to Florida and reported no problems calling U.S. numbers via a laptop with a hotel Wi-Fi connection. Every call, however, brings up the on-screen softphone window with its built-in advertising pane on the left (see Figure 2), even if you're using a regular phone for dialing rather than clicking the on-screen buttons with your mouse.

Other MagicJack features include:

• Free directory assistance using the Free411 Web site (in our tests, this site performed poorly at finding business phone numbers, so you get what you pay for);

• Free 911 service in the United States (you enter your physical address once, which you can change at any time);

• Free voicemail (even if your computer is off); and

• Free call forwarding to your cell phone or any other phone.

The 911 service requires not only that you enter your current address, but also (as with any MagicJack call) that you have power and a working Internet connection so you can dial the number.

If you use Microsoft Outlook, you can also download a plug-in that adds a toolbar to that program for one-click dialing of a selected contact.

MagicJack costs less than other VoIP services

MagicJack is only the latest entry to a growing number of VoIP service providers, two of the most popular being Skype and Vonage.

Perhaps the most similar product to MagicJack is the V-Phone from Vonage. This USB device is the size of a typical flash drive and includes an audio jack for the included cell-style headset (earphones and microphone). Like MagicJack, you plug a V-Phone into a computer with Internet access and, after about 30 seconds of setup, begin calling. You dial out using the on-screen keypad (which is optional in MagicJack). An incoming phone number is included. Like MagicJack, you get voicemail, a call log, and a contact list.

Compared to MagicJack, however, the V-Phone rates are astronomical. Vonage's cheapest billing plan (see Table 1) costs $180 USD per year for 500 minutes per month. Unlimited calling is available for residential users for $300 per year, while businesses pay $420 per year. The fees include all calls to the U.S., Canada, and a few European countries.

Skype, on the other hand, does not include any hardware. It's free software that you download and install on your computer. The software includes instant messaging and file transfers, but to make VoIP phone calls, you'll also need a Skype-compatible headset.

Skype charges $30 a year for unlimited outgoing (SkypeOut) calls to the U.S. and Canada, plus just over 2 cents a minute for calls to 30 selected countries, more to others.

To get a number for incoming calls, the SkypeIn service costs $18 for three months or $60 per year, a price that includes voicemail and call forwarding. (You can also buy up to 10 phone numbers using most U.S. area codes, as well as those from some other countries.) By contrast, if you have MagicJack service, incoming calls are free.

Table 1. MagicJack is cheaper than similar services. (All amounts in U.S. dollars.)


MagicJack
Vonage V-Phone
Skype
Unlimited outbound
calls from anywhere
to U.S. & Canada
$20/year
$300/year
(includes landlines
in five EU countries)
$30/year
Unlimited inbound
calls from anywhere
Included
Included
$60/year
Initial cost
$40 (includes 1st
year of service)
$40
Free (software
download)
Other calling
hardware needed
Analog phone
or headset
None (headset
included)
Skype-compatible
headset

Is MagicJack too good to be true?

With rates as low as those offered by MagicJack, how likely is it the service will survive in the long haul? That's an open question, even for telecom experts, some of whom don't expect any VoIP service to last for long. But MagicJack's business model does offer some advantages that aren't found in its compe ors.

MagicJack differs from companies like Vonage and Skype, who buy their connection services from telecom businesses known as Compe ive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs) and other names.

MagicJack's parent company, YMax — founded by telecom veteran Dan Borislow — is itself a CLEC that's certified in 49 U.S. states (soon to be 50). Because the company owns much of its own switching and gateway hardware, YMax can make money by giving out phone numbers and leasing the lines it owns to other VoIP and telecommunications providers.

This infrastructure also gives the company more control over voice quality, asserts MagicJack marketer Don Bruns in a recent issue of TelephonyOnline. Founder Borislow echoes this point in a Broadband Reports article.

In addition to sales of the MagicJack hardware (and the $20 annual fee starting one year later), MagicJack intends to sell advertising that will appear next to the on-screen softphone any time you use the product. Indeed, as an article on the Broadband Reports site points out, MagicJack's Terms of Service do ent goes so far as to state that "these advertisements are necessary for the magicJack device to work."

Whether this business model is sufficient to make MagicJack a viable, long-term success, only time will tell. In the meantime, consumers can take advantage of MagicJack's low rates and portable calling convenience wherever a computer and a good Internet connection can be found. For more information, see the MagicJack site.

I purchased this, requested the unit and 5 year subscription for $100, so far they have charged me and said I only got a one year plan. So I tried to contact them, the only way in through their online chat on their webiste if you can figure out how to get there. Then they just kept stating I only got the one year plan, REFUSED TO GIVE ME THE CORPORATE ADDRESS, EMAIL OR PHONE NUMBER. It isn't on their website either, BEWARE of this company, also I have a HP Pavillion m9100t (quad core), and this only works when I reboot my computer, otherwise when calls come in nothing happens except that it records that a call tried to connect. Also when you do talk on it sometimes it sounds like talking through a tunnel, and I do have a cable high speed broadband connection through Comcast. This is a piece of junk, if I could get my money back I would, and if you are thinking of buying it, try and find out where the company is located. There is a Magic Jack LP listed on the Better Business Bureau here in south Floriad where I live, they are listed with a post office box address in West Palm Beach, FL they have a D rating, many complaints, they are not a member of the BBB, their listing says they sale phone equipment and service, so they maybe the same company, still waiting for the company or BBB to respond to me if they are one in the same. Again it is a piece of junk from what I have gotten from its use.

[Sjs1955]

Also I have sent a few complaints through the form on their site about it not working unless I reboot, I keep getting the same exact response, giving a bunch of steps to reinstall and shut down programs that might be interferring with it!?!, if it can't work
with other software running what good is it? Basically they have all sent the same reply, obviously it is a preprinted reply they send out, have gotten it back three times from three different people, exactly the same, and of no help, it just has commen sense stuff that any idiot would have already done, except for shutting down your other software.

[Cobb]

I signed up and got my magic jack so I could save on phone service just incase I need to make calls, I am not a heavy phone user and have a cell phone I use too. 70 bucks for 5 years seems a lot cheaper than 43 a month for comcast digital.

Man, they sure spam you once you start to place your order to upgrade everything. Shipping, service, multiple units, etc. Took about 2 weeks to get it once I finally placed my order.

So far it works great. Ive made and recieved a few calls.Sure it takes 5 minutes to load up once you plug it in, but I leave it in and use it when I am not online to conserve bandwidth.

Voice mails are emailed, great for me since I am a work a holic and work in a call center, I can just check my email.

FYI, I am using comcast cable internet on an asus laptop with xp. s5200n model. Direct connect to cable modem. For fear of people not hearing me, Iincreased the volume for bothsending and recieving.

[Rawbert]

What I find funny is that when these people sign up for an account, they get to choose what NBA team they root for. Shouldn't that set alarms that maybe this isn't a forum specifically made to discuss the Magic Jackoff or whatever it's called.

Hi this is my first, and most likely my last post here. I came here purely by accident looking for information about the Magic Jack and obviously this is a Basketball Lovers forum (See I did look around first) So I will not bore you to tears with some review I have or anything like that. I only decided to make a comment about Basketball. Here it is...

GO MAGIC

and no I am not that same guy as before who is the Magic Fan.

[redwingnut]

Is this forum run by majic jack?

[Cobb]

Yeah, I normally visit a scion forum as I own one of their xa cars that gets 41mpg and am just tryng to cut costs for more parts. Plus I hope the company is around in the next 5 years so I get my moneys worth. I just think the user are expecting too much from this product.

I did have a problem with people not hearing me the next day and had to reboot to fix. After a sun java update thats been fixed. It does get choppy if you try to surf or play games, however its a great savings for the expense of not computing while talking.

Just think I paid 70 bucks for 5 years of phone service. Sure it requires high speed net service and I am never going back to dial up. No more am I spending 40+ bucks a month.

[jason102178]

hey i just wanted to inform everyone that i have a new blog dedicated to magic jack like this blog here and if you are not getting answers you may need or want feel free to post on my blog also if you click on support center on the right hand side of my blog ive made a uniqe support system and you can cent me a support ticket and i will answer all of them if its regarding magic jack heres the link http://blog.jaysonberger.com/ when typing in the address do not include the www part of websites

[yaegerj]

I recently bought the Magic Jack with the understanding that I would not be charged for 30 days after the trial period, I was charged full price, with only having the product for three days. When they sent the product out, the post office lost the package, ok not the fault of Magic Jack, but when I called them to inform them of the situation, they should sent out another one at know charge, but still charged me for the original product after three days of ordering it as well. I have had the product for one week and I have had problems of calls not going through, where I was told they were having a problem with their server, and I needed to try at another time. I think the product could be good, but I don't like the misleading of saying to customers that they are not going to be charged for 30 days, because that just is not so. I plan to file a complaint with federal trade commission, and the consumer affairs division in Florida, which is where is live. I really don't like the fact that you can't speak physically with anyone over the phone. I did some research and found out that YMax Communications, owns the company, they are out of West Palm Beach Florida.

[jaffies]

So.....

all these people registered just to reply to this thread???


Hey KORI, can we get an explanation as to what is going on here?

[Kori Ellis]

So.....

all these people registered just to reply to this thread???


Hey KORI, can we get an explanation as to what is going on here?

I think I have said it a few times already in this thread

But when you search Magic Jack on Google, this thread is second behind MagicJack.com. So people find it in Google, come here and post their opinions and leave.

[juststoppingby]

First off . . very sad because we got so close and yet so far. I wonder if I'm back luck for the Spurs because I haven't seen that many games, but it seems the ones I do watch they tend to loose in the last two seconds! Anyway.

What kind of program doesn't even bother being Windows 2000 compatible? Almost any new program you buy is compatible with Windows Xp and 2000 automatically, with Mac and Vista tagged on as a bonus.

My Dad bought a magic jack for my birthday, and I'm sad that he wasted his money. If the refund isn't complete and swift, I will be . . . wait. No. His temper is worse than mine, so I'm sure he'll wreck plenty of vengeance all by himself, but SERIOUSLY.

I just wanted to post because this was the first forum to pop up with a magic jack thread, and because I'm a San Antonian.

As far as magic jack goes, it pays to remember that anything that seems too good to be true usually is.

How about paying 20 bucks a year for all the calls you
want and have the ability to call from any computer.
Not a joke or gimmick and I am not a salesman for them
but this what they promise.

magic Jack Link

By the way I haven't tried this, but I am going to try it.
30 day free trial. What can you lose?

[SFOMAN]

Magic Jack gives you 2 number for San Francisco... 415-521 and 415-632..none of these are in San Francisco. They are in Ignacio,CA and is a toll call for calling from San Francisco. I called AT&T and it's .012 cents per minute. So if your going to call these numbers call from your cell phone if you have free minutes

[ashbeeigh]

Magic Jack gives you 2 number for San Francisco... 415-521 and 415-632..none of these are in San Francisco. They are in Ignacio,CA and is a toll call for calling from San Francisco. I called AT&T and it's .012 cents per minute. So if your going to call these numbers call from your cell phone if you have free minutes

maybe you should move out of California. I heard those Local toll calls call be be a real .

[Pepe Ed]

No problem here so far between NYS US and Sicily

[Slydragon]

Is MagicJack the new Skype?
Internet-call device selling 8,000 to 9,000 units per day, company says

NEW YORK - What's the fastest-growing fixed-line phone company in the United States?

It's not Verizon Communications Inc. or AT&T Inc. — they're losing lines. What about cable company Comcast Corp., which is raking in subscribers for its phone service? Even that company is being beaten by a small Palm Beach, Florida, company called YMax Corp., judging by its own figures.

YMax may not be well-known but the company has been running TV ads for its product, the MagicJack, which works with a broadband connection.
Story continues below ↓advertisement

It's about the size of a matchbox and plugs into a PC. After plugging a regular phone into the MagicJack, the user can make and receive calls much like using a regular landline.

In January, just after the broad advertising campaign started, YMax was selling a few hundred MagicJacks per day, said Jim Donlon, its chief marketing officer. Now, it's selling 8,000 to 9,000 per day, and the company is on track to have half a million subscribers by the end of June.

That's a meteoric trajectory in the phone business, propelled by the pricing: The MagicJack costs $39.95, including one year of free calls in the United States and Canada. Another year of service costs $19.95.

"It's extremely low-risk. Most people I know are willing to gamble on 40 bucks," said TeleGeography analyst Stephan Beckert, who follows voice-over-Internet providers.

Unlike most voice-over-Internet Protocol — or VoIP — providers, YMax is licensed as a phone company in the continental United States and operates a wide network of servers to carry its calls. VoIP providers generally outsource that side of the business.

Comcast, the fastest-growing cable voice provider, signed up a net average of 7,100 customers per day in the first quarter, ending with 5.1 million on March 31. Vonage Corp., the leading independent provider of VoIP that works with regular phones was averaging 334 per day, for a total of 2.6 million.

YMax's subscriber numbers are "significant," Beckert said, but he noted that its revenue is much lower than that of competing providers because it charges about as much for a year of service as its rivals do for a month. Even eBay Inc.'s Skype, which uses computers for calling, charges significantly more.

It's unclear what effect the MagicJack is having on compe ors.

YMax Chief Executive Don Burns said many customers buy a MagicJack as a complement to a cell phone, compensating for poor cell coverage at home. When the computer is off, the service can be set to forward incoming calls to a cell phone.

Burns and inventor Dan Borislow founded the company, financing it largely themselves. They're telecom industry veterans — Borislow pioneered selling long-distance service to AOL subscribers in the 90s and Burns was the CEO of Telco Communications Group, which provided discount long-distance calls.

Burns says YMax's structure helps keeps cost low and call quality high. In the future, the company plans to sell advertising that shows up on the PC screen while calls are being placed. It would use its knowledge of the customer's location to display relevant ads.

Even so, Beckert is skeptical of the business model. Like YMax, Vonage has recruited customers by TV advertising for years. But Vonage has consistently lost money.

"I'm still not sure how you make money at $20 a year," Beckert.

MagicJack's next moves are to get on the shopping channel QVC and possibly expand sales beyond the Web and call centers.

"We have big-box retailers jumping at this," Donlon said.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25199760/

[CubanMustGo]

The power of Google ... 100K hits for this thread. LOL

[Guy Vire]

The question I have about any VOIP is. How can a person say they are free calls when one has to have some type on line to the computer, Telco, cable or Wi Fi, T1, DSL, right?
The only thing I see is I would have a second or in my case a third line .
What am I missing regarding the part where they say it's free?

[Syrennity]

I was considering purchasing the Magic Jack, so I came to this site to read everyone’s reviews on the product; but I felt the reviews were mixed, so I went to the Better Business Bureau’s website, which I personally believe to be the best reference for any company. Well people, it wasn't good; there are numerous complaints (I know all companies have complaints), but the deciding factor for me was that the company rating given by The BBB was "F". So to all of you who are considering purchasing this product and looking for advice, I would suggest going to www.bbb.org. and looking the company up; in addition try checking out Consumer’s Report, (I haven’t done that part of my research yet).

[PassingBy]

I was considering purchasing the Magic Jack, so I came to this site to read everyone’s reviews on the product; but I felt the reviews were mixed, so I went to the Better Business Bureau’s website, which I personally believe to be the best reference for any company. Well people, it wasn't good; there are numerous complaints (I know all companies have complaints), but the deciding factor for me was that the company rating given by The BBB was "F". So to all of you who are considering purchasing this product and looking for advice, I would suggest going to www.bbb.org. and looking the company up; in addition try checking out Consumer’s Report, (I haven’t done that part of my research yet).

Forty dollars is a very very low risk considered the cell phone minutes or money Magic Jack can save you. I purchased a MagicJack after my younger brother showed me how it works. I went on line and purchased one on April 25th and I have been using it for conference calls every week. I work from home 3 times a week and I was constantly using my cell phone to dial into bridgeline or conference calls (not mention drop calls). When brother showed me the product, I was like holy , this is the answer that I have been waiting for. I have to admit it took me a while to get it setup, but once it is setup I have up to 3 area codes that I can choose from in the Philly area, they are 267, 610 or 215. I take reviews from BBB with a grain of salt, obviously people who have an axe to grind with MagicJack will go out of their way to destroy the company. I would too but luckily for them the product works for me so I have nothing to complain about. However, I just don't understand why anyone wants to gladly hand $40 a month to Comcast or $25 a month to Vonage when they can get the same service $20 a year. (There is no such thing as FREE, but $20 a year is a close at it gets).

[CLK Group]

I first learned about Magic Jack in a news article and then went to their website. Researching further I came across forums such as this one.

In the end I decided to order one to try. I run Windows Vista.

It arrived in about 5 days. I unpacked it and followed the directions, plugging it into one of my USB ports - nothing. I then tried another port. This time the blue light came on but no functionality. Tried a third USB port and it started.
Finished the installation (ran the Vista upgrade) and tried a few calls. It worked OK, one call had static, another could not hear me clearly.

The next day when I 'woke' my system Magic Jack did not run. Unplugged it and plugged it back in. It then started OK. I went to the Magic Jack website and ran the 'Fix-It' program which is basically just a compatibility check. It told me all was OK. Later in the day I had the same problem with Magic Jack not working. This time I had to re-start my system. It still would not work. Only by unplugging it and then plugging it back in could I get it to work.

The following day both Internet Explorer and my email programs started to become unresponsive. I unplugged Magic Jack and restarted my system. I then plugged Magic Jack back in and it started OK. The phone calls I made did work fine with only a bit of static on some lines.

The third day I again started to have my programs become unresponsive. I again repeated yesterday's steps to get it working. This time I decided to contact Support through their 'Live chat' feature. After explaining the issues I was having, the agent instructed me to unplug Magic Jack, disable my firewall and anti-virus, and then plug it back in. It started and I resumed both my antivirus and firewall protection.

The fourth day I again started to have my programs become unresponsive. I unplugged Magic Jack, restarted my system and went to their website to return the product - I had had enough. I selected the link for 'Returns' and it took me to the 'Fix-It' program. This time, about 3/4 through the check, my browser stopped working completely. I had to re-launch it and go back through the steps. I did this three times and each time I got to the same part of the 'Fix-It' program, it would cause Internet Explorer to stop working completely. The next time, I decided to reach the Live Chat support. I managed to by-pass the 'Fix-It' program and connect with a support agent.
I told him what was happening and asked for instructions on how to return Magic Jack. He provided a link for Returns - the minute I selected it I was put back into the 'Fix-It' program which again caused my browser to stop and of course, end the session.

I again connected with a support agent, explaining what just happened, and again asked for the return procedure. This time he gave me a different link which took me to an RMA form, already pre-printed with my information with instructions to Print and return in two weeks in order for my card to not be charged.

In conclusion, Magic Jack may work well for a lot of people but they clearly have software compatibility issues with Windows Vista.

If you have returned MJ you'll want to uninstall the application manually as it does not come with an uninstall program. I found this one and it works for Vista as well as XP: http://www.ooine.com/index.cfm/2008/...all-Magic-Jack

[bowdoctor]

OK OK Here is my view after using it for 3 months, and no AT&T. It is very easy to set up and use. I have it conected to my cordless phone and voice mail. YES it works fine most the time. Once in a while it does not conect, but I just redial. YES when I'm on line viewing a web page and go to another page the voice cuts in and out just a little bit. Yes a few times the other person on the other end says my volume is low....but it did it with AT&T too...... OVER ALL.....I like it and will not change my service to AT&T. It works very well for me. I would give this service 4 out of 5 stars because of the price!! I save $400 a year and that makes me happy....a happy camper. Hey Cell Phones mess up now and then too.....so what the heck!!

[GTONUT]

My $.02 worth. Been using Magic Jack for 3 months. I dropped Packet 8 and now use this only as my home phone. It's not perfect, must redial occasionally, but we're talking $20.00 a YEAR. I can put up with it to save $400.00 a year.