Magic Jack

[PoetryLover]

I've heard a little about Magic Jack. What do you need for it to work: high speed internet/cable/etc? DH and I recently cancelled cable because we never watch TV. We do have high speed internet.

For those who have Magic Jack, how pleased are you with it? Do you consider it to be worthwhile?

Thanks!

[kate42]

We've had it for about two months and are super-pleased so far. We have FiOs for internet.

DH has used it internationally with more basic internet options and it has worked for him fairly well.

[sunnysandiegan]

We got it on a 30-day trial in 2009 and had to return it. We have all Macs in this house (since long before Apple became so trendy) and MagicJack only works with the Intel-based Macs, which limited it to my laptop. That, in turn, effectively turned my laptop into a desktop, which drove me crazy. Also, during our trial period, we called lots of people and had friends and family call us. Many stated there was static. Our older relatives across the country had a very hard time hearing us (and us them). We returned it for a full refund and got an Ooma from Costco (on sale). We our Ooma!

[MissedMyDecade]

I have magicjack, and Mac. I had to download an update for magicjack through magicjack in order to switch it from my ex's pc to my mac. Works fine. I don't like how the computer has to be on in order to receive calls though. I usually turn my computer off when I'm not using it. For $20/year though it's not bad.

[elizawill]

we've had it for about 5 weeks now. so far it is really working great & we've had no issues with it. it's definitely worth the cost for us. for our cell phones, we cancelled our plan with verizon and switched to "straight talk" (ironically owned by verizon, lol). all together we're saving $150 month now!

[cparkly]

I have no personal experience with them. This is why. The EULA is way too scary for me. Which is sad really, because the product itself is such an AWESOME idea.

[PoetryLover]

For the people who have Magic Jack, did it replace your land line?

[PoetryLover]

Originally Posted by cparkly

I have no personal experience with them. This is why. The EULA is way too scary for me. Which is sad really, because the product itself is such an AWESOME idea.

Interesting. Thanks.

[PoetryLover]

Originally Posted by sunnysandiegan

We got it on a 30-day trial in 2009 and had to return it. We have all Macs in this house (since long before Apple became so trendy) and MagicJack only works with the Intel-based Macs, which limited it to my laptop. That, in turn, effectively turned my laptop into a desktop, which drove me crazy. Also, during our trial period, we called lots of people and had friends and family call us. Many stated there was static. Our older relatives across the country had a very hard time hearing us (and us them). We returned it for a full refund and got an Ooma from Costco (on sale). We our Ooma!

Hi Sunnysandiegan. I noticed the Ooma is around $250. Is there any associated fee to use it? Is it comparable to MagicJack regarding unlimited local and long distance calling? Thanks so much!

[gwen's mom]

Here's what I wrote on another thread for the same ?

Their customer service is almost non existent. You have to wade through web page after web page and then it is impossible to connect with a real person.

I had MJ for a year and then renewed for a second year and within days of renewing I had an accident where the "receiver" that plugs into your computer broke. I contacted them and was told that I would have to buy a new "receiver" and that the year of coverage I had just paid for would be lost because they supposedly could not transfer that credit to a new receiver. So I was going to have to pay for a new receiver and a year of coverage. I argued, sent letters...nothing. They lost me as a customer.

[elizawill]

Originally Posted by PoetryLover

For the people who have Magic Jack, did it replace your land line?

we didn't have a land line previously (only cell phones). so for us, yes it is the only land line we have. should we lose power though, i have our a cell phone that gets great coverage.

[kate42]

Originally Posted by elizawill

we didn't have a land line previously (only cell phones). so for us, yes it is the only land line we have. should we lose power though, i have our a cell phone that gets great coverage.

We went from a landline to the MJ in addition to our cell phones. The only people who ever called us on the home phone were from DD's school, so it just didn't make sense to pay upward of $50 a month for a service that was never used.

DH paid for five years in advance for $69.99. That's less than two months of our previous landline, so even if we end up hating it a year from now, financially we're still ahead.

[sunnysandiegan]

Originally Posted by PoetryLover

Hi Sunnysandiegan. I noticed the Ooma is around $250. Is there any associated fee to use it? Is it comparable to MagicJack regarding unlimited local and long distance calling? Thanks so much!

Hi there,

We got the Ooma Hub for less than $200 (tax included). There are options that you *can* pay extra for, if you wish. We haven't paid a dime beyond our initial equipment cost of the Ooma Hub. We didn't even need any cables or anything. DH is in IT and had whatever we needed. All local and long-distance domestic calls are free. International calls would cost extra. The features included with Ooma Hub (free) exceed our previous landline features that we were paying for. We axed our landline altogether after running the Ooma through its paces and feeling satisfied with it. We have cell phones, but they do not work well in our house (none of the carriers/phones do). 911 calls work with Ooma and we also added ourselves manually to the reverse-911 directory with our county (fire and earthquake country here).

You do need an internet connection for Ooma (we have cable, but others work, also). You do not need to have a computer (although why would you have a connection without one??? ) and it doesn't need to be on to receive phone calls (more to the point), which solved my main issue with MagicJack. The sound quality is worlds apart, too, but not everyone has the same criteria.

Obviously the upfront cost of an Ooma is not right for everyone. It only takes a few months of no phone bill to make up the difference and start saving for good on phone bills. We pay ZERO dollars for our phone at this point, not one dime. We talk to whomever for as long as we wish now with no worries about minutes or bills, etc. This is REALLY NICE with family (and friends) all across the country! The biggest concern we had (after making sure we liked the unit and features) was that the company would stay in business long enough for us to recoup the upfront costs. We purchased at Costco for this reason due to their return policy and we are passed the recouping point now. Ooma seems to be a viable and responsible company thus far. We have had two issues and they have taken the initiative to CONTACT US each time! I've contacted them once, as well. Excellent customer service, IMO.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Here is a link for questions and answers:
http://www.ooma.com/products/faqs

[PoetryLover]

Thanks to everyone for your replies! DH and I have decided against Magic Jack and are planning to get Ooma, instead.