Buying the adaptor vs. free from Vonage?

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: May 31, 2004 Posts: 2

Looking into the Vonage service, and was wondering, Vonage offers a free adaptor, so what would be the point of buying one from say Best Buy? Is it the same one? I realize when you get it from the company you have to send it back when you are done with it, but I'd have no use for it without the service, right? Is there any advantage at all to buying? Thanks so much!!

Posts: 433 · Posted: Mon May 31, 2004 3:45 am Post subject:

Advantage to purchasing: You can use the Vonage system sooner, since you will not be required to wait for the ATA to arrive.

To my knowledge, when you leave the service the ATA is not worth much since the "box" is password locked and Vonage will not give you the code.

This may change soon, or has already changed.

Posts: 35 · Posted: Mon May 31, 2004 10:02 pm Post subject:

I bought that Linksys model a couple of years ago when I first got my cable modem. It works OK, but sometimes just can't seem to connect. Also, I remember net2phone was talking about giving out phone numbers for them and allowing them to be used ofr incoming calls, but this didn't go anywhere. I keep it around (and actually I wired it into Line 2 of my home) so that I can make a truly anonymous call if I want to (no caller ID info). I'm sure it is traceable somehow, but would be probably difficult. I digress.

I don't really know if that Linksys model even has a ring generator in it...

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 05, 2004 Posts: 2

I spoke with Customer Service about the pro's and cons of each.

With ordering online, you pay for the activation fee, one month service and shipping costs. With the current deal Vonage is running, I would receive a second month of service for "free". All of this for $68 (cost is determined by service plan). The catch would be once I disconnected service, they charge me $40 (put in escrow) and I have to ship back the adaptor. Once they receive the adaptor, They credit my account the $40.

Going to Best Buy, you pay $90 for the device and activation fee. Can't remember if first month's service is included. However, at the time I was looking (two weeks ago), there was a rebate out there for $50. AND, you get to keep the adaptor.

I opted for the order online. Ordered it on Thursday, 5/27, and received it on Wednesday, 6/2.

Posts: 16 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Mar 06, 2004 Posts: 16

The way I look at it, if you buy the ATA then if it breaks, you will have to pay to replace it (you own it). It you have one on loan from Vonage, then if it breaks they replace it.

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 08, 2004 Posts: 5

I did the Best Buy deal that was $90 and then a $50 rebate, which included a free month. My other option at the time was $30 activation plus $10 shipping, it seemed without any free month. So the buying it was a better deal.

The Terms of Service STILL mention the $40 cancellation fee which is refunded if you send them the MTA. It looks like this still applies to me even though I "bought" the MTA.