If You're Thinking of Buying a Vonage Device off Ebay......

Posts: 241 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Mar 17, 2006 Posts: 241

Well, since the terms of service also prohibit you from transferrring "your" device to someone else, that's about all it can mean. That's why the title of the Paragraph is "Ownership and Risk of Loss."

Posts: 277 · Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 12:22 pm Post subject:

Well, to be honest, I could care less what the title of the paragraph is. They can certainly refuse to activate devices on their network for whatever reason they choose (and continue to alienate the customer base one customer at a time by doing so), but for them to attempt to "prohibit" you from selling or transferring the device, while at the same time claiming that you own it - is laughable, to say the least. They can effectively render the device useless by refusing to activate it, but if they ever tried to legally enforce the term that says you may not resell or transfer the device, I'd be willing to bet a year's salary they'd be laughed out of court - and likely be sanctioned for bringing a frivolous case before the court.

I note they've made NO attempt to bring any legal cases, even though complete tutorials are posted all over the net on how to unlock Vonage-issued PAP2's - which is ALSO "clearly" prohibited by their Terms of Service. They're not completely stupid - they KNOW they'd be laughed out of court on that.

A company can write up and post whatever patently ridiculous "Terms of Service" they choose, but until and unless they are tested in a court, they're not worth the paper they're printed on.

Posts: 6

In my search for a Motorola VT2442 (to eliminate my need of a router), I did come across eBay sellers who got their VT2442's from Vonage, but never used the device. ("I already had an adaptor that I liked and kept using it.") So, they're re-selling the unused one pretty cheaply.

If Vonage issues the adaptor to a person, isn't there some sort of pre-registration of the MAC address done by Vonage that correlates it to THAT person's account?
AND
If so, does that EQUALLY render the new, unused device just as *unuseable*?

Sorry if I'm asking a redundant question that may have already been answered... I just want to know of a Vonage-issued VT2442 that is unused/unopened will still give the same headaches as a used one.

Posts: 497 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Apr 29, 2005 Posts: 497

b8akaratn wrote:

If so, does that EQUALLY render the new, unused device just as *unuseable*?.

If the adapter was ordered from Vonage, then yes its locked to the original owner's account. If it was bought at a retail store, its fine, as long as its new.

There are some sellers who claim to be affiliates and want to get referrals, and I really don't know how they stack up.

Posts: 6

arcking wrote:

If the adapter was ordered from Vonage, then yes its locked to the original owner's account. If it was bought at a retail store, its fine, as long as its new.

There are some sellers who claim to be affiliates and want to get referrals, and I really don't know how they stack up.

Thank you, arcking, for your response!

I would also like to share some experiences I've had this week on trying to get a VT2442:

1) Going to CompUSA & Circuit City (both who are authorized retails stores) -- I gave clerks at each store the make & model, and neither store had it in their stock databases.

2) Called up Radio Shack (1-800-843-7422) to speak with someone after not being able to find it on their website -- she had no record of the Motorola VT2442.

3) Looking on the motorola.com site and finding the VT2400, but being unable to purchase it online.

4) Coming reeeelly close to bidding on eBay for it -- glad I didn't!!

It took me a couple of E-mail threads with Vonage before I got this message:

"...Sorry for the delay in responding. In response to your email, in order to get the Motorola VT2442 device it has to be ordered through us. The cost of this router is $79.99 plus shipping and handling. If you would like to replace this device please let me know and I will charge your account and get a device out to you."

(Well, I wouldn't have tried steps 1, 2, and 3 if it hadn't been for Vonage FIRST telling me to go purchase the adaptor at an authorized retail dealer. Confused

) Ah well... hope it arrives soon!

Posts: 1123 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: May 26, 2005 Posts: 1123

Hey, i just noticed, your blood type is cool. Very Happy

Posts: 30 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Jun 25, 2006 Posts: 30

So you can buy on eBay as long as its NEW right?

Posts: 497 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Apr 29, 2005 Posts: 497

Kamakzie wrote:

So you can buy on eBay as long as its NEW right?

As long as it is New In Box, and from a retail store, yes you can use it.

Posts: 30 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Jun 25, 2006 Posts: 30

So if I got the WRT54GP2 from Tigerdirect I would be cool...

Posts: 497 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Apr 29, 2005 Posts: 497

Kamakzie wrote:

So if I got the WRT54GP2 from Tigerdirect I would be cool...

You should be okay with that.