Temporary virtual number not in local exchange

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Sep 07, 2006 Posts: 2

I was supplied a temporary virtual phone number to use while my phone number is ported (hopefully) from Verizon to Vonage. I didn't realize at the time that number is for a town near Erie, PA, far North of where I live and a long distance call for anyone local trying to reach me.

I called tech support and was told they could change the number but it would cost me $9.99. I asked if the fee could be waived because the number was given to me without my input. The customer service person said that I should get my true local number ported within 20 days but my 30-day evaluation is going to be relegated to outbound calls.

I was also given a second phone number for evaluation since I ordered the Motorola VT2442 but that number is also long distance for people wanting to call me.

The 814 area is a huge area code with many exchanges that are not always local calls. One would think that Vonage would have a handle on this.

Has anyone else run into this issue? What was the cure?

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Sep 18, 2006 Posts: 2

I am in the 931 Area code. Local prefix in this county are 762,766,829,885 and a few more. Well, Vonage gives me a 347 number that is local only in the next COUNTY, and says if I want a local number I must first 1)set up a new land line via a telephone company such as BellSouth, 2)check if the number is available to be transferred, and 3) if it is available it can be transferred over. I checked the Vonage website before ordering and local citys are listed, yet they can only give me a number that is in a city in a different county which is long distance. So, basically they shouldn't have listed all of those cities, just the one that you can get a number from which would be Pulaski, TN. I'm calling tomorrow to cancel this BS. After I got on here and started reading how long I could be paying for BellSouth service too while I'm waiting for the number to be ported, it was outrageous.

They didn't ask me what region I was in when they set me up, so when I called back they charged me $9.99 to change the number to a "closer" region, which still gave me another 347 number, and another $9.99 to "try again" and got another 347.

what a joke - I agree with the guy that said Vonage won't be in business in 6 months. I'm definitely warning ALL of my clients to stay FAR away from Vonage. End the pain and just pay $15 more per month for a REAL, WORKING, NON INDIAN phone.

Posts: 28 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Sep 05, 2006 Posts: 28

Had the same thing happen to me (see my post history). They gave me another virtual number for free (charged $15, then credited $15). The second one was in my exchange but owned by Focal communications that (at least in my case) didn't interact well with the Vonage network (rang to "doo-dee-doo The number you dialed is disconnected").

Number port on the primary worked by the time they figured anything out, so I just canceled the free virtual number to make sure I didn't get hit with the monthly fee next month.

Good luck, but in my experience at least, best to just wait and hope for the best.

PS. If you add the virtual number yourself (online) you can pick the exchange (in theory) since it asks for your city. As long as your entire city is on one exchange that should work. I'd try to get the rep to agree to credit a virtual number then add it yourself and ask them to credit your accout while they are on the phone with you.

Posts: 70 · Full Forum Member Joined: Nov 28, 2005 Posts: 70

Kloda, it just depends - sometimes the Vonage CS rep is dedicated enough to mention this to you - that the VN may not be local. Vonage can't guarantee 'locality', but at least you can be told about it. I've heard Vonage say that the Customer should know enough to ask. I think that's ridiculous. But I don't work there anymore, so what do I know?

Posts: 23 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Sep 11, 2006 Posts: 23

During the transfer, so you can start saving money, Vonage will assign you a temporary number that will enable you to use our service immediately. This is mainly for outgoing calls since your existing phone number will still remain active with your carrier during the transfer. That would mean everbody could still reach you at the same phone number. Once the transfer is complete, your virtual/temporary number will be of no use. That will be removed from the system.