Bought Used ATA and it's still active!

Posts: 13 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Aug 14, 2007 Posts: 13

I just bought a used ATA (A Linksys RT31P2). I plugged it in and started playing with it, only to discover it's active! I would like to use the linksys so I have a multi-port lined router and ATA all-in-one, instead of the two-device setup I currently have.

I have the seller's old phone number, and it works. Now, I'm honest, so I'm not making any calls to with it, and I plan on letting any incoming calls go to voicemail.

Now, I assume that Vonage won't reactivate this device under my account just on my good word (customer support hasn't responded to my activation request yet). What should I tell the seller and/or Vonage to do so I can use this device?

-->Adam

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

I would do this:

1) Go back to the seller, and after you tell them how stupid they are, ask them to please call and get rid of their service with Vonage, and to release the device. (the releasing part is key)

2) Ask for confirmation/email/whatever from the seller that it was done through Vonage.

3) After confirmation, call Vonage and set up your own service, tell them you have a Vonage device already.

You may not like to hear this, but this may not work if Vonage will not release the device. And the bottom line, is that the seller, not you, must plead to release it. It may be easier to just go buy one retail if you really want Vonage.

Buying a Vonage adapter on Ebay is always ill-advised for this very reason.

Posts: 13 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Aug 14, 2007 Posts: 13

Thank you for the advice. I anticipated that I might not be able to activate the device, but it was only $6.50, and even if I don't use it as an ATA, it's better than my current piece-of-crap SMC router. I love its bandwidth shaping features already!

I'll get the seller to call Vonage and try to release the device. If he refuses, I'll post negative feedback, but if genuinely tries, I won't.

If that fails, I'll wait for my next annual "threaten to cancel and negotiate a lower price or credit" task, and ask them to activate it then. They might be more receptive.

-->Adam

Posts: 414 · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 9:26 pm Post subject:

alevine wrote:

If that fails, I'll wait for my next annual "threaten to cancel and negotiate a lower price or credit" task, and ask them to activate it then. They might be more receptive.

Honestly, even this will not work if the seller does not terminate his Vonage service and release the device. They are not going to terminate a device that someone is paying for no matter what you tell them. That would be akin to me finding a lost cellphone on the street and walking into the cellphone store asking them to activate it on my account. They have no proof that you didn't steal the device or really that you have the device at all and aren't just trying to get someones service terminated. It is a bad situation for you, but that is why Vonage and basically everyone here will tell you that e-baying a Vonage device is never a good idea.

Posts: 4777 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4777

Also, when you talk to the seller about getting with Vonage and releasing the device, remind him that he absolutely must square accounts with Vonage if the hasn't already. You won't get far with this if he owes them money.

Posts: 13 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Aug 14, 2007 Posts: 13

I knew about the bill thing and have an e-mail from him, from before I bid, that he didn't owe Vonage any cash. Now, if the account is indeed active, that status could have changed (I didn't anticipate that), and if he doesn't give a *$#@ about his credit, it's cheaper to default on Vonage, even if he takes the device back and returns my $6.50.

As for him not cancelling, I just don't get why he wouldn't. Would he REALLY be dumb enough to keep the device alive for months and have Vonage coming after him for money? I suppose with autopay and being asleep at the wheel it's possible...

I also unplugged the device and called the number, and I left a message at the Network Availability Number. I think it routed to a real phone, because the answering machine/voicemail didn't kick in on the first ring.

-->Adam

Posts: 13 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Aug 14, 2007 Posts: 13

Thanks all,

After working with the seller, Vonage, and a few service calls, the device is hooked up and working under my account.

It turns out that the seller did cancel - the error was on Vonage's part by creating a new account for the device instead of deactivating it.

-->Adam

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

alevine wrote:

It turns out that the seller did cancel - the error was on Vonage's part by creating a new account for the device instead of deactivating it.
-->Adam

Now why does that not surprise me? Very Happy

Glad everything worked out for you in the end!