Why does Vonage want my "broken" RTP300?

Posts: 229

So I receive an e-mail from Vonage this morning telling me that they want me to ship back my "broken" RTP300.

BWAH? Why?

This device is over three years old. According to the agreement I signed up with when I signed on, once the device passed the one year mark it would no longer be covered under any warranty, it would be mine, and I would be under no obligation to return the device. If they don't receive it back, they want to charge me the full $79.99 for the V-Portal that they sent me in order to continue service.

Evil or Very Mad

*fumes&*

Why would they want my "broken" device back? It's no longer covered under a warranty, Vonage no longer sells it, so I don't see why it is of any use. However, it is still of use to me, especially since the V-Portal doesn't offer 4-port ethernet.

Maybe it's just me, I just don't see what good this does for Vonage other than make me further upset with their policies, which right now still isn't sitting very well with me.

Posts: 355 · Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 1:44 am Post subject:

1) To make sure it is truly broken (not trying to get additional device).
2) To make sure it is not resold to some unsuspecting buyer.

Posts: 229 · Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 1:49 am Post subject:

Hrm... okay, maybe I can buy that.

Still, they're also willing to let me keep the device, let me go out and buy a retail device and reimburse me $40. I can pick up a Motorola ATA for $30+tax, and that essentially gets me a free device as well...

*scratches head* Hrm.

Posts: 831 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Jun 08, 2007 Posts: 831

Or you can get a used Motorala ATA on ebay . . . for around $10.00 plus shipping, but you are at risk if the owner does not contact Vonage and release the MAC address to you . . . and if not, you can not add it to your account, making it worthless for Vonage use.

Posts: 51 · Full Forum Member Joined: Nov 02, 2008 Posts: 51

Make sure it IS broken when you send it back. At least everyone will be happy with that outcome. I'd mail it back the cheapest slowest way possible too. Unless of course they're paying for shipping.

Posts: 350 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Dec 04, 2005 Posts: 350

kdf55 wrote:

1) To make sure it is truly broken (not trying to get additional device).
2) To make sure it is not resold to some unsuspecting buyer.

3) Determine why the device failed.

Posts: 7 · New Forum Member Joined: Aug 12, 2008 Posts: 7

I had the wireless Motorola access point that lost its settings every time it lost power. After about a year of dealing with it, I called Vonage to cancel my service and told them why.

They sent me a new V Portal to make me happy and gave me a couple months of free service. They never asked to get my old access point back.

I guess it must depend on which rep talk to you when you call.

Posts: 229 · Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 8:49 pm Post subject:

I don't see what good it would do them to determine why the router died. They don't sell them anymore, they don't repair them, they don't re-issue them because they have the V-Portal. It's a legacy device that no longer needs their support.

But, after this morning, they can have it back. All DNS through the unit is now dead. For now I've re-configured my TrendNet wireless router to take over these duties, but I'll need to find another 4-port Router, I am not very confident that the TrendNet will provide me with the security I want. I'll probably find another Linksys router than I can throw Tomato on.

Too bad. It was such a nice, slim unit that did everything that I want. Oh well. I should stop my **** now *grin*

Posts: 831 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Jun 08, 2007 Posts: 831

kamnet,

I know a LOT of folks want a separate router OTHER than their Vonage device, but the Vportal, the VT2142 and others are NAT routers that provides the same security, what we used to call a circuit firewall.

That in addition to the firewalls on your local PC is perfectly adequate for IP security and removes the issues of stacked networks. If you are runnng torrents, games such as wow or other high usage aps, I would agree with a router that has highly configurable routing and QOS, but for most I would simply put switches after the Vonage device, as I have done.

I do automated SQL and Access database backups via FTP multiple times a day as well as uptime checks on various websites, host a FTP server and VNC and have had no problems.

JMHO

Posts: 229 · Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 2:34 am Post subject:

And that's why I liked my RTP300. Even if I wasn't going to use it for handling my Voip anymore, it was a great 4-port router that completely suited my needs, it was still of great use to me.

But, as I said, it's pretty much dead now. So perhaps this is for the better.

I picked up my TrendNet router because it was cheap and I needed wireless at the time for a laptop that wasn't doing anything important. Reading some reviews, I don't think I'm going to be worried about any major security issues.