Pre-buy questions?

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 14, 2005 Posts: 3

Hi, i'm interested in grabbing a Voip service and I had some questions about Vonage.

1. If I were to buy the adapter in-store (staples), and within the 14 days, I decide I don't want it, would I be able to return the adapter to staples? Or would I have to go through Vonage, and deal with the "We steal $40 from you until we get our adapter back" bull? If it's the second, it looks like i'd be getting screwed out of $20 + shipping.
2. I'm on comcast, and my current speeds according to DSLReports are about 3200/228 kbits/s, would this be enough? Has comcast been known to cause problems with Vonage?
3. Vonage doesn't currently offer an area code for my city, is there a way to find out an ETA on there BEING an area code available for my city? I don't know how much potential employers would like having to dial long distance just to tell me I didn't get a job.

I think that's about it.

Posts: 3198 · Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 11:00 am Post subject:

if you buy something from a store you should be subject to their return policy (which may have restocking fees, time limits, etc) but you shouldn't have to send it to Vonage, unless perhaps they let you do that for a refund if you've passed the retail location's return date.
your bandwidth seems fine. if you would take 2 seconds to search for comcast, you'll find an endless amount of posts about their issues. however, most if not all of it seems to relate to Toshiba PCX1100 cable modem users. if you have that device you may want to return it now. I would also suggest running http://www.vonage-forum.com/voip-speed-test and testyourvoip.com. testyourvoip nicely displays packet discards and loss on their detailed results screen (packet loss being the huge issue with the PCX1100).
I have never seen anyone who had a good way to find out an ETA on area codes. it's dependant on whatever CLEC Vonage is using to supply their numbers.

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 13, 2005 Posts: 2

From my experience (having had Vonage less than 14 days after buying a WRT54GPAP at Best Buy):

1) You return the phone adapter to the brick & mortar store. Best Buy doesn't charge a restocking fee, so I wasn't out any $$$ on the phone adapter

2) I'm on Brighthouse/Earthlink about 2800/228kbits/s and it was fine.

3) Vonage offers numbers in my area code, just not my rate center, and I asked about an ETA. I was told that the CSRs don't know the timetable, and the best way to find out is to visit their site every couple of weeks and check availability. I've decided to go w/ AT&T Call Vantage in the meantime, as they can port my number.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 14, 2005 Posts: 3

If I were to buy it and say....set it up in my friends (across the US) area code, would they be charged Long Distance if they were to call me?

Posts: 3198 · Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 6:06 pm Post subject:

http://vonage.com/avail.php

With Vonage, you are no longer tied to your "local area code". You can select any area code you want from our list of available area codes. This means even if you live in New York, you can have a California area code.

also, you can get a virtual number if you want a number that is local to the area you live in (or another friend). it will ring your primary line (again, no charges to the person who calls it if it's a local number).
http://vonage.com/features.php?feature=virtual_phone_number

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 14, 2005 Posts: 3

So can anyone verify that I WILL be able to just cancel and return it to the retail store, if I am unsatisfied?

Posts: 66 · Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 9:09 pm Post subject:

Try calling the store directly and talk to someone who seems knowledgeable about the product. If you get the answer you want, get their name,go to the store, talk to the same salesperson, you spoke with on the phone,buy the product, (don't cut out any UPC's just yet for rebate purposes) try the product,if you don't like it, bring it back. If the store gives you any hassles, tell them "Johnny Salesman" said I could bring it right back if I didn't like the service. I personnally signed up through this site's referral link. Got a free ($9.95 s&h) Linksys RT31P2 adapter in 4 days straight from Vonage plus a free month of service to offset the 29.99 activation fee. Plus a 14 day guaranty. I have Time Warner for my cable isp. I've only heard rumours of a latency issue with Comcast. I am satisfied with my service. I think you have good upstream/downstream numbers. Good luck on the area code issue.

Posts: 3198 · Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 9:18 pm Post subject:

not sure why you think you can't, but go in or call them and ask. that will be more definitive than anything you get here. get the name of the individual you speak with also.
just as an example, you can buy a tv from a store and take it back. just because you don't get cable service from the retail establishment doesn't mean you have to ship it back to the cable company if you don't like it.

Posts: 3198 · Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 9:19 pm Post subject:

whoops, sorry louis, I had this thread open for a bit and just replied without refreshing it first.