New Member - My Observations

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 20, 2005 Posts: 5

Went to Bestbuy and bought the Linksys PAP2 around 10am for $59 and bought a uniden 5.8ghz phone cordless phone which says on the box wi-fi friendly. Phone $37 at wal-mart.

Took the mac address off the box and signed up while at work (took less than 5 minutes). No activation fees, said first charge would be $16 for the 500 minute plan. Got home at 5pm hooked the pap2 to my linksys wrv54g router. Plugged the phone jack into the back of the pap2 and had a dial tone. Couldn't have been easier.

OBSERVATIONS:

1. Sound quality- couldn't tell the difference from my regular phone (honest) I was nervous because quality is a relative term but I figured with all the moneybag guarantees I couldn't get hurt, just inconvienced.

2. I live in Georgia all my family lives in NY, got a NY area code and called everyone and gave them the local number. Now all my relatives can call me as a local call.

3. Where I live in Georgia doesn't have local numbers available, no matter all you need is a broadband connection, in my case have Comcast (formerly @home)

DISLIKES:

While minor, the rebates at Bestbuy don't tell you (until you get the receipt) that you won't get the rebate check until 90 days of service. And that once you cut the UPC you can't return the product for any reason. Yet you have to maintain everything to send back within the 30days $ back guar. So I will wait to test the system for 30 days before I give up all my rights of return.

Posts: 89 · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 11:48 am Post subject:

Not that you want to hear this but from all the posts I have read it appears that you are better getting the equiptment directly from Vonage. Sure you may have to wait a few extra days but if there is a problem it is Vonage's problem. If you go out and buy the equipment retail then it becomes your problem if there is a problem. I know that there is no "activation fee" if you buy it retail but I don't think the rebate covers the full purchase (activation fee VS. money out of pocket, sounds like a wash to me).

Anyway it is a great service after you get the initial kinks worked out.

Just my .02

Posts: 62 · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 12:38 pm Post subject:

I am also a new user. It has been 3 days now I believe and I also purchased retail.

PAP2 adapter from Best Buy $59.99 with tax roughly $65
Rebates: 1 for $9.99 and 1 for $50.00
First bill from Vonage: $27.64

To me it was the wise choice. Yes they will not help so to speak because it was not purchased through directly from Vonage. But with the available rebates to me it was a wiser choice.

I also am waiting it out a bit before I send in the rebates in case I need to return/exchange my pap2 but I have had ZERO issues with call quality after digging through Best Buy's shelf of adapters for one with the lastest serial number.

Posts: 21 · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 2:18 pm Post subject:

So it looks like there is no activation fees when you go retail.
I called and email Vonage last month and asked. Both replies said I had to pay the $30.00 activation fee for retail or direct from Vonage. I decided to go direct from Vonage because of this. If they told me there was no activation fee with retail, I would have gone retail!

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 20, 2005 Posts: 5

I would have ordered from Vonage, but two reasons.

1. Bestbuy reward zone certificates knocked $10 off the price
2. Bestbuy reward zone 25,000 point bonus
3. If it didn't work you pay postage for equipment back
4. I have the patience of a "gnat on crack" and couldn't wait 5 days for equip
5. My first bill when signing up showed no activation fees