Vonage Referrals

Posts: 19 · Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 5:45 pm Post subject: Vonage Referrals

Not sure where to categorize this, so maybe under rants...lol

I was checking in on my referral page and to my suprise none of them have counted. Then there is the fine print.

"This offer is not valid for new customers that purchase Vonage equipment or service at retail stores or other partner locations."

So, I sent in a question to customer support on this matter. My concern is who in their right mind would go thru the hassel of ordering a product online, when you could just as easily buy it at the store and have it now. For me personally I could care less if the item comes by camel, becuase I have been known to wait an entire day by my tripod for a good landscape shot. Not to mention having an outlet to physcially take it to if it's broke rather then the snail mail.

Now I know vonage is a good company, but I had no idea they were this greedy. I guess moving forward I just wont bother using vonages referral process, and just tell them via word of mouth, and continue this crusade for free.

-chris

Posts: 1424 · Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 5:52 pm Post subject:

I wonder if the pricing incentives for adapters when sold retail make it unprofitable to additionally offer referral credits.

Posts: 19 · Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 6:05 pm Post subject:

Well if thats going to be the case, then they should move the fine print to the front page, so that everyone is aware of it.

Posts: 183 · Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 7:33 pm Post subject:

I always assumed that when a new user activates a retail TA that the retailer gets the reward in terms of a commission.

Posts: 492 · Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 8:12 pm Post subject:

I am in my right mind, maybe yours isn't. I signed up for Vonage and a FREE adapter was delivered in 6 days. So who in their right mind would go out and spend $70 for the same thing just so they could have it NOW! I also get a lifetime warranty while you get 1 year. Now that's MY rant! Having to deal with arrogant boneheads.

Posts: 3198 · Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 8:19 pm Post subject:

yours and my free adaptor cost $40 when you add up the activation and shipping fee retail purchasers don't pay. most are free or cheaper than $40 with rebate. and the rebates take a very long time, so the impatience thing is out the window. and many people want the pap2 or wrt54gp2, not the rt31p2.

Posts: 4 · New Forum Member Joined: Mar 24, 2005 Posts: 4

Not going to happen. I had a friend that I emailed a referal to, and when they called to get more information on their service, the rep told them if he signed up with them on the phone he would get free activation, and a free month, all he has to pay for is the shipping. Great deal for him, but now I dont get my free 2 months because it would have cost him 70 bucks. I can understand why they dont want to give us credit for in store purchases, but its pretty harsh to undercut us on our email referrals.

Posts: 22 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Mar 24, 2005 Posts: 22

I know this is kind of a sticking point for current and new customers ... because there are so many types of promotions and incentives out there sometimes its hard to understand ... the easiest way i like to think about is when a store has a sale ... lets say soda is 50% off for Easter (who knows where I'm gettin this from) ... you walk into the store and you have a dollar off coupon ... when you get to the register the cashier tells you that you can't get 50% off and use the coupon ... or ... "This offer cannot be combined with any other discount" ... retail sign ups get no activation or shipping (obviously) charges ... the 9.95 promo is waived activation and 1st month of service free (which i loathe ... tell anyone they can get cheaper phone service and only have to pay 9.95 to start and they'll sign up ... and then call to cancel when they find out you need broadband too) ... the refer-a-friend offers no discount on the first month ... but the second month is free (taxes are still charged) and the referrer gets twice the monthly plan chg their friend signs up for ... i know its complicated but have no fear .. .i don't think the 9.95 promo will be here to stay ... atleast I hope not ... Wink

Posts: 19 · Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 1:42 am Post subject:

Well, some people like to have security when they purchase, which is why they buy items locally. When you buy online, and the product doesn't work, thats alot of shipping and waiting. My dad, ordered the basic 2line linksys for $49 then there was a $50 rebate thru the manufacturer and another instore credit for $10, so basically the box was free if you figure in taxes. And he has better piece of mind if the product doesn't work. These days we could care less about a warranty, becuase everything breaks the day after the warranty expires no matter how long it is. And if you are lucky, and don't feed your router after midnight, it might last longer....lol

Hence the idea of a partial credit if they buy it in store vs online I'm not asking for the moon here, just credit for finding them a customer.

Posts: 22 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Mar 24, 2005 Posts: 22

I agree with you colesch there should be an option in the sign up process regardless of promotion etc about information for refer-a-friend like...

during the online/phone sign up ... if you put in friend as where you heard about the service there is an option to enter an account # (name wouldn't really work cuz there's too many customers ... maybe vonage telephone number tho)... if the new customer is signing up under a promotion/retail activation, they don't get credit but the friend gets something ... i've pitched it at meetings and i hope something can come out of it