Change in Terms of Service

Posts: 98 · Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 10:22 am Post subject: Change in Terms of Service

Apparently the TOS has changed regarding the cancellation fee. I don't know when this change took effect I saw reference to this on BroadBandReports.com
Here is the current text from the Vonage web site
http://www.vonage.com/features_terms_service.php?lid=footer_terms

"3.6 Termination Fee (Does Not Apply to Business Plus Customers). You will be charged a termination fee of $39.99 per voice line if your Service is terminated for any reason during the first twelve months following the activation of your Service. "

Is this new, or did I miss something?

Posts: 1389 · Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 12:50 pm Post subject:

Saw that also, Medic, and was wondering how/why things were snuck in under the new TOS....I am almost at 1 year with one of my lines so it should not be too bad, but only at 6 months with another that I may not keep.

Posts: 26 · Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 1:17 pm Post subject:

Doesn't Vonage advertise, no contracts, cancel at anytime?

Charging a cancellation fee is basically a contract.

Quote:

Low monthly fees
More features for free
Higher quality calls than landline in many cases
In-Network calls are always free
No annual contracts
Low international rates
30-day Money Back Guarantee

http://vonage.com/help_vonage.php

Isn't it basically a contract. False advertising?

If you get a cell phone, one usually has to sign a contract, but anyone can cancel it at anytime if they are willing to pay a fee. Seems very similar to me.

Posts: 127 · Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 1:26 pm Post subject:

You only get charged the $39.99 if you fail to return your device. You have 14 days after cancellation to do so. Its just so we get our routers back.

Posts: 1389 · Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 1:27 pm Post subject:

Good to know...
RCB, what is a second line is cancelled but one is retained?

Posts: 26 · Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 1:34 pm Post subject:

Thanks for clearing it up rcb116.

I assume this is only for when someone gets a free router/device from Vonage and not if they buy their own from Best Buy or another store.

Posts: 1424 · Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 1:51 pm Post subject:

Yes, it is a contract. No it is not an annual contract because after a year elapses you don't need a new contract. Yes, it is very similar to cell phone contracts which are often not annual contracts either.

An annual contract would have terms like 12 months of service for $215.88 in 12 monthly payments of $17.99 (if I did the math right). If you cancel that contract you may have to pay the remainder of the service charges. Some other Voip providers have reduced rates if you sign a single or multiyear commitment. With Vonage you can cancel and you don't owe any additional service charges.

So, an annual contract has termination costs based upon the service charge where as any contract might have a fixed termination fee.

Besides, isn't the change that the cancellation fee is now waived after a year of service? It has always been in the terms of service.

rcb116 wrote:

You only get charged the $39.99 if you fail to return your device.

This appears to be only true for non-retail customers. Is this a change?

Posts: 127 · Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 2:08 pm Post subject:

scerruti wrote:

This appears to be only true for non-retail customers. Is this a change?

It is only for non retail customers for sure.

Let me check on all the specifics for everyone. Im not in that dept so ill have to ask someone.

Posts: 127 · Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 3:11 pm Post subject:

Vonage will apply a $39.99 termination fee when you cancel your account within the first year of service. If you cancel within the Money Back Guarantee period of 30 days and return your device within 14 days of your cancellation, the termination fee will be refunded

However, from what I hear, we just want our routers back so even within a year they MAY refund the termination fee as long as we get the router, some of the time. But dont count on it.
Smile

Again this does not apply to retail customers.

And this has always been so

Posts: 148 · Vonage Forum Senior Joined: Feb 28, 2005 Posts: 148

That doesn't sound very definitive to me.....