incoming callers being charged A LOT to call my vonage #

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Sep 10, 2005 Posts: 3

I thought that by signing up for Vonage I would be given a local number for people to call me. I started to suspect that there was a problem when some people that have long distance blocked on their phones told me they couldn't call me. I called Vonage and complained about people not being able to get through to me. They could not help me unless I had two people try to call me in the next 24 hours and note the exact time they couldn't get though. I could not get this arranged, but told the customer care people I was concerned that my new # was not a local #. They said that my number was a Moline, Il #. This is not local.

My uncle called me saying that one call on his phone bill to our new # cost $7.00. My son's girlfriend's mother just called me and said the calls to our house added up to $250!! Embarassed

She is very upset. I am dreading when my work notices these charges on their company phone. I had no idea it would cost that much to call home. I just can't have this. Isn't there a way to get a local number? Half of my friends and family CAN'T call me and half now refuse to because it costs too much. I expect I will have to drop this service soon, but wondered if anyone had a similar problem or solution.

Posts: 3198 · Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2005 4:06 pm Post subject:

this is pretty common, esp in more rural areas. you have to pay attention to the exchange, not just the area code. are you transferring your home number to vonage? if not, and vonage says they don't have a number local to you, then you're about out of luck.

Posts: 4777 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4777

cbitguru wrote:

I started to suspect that there was a problem when some people that have long distance blocked on their phones told me they couldn't call me.
.
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My uncle called me saying that one call on his phone bill to our new # cost $7.00.

Reebok has already answered your question, but just out of curiosity, did they people who did reach you not know that they were dialing long distance? Didn't they have to dial 1 or something?

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Sep 10, 2005 Posts: 3

No, apparently, there is no need to dial 1 first, so people did not know they were calling long distance. I should have checked it out better before signing up. Apparently, their regular phone company (SBC) charged "local long distance" tolls for calls to Moline, where my number is based.

Posts: 3198 · Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2005 5:19 pm Post subject:

sbc rears its ugly head again...

Posts: 4777 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4777

cbitguru wrote:

No, apparently, there is no need to dial 1 first, so people did not know they were calling long distance.

Interesting. Here in Orlando, FL, they instituted "extended local area" calling a number of years ago. You can call outlying areas without dialing 1, and get charged for it. The difference is that those calls cost $0.25 each, with no time limit. I didn't realize that there were areas where you can make toll calls that are charged by the minute without dialing 1 first. That really stinks.

Posts: 233 · Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2005 7:38 pm Post subject:

I can't even get a number in my area code. None of the VoIP's offer it. But, that didn't matter. They will soon because of the growth. So I got the toll free number. Costs me an extra $4.99 a month for 100 minutes of incoming calls and then approximately 5 cents a minute for calls over 100 minutes. If anybody really needs to call me that doesn't have the unlimited long distance plans now offered by a lot of companies I give them my toll free number and then call them back. I thought it would be used a lot. But so far most people just call us knowing we have a long distance number. Even the school. I still wouldn't give up my savings. I was spending about $80 a month with Verizon and company. After Verizon made me mad I canceled my cell phone and dropped another $100 a month off my bills. I now spend just under $30 a month with Vonage. I can talk a lot of 5 cents per minute time and still beat what I had. Might be an option you want to look in to. Just remember you have 100 free minutes and then 5 cents a minute. You can always return the call for free. A little trouble to save a lot!

Posts: 249 · Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2005 3:59 pm Post subject: Toll Cals

Quote:

I got the toll free number. Costs me an extra $4.99 a month for 100 minutes of incoming calls and then approximately 5 cents a minute for calls over 100 minutes

I also use the $5.00/100 minute toll free number as Vonage does not cover Bend, Oregon. That is handy and reasonable as and anybody anyplace can call me Toll free. The downside is that they must dial the 10 digit number.

I cannot believe though that someone could rack up a $250 bill calling another exchange! Even ad two bits a minute that would be 16 hours. You just can't talk that much??

Posts: 1178 · Member of the Week Joined: Feb 28, 2005 Posts: 1178

cbitguru,

I empathize with your situation since I also live in IL. Have you talked with Vonage and asked if a local number is available? You can also check out the website and if you transfer your number then you know it is a local number.

I transferred my number to make sure that it is a local one.

Steve48,

Yes, in many states, the local telco charges by the minute and I know that SBC in IL does exactly that even with local calls unless one goes with unlimited local calling. Their rates increase by 8 miles and then toll calls begin at 15 miles from your home. It's crazy.

Posts: 233 · Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 8:27 am Post subject:

I got spoiled during my years in metro Atlanta. At one time it was the largest toll free calling zone in the world. Now that I am in Ohio it use to cost me to call two blocks down it seemed. What a rip-off. They better get it now because those days are coming to an end fast. In the beginning the telcos had to recover the copper costs. Now it is just maintaining what they have and a few additions. Now you see companies offering one-rate plans thanks to the new technologies like VoIP scaring them. But look at the bright side. Soon they will be able to take all that copper to the recycle center and get some change back. Better start soon because once it starts the price will drop quickly. Lol