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 Review by dbmaven 
member for 13.5 years, 7265 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 5 years ago
 Highland Mills,Orange,NY
 $2 per month- (24 month contract)
 about 6 days "Simple USB device, outstanding call quality, dirt cheap" "Simple USB device, company still in startup mode" "A 'you can't lose' offering if you want a secondary line on the cheap""
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If you have a decent broadband connection (3m down/512k up), and a reasonably new PC/laptop, this should work for you. In most cases, you plug it in, it sets itself up, starts a registration page (allows you to register/activate the device and pick an area code) and you're good to go.
At the price, it's incredible for unlimited US/Canada calling. Most of the time (95+%) the calls are clearer than cell or landline.
Warning: you should be at least "competent" in dealing with your PC and operating system if you get this. There is no "Support Number" to call - it's handled by a chat window on their website (the reasoning being that if your computer is down, you can't call anyone anyway).
The one time I contacted support my problem was solved within 10 minutes.
If you need hand-holding, don't get this.
If you're thinking of replacing your POTS/land-line with this and using it as a primary phone service - don't.
If you have a kid who's on the phone constantly, or make a lot of long-distance calls and want to save money - then get this and use it as a secondary line.
You'll be glad you did.
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Review by tlaw51
member for 5 years, 0 visits, last login: 5 years ago
updated 5 years ago
- Niles,Berrien,MI
- Contract price not specified.
- "none"
- "poor customer service, poor product, hard to get a live person,"
- "Bad product and service"
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I ordered this thinking unlimited long distance would be a great asset. It was bad from the onset.
They put it in my son's name, and he never even lived here, and I used my own credit card (have no idea where they came up with his name when I gave them mine). When it arrived I tried to install on two separate computers, both only one year old, and we have Comcast cable. Their checklist said everything was compatible and working fine.
The hardware showed it was working, and the blue light came on. There was a dial tone, but no registration pulled up to get a phone #. I went to their website, entered the information, but it was blank when prompted to select an area code.
I finally - after numerous attempts- found a way to get to a live person. There are many places to click, but they don't take you there until you put something in the submit question section a couple of times, then all of a sudden one click actually went through. I spent over an hour with an agent - who was very slow, trying to get some help. I work in customer service for a cell phone company, and you never start out with a customer who is willing to work with you and escalate the call to the point where I simply said- I'll send it back. She never apologized, or even made an attempt to retain me.
The next day, after trying again to get it to work on one of the computers, returned to the website to return it. I am within my 30 days. I clicked the area to submit the order #, tracking # and credit card #, and got the message: "We can not find any orders that match the information provided that are within the 30-day trial period." I retried in case I entered the information incorrectly (even though I cut and pasted from the email).
Once again I had to click back and forth until I was able to finally get to a live person. I immediately asked if my account was XXXXX, ordered on 4/30/08. The agent verified this. Then I told them of my dilemna. He gave me the same site to access the return, and I cut and pasted the above response that I received. He then entered the information himself, where I could enter my comments as to my return, and a refund ticket was processed. Tomorrow, 5/19/2008 I will return this product.
The customer service the second time was much better. The first time was terrible. It is difficult to navigate the site to actually get through to what you want, and overall his was a poor experience. If the product was good, it would have worked on one of the computers. I definately would not recommend this product to anyone.
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 Review by swanboy
member for 12.3 years, 2392 visits, last login: 5 days ago
updated 5 years ago
- Hollywood,Broward,FL
- $2 per month
- about 5 days
- "VERY cheap, Excellent call quality, Increasing number of area codes, works with MAC!"
- "None. They give me everything I expect."
- "The best available cheap phone service."
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The forums have been quite insane recently, mainly because of the SunRocket debacle, along with the common madness that DSLR always pleasantly hosts. I am a SR orphan and have since been searching for a relatively cheap alternative. Packet8 seemed like the best choice, but I recently ran into MagicJack, was very intrigued- and promised a few members here that I'd review it when I received the order. Well, today is that day. So here it is:
Ordered: 07/18
Shipped: 07/19
Received: 07/23
It arrived in a surprisingly professional retail-looking package, complete with a hole at the top for hanging on retail shelves. Anyway, I unpacked it and made use of the convenient little USB extension cord included with it.
The most interesting part of setting it up is that fact that the device is ENTIRELY plug and play in XP. On my desktop, it took around 50 seconds to install the various drivers and auto-launch the setup & registration dialogs. I was too excited to take screen shots, I apologize.
The dialog requested my email address, my zip code, and the setup of a password. After that, it wanted my address of 911 registration. I live in South Florida, so when I was prompted to pick a number, I was disappointed to only see about 5 states offered as local numbers currently. But, I read up on the MJ literature, my area code (and most) should be available in the next 60 days, good. I settled for a number out of Detroit. (Meanwhile, I’m using a GrandCentral number to forward to my MJ line.) After I picked my phone number, the screen changed to a normal looking soft-phone (see screen shot.)
I grabbed a cordless phone, plugged it in, and was happy to hear a dial-tone. First call was flawless, perfect clarity. I totally didn’t expect incoming calls to work, but to my surprise my cordless rang when I dialed the Detroit phone number from my cell. Another perfect call. I bought the device purely out of curiosity, not a true solution to a new VoIP provider. Turns out… I seemingly found my solution.
Keep in mind a few things: Price: $40 So obviously, with this price does NOT come with all the fancy features and web portals. Honestly, I wouldn’t expect it.. it’s $40. For those who don’t know, there is $0 monthly charge, only a $19.95 annual fee. That is, frankly, laughable if they are truly going to offer what they say they are. Always the service is still beta, and just launched for purchase earlier this month. I expect more features to be introduced as the service matures. As I type this, I am on the phone using MagicJack. It’s quite impressiveMJ may not be for everyone, but I for one don’t mind having to have the thing plugged in my computer. I would expect MJ to support some adapters coming up in the future. . For those who recognize the swanboy name, you know I’m usually not one to jump up and down with rave reviews, but this is a industry first, revolutionary product in my opinion, and I wanted to get an organized review out there for those who were waiting. I say go for it.
I'd be happy to entertain any questions.
For more details, see my screenshots, etc: »My review of MagicJack
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Review by smokozuna
member for 5.1 years, 101 visits, last login: 1.8 years ago
updated 5.1 years ago
- Las Vegas,Clark,NV
- $5 per month
- about 2 days
- "Inexpensive and easy to use."
- "Not as reliable as a hard line."
- "Good Product."
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I have no complaints with Magicjack. I received my order in about 2 days, plugged it in, set it up, and it has worked great. I think MJ is 90% reliable. I have only had a handful of down days in the 4 months I have owned it, mainly when they are upgrading their servers, in which case I use my cell phone. I like MJ and will continue to use it.
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Review by CromeDome05
member for 9.1 years, 255 visits, last login: 113 days ago
updated 5.1 years ago
- Laurel,Prince Georges,MD
- $2 per month
- about 4 days
- "EXTREMELY AFFORDABLE"
- "Website lacking, PC MUST be on, Lacking features"
- "$20 a year, however, this should not be your primary line."
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Short Update: (4-01-08)
Call quality and service have gotten better and more reliable. I had my PC hooked up through a wireless bridge to my router. Now its hard-wired to the router with an ethernet cable and call quality has gotten a lot more consistent and less choppy (even when downloading files at the same time). I am now starting to become really happy. For those who are hooked up wirelessly, I would recommend hard-wiring your PC/Laptop to your modem/router for the best call quality...This has me a bit curious for people who want to use a MJ in hotels or wi-fi hotspots.
My caller ID is still having issues. I was told to get a powered USB Hub to "boost" the power of the magic jack. Dont know if I will do that.
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Short Update: (3-06-08)
Caller ID has been having some issues. Im guessing only the number shows up for incoming calls, but at times I just get "Ringing" on the ID. It seems to be working fine...for now.
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(3-04-08)
First of all there is NO contract for this device. If you dont want it just stop using it unless you are in the 30-day trial period. If thats the case you have to send the device back. $46.90 for the MagicJack (w/ normal shipping) AND your first YEAR. $20/Yr thereafter. There are also 2 and 3 year options.
Setup was a SNAP. Took about a min or so for the device to install. The software is conveniently located on the MagicJack (MJ). You just plug it in and go. You register, select an area code and prefix, and Magic Jack will obtain the last 4 digits. Then BAM, you can start making phone calls. It was that easy. I believe you can add mulltiple locations for 911. Also, the device runs off your Desktop/Laptop power, which is no biggie for me.
My desktop is connected to the net using a wireless ethernet bridge. Call quality is crisp, clear, and loud so far with the test calls (to moviephone, voicemail). I have yet to have an actual conversation on it though as I just set it up. The features are pretty limited, but Im pretty sure they will expand them in the near future and besides, its $20!! You must go to a separate site to access some of your features (my.magicjack.com).
So far the features are:
-911
-Call forwarding
-Voicemail
-Caller ID- (only the number is displayed, no name, I hope they upgrade this)
-Do Not Disturb
-3 Way calling (the people must call you in order to start 3 way..thats what I read)
Their website has tech chat and an auto-fix feature, which basically runs through a checklist, while checking your MJ, internet, and so on. It looks for audio quality issues, echoing, etc. I really cannot expand into further detail as I just got it up and running. So far so good though.
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Review by holcombs60
member for 11 years, 7 visits, last login: 2.6 years ago
lodged 5.1 years ago
- Decatur,Morgan,AL
- $4 per month
- (12 month contract)
- about 14 days
- "Easy to hookup. Just plug it in to USB and step through setup."
- "Limited phone numbers."
- "Neat gadget, but doubt it would replace your "main" landline."
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Don't use the service much, but it does allow me to have a phone with unlimited long distance in the United States (currently have unlimited local and in-state calling service). It has to have a computer to function (unlike other VoIP that connect into a router). If you have a computer on 24/7, it could be a great savings in phone costs.
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 Review by AlsknSnoBals
member for 6 years, 219 visits, last login: 5.2 years ago
updated 5.2 years ago
- Anchorage,Anchorage,AK
- $1 per month
- (12 month contract)
- about 5 days
- "Cheap, reliable phone calls using easily installed equipment."
- "Website and Tech Support Options"
- "MagicJack is just what it says. Decent VOIP we can all afford."
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I watched this product since I first encountered the early rumblings back in 2007 and considered for a while purchasing one of my own. After my own VOIP telco got to me good on overage charges, I decided to give the product a try. I figured I didn't have anything but $40 to lose and everything to gain. From order to my mail box was five days, which is pretty decent considering I live in Alaska. Installation was a breeze and the quality was, at first, questionable. I later discovered the issue wasn't with the magicjack itself, but my broadband connection. After I resolved a few issues of my own, the jack works perfectly just as advertised. Now, if they will only do a little to improve their customer support or at least give us the ability to self serve a few help files, the product will be perfect. Now, I can call all of my family and friends without having to count the minutes or wait until everyone is in bed for just $20 a year.
I've passed the one month mark and it's getting even better than when I started. No issues or complaints. Even my call quality has gone up. Now, if I can get them to open up their Oklahoma area codes, I'll be a happy camper.
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 Review by cosmicsurfer
member for 7.6 years, 85 visits, last login: 14 days ago
lodged 5.2 years ago
- Arlington,Tarrant,TX
- $3 per month
- about 5 days
- "Best value for the money of any voip."
- "Not the best tech support."
- "I would recommend to anyone."
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Considered TW phone and Vonage but for they could not compete with MJ on price. They install process was very simple. Have not had very many bad experiences with MJ, there were some service outages but I don't rely on this service alone for my communications.
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Review by pacfan3
member for 10.4 years, 6 visits, last login: 5.3 years ago
lodged 5.3 years ago
- Simi Valley,Ventura,CA
- Contract price not specified.
- "Very cheap at $20 dollars per year"
- "Not sure how long they will stay in business?"
- "Very good product, will expect to see a lot of competitors emerge in 2008."
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I purchased MagicJack a few weeks ago and connected it to my XP laptop. It took about 5 minutes to update and configure (805 area code). I connected a wired telephone and began to make phone calls. I called family and friends in Nevada, Wisconsin and Canada. The one call to Canada paid for the device alone.
It worked flawlessly. I setup the voicemail which emails me when someone leaves a message and attaches a wave file so I can listen immediately. I have since ordered two more for my family, so they can call me using MagicJack, which will save them money on these long distance phone calls.
We are thinking of dropping our long distance plan with AT&T and just keep the basic phone service needed for DSL. We would then use our cell phones for weekend and evening long distance phone calls and the MagicJack for any daytime phone calls. Not to mention having the ability to call Canada at anytime, which we do not have with the cell phones.
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 Review by flipper913
member for 11.6 years, 3435 visits, last login: 132 days ago
updated 5.5 years ago
- Tiger,Rabun,GA
- $3 per month
- about 5 days
- "Cheap and it works"
- "website doesn't offer much support"
- "Great idea for a second line and it makes free LD"
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You can't beat the price. I found out about it on this site and thought I'd give it a try. When it got here it only took a couple of minutes and I was making phone calls. Some people I called have other VOIP and were surprised at the clarity from this little box. I suggest if you need a second line in your home, to get one of these. One of the people I talked to, ordered 2 of them already..What a great idea
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