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Review by (hidden by request)
(review was emailed from domain gmail.com)
lodged 175 days ago
 Bountiful,Davis,UT
 $200 per month- (24 month contract)
 "Phone Service worked about 70% of the time once installed" "Install took 35 hours. Customer Service would not let us out of contract though product did not work." "If your service does not work immediately, you are locked into contract and hours of tech support calls (we logged 50 hrs)"
| Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings well below consensus)
|
Our Phone Power VOIP phone service has not worked in a year-and-a-half
after we logged 50 hours of customer service and technical support calls
trying to get it to work. Phone Power refused to let us out of our
contract even though they could not deliver on the product we paid to
receive. Their customer service policy seems to be "The Customer is Always
Wrong" and "Our Company is Always Right." There appears to be no limit to
how far they will make the customer go to prove their product is not
inferior.
We became PhonePower customers in 2009 with a pre-paid 2-year contract of
$15 per month. Be aware the fee goes up to $20-30 per month after your
contract expires unless you *call the month prior to the contract
expiring*and set up another pre-paid, lower-priced contract. However,
this
additional extension of the contract proved a mistake for our family. Here
is our experience:
Initial set-up of Phone Power VOIP service took *35 hours*. Yes, you read
that correctly -- 35 hours. Most of those hours were spent online or on
the phone with their technical support department. Tech reps continually
jimmied this and that and ultimately got it working, but only because I had
the time to spend at night on the phone with their technical support team.
You may be wondering to yourself: Why on earth would anyone spend that much
time on the phone trying to get their VOIP service to work? The answer is
simple: Because the company would not let us out of our pre-paid contract.
No exceptions. No common sense. No limit to how many hours the company
expects you can spend on the phone with their technical support team. It
seems that even if the company does NOT provide the service you have paid
to receive, you are still on the hook for the full cost of the contract
(whether you prepaid the contract or whether you are month-to-month on
contracted service their policy is the same.) They are perfectly willing
to have a customer spend 35 hours of their time trying to get their product
to work rather than to let you out of their contract -- or, shall we note,
to take their claws off your money.
The nightmare truly began when we moved and brought the Phone Power VOIP
service with us. For some inexplicable reason, it did not work in the new
apartment, even though we brought all the cords up without disconnecting
them and we did the "plug and play" route of the same set-up that had
previously worked. We spent 15 hours on the phone with Phone Power trying
to get it set up, eventually asking to be let out of the contract and again
being told that we just needed to spend more time on the phone with
customer service and there was no way for us to be let out of our contract
(I have since learned there is an early termination fee option, and I
advise customers to take it rather than try and deal with this company).
Our Phone Power VOIP service has not worked for the past year and a half,
and when I called today to again ask for a refund or to be let out of their
contract, the supervisor Jessica again told me the company would do nothing
and I was stuck. This is their *modus operandi*. When I asked where I
could lodge a complaint about her customer service, I was told in a very
snotty tone that "No one is on the floor but me. There is no one else for
you to complain to," as though their company has no president or CEO.
It appears the technical support team keeps lousy call records, so be sure
and keep your own account. Our account record apparently never showed the
hours of phone calls we logged trying to set up the service, or the fact
that we requested repeatedly to be let out of the contract. I listened in
disbelief as the supervisor "Jessica" told me that our technical call
record indicated that our troubles were "all resolved" and that "customer
was pleased." This was a total fallacy. The technical support team did
actually shine today (a rarity) and got my phone service working in just
2.5 hours -- it appears that split wall jacks can severely disable the
service, which no one had ever mentioned before this call. At least the
remainder of our contract commitment will not be a total waste of money
since we will actually have the phone service to use. However, even during
these last "successful" 2.5 hours, I had to make three separate tech
support calls, and one representative simply hung up on me. When I called
back, the tech support record said it was a "dropped call." Yeah, *right*.
Needless to say, we will not be re-upping our contract next time. We are a
bit smarter after this horrid experience! Give Phone Power the BIG MISS if
you do not want serious headaches with your phone service. There are
undoubtedly honest VOIP providers on the market. By the way, Phone Power
says they are a company out of California, but their actual physical
address for tax purposes is listed in Las Vegas. No surprise there!
Comments:
 | | huh? I am not a big fan of PhonePower... but what plan costs $200 a month?! | |
| | | | Re: huh? Um, the plan cost $200 for our initial two-year contract. The review does not ever say it cost $200 per month, so I do not know where your information comes from on that point. | |
| | | PX EliezerPremium
join:2008-08-09
Hutt River
kudos:13 | Re: huh? Look at the top of your review:
Bountiful,Davis,UT
[Contract] $200 per month
(24 month contract)
| |
|
PX EliezerPremium
join:2008-08-09
Hutt River
kudos:13 Reviews:
 ·callwithus
·voip.ms
·Optimum Voice
·Vitelity VOIP
·Gizmo5
| Does not make sense.... 1) If your INITIAL installation took 35 hours (which is quite hard to believe---that's a full work week) then for gosh sakes why didn't you CANCEL as they do have a guarantee:
MONEY BACK GUARANTEE. PhonePower.com proudly stands behind our service with our 30 day satisfaction guarantee. Within the first 30 days of your activation you may upgrade or downgrade to any of our current promotional rates or cancel your plan with absolutely no hassle. If cancelling, simply contact customer service requesting cancellation, return the hardware to us and a full refund will be issued. Customer only bears the cost of return shipping and any usage-based calls (example: Operator or International calls). Money back guarantee is not applicable on unsupported internet services.
2) If for some reason they refused to honor that guarantee, you could have complained to your credit card company. You didn't.
3) Even after all that, when your original contract was up after 2 years, after all the aggravation, you could have easily switched to another company.
You didn't. You let it renew....
Way I see it, this is your fault 3 times, and that makes this review even harder to believe. | |
| | | | Re: Does not make sense.... Guarantee was not honored. And, YES, it was a full work-week to get it installed. | |
| | | |
| | | | Re: Incorporated in California.... Thank you. It appears my information was old on the point of incorporation, and I accept your correction. | |
| | |
DSM Fan
join:2010-10-04
New Orleans, LA | Epic The OR is kind of fail. looks like another drive by flaming. | |
|
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 | next review in page (previous review)
Review by LeChi 
member for 281 days, 0 visits, last login: 275 days ago
lodged 275 days ago
- San Francisco,San Francisco,CA
- $25 per month
- "2 phone lines instead of one."
- "Customer Service - called in and cancel 2 lines only to find out they billed me for entire year."
- "Not worth playing their game: $8/moth is great, but then you will have to deal with them and it's not worth your time or energy"
| Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings below consensus)
|
Technically they are somewhat Ok... But that is if everything works well. Or they didn't overcharge you. Or any other reason that causes you to talk to them. Once on the phone you will be bounced around between people who cannot make any decisions on their own. They will promise to call back with no follow through. You will really need to stay on top of them. And then, they will do whatever THEY want without considering you side at all. Bottom line, they behave just like a huge company: AT&T or Comcast, treating customer like nothing more but a record in their book... You are better off with a big company then... Very frustrating experience. Would not advice to anyone.
Comments:
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Review by zjhodson
member for 329 days, 1 visits, last login: 328 days ago
lodged 329 days ago
- Cape Coral,Lee,FL
 Business customer- $134 per month
- (12 month contract)
- "Tech support is easy to reach"
- "Reliability, Setup, Knowledge of reps, Router problems"
- "PhonePower is by a wide margin the worst career move I have ever made."
| Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings well below consensus)
|
This company has been a nightmare since the beginning. It took a week to get the system working initially and from that point in has never worked very well. The voice mail has not worked as it should. The "power forwarding" has not worked as it was supposed to. Since the router has to be the first thing on the network when it misbehaves as it have been doing since the beginning it cripples the entire office. After banging my head against the wall for weeks tech support finally concluded that I must have a defective router. After grudgingly agreeing to ship it over-night he assured me he would personally configure it so that it would immediately when plugged in. I received the router yesterday and I had to stay at the office 30 minutes late to install it because as stated previously it must be the first thing in the network so any maintenance TAKES DOWN THE NETWORK. Tech Support partially fulfilled his promise. The internet and the phone system came up within a minute which is a dramatic improvement of the 30 minutes to 4 hours the old router had taken to establish a connection to the internet. Unfortunately today I had wildly unpredictable up/down bandwidth, one minute it would be 30Mbps down and 6Mbps up with a 29ms ping and the next it would be .15Mbps down and .5Mbps up with a 1900ms ping. They remotely logged into the router and adjusted the settings and now I have a pretty reliable 9Mbps down and 6Mbps up. This means that my VOIP system is bogarting at least 50% of my download through-put but at least it's consistent now. Issues with forwarding and voicemail persist.
My choice to recommend PhonePower as the VOIP provider for my company has caused irreparable damage to my reputation and credibility and has cost this my company thousands in business and caused immeasurable damage to our image as professionals. At no point has PhonePower offered a credit to our company for these problems not that any credit to our bill would hold a candle to the damages to our company, it's reputation, or my personal reputation. I am 80% certain my company will replace me at it's earliest opportunity over this debacle.
Comments:
PX EliezerPremium
join:2008-08-09
Hutt River
kudos:13 | Thank you. Thanks for a detailed and specific report. 
I hope that things will work out for you. | |
| | | Reviews:
·PHONE POWER
| Re: Very Misleading Review I don't feel I should be compensated. I don't feel I can be compensated. The device I have is in fact a router. It is an Edgewater router and phone power refers to it as such. It preforms the functions of a router. You can call it whatever you like. that is beside the point. The connection isn't crappy. It's more than sufficient for the VOIP service and it is reliable when the "ATA" isn't interupting it. | |
| | | | | Reviews:
·PHONE POWER
1 edit | Re: Very Misleading Review said by Mango:I empathize with the reviewer because my introduction to VoIP was almost identical to this story. I signed my company up with a VoIP provider that advertised I could plug a couple of ATAs in and be up and running in minutes with no real knowledge of the technology. Needless to say, it didn't go quite that well.
said by topgun:As far as VoIP taking 50% of your throughput that just is not possible! It's absolutely possible if the router isn't configured properly or not powerful enough to handle the load of other internet traffic. If he has a 30/6 internet connection, the latter is very possible. I agree with some of your points, but I don't think operator error is entirely to blame. For example, it shouldn't take "weeks" to diagnose and replace defective hardware. said by topgun:C. If the company was making all this revenue the OP claims, why risk loosing said amount to save a few bucks? Your assumption that they were trying to save a few bucks may not be correct. Maybe they were after additional features. For example, my VoIP system can do things that no POTS provider can at any price. Why do you say that? Were you not being honest before?  Well, there is a thing called Google...anyone that blindly signs their company up for something they know nothing about is possibly setting themselves up for problems. When problems arise should they b#$h about it? I have PhonePower, I have had hiccups, do I b#$h about it NO because I did my due deligance first.
Whether it be for price or for features it is the same difference the OP should have been better prepared. "to be honest" is a figure of speech. 
--
I got the need for speed »bit.ly/topgunparody | |
|
| | Clarification The Edgemarc 4500 that zjhodson is referring to does reserve bandwidth for the VoIP service. The settings are based on the specifications of the connection. For instance if you have a 10Mbps down and 5Mpbs up connection those values need to be configured in the Edgemarc. If it is configured out of spec of your connection the Edgemarc won't reserve bandwidth for VoIP.
Things like remote access programs, file uploading and other services that stream bandwidth can eat into your bandwidth and cause the Edgemarc to downgrade other traffic as it is reserving bandwidth for the VOIP service. | |
| | Reviews:
·PHONE POWER
2 edits | Re: Clarification said by PhonePwrTech:The Edgemarc 4500 that zjhodson is referring to does reserve bandwidth for the VoIP service. The settings are based on the specifications of the connection. For instance if you have a 10Mbps down and 5Mpbs up connection those values need to be configured in the Edgemarc. If it is configured out of spec of your connection the Edgemarc won't reserve bandwidth for VoIP.
Things like remote access programs, file uploading and other services that stream bandwidth can eat into your bandwidth and cause the Edgemarc to downgrade other traffic as it is reserving bandwidth for the VOIP service.
Thanks for the Clarification PPT I knew there was more to this story then meets the eye. »youtu.be/tNyU6KTpP2I
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I got the need for speed »bit.ly/topgunparody | |
| | | PX EliezerPremium
join:2008-08-09
Hutt River
kudos:13 Reviews:
·callwithus
·voip.ms
·Optimum Voice
·Vitelity VOIP
·Gizmo5
| Re: Clarification said by topgun:Thanks for the Clarification PPT I knew there was more to this story then meets the eye.
How so?
The OP has some professional IT background, and seems to have had a poor experience with PP.
Nothing in the PP comments refutes that.
As for beta testing, huh?
Should setting up an office for simple VoIP require prolonged and intensive beta? Really?
And the OP said:
It took a week to get the system working initially and from that point in has never worked very well.
I have often supported PhonePower before, but I certainly DO agree that there is more here than meets the eye, in which case it is wrong to dismiss the OP out of hand as you did. | |
| | | | Reviews:
·PHONE POWER
| Re: Clarification said by PX Eliezer:said by topgun:Thanks for the Clarification PPT I knew there was more to this story then meets the eye.
How so? The OP has some professional IT background, and seems to have had a poor experience with PP. Nothing in the PP comments refutes that. As for beta testing, huh? Should setting up an office for simple VoIP require prolonged and intensive beta? Really? And the OP said: It took a week to get the system working initially and from that point in has never worked very well. I find the OP compelling, the company response incomplete, and your support for the company in THIS case premature. I have often supported PhonePower before, but I certainly DO agree that there is more here than meets the eye, in which case it is wrong to dismiss the OP out of hand as you did. I'm not totally dismissing the OP PX. Part of his problems do seem to stem from bad hardware originally. However, OP complains about internet speeds but someone that is not tech savy enough to know about VoIp, QOS, should not be tasked with setting up a VoIp router.
Never said prolong BETA but cut me some slack PX almost everyone I know who switched from PP left their landline on for at least a week to see how things went first. I never ever setup someone with PhonePower without letting them try it at first.
Actually, I kind of feel bad for the OP. His heart was in the right place trying to help the company out. However I think his ambitions got the best of him and bit off a lil more then he could chew?
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I got the need for speed »bit.ly/topgunparody | |
| | | | | | | | | | | Reviews:
·PHONE POWER
| Re: Clarification said by Mango:said by topgun:someone that is not tech savy enough to know about VoIp, QOS, should not be tasked with setting up a VoIp router. Tell that to the thousands of Vonage customers. I have never met a Vonage customer who knows what QoS is. All of them are delighted with their service. (Note: This is NOT an endorsement for Vonage; I'm simply stating an alternate point of view.) Do Vonage customers use business edge routes? Do you just skim my posts "should not be tasked with setting up a VoIp router".
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I got the need for speed »bit.ly/topgunparody | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | Mangowww.toao.net
join:2008-12-25
Alberta
kudos:11 | Re: Clarification Very true | |
|
1 edit | Further Clarification This reviewer doesn't have a normal account by any means. It was a custom build with call flows that don't fit in our normal business product. This is far from a residential setup where you plug in an ATA. There are IP phones that then need to connect to the Edgemarc. Our business product requires the Edgemarc to insure that the VoIP traffic isn't mangled or miss routed by a router that doesn't have an ALG in it. | |
| | Reviews:
·PHONE POWER
| Re: Further Clarification said by PhonePwrTech:This reviewer doesn't have a normal account by any means. It was a custom build with call flows that don't fit in our normal business product. This is far from a residential setup where you plug in an ATA. There are IP phones that then need to connect to the Edgemarc. Our business product requires the Edgemarc to insure that the VoIP traffic isn't mangled or miss routed by a router that doesn't have an ALG in it.
Exactly the point I was trying to make to Mango! There is a big difference between plugging a few cables and setting up simple PF, QOS, DMZ etc. over setting up a business VoIp network.
First you have to address these questions:
»www.voipreview.org/small_busines···ess_voip
Then you have to order the phones\program them, run the cables, setup the mailboxes, setup up call flow\ques, train the end users. It is just so much fun...
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I got the need for speed »bit.ly/topgunparody | |
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 Review by Sr Tech
member for 10.3 years, 5638 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 350 days ago
- New Fairfield,Fairfield,CT
- Contract price not specified.
- "Found Cheaper service"
- "ETF Fee's"
| Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings well below consensus)
|
Been a customer since they started, ported my number to anther service due to money constraints. I was forced to pay a ETF fee for canceling the service.
Comments:
| DSM Fan
join:2010-10-04
New Orleans, LA | Revenge Revenge I loves the internet. So you really rate
Ease of Installation:0
Call Quality:0
Reliability:0
Tech Support:0
Due to a contract issue? | |
| Reviews:
·PHONE POWER
2 edits |  If all else fails blame the company
Terms of Service:
You must read and agree to the statement to the right to proceed with your Order
I agree that this online order will be considered a binding contract between xxx and Phone Power LLC and I agree to all the Terms and Conditions. If applicable, I am authorizing Phone Power LLC to transfer an existing number from my current provider.
This is the screen you get in stop 5 ^ just because you were to much in a rush to read does not mean you can use ignorance as an excuse.
Really; lets have our client sign a contract, give them a low rate by signing this contact, hope the stick around for the duration, if they don't no big deal, their word is good and hell just like laws there should be no repercussions for breaking the contact.
Was I speeding officer, I'm sorry that is BS I should not have a fine, that was not stated on the paperwork when I applied for my license !
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I got the need for speed »bit.ly/topgunparody | |
|
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| next review in page (previous review)
Review by goaliebob99
member for 7.1 years, 28 visits, last login: 1.1 years ago
updated 1.1 years ago
- Manteno,Kankakee,IL
- $9 per month
 about 7 days- "Nothing"
- "Mediocore phone service, cuts out and support sucks"
- "Avoid!"
| Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings well below consensus)
|
Update: Phone power officially sucks even more. I have been a costumer of theirs for over 4 years and they disconnected my phone only 14 days after billing. I wasn't even 30 days late! Prior to this I had never been late and always paid before my due date. I'm switching. Stay Away!
After having phone power for a few years, Its safe to say that they have tanked. Support calls often end up where the customer is hung up on. They often never answer the phone or a user is on hold for well over 10 min. Unfortunately, phone power is a victim of their own success as they went from one of the best to one of the worst.
I'm having an issue with the phone not receiving incoming calls, and users are presented with the call can not be completed. I can make outgoing calls though. Phone power is also not doing anything to credit the lost service that only half works. There is also no movement to fix the issue.
Go with vonage or ooma.
Comments:
ddwrtSit down and drink with me
join:2010-06-09
Albany, NY
kudos:2 |  FYI
| |
| | | Should be easy to fix "I'm having an issue with the phone not receiving incoming calls, and users are presented with the call can not be completed."
On the Phonepower site, under Call Forwarding, if you select Forward All Calls To Voicemail, do callers get your Voicemail? If not, the problem is at either at Phonepower or their CLEC and a quick call to support should get it resolved.
If the support person can call you back (using Phonepower's system), politely ask him to try from another service, e.g. his cell phone. Once he sees the problem, it should be an easy fix. | |
|  PhonePowerPremium
join:2007-07-20
Winnetka, CA
kudos:1
2 edits | I have reviewed your account I have reviewed your account and both of your calls to our billing department today. In researching this, I found that your payment history has been chronically delinquent and your account is currently suspended for non-payment.
You must keep a valid credit card on file that can debit your recurring balance. We are here to help you in any way we can, but I was disappointed in your attitude toward our agents. Our system automatically suspends your account 15 days after the due date. You can generally request a payment extension if you think you may go past the due date. As you're aware we go out of our way to notify you by email several times before the automatic suspension. But going on the offense and cursing about being suspended after being "only" 15 days late has no merit whatsoever. | |
| DSM Fan
join:2010-10-04
New Orleans, LA | Wow This mind set is what is wrong with the consumer market. Most people go to VoIP to save money. So not only does this guy want to pay less money on his bill he still wants the same 60 day courtesy period the big companies offer him. Do the math figure it out. You can't expect to not pay your $15 phone bill for 60 days when the bigger conglomerate allows you to wait 60 days when they charge you $60 for the same service. | |
| DSM Fan
join:2010-10-04
New Orleans, LA | This mind set is what is wrong with the consumer market. Most people go to VoIP to save money. So not only does this guy want to pay less money on his bill he still wants the same 60 day courtesy period the big companies offer him. Do the math figure it out. You can't expect to not pay your $15 phone bill for 60 days when the bigger conglomerate allows you to wait 60 days when they charge you $60 for the same service. | |
|
1 edit | Honestly after reading reviews on this site i am seriously thinking of switching from vonage. When i first started vonage years ago i paid appx 16. month. Now i pay a little over 31. with taxes included and i dont have the feature of blocking phone numbers.
I still have a question today when i went to pp site they had a special for 119. for one year with a year free. After posting this i went back to sign up but it changed to 199. with one year free. How can i get it for the 119. If i can figure that out i will switch. | |
| | | | Re: switching I want to thank everyone for their help, signed up and am sure looking at the reviews that it will work out will leave a update after connected. | |
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| next review in page (previous review)
Review by kmclancy
member for 6.8 years, 2 visits, last login: 1.1 years ago
updated 1.2 years ago
- Owens Cross Roads,Madison,AL
- $12 per month
- (24 month contract)
- "Tech Support"
- "Marketing misrepresents second year of contract as Free"
- "there are other cheaper options."
| Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
First let me say in the past year I have had no issues with service
availability, and the one time I had a sound quality issue phonepower's
technical support was quick to help fix the problem. I would still be
a customer if I did not feel their marketing was deceptive to the point it
could be fraudulent. Some will say it was my fault for not reading all the
service agreement before buying the phone adapter, but it is not easily
found on the web site and once you have paid for the adapter and paid for
the 2 years service, receiving the service agreement in a email it is a little
late to back out.
I was hooked by their as low as $8.33 a month add splashed on the
webpage.
This is only true if you agree with AT&T's billing practices. This Price does
not an additional $3.46 a month to include the free months in hidden taxes and fees.
But an even bigger surprise came when I was told after the first year I had pay the
taxes for the second year even if I did not accept the second year free offer.
Bottom line they finally agreed if I paid half of the second years taxes
and fees they would let me out of the free year option.
If I had stayed with Phonepower and paid an additional $58 as billed for
the free years taxes and fees it would have cost me $11.75 a month not
the $8.33 they promised me when I signed the contract.
For me there are other cheaper options.
Hope this helps, someone else avoid a surprise when they get an unexpected
credit card charge on the first day of their free years service
As always let the buyer beware.
Comments:
PX EliezerPremium
join:2008-08-09
Hutt River
kudos:13 | * I can't comment specifically on PhonePower, but in general I think it's good to avoid any long-term arrangements especially those with "2nd year free" or so forth.
It always seems to get confusing.... | |
| PhonePowerPremium
join:2007-07-20
Winnetka, CA
kudos:1 | We have reviewed this account in detail We have reviewed this account in detail and have spoken to the client and hope to have to come to agreeable terms.
The client originally ordered a 2 year contract with month to month billing. A few weeks later, the client contacted us via chat to change his service to the a prepaid plan. Unfortunately our billing representative failed to inform him of the 2nd year taxes, a fact which would have been amply disclosed had the client originally ordered that plan via our website. My understanding is that the client also opted out of receiving email communications from us by email and as such did not receive his renewal notification 30 days before his due date. Had this communication gone out as normal, I think this situation would have been avoided altogether since we would have had 30 days to review the account with the client prior to any funds being due and we would have waived the 2nd year taxes. Unfortunately, absent that notification and 30 day window, the client had signed up with a with a competitor before we could evaluate the issues.
We apologize for the chain of events creating the “perfect storm” and are reviewing our processes to better serve our clients. We appreciate being able to serve you. | |
| | kmclancy
join:2006-07-04
Owens Cross Roads, AL Reviews:
·PHONE POWER
1 edit | Re: We have reviewed this account in detail My only dispute with the PhonePower response above is, there was no attempt to resolve the issue only threats to turn the account over to collections, until after I posted the DSL Reports review. As a result of posting the this review, PhonePower has refunded the additional amount charged to my credit card they required before they would release my number to be ported to the new service provider. All attempts to resolve the issue prior to the DSL reports review were met with hostility, and threats of what they would do if I did not submit.
I hope Phonepower is correct, and if I had given it enough time things would have worked out. However, If I just paid the fees charged to avoid their threatened collections, I probably would not have written this review and gotten the resulting response.
PhonePower has a several features I like better than my current service provider, and would do well to improve their conflict resolution process with their on-line chat and telephone support, rather than requiring their subscribers to air the issues in an independent forum, responding only as a form of damage control. | |
| | | Reviews:
·PHONE POWER
1 edit | Re: We have reviewed this account in detail 4.1 Taxes and Fees on Free Services. Any plan that comes with free service will be assessed applicable taxes, surcharges, and fees periodically, based on the details of the plan selected. These fees will be calculated based on the standard price for the service. Services are subject to suspension and termination if balances are not paid in a timely manner per Section 4 of PhonePower.com's Terms of Service.
The only thing misleading pal is that you are having buyers remorse and\or you need the "extra 58.00" to balance your books? Do your local car dealer a favor, show them this review. Will save you both alot of headaches!
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I got the need for speed »bit.ly/topgunparody | |
| | | | | | Re: We have reviewed this account in detail My support was leaning towards the company UNTIL the last response from topgun.. Addressing a former customer as "pal" and suggesting the customer has financial issues (all of your bargain hunting customers could fall into this category) makes me feel the customer's complaint regarding customer service is absolutely valid. Total disrespect. Sorry, PAL - you just lost this potential customer. | |
| | | | | Reviews:
·PHONE POWER
|  Re: We have reviewed this account in detail
said by waslookn2buy :My support was leaning towards the company UNTIL the last response from topgun.. Addressing a former customer as "pal" and suggesting the customer has financial issues (all of your bargain hunting customers could fall into this category) makes me feel the customer's complaint regarding customer service is absolutely valid. Total disrespect. Sorry, PAL - you just lost this potential customer.
Lets see you register as anonymous...and the only merit that turned you off was because I used the word pal..(rolls eyes). 2nd part I'm am by know means rich and use PP to save money like everyone else, however I don't go in a forum and slam a company without being reasonable. Lets be fair there are two sides to every story, which the OP did not divulge (coincidence)? As a business owner people that just do drive by slam reviews and don't paint the whole picture irk me!
So were you "reallylookn2buy" are just you just come in here to troll and stir the pot. I feel it is probably the later. JMHO
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I got the need for speed »bit.ly/topgunparody | |
| | | | | DSM Fan
join:2010-10-04
New Orleans, LA
1 edit | Really, I am just as opinionated as the next web jerk. But blaming a company for something one of their customers said is just silly to be honest. Unless topgun is an employee and if so where is my android app | |
| | | | | | | | | | | Reviews:
·PHONE POWER
| Re: We have reviewed this account in detail said by N9MD:said by waslookn2buy :My support was leaning towards the company UNTIL the last response from topgun.. Addressing a former customer as "pal" and suggesting the customer has financial issues (all of your bargain hunting customers could fall into this category) makes me feel the customer's complaint regarding customer service is absolutely valid. Total disrespect. Sorry, PAL - you just lost this potential customer.
I just came across this comment ... and my jaw dropped. What in tarnation gave you the impression that topgun works for Phone Power?!?! He doesn't ... nor do I. I agree that the OP's situation could have been handled better ... which has been admitted by PhonePower (who is one of the top guns at PP (not topgun the BBR poster). But the "conclusion jumping" on the part of a non-registered poster was certainly inappropriate. I am the »youtu.be/V8rZWw9HE7o TopGun baby My mission shoot down intranet web jerk trolls, lol.
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I got the need for speed »bit.ly/topgunparody | |
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Review by (hidden by request)
(review was emailed from domain boeing.com)
lodged 1.2 years ago
- Saint Charles,Saint Charles,MO
- Contract price not specified.
- "Rarely lost the connection as a result of PhonePower service"
- "Incorrect Billing habits and forcing a 2 year contract so not able to cancel when desired"
- "Be very watchful of Phone Power's billing."
| Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings below consensus)
|
Phone Power (voip)
Be careful when using Phone Power. They incorrectly billed me twice for $99.
Once at the beginning of my service for not returning THEIR broken modem
they sent me and once at the end of my service when I wanted to cancel.
They told me I had to wait until the end of my contract. I agreed to that.
They billed me for some months which I did not use until my contract date
ended, THEN they billed me for $99 for early cancellation. I don't like
these kinds of unethical practices. I would not recommend Phone Power.
Comments:
DSM Fan
join:2010-10-04
New Orleans, LA
1 edit | Huh???? Wait a minute. They billed you because you didn't send their hardware back and they charged you a Contract Termination Fee because you canceled your contract prematurely. Wow what a bad company. | |
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Review by textech
member for 4.3 years, 239 visits, last login: 142 days ago
updated 1.2 years ago
- Highland Lakes,Sussex,NJ
- $15 per month
- (24 month contract)
- "Price, Website Features, First 2 Years for $199"
- "Reliability is bad, Forced 2 Year Contract for acceptable pricing with $99 disconnect fee, Reliablility, Qaulity of sound"
- "Do Not Use This Company"
| Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings below consensus)
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I wanted this Phone Service to work for me badly. There were many things about it I liked, but the Phone became an unreliable nuisance over time. I stuck it out for over 2 years and it progressively got worse. The problems were so intermittent that it made it difficult to get Phone Power to listen to my problems. They required me to keep a log of numbers received, numbers called, dates, times, and description of issue with tasked performed to correct on own. They were a complete drag to deal with. I read so many complaints of others having the same problems I had it was evident they had defects in their service yet they always acted like this was something new to them. Infuriating was what my phone became to me and my family.
I always knew it was PowerPhone, because my business phone was MagicJack and I never encountered issues with their phone service. I used my MagicJack Phone continuously all day and never found myself having an issue with that phone, but the PhonePower phone would cause some communications issue many times throughout the month.
Then there is the $99 disconnect fee they charge you for becoming fed up with the problems you are having. I hate paying unnecessary charges, but over time I was so happy to ditch this Phone I probably would have paid twice that to end my relationship with them.
Anyone that must tack on a $99 dollar disconnection fee, must be in the field not for a Valued Service but for a Valueless Service simply for the purpose of taking peoples money.
Learn from me and stay away from this Phone Service.
Comments:
PX EliezerPremium
join:2008-08-09
Hutt River
kudos:13 | * Sorry to hear of the problems you reported.
What were the exact issues? What steps did the company take to try to help?
Where do you plan to go from here? | |
| DSM Fan
join:2010-10-04
New Orleans, LA
1 edit | Contract Termination Fee "Then there is the $99 disconnect fee they charge you for becoming fed up with the problems you are having. I hate paying unnecessary charges, but over time I was so happy to ditch this Phone I probably would have paid twice that to end my relationship with them."
section 7.3 »www.phonepower.com/services/term···tos.aspx
Don't slam a company because you refuse to read the ToS.
I called my mobile provider to cancel my account and they want $200 per line. This is pretty standard practice for a contract plans. They give you a discount because you are signing a contract for service. | |
| | kmclancy
join:2006-07-04
Owens Cross Roads, AL Reviews:
·PHONE POWER
| Re: Contract Termination Fee Who reads "section .3 »www.phonepower.com/services/term···tos.aspx"
When their up front add says: there is no fee!
See below
About PHONE POWER ..
Residential and Small Business VOIP phone service including a free 2nd line starting at 8.33 per month.
Hosted PBX and Business VOIP services starting at $39.95 per month.
We are so confident you will love our service that we we have No activation fees, No Cancellation fees and No Contract requirements.
Try our top of the line call clarity, reliable network and top notch tech support and you will agree that we are tops in the industry! | |
| | | PhonePowerPremium
join:2007-07-20
Winnetka, CA
kudos:1
3 edits | Re: Contract Termination Fee Textech: I am disturbed to hear of your issues and have asked my support manager to review your account and get in touch with you. I apologize for what must have been a frustrating period with us. You have my commitment to make things right.
KMClancy: We offer Month to Month, 1 year contract and 2 year contact plans. Clients choose which one they want and in return receive significant discounts of up to 58%. We have No Activation Fees, No Contract Requirements and no Cancellation fees if they choose a no contract plan which is always offered. Clients who choose contract plans are fully aware that they are entering into a contract. | |
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| | Your service textech, I see that your most recent attempt to contact support resulted in you stating that you would get back to us with the information that we requested. In most cases our technicians speculations are accurate but we don't want to cause you more grief and headache by replacing a device based on what we think is wrong. It is possible that your hardware was defective and we just needed a date/time or phone number of a call in question that way we could isolate what caused the problem. I would look forward to speaking with you and discussing this mater in person. | |
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Review by (hidden by request)
(review was emailed from domain me.com)
lodged 1.2 years ago
- Orem,Utah,UT
- $20 per month
- (12 month contract)
- "Standard service OK."
- "Awful customer care."
- "Would not recommend."
| Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
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Value for money:
(ratings below consensus)
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Buyer Beware.
I recently moved my service from Phone Power to another provider but was billed for an additional month just days before my number got ported. Phone Power took my money and will not refund any portion of the unused month. "We do not prorate" is what the tech said. So know that this is a company that will take your money even if they do not provide the service for which they billed you.
Glad I left.
Comments:
PX EliezerPremium
join:2008-08-09
Hutt River
kudos:13 | Not unusual. The majority of VoIP providers and other phone providers, do not give partial month refunds when you leave, unless perhaps it was within an initial trial period.
Cellphone companies don't either....
So this is hardly unusual. | |
| DSM Fan
join:2010-10-04
New Orleans, LA | Really I had a similar issues with TWC, I wouldn't say that particular experience impacted my view of their entire service. To each his own flame on OP flame on. I see this review section has become a place to flame companies.
Buyer Beware of what??? | |
| | Reviews:
·PHONE POWER
| Re: Really said by DSM Fan:I had a similar issues with TWC, I wouldn't say that particular experience impacted my view of their entire service. To each his own flame on OP flame on. I see this review section has become a place to flame companies.
Buyer Beware of what???
Come on DSM give the guy a break now he can't afford to take his family out to eat from the BK $1.00 menu 
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I got the need for speed »bit.ly/topgunparody | |
| | | DSM Fan
join:2010-10-04
New Orleans, LA | Re: Really I know,the lack of pro rate on his $20 a month service can really balance the books. Sigh we salute you internet flame guy. | |
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| | How to NOT be taken seriously Step 1 - Review by (hidden by request)
Step 2 - Say that a pro is "Standard service OK." in the same review where you gave a rating of -
Web-site: 50%
Ease of Installation: 50%
Call Quality: 50%
Reliability: 50%
While the content of the post contained no mention of anything other than a billing gripe.
From my experience, people who post negative reviews anonymously are at the very least trying to mislead. You only hide when you have something to hide. It's like rating your waiter poorly on his attitude because your steak was overcooked.
The force is weak with this one. | |
| | PX EliezerPremium
join:2008-08-09
Hutt River
kudos:13 | Re: How to NOT be taken seriously Excellent points.
PhonePower seems to attract a relatively large number of hostile anonymous [Review by (hidden by request)] reviews, whereas their regular reviews are pretty good. | |
| | | DSM Fan
join:2010-10-04
New Orleans, LA | Re: How to NOT be taken seriously It is easy to flame someone/thing when you are anonymous. At that point you can make all the crazy unsubstantiated claims you want. | |
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Review by (hidden by request)
(review was emailed from domain nycap.rr.com)
lodged 1.3 years ago
- Altamont,Albany,NY
- $19 per month
- (24 month contract)
- "Its cheap"
- "I have problems making outgoing calls. People have problems making incoming calls."
- "It was good before I signed up for 2 years. Major regrets. Won't do it again."
| Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings well below consensus)
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I am extremely disappointed with Phone Power. I had the service for two
years with minimal problems.
A month ago, I dropped to the lower rate and signed up for two years.
HUGE mistake. I can't wait until the two years are up. I will never have
phone service with them again. One of two things happens. When people
are trying to call me, they get a message that says I no longer have
phone service. I DO have phone service. The cost of it is automatically
charged to my credit card every month. There is no chance there is a
lack of payment problem.
When I called support for help with this problem, they told me that I
had to have the phone number from which this person (or people) called
and the time they called. How can I have the phone number and time of
the call when the person (or people) can't even call me to talk to me. If they can't call
me to talk to me, they can't call me to tell me they tried calling me
and were told I didn't have phone service.
My second problem is that when I try to make an outgoing call, I can
not. I get a message that says "We're sorry. Your call can not be
completed at this time. Please try your call later." Why? Why can't I
make a call? Nothing is wrong with MY system.
So now I can't make outgoing calls and I can't get incoming calls. Take
my advice. Do not use Phone Power for your phone service. You will be
sorely disappointed.
Comments:
nycitynyPremium
join:2005-08-09
New York, NY | Inconsistent logic Your review makes no sense.
How do you know folks are getting a not in service recording if you are unaware of anybody trying to call you since they cannot get through? Either you know this is happening because someone told you (and you can give their number to PhonePower) or you are completely unaware of the problem. | |
| Reviews:
·PHONE POWER
| Did you conact support?
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I got the need for speed »bit.ly/topgunparody | |
| | | Update I am in touch with the user and we are currently investigating both problems that she has reported. | |
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2 edits | Update Feb 2012 We were able to determine that there was an issue with the way the reviewer's calls were routing. The issue has been resolved for about a month and a service credit was issued. | |
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