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Review by b_nice 
member for 1 year, 0 visits, last login: 1 year ago
lodged 1 year ago
 m5l 4g5
 $5 per month- (12 month contract)
 "maybe the idea of competition/alternative" "customer service / support / proprietary software" "stopped using 3 mths b4 contract was up - just not worth the pain"
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Liked the flexibility of handling of the phone calls - that worked very well, call quality was generally very good . Faxing do to whatever reason was a joke - it was always a hit and miss - I'm not a computer genius, but neither am I an idiot and I could never get it to work consistnently. They may of changed it now - but having to overpay for the service and then not offer refunds, I think is a little miss leading too. eg, Service is 22.00 you have to buy a 10.00 voucher amd a 15.00 voucher - thus the sevice is 25.00 as you cant get a refund. In my humble opinion, there are some better companies out there - which is one of the only reasons I personally would say theis company is good - they create competition.
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Review by appy
member for 1.4 years, 674 visits, last login: a few hours ago
lodged 1.4 years ago
- San Francisco,San Francisco,CA
- Contract price not specified.
- "Successfully terminates the majority of calls I route to them"
- "60 second billing, supports 1 channel at a time"
- "Great to use as a "backup" but has limitations. Recent reviews are worrisome, though."
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I started using VBuzzer about 4 years ago when the launched. Promotional rates back then were 1cent/min to most places. When the promotion ended it was 1.5cents/min...which wasn't too bad because the call quality was pretty good (not as good as POTS though). Now, they have crept up to 2cents/min or more. It's now pretty expensive for what you get. Allowing only one simultaneous channel doesn't make it too useful for a PBX.
Lately, their reviews don't look so great these days. It seems like they have resorted to "tricky" billing practices. I did not experience any of these tricky practices, but then again I only used VBuzzer as a pure paygo termination provider and I always uncheck the box that allows them to store my credit card info. However, the reviews and their spam ridden support forum are kind of worrisome.
Seeing as they seem to be focusing more on Skype-like services and less on paygo termination, I'm probably not the type of customer they are trying to target.
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Review by iceman678
member for 1.4 years, 1 visits, last login: 1.4 years ago
updated 1.4 years ago
- Etobicoke,ON
- Contract price not specified.
- "The only good point is that Vbuzzer is a VOIP service."
- "Vbuzzer employs deceptive marketing practices to gain revenue."
- "Do not use Vbuzzer as they have no problem scamming you."
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Vbuzzer is employing deceptive marketing practices to gain revenue.
My credit card information was required to try the free credit and complete the signup process. The offer specifically said that there was no obligation to purchase anything or to continue using it after the 7 day period. I have cancelled my subscription yet my card was charged and the details of my card are still stored on my account on the VBuzzer site.
By these actions, VBuzzer has shown blatant disregard for the Competition Act, specifically 52(1)(a) of the Competition Act - misleading representations and deceptive marketing practices, by advertising that customers can claim a free $5 calling credit.
Attached is the email I received outlining the offer. It states, "You don't need to pay anything for it". VBuzzer has already wasted my time and duped numerous North Americans with this bogus offer. I have repeatedly requested that that they credit my card account with the $10 that they took without my authorization, express or implied, and then delete my credit card and personal information from their servers. They have inept support staff working on my case who take days to respond and then accuse me of using the $5 credit. I did use the $5 credit and I am not disputing that. What I am disputing is their illegal use of my credit card.
from newsletter@vbuzzer.com
sender-time Sent at 5:41 PM (UTC). Current time there: 5:56 PM.
(private email addy removed)
date Fri, Aug 27, 2010 at 5:41 PM
subject Vbuzzer Calling Credit
mailed-by vbuzzer.com
unsubscribe Unsubscribe from this sender
hide details Aug 27 (2 days ago)
Hello (name removed),
Thank you for signing up Vbuzzer on 2009/03/02
Remember your username is (private name removed) , your password is (password removed)
To thank you as a long-standing customer, we are very pleased to offer you $5 calling credit. You don't need to pay anything for it, simply download the new Vbuzzer version from the link below, login your account, take 2 easy steps to claim this $5 bonus credit.
Download Vbuzzer Messenger Here
You will have 7 days to use up this credit.
Happy calling!
Vbuzzer Team
Don't miss out on future subscriber-only offers. Add newsletter@vbuzzer.com to your address book or contact list.
You have received this message because when using one of our Websites, you have agreed to receive information on news and updates from vbuzzer.com. If you prefer not to receive future editions of this newsletter, click Here
Comments:
 | | short of support buddy?? Vbuzzer seems short of support buddy... My vbuzzer service phone phone was not working on incoming call for >24 hours already. I think they will eventually fix this problem but wonder how long they need.. Probably batch up thing for a schedule job run at daily night cycle. Never knowing the support is doing something or not.. No response. Maybe no news is good news? I don't know.. Being a customer doing business with them requires patience. Sigh!! | |
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Review by qwert
member for 1.4 years, 7 visits, last login: 112 days ago
updated 1.4 years ago
- undisclosed location
- Contract price not specified.
- "Call works"
- "Charged my credit card without authorization"
- "Shady business practice... Stay away!"
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I registered an account here specifically to warn users away from this terrible business. I signed up for their $5 test credit like many others here. And they put a $10 charge to my credit card without my authorization. Attached at the end of this review is what customer support has to say about the charge.
First, was it claimed upon sign up that using up the test credit leads to an auto-recharge of $10? I can't say for sure, but I don't remember seeing it.
Second, even if such fine print was indeed there, what right do they have to refuse a refund when the user is no longer interested in their service? Are calling credits perishable goods? If they can do that, why stop at $10... just charge everyone $100 and there's your profit to keep.
Needless to say, I'm in the process of resolving it through the bank and reporting them to all the authorities and consumer protection organizations that I can find.
Oh, did I mention that their software is hard to uninstall; and even after removal it leaves junk (Vbuzzer Fax Printer Port) in your system.
========================================================
Subject: Re: Problem with test credit 2010-09-09 09:05:09 Vbuzzer Support
Hello,
You accepted the free test credit. You have almost used it up. So, a $10 is auto-recharged from your credit card.
When you took the free test credit, it is claimed clearly.
We can not refund it. Please use it up.
Regards,
Vbuzzer Support Team
High quality, low price ... buzz the world!
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Review by richardjhy3
member for 4.9 years, 2 visits, last login: 1.4 years ago
lodged 1.4 years ago
- Canada
- Contract price not specified.
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Vbuzzer used to be a good choice but not any more. The worst thing about Vbuzzer is that it will "steal" your money from your credit card by charging you without any reason.
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Review by tsuda
member for 5 years, 235 visits, last login: 9 days ago
updated 1.6 years ago
- North York,ON
- $10 per month
- "reliable, easy to set up"
- "support spotty, cost going up"
- " DIY VOIP"
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Update: Jun 2010
vbuzzer has apparently changed their business model. Prices go up without notice. Quality is going down. Terms of Service is changed and admin fees added without notice.
It is still usable, but I cannot recommend this company any more.
Original review:
I've been using vbuzzer for a few months now. Joined the Toronto plan unlimited in/out for $25/year. The voice quality is excellent! I am using Linksys WRT54G with Tomato and SPA3102 with Vonage as PSTN line. I call China regularly and the other end said the quality is as good as a call from next door.
Very happy with the service so far.
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Review by don_quixote
member for 3.8 years, 89 visits, last login: 256 days ago
updated 1.6 years ago
- Toronto,ON
- $2 per month
- (12 month contract)
- "Generally high quality calls, cheap"
- "519 calls are hit and miss"
- "Unbeatable price if they have your DID"
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In truth, I don't talk much on the phone. If I do, it's usually on my cell phone or through Skype for the long distance connections. Still, I was paying for a landline because I felt strange not having one. That little pleasure, however, cost me $30 a month. Currently, vbuzzer has a promotion, and I got my unlimited DID and unlimited Toronto for $25 a year. Normally, the price would be $50 -- still very reasonable. In the first month of usage, I've noticed no glaring problems. Setup was very simple. I have tested the 416 outbound and inbound. It works fine. I have, however, made a few 519 calls and the quality of those was decidedly mixed; I don't ever actually call the 519 (that's what Skype is for), but if you do, take that as a warning. Still, for the price, vbuzzer cannot be beat.
6/2/10: No real 519 problems to speak of anymore.
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 Review by UltraSound
member for 1.7 years, 34 visits, last login: 1 year ago
updated 1.7 years ago
- North York,ON
- $12 per month
- (12 month contract)
 about 1 days- "unlimited local call inbound and outbound, voice quality good"
- "No caller ID, tech support ignores complex technical questions"
- "OK if you make a lot of local calls, you must know how to configure your hardware"
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Review as of May 2010, I am customer for about 1 year ($50 USD / year plan, 1 Toronto number + unlimited local call). The $50 plan no longer exists and has been replaced with other more flexible plans: $5 / month (local only), $10 / month (local + 500 minutes long distance), $15/m (local + 1000 minutes), $20/m (local + unlimited LD). NOTE: "Long distance" covers US/Canada and 30 other countries. You will see the details of these plans on VB website. Some courage will be necessary to navigate to the right page.
Quick conclusion:
VBuzzer is a worthwhile VoIP provider if you satsify the following conditions:
1- You are technically versed and can solve the technical issues related to VoIP equipment and configuration
2- Make a lot of outgoing local calls
3- You can live without Caller ID feature
In my case, I am stuck with #2, otherwise I would go with VoIP.ms
Details on Good Points:
- Voice quality is good. I have had a few issues sporadically but overall, it's OK.
- Truly unlimited local calls for incoming and especially outgoing.
Details on Bad Points:
- No caller ID support.
- You must know how to configure and hook up your ATA.
- You can only sign up if you download a softphone called "VBuzzer Messenger", create an account and use that account to log in VBuzzer website to continue the ordering process. This softphone is WIndows only. If you use Linux then there is no alternative other than to borrow a Windows machine to complete the sign up.
The whole sign up, choose an ATA, configue the ATA was so overwhelming for a 1st time VoIP user that I actually paid someone to take care of the whole process for me.
- The VB web site is a maze to navigate. Phone plans are spread everywhere you must actually have an account and log in to see the complete monthly plans.
- The VBuzzer forum was average a year ago, now it is practically useless. VB staff seems not to actively support their forum anymore. The majority of questions are left unanswered. Most of new questions are related to billing issues since VB has made mandatory to pay by credit card. VB still allows payment by Paypal but you must send a valid ID to authenticate your account and this costs $10 fee. Paypal is obviously not preferred as it is quite complicate to navigate to the page where you can load your credits by Paypal.
- There is no phone support, Tech support is online, via a customized portal which takes around 24h to get an answer. Why don't they encourage to use the forum so that the answer could benefit everybody? Also if you ask a complex question or a lengthy question, generally, the question is ignored. Or answered in a generic way. Something like "we may support that in the future" or "yes, we shall improve this feature", etc.
Comments:
1 edit | CallerID Hey UltraSound, I don't know what the problem is, but I certainly have caller ID enabled, and it's worked since I've joined the service. Something may not be properly set up in your settings. | |
| | Reviews:
 ·VBUZZER
| Re: CallerID You are lucky. Can you let me know what do you put in the "Display Name" of your ATA/Line1 configuration? Your name, your VBuzzer UserID or your 10 digits tel number?
I don't know how CallerID never work for me. I have contacted VB tech support and they confirmed there is an issue and they are still working on this. | |
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Review by gbh2o
member for 11.1 years, 3730 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 2.2 years ago
- Greenville,Pitt,NC
- Contract price not specified.
- "Reliable. Fairly priced services. Reliable. High call quality. Reliable"
- "Limited DID selection."
- "Great VoIP service with reasonable prices. Did I mention reliable?"
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I have no contract except for duration of whatever services I choose to order by-the-month or by-the-year.
I have used Vbuzzer.com for multiple years now. I have watched the web site continuously evolve for the better, and the service offerings evolve to meet demand. It has been a ride of constant improvement of the 'background' things while all the time proving that they are one of my most reliable providers and have exceptional quality of call.
Vbuzzer has a very good and easily installed soft-phone application with many enhanced features. Their service also works reliably on all of the ATAs I have tested, as well as being a mainstay in my asterisk systems; for both inbound and outbound traffic.
Tech support is primarily via email. It can be slow [>24 hours] for a response, but I've noticed that any service issue is immediately addressed and then answered time permitting.
BOTTOM LINE. I know that I can use Vbuzzer to have high quality conversations with whomever I call. Inbound works flawlessly. A very stable VoIP company.
20080617 -They are constantly evolving, adding interesting and unique features although often mainly supporting their Canadian local client base. For the rest of us, Vbuzzer's services just keep working as advertised!
20080929 - Definitly my carrier of choice for calls to Shanghai and other points in the PRC and the ROC. The quality matches that of my calls to the US and Canada and the cost is always among the best.
20090109 - Nothing has happened since my last update to change my previous opinion of Vbuzzer. Still problem free and Great service!
20090407 - Still the same problem free, excellent, stable service.
20091101 - No reason to change my previously high opinion of Vbuzzer!
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Review by tallmike
member for 4.1 years, 57 visits, last login: 1.1 years ago
updated 2.4 years ago
- Scarborough,ON
- $5 per month
- (12 month contract)
- about 15 days
- "Great price, great quality"
- "Bad Customer service, no phone support, CS ignored customer"
- "AVOID! The only way to contact CS is through their web portal and there's no record of request."
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I want to share my a little adventure with Vbuzzer to all members.
Signed on the Toronto unlimited plan for $50. Configured the ATA and worked great. The voice quality is good. So far so good.
But things are getting down hill from this point. I liked the service so I decided I wanted to port-in my Bell number. Contacted CS and was told that they would have to cancel current plan and start over again?!
Oh, Well, I sent another email saying "then cancel my current one so I could re-apply with port-in". The email gone in and I waited for two days, no response. I sent another one, no response; sent another, nop....
Oh boy, I lost counts... at least 10 requests sent in, NO, Not even a "Sorry, can't do" type of response, NOTHING! I was completely ignored by them.
Finally I got fed up with them. Canceled my service with Vbuzzer.
BE AWARE:
The only way to contact CS is through their web portal and there's no record of request. I sent OVER 10 requests regarding to port-in. ALL of requests were ignored by CS completely so there is no trace of requests at all on the web portal !!!
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Re: CS history is available