voip_user
join:2006-06-14
Middletown, CT
 ·VoiceStick
1 edit |  [VoiceStick] Is VoiceStick now charging for incoming calls on N2
8/16/2007 6:05:33 PM INCOMING INBOUND RATE 1 0.01
Anybody else see such charges. I believe their biggest advantage over other similar providers was free unimited incoming calls but looks like that is changing. Time to evaluate if it is worth staying with them after this. | |
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 ice5428
join:2007-07-17 | Re: [VoiceStick] Is VoiceStick now charging for incoming calls o Yup, incoming calls are now .01 per minute. No emails explaining this from voicestick. I emailed them and have received no reply. | |
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jeffnyc
join:2004-06-09
New York, NY
4 edits | wow... i had a feeling that was coming since i couldnt find it posted anywhere on their site recently that incoming calls were included.... i agree this was a major advantage of voicestick
even though i have magicjack, i would still use voicestick because they hold my number and i want them to consider my account active - with this change i may have to shift more to magicjack for outgoing....
you have to admit, the n2n plan is still a great plan... dont forget you are not paying any taxes/fees on top of it which with some voips amount to several bucks a month... at 1 cent a minute thats an offset for a few hundred incoming minutes
voicestick does have to have a viable business model to make profit otherwise they may follow the sun  i just wish their customer service was at the level it was in the days when bruce was an active participant in this forum...
matt - you still on this forum??? | |
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voipjunk
join:2004-08-07
Largo, FL
 ·RoadRunner Cable
| This is ridiculous, Any company should not change the plan without informing subscribers. I think VOIP industry in US is really not caring anything about Law and rights. We have seen Sunrocket shutdown, now this... I think its really a time to stay with a good company or stick to Magicjack. | |
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 | mazilo
From Mazilo
Premium
join:2002-05-30
Lilburn, GA
| Re: [VoiceStick] Is VoiceStick now charging for incoming calls o said by voipjunk  :This is ridiculous, Any company should not change the plan without informing subscribers. Perhaps, it is time to let the FEDs intervene? Where is BruceN when we need him?  | |
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slow mo
join:2002-03-19
USA
| said by voip_user :I just noticed this today in my call logs 8/16/2007 6:05:33 PM INCOMING INBOUND RATE 1 0.01 Anybody else see such charges. I believe their biggest advantage over other similar providers was free unimited incoming calls but looks like that is changing. Time to evaluate if it is worth staying with them after this. How about numbers within VS network calling each other? | |
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| | meb
join:2002-12-12
Potomac, MD
| Re: [VoiceStick] Is VoiceStick now charging for incoming calls o said by voiplover :I still consider the N2N plan as a gift from them. They owe me nothing and I know that they need to make about $5/month to break even. I've enjoyed the free incoming but expected this to happen a while ago. Without a monthly min I'm going to stay around. It has been a good backup and is an excellent plan for those with broadband and just a cell phone. But why not give notice? What is next? If I didn't see it here I might not have enough on deposit to cover the increased billing. Would they cut me off without notice? I'll wait for comment from VoiceStick and hope it comes soon. | |
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voiplover
Premium
join:2004-05-28
Portsmouth, NH | Re: [VoiceStick] Is VoiceStick now charging for incoming calls o Yes, you are right. Notice would have been the right thing.
My guess is that we will see that soon. I also would not have know if I wasn't reading it here. | |
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| jeffnyc
join:2004-06-09
New York, NY
| said by slow mo :How about numbers within VS network calling each other? I am pretty sure all VS to VS are still free.
Also, not that some of you may consider this significant but I believe incoming calls are being charged at $0.012 not $0.01, a 5 min incoming call costs 6 cents. | |
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navin2004
join:2006-05-14
Rocky Hill, CT
·3 Web
| I just saw my call logs and was suprised to see this.
Sneaky way of doing this without informing.
As it is they don't let you call tollfree numbers of calling card providers and if they are now going to charge incoming calls too, then it's like a cellphone with a wire stuck to your Gimzo.
I now have to pay for stupid incoming telemarketing calls.
I took there service because of this and free in-network calling. My port-in was just completed 2 days back.
I wish voipvoip starts some unlimited calling type plans, as there customer service is way better. I signed up with them and then cancelled after seeing voicestick. | |
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hfrisch
join:2007-02-13
Holmdel, NJ
| Notice would have been good, but they also cut their outbound US rate from $0.02 to $0.012 without notice and they upgraded their servers by sending an e-mail at 3PM saying that the upgrade will take place at 2PM. They don't seem so good on communication - but the service works well and is pretty cost effective for me. | |
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| celtic
join:2001-02-08
USA
| Re: [VoiceStick] Is VoiceStick now charging for incoming calls o said by hfrisch :... They don't seem so good on communication - but the service works well and is pretty cost effective for me. That's good. And we have a choice as to which provider we use. What if this change made it not cost effective and you didn't find out until after you made your choice? | |
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| navin2004
join:2006-05-14
Rocky Hill, CT
·3 Web
| This is from VS Terms of Service....
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
10. CHANGES TO THE AGREEMENT, SERVICES OR PLAN. i2telecom reserves the right to make changes to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Services and/or the Plan ("Change of Service"). In the event of a Change of Service, i2telecom will notify the End User at least ten (10) days in advance of the date on which the Change of Service is to take effect ("Change Date"). Any Change of Service charges will be applied to the End User's account as appropriate, pro rata as calculated from the Change Date. End User can, within ten (10) days of i2telecom's notification, send notice to i2telecom stating that the End User does not accept the Change of Service, and can terminate this Agreement. In such event, End User will be responsible for any sums due hereunder in addition to any applicable disconnection fees. If the End User does not send i2telecom notification of their desire to terminate this Agreement or uses the Services after the Change Date, the End User is deemed to have accepted and consented to the Change of Service. End User may request a Plan change at anytime, a change of service fee, termination fee, and or other terms and conditions may apply.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
They clearly violated there own TOS by not giving a notice.
And if they are going to charge for incoming to makes sure they recover a minimum amount per month from N2N plans, then they should now allow calls to 1-800 numbers of calling cards and not charge airtime for that. It's not fair when they don't have customer support folks to look at why outbound calling to some international destination does not work when calling direcly, while at the same time not letting those folks use a calling card to call that same destination. In my opinion that is restricting full use of what at the end of the day is a "phone line". | |
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hfrisch
join:2007-02-13
Holmdel, NJ
| Then I would have been out part of the $10 or so max balance that the account has (usually less - maybe an average of $5 or $6) - same as what I'll be out if they go under. Even with $0.01 for incoming, their N2N plan still looks like the best deal around for low volume calling. | |
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| dualsub2006
join:2007-07-18
Newport, KY
| Re: [VoiceStick] Is VoiceStick now charging for incoming calls o Everyone in the business is higher that .01 on incoming calls. Skype is still the undisputed leader if you are only calling the US or Canada on outbound rates but they are still higher than .01 a minute for inbound. And hey, haven't been able to log in to Skype much lately so you guys don't have it so bad. | |
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| | | voip_user
join:2006-06-14
Middletown, CT
·VoiceStick
| Re: [VoiceStick] Is VoiceStick now charging for incoming calls o Yes Voicestick's N2N plan is good and they are really ahead of their competition by a mile in terms of overall cost. Now that things have changed and they are billing for incoming calls that margin of cost advantage has reduced
They may very well still be the cheapest but the margin has reduced. With free incoming calls it was very easy to overlook some of their shortcomings (reliability, not able to call certain 800 numbers for conference calls, issues accessing VM, poor customer service etc ..). Now things will be different.
Let me give an example earlier we could make 1200 minutes calls for $15, now it would be 600 outgoing minutes and 600 incoming minutes. There are lot of operators (like VT) who charge about the same (VT has $15 for 500 minute plan) | |
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| voipjunk
join:2004-08-07
Largo, FL
·RoadRunner Cable
| Re: [VoiceStick] Is VoiceStick now charging for incoming calls o Excellent Point, I'm not voiplover but I'm Junk. I'm on next2nothing plan for last 1 year, had outage so many times but couldn't complain because that was the best plan in whole voip market. But if they are changing this then they have to analyze themselves how competitive they are in terms for reliability & customer service and not to start charging customers over night. | |
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| jeffnyc
join:2004-06-09
New York, NY
| said by cbrain :I haven't seen an announcement yet. Why don't we wait until it is official that VoiceStick is billing for incoming before we accept it, or make favorable comparisons to competitors. If I were marketing director and read this thread, I would conclude it was time to charge for incoming whether it was planed or not. The fact is they have started charging. And it no longer states anywhere in their site that incoming calls are free. Any incoming calls you receive, you will now see in your call history with a deduction from your balance. | |
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scow
@verizon.net
| betamax is changing their rates without notice, but they still offers 120days free calls to some countries,VOIP companies,can be running business today ,but can be another SR tomorrow, I won't sign for long term contract to any company.
I got my free 515-xxx-xxxx from freedigits, forward this free number to any number I want (it needs a betamax voip provider), just my 2 cents. | |
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Merconium
join:2002-01-29
Colorado Springs, CO | I just changed to VS two days ago thinking incoming calls were free... grrrr. | |
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| jeffnyc
join:2004-06-09
New York, NY
| Re: [VoiceStick] Is VoiceStick now charging for incoming calls o said by Merconium :I just changed to VS two days ago thinking incoming calls were free... grrrr. did u port? | |
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| | Merconium
join:2002-01-29
Colorado Springs, CO
| Re: [VoiceStick] Is VoiceStick now charging for incoming calls o said by jeffnyc :said by Merconium :I just changed to VS two days ago thinking incoming calls were free... grrrr. did u port? Not yet. I'm gonna see what our usage looks like for a few more days before I decide what to do (which sucks, of course, because our number is still disconnected thanks to SR). | |
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| Quattrohead
join:2005-02-09
·VOIPo
| Re: [VoiceStick] Is VoiceStick now charging for incoming calls o Now this pisses me off, used the i2bridge to call the UK. Got charged for both legs of the call. Oh well, use up my credit and move on.
8/16/2007 7:57:50 PM United Kingdom 441424xxxxxx 34 0.33
8/16/2007 7:57:50 PM INCOMING 1413xxxxxxx 34 0.40 | |
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| | slow mo
join:2002-03-19
USA
| Re: [VoiceStick] Is VoiceStick now charging for incoming calls o said by Quattrohead :Now this pisses me off, used the i2bridge to call the UK. Got charged for both legs of the call. Oh well, use up my credit and move on. 8/16/2007 7:57:50 PM United Kingdom 441424xxxxxx 34 0.33 8/16/2007 7:57:50 PM INCOMING 1413xxxxxxx 34 0.40 Same here to Ireland. i2Bridge was so great and that's why I've had VS for more than a year. It's just not as a good deal to be charged on both legs now.
Well, as you said, use up the money and move on. | |
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| | jeffnyc
join:2004-06-09
New York, NY
1 edit | said by Quattrohead :Now this pisses me off, used the i2bridge to call the UK. Got charged for both legs of the call. Oh well, use up my credit and move on. Yeah, that is messed up. When they first did the upgrade a quirk was that they charged you to check Voicemail. I am hoping this is a quirk of their implementation of incoming call charges.
I all of us reading this forum should email them to complain about being charged for the double leg.... if they get enough complaints maybe they will fix it... and I hardly use i2bridge.
customersupport@support.i2telecom.com
Hmmm, maybe it would have been worth it to take the unlimited $199 plan with the free SR months. Then after it ended you could switch to the N2N plan and ride on the free $50 credit for awhile (I don't make many intl calls) | |
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| | | gimp55
join:2003-08-16
Ironton, OH | Re: [VoiceStick] Is VoiceStick now charging for incoming calls o does the VS 400 USA and Canada $9.99 per month include free incoming calls if so looks like it would be best to upgrade to it as i usally add $10 a month anyway. | |
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| | | | jeffnyc
join:2004-06-09
New York, NY
2 edits | Re: [VoiceStick] Is VoiceStick now charging for incoming calls o said by gimp55 :does the VS 400 USA and Canada $9.99 per month include free incoming calls if so looks like it would be best to upgrade to it as i usally add $10 a month anyway. Good point. The N2N actually worked out to be cheaper than the $9.99 plan. The 9.99 has about a $2 (maybe a little less) 911 fee. To spend $10 or even $12 with the N2N plan thats a lot more minutes. The $9.99 plan would need to include incoming minutes to make it worth it.
I know I didnt answer your question but there is no info on the site. As a matter of fact they still have the 2 cents a minute rate posted for excess minutes over the 400 which I do not think is correct.
Another strange thing is that my friend has an Atlanta number (where they are based) and he has a lot of no charge calls in his call history ??? | |
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| jethro
join:2002-02-01
Jupiter, FL | Re: [VoiceStick] VoiceStick N2N Plan $4.95/mo. If you attempt to order the N2N, it says Free but $4.95 per additional.:
$ FREE Next2Nothing� ($4.95 for Each Additional Account)
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| | voip_user
join:2006-06-14
Middletown, CT
·VoiceStick
| Re: [VoiceStick] VoiceStick N2N Plan $4.95/mo. said by jethro :If you attempt to order the N2N, it says Free but $4.95 per additional.: $ FREE Next2Nothing� ($4.95 for Each Additional Account) That $4.95 is charged only if you have second account. They look for certain fields like address on new account if you have another N2N service on same address they will charge that $4.95 on second line | |
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jeffnyc
join:2004-06-09
New York, NY | I just noticed that even if an incoming call goes to voicemail you are still charged. | |
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brian888
@rr.com | Re: [VoiceStick] Is VoiceStick now charging for incoming calls o Just call my credit card company to get my money back. | |
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PJIV
Premium
join:2004-07-13
Niagara Falls, NY
| I just sent the following...
Since you have changed your terms I want a refund. I tried out your service, and it was okay when incomming calls were free, but for you to change now. Well I have used a total of $0.06 of my initial $10. Since you are now giving away $5.00 in calling on new accounts. I think it fair to forgo the $0.06 and give me my full $10.00 back and cancel my account.
We'll see what happens. I think it sucks, but what can you do. I only was using them as a backup. | |
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See 7 replies to this post |
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jeffnyc
join:2004-06-09
New York, NY | Wonder why my friends has no charge for GA numbers...
Connect Date (GMT): 8/8/2007 9:03:53
Description: USA-Georgia
Number: 1770882xxxx
Minutes: 3
Charge: 0 | |
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cbrain
join:2000-05-21
Silver Spring, MD
·VoicePulse for Bus..
 ·Verizon FIOS
·Comcast
·Future Nine Corpor..
·VoiceStick
| I sent VoiceStick an email to get an official comment and let them know of this thread. So far here is what I get...
------------------
Your message has been enqueued and undeliverable for 1 day
to the following recipients:
Recipient address: customersupport@support.i2telecom.com
Reason: unable to deliver this message after 1 day
Delivery attempt history for your mail:
Sat, 18 Aug 2007 18:59:23 -0500 (CDT)
; initial status response expected
Sat, 18 Aug 2007 10:49:15 -0500 (CDT)
; initial status response expected
Sat, 18 Aug 2007 02:38:58 -0500 (CDT)
; initial status response expected
Fri, 17 Aug 2007 22:28:54 -0500 (CDT)
; initial status response expected
Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:18:15 -0500 (CDT)
; initial status response expected
Fri, 17 Aug 2007 14:08:10 -0500 (CDT)
; initial status response expected
Fri, 17 Aug 2007 11:57:58 -0500 (CDT)
; initial status response expected
Fri, 17 Aug 2007 09:47:40 -0500 (CDT)
; initial status response expected
Fri, 17 Aug 2007 08:37:29 -0500 (CDT)
; initial status response expected
The mail system will continue to try to deliver your message for an additional 3 days.
--------------
Perhaps their mail service started charging for incoming without notice and they didn't have enough on deposit. | |
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See 14 replies to this post |
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Modworks
join:2007-02-16
USA
| The problem with voicestick is that there customer service is awful.
They have downtimes they don't explain.
Rate changes they do without informing the customer.
Hardware settings that change without informing the customer till after the changes are done.
They need to hire some people as full time customer service or they need to close up shop. | |
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mojojojo
join:2007-08-20
Portland, OR
| WoW, I am bummed to read this, and I just checked my account and am being charged for incoming. I signed up with VS after reading much on this forum, finding out my SR was about to go out. Which luckily I was at the end of my 2nd year with SR. So I didn't lose anytime with them and actually got 10 days free service at the end since my account was supposed to expire 7/25...But back to VS and their shady middle of the night rate change, what a shame. I was just telling a friend about how cool it was they had free incoming. Now after my SR number was finally ported to VS, they start charging for incoming with NO NOTICE. Even though its a fair price I will just let my account run out, cause who knows whats next... Unless their customer service improves and they offer some kind of new perk, I don't see them lasting long since a lot of people will jump ship. | |
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