[VoiceStick] Now Charging MOnthly FEES :(

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montano

join:2001-04-29
Central Cali

·VOIPo

[VoiceStick] Now Charging MOnthly FEES :(

Dear Valued VoiceStick Customer,

In order to comply with government regulations and industry trends, it has become necessary that we discontinue our policy of waiving regulatory fees and taxes.

Starting October 1, 2007 ALL VoiceStick customers with a valid telephone number and an active account will be subject to the following fees:

Telephone Number (monthly recurring fee) $1.50
E-911 Regulatory Recovery (monthly recurring fee) $1.00
Universal Service Fund (monthly recurring fee) $1.25
To avoid service interruption all customers must have a valid credit card on file to cover these new charges.

If you would to convert your existing account to an i2Outbound Only calling plan Send a Request to Customer Service. To ensure the quickest possible response to your request please select Plan Conversion from the Department dropdown list.

permalink · 2007-09-26 17:53:54 · Print ·

cbrain join:2000-05-21 Silver Spring, MD ·VoicePulse for Bus.. ·Verizon FIOS ·Comcast ·Future Nine Corpor.. ·VoiceStick ·Packet8	Re: [VoiceStick] Now Charging MOnthly FEES :( Isn't that interesting. They shut off access to my account without notice, attempt extort an agreement that I will pay anything they charge my card, then raise prices with little notice. Nice! » [VoiceStick]Anyone else asked for account verification?
	permalink · 2007-09-26 18:12:06 ·

hwittenb join:2003-12-20	I got the email also. So that's $3.75 a month for a DID. Does anyone know if others charge these hidden fees?
	permalink · 2007-09-26 18:23:58 ·

slow mo join:2002-03-19 USA 1 edit	Re: [VoiceStick] Now Charging MOnthly FEES :( There is no "plan conversion" in dropdown list of "Department." Now what? EDIT: They just added "Plan Conversion" in the dropdown list.
	permalink · 2007-09-26 18:40:52 ·

RockyBB Premium join:2005-01-31 Longmont, CO	said by montano : it has become necessary that we discontinue our policy of waiving regulatory fees and taxes. Imagine that -- another VOIP provider trying to stay in business. Such greedy corporate thieves! -- "Teleblend has an agreement with the Assignee to solicit and support former SunRocket customers."
	permalink · 2007-09-26 20:21:26 ·

montano join:2001-04-29 Central Cali	Re: [VoiceStick] Now Charging MOnthly FEES :( Like my father always said, 'they should have thought of that before'. Last I checked, their webpage is still offering the N2N plan with absolutely no mention of these added fees. Deceitful ? Or just trying to stay in business ?
	permalink · 2007-09-26 20:40:45 ·

montano

join:2001-04-29
Central Cali

·VOIPo

Captured about 1 minute ago from Voicestick dot com. I see a mention of NO MONTHLY FEE......

Talk to me Rocky

permalink · 2007-09-26 20:43:51 · Print ·

mthornto88

@comcast.net

Re: [VoiceStick] Now Charging MOnthly FEES :(

Actually, I thought the same thing but if you click the link it asks you if you want a phone number for inbound calling. Then the fees are displayed at that point. So technically you can get the N2N plan for outbound calling free.

See below..

Will you Be Receiving Inbound Calls?
Choose the Inbound Calling Option to select from THOUSANDS of Telephone Numbers in HUNDREDS of Cities across the US and UK. US Customers who select Inbound Calling are subject to Emergency 911 service and regulatory recovery fees.

Don't Like to Pay Extra for Services that you'll never use?
Hey we hear you, neither do we, that's why we now offer the i2Telecom no frills, Outbound Calling Service.
Select this option for our CHEAPEST way to enjoy World Wide Outbound calling.

This Account will be used for Both Inbound and Outbound Calling
This Account will be used for Outbound Calls ONLY

permalink · 2007-09-26 21:00:19 · Print ·

cbrain

join:2000-05-21
Silver Spring, MD

·VoicePulse for Bus..

·Verizon FIOS

·Comcast

·Future Nine Corpor..

·VoiceStick

·Packet8

Re: [VoiceStick] Now Charging MOnthly FEES :(

said by mthornto88 :

...
Don't Like to Pay Extra for Services that you'll never use?
Hey we hear you, neither do we, that's why we now offer the i2Telecom no frills, Outbound Calling Service.
Select this option for our CHEAPEST way to enjoy World Wide Outbound calling.
...

The words sound good but the problem is I no longer trust VoiceStick. This is the second time in 45 days you made a major change with no or inadequate notice. You can set your prices any way you want and I can choose to buy or go elsewhere. Once I make a decision I expect reasonable notice of change. I discovered your starting to charge for incoming after the fact and not from VoiceStick. This was in violation of VoiceStick terms. Today is the 26th. Two business days before the change takes effect and I have not received notice from VoiceStick. Is that reasonable? How many alternative providers could get service up in that period? If I needed these services and was willing to pay the price, I would still have an issue with paying anyone doing business this way.

If what I read here is true, I would like to terminate all but the outgoing until I deplete my funds. At that time I can decide whether to buy more, but without an open ended, I accept whatever you bill my card ultimatum. I would agree to your charging the last call if it went over or to your cutting the call. If you prefer, kill my service and refund my balance.

How do I get this done before your deadline?

Thanks

permalink · 2007-09-26 22:21:54 · Print ·

montano

join:2001-04-29
Central Cali

·VOIPo

From the N2N description page: 'FREE'.... 'get your own number'.....

permalink · 2007-09-26 21:03:18 ·

RockyBB
Premium
join:2005-01-31
Longmont, CO

Re: [VoiceStick] Now Charging MOnthly FEES :(

montano, I can't believe that you have fallen for this crap trap! do you complain at the grocery store when the price on the shelf is not the price at the checkout? Do you complain at the car dealer when the price in the newspaper is not the price on the bill of sale? Do you complain at Best Buy when the price on the CD is not the price at the cash register?

Taxes have been around since the 1700s.

Get used to it!
--
"Teleblend has an agreement with the Assignee to solicit and support former SunRocket customers."

permalink · 2007-09-26 21:18:06 · Print ·

montano

join:2001-04-29
Central Cali

·VOIPo

Re: [VoiceStick] Now Charging MOnthly FEES :(

said by RockyBB

:

montano, I can't believe that you have fallen for this crap trap! do you complain at the grocery store when the price on the shelf is not the price at the checkout? Do you complain at the car dealer when the price in the newspaper is not the price on the bill of sale? Do you complain at Best Buy when the price on the CD is not the price at the cash register?

Taxes have been around since the 1700s.

Get used to it!

I know before hand that I will be paying taxes when I go to the grocery store/car dealer/Best Buy. They don't have a big sign on the window that says 'FREE', and then charge me once I get in the store.

permalink · 2007-09-26 22:03:20 · Print ·

voiplover
Premium
join:2004-05-28
Portsmouth, NH

·callwithus

·Axvoice

2 edits

Re: [VoiceStick] Now Charging MOnthly FEES :(

How dare they. Me and many of my buds have been enjoying private phone lines hidden from our better halves at a cost of around $2 to $3 a month and now they want to charge a monthly fee to have an inbound DID. Where's a $500/hr lawyer when you need one.
Let's drag them out of the basement and hang them on the yard arm!

Ok. so they have been giving us good quality for next to nothing and the tax man finds a way to take it away.
Thanks Voicestick.
I'll keep the service.

permalink · 2007-09-26 22:17:29 · Print ·

RockyBB Premium join:2005-01-31 Longmont, CO	said by montano : I know before hand that I will be paying taxes now you know. now everyone knows. taxes apply to telecom. if you're not being taxed, then your carrier is eating it; when they are deciding between continuing to eat the taxes and continuing to eat, you will start to pay the taxes. -- "Teleblend has an agreement with the Assignee to solicit and support former SunRocket customers."
	permalink · 2007-09-26 22:29:22 · Print ·

voiplover Premium join:2004-05-28 Portsmouth, NH	Re: [VoiceStick] Now Charging MOnthly FEES :( It sucks the way that works sometimes.
	permalink · 2007-09-26 22:45:28 ·

jeffnyc

join:2004-06-09
New York, NY

said by RockyBB

said by montano

:

I know before hand that I will be paying taxes

now you know. now everyone knows. taxes apply to telecom. if you're not being taxed, then your carrier is eating it; when they are deciding between continuing to eat the taxes and continuing to eat, you will start to pay the taxes.

I disagree. Are all these fees really going to the govt? Maybe eventually they will but I dont think now.

I also agree with montano. If I chose to purchase something from say Amazon over BestBuy, one of the reason is the price difference from taxes. Voicestick N2N plan was a great deal, now they are charging for everything, incoming calls, calling voicemail, checking voicemail, double billing i2bridge calls etc. And a lot of their issues have not been resolved -i.e. some people still cannot access voicemail prompts from outside lines by pressing asterisk (issue for over 2 months)/

Voicestick has a right to make money but there service, reliability and policies have really degraded over the past 2 months making them less attractive than many (not all) of their voip competitors.

permalink · 2007-09-26 23:14:24 · Print ·

artisticcheese join:2004-11-09 Carrollton, TX	Does this apply to prepaid annual plan customers if anybody knows?
	permalink · 2007-09-26 21:37:47 ·

KSUJace Golden Flash join:2001-12-01 Chicago, IL	Re: [VoiceStick] Now Charging MOnthly FEES :( Yes, if you have annual plan you will begin getting assessed the monthly fees, which is why they request you have a valid credit card on file with them.
	permalink · 2007-09-26 21:51:56 ·

KSUJace Golden Flash join:2001-12-01 Chicago, IL ·Comcast ·Sprint Mobile Broa..	This really does suck, I use the "Next 2 Nothing" plan as line to use when I work from home for long teleconferences to save the cell minutes. I guess 3.75/month is still cheaper than paying the ILEC $12+ for a voice line w/ no included long distance.
	permalink · 2007-09-26 21:54:29 ·

Notzero

@knology.net

I agree that another change in service plan without sufficient warning in the last two months is annoying. While I think it's great that we as customers are finding this out before it's even posted on their website, I think they should spend a little more time on things like the website (which many of us will go to for more information) and customer notification emails.
I really wouldn't be surprised to wake up one morning and find that VoiceStick and all three of their employees have gone fishing for good.
I like the prices VoiceStick has on international rates and I like paying for service as I use it. I want VoiceStick to "stick" around and I understand them needing to be profitable. I don't mind the charges so much as I despise the lack of confidence it instills in me about the company.

permalink · 2007-09-26 23:15:18 · Print ·

MeTarzan join:2001-05-20 Fort Lauderdale, FL	How do you make calls with the outbound ONLY service? ATA? Softfone? i2bridge? asterisk? do they allow this?
	permalink · 2007-09-26 23:15:34 ·

Guy Waters join:2001-12-04 San Francisco, CA	Just requested my account be cancelled along with the rest of my family. If I have to pay $3.75 in monthly fees plus 1¢ per minute for INCOMING calls I'll find another provider.
	permalink · 2007-09-26 23:27:18 ·

jeffnyc join:2004-06-09 New York, NY 1 edit	Re: [VoiceStick] Now Charging MOnthly FEES :( And now the biggest question of all - will it be possible to port a number one ported into Voicestick out???
	permalink · 2007-09-26 23:58:40 ·

cbrain join:2000-05-21 Silver Spring, MD	Re: [VoiceStick] Now Charging MOnthly FEES :( What is the best way to get a responsive answer from Voicestick? Anyone have a direct number, name or email?
	permalink · 2007-09-27 10:32:02 ·

Zombie999

join:2004-05-04
Toronto, ON

They are crooks! I sent an email for plan conversion. Here's the reply:
-----------------------------------------------
If you want to convert follow the process below

Converting to Outbound only calling.

The easiest way to do the conversion is as follows:

1. Signup for a new Plan/account.
2. During the selection click the button for “this account will be used
for Outbound Call Only”
3. This will give you a 333-xxx-xxxx number
4. Complete the signup process.
5. Go to »www.voicestick.com/Support/Contact.aspx and open a new
Trouble Report.
6. Insure you put in new VoiceStick# you get in activation e-mail and in
comments put in Old VoiceStick# along with comments to close your old
number and transfer balance from old account to the new account at no
additional cost.
Please allow at least 24 hours for this process to be completed after TR
is sent to us.
--------------------------------------
So they want you to open a NEW account, ADD funds then email them AGAIN to transfer FUNDS! Wow...such a sleazy company!

permalink · 2007-09-27 11:59:50 · Print ·

celtic

join:2001-02-08
USA

Re: [VoiceStick] Now Charging MOnthly FEES :(

said by Zombie999

:

...
If you want to convert follow the process below

Converting to Outbound only calling.

The easiest way to do the conversion is as follows:

1. Signup for a new Plan/account.
2. During the selection click the button for “this account will be used
for Outbound Call Only”
3. This will give you a 333-xxx-xxxx number
4. Complete the signup process.
5. Go to »www.voicestick.com/Support/Contact.aspx and open a new
Trouble Report.
6. Insure you put in new VoiceStick# you get in activation e-mail and in
comments put in Old VoiceStick# along with comments to close your old
number and transfer balance from old account to the new account at no
additional cost.
Please allow at least 24 hours for this process to be completed after TR
is sent to us.
--------------------------------------
So they want you to open a NEW account, ADD funds then email them AGAIN to transfer FUNDS! Wow...such a sleazy company!

Which just confirms the perception this is a desperation move.

VoiceStick seems to be saying ... we have your money and your credit card number. We now need a minimum new deposit of $10 to $25 for you to enjoy the privilege of keeping the funds you previously advanced us. Our plans have changed without notice and in violation of our own terms so your previously deposited funds will go to satisfy our new pricing if you don't advance us more money. We simply have no way to administratively handle your advance without getting more of your money. We promise not to do this again until the next time.

permalink · 2007-09-27 12:18:13 · Print ·

cbrain

join:2000-05-21
Silver Spring, MD

·VoicePulse for Bus..

·Verizon FIOS

·Comcast

·Future Nine Corpor..

·VoiceStick

·Packet8

said by Zombie999

:

They are crooks! I sent an email for plan conversion. Here's the reply:
-----------------------------------------------
If you want to convert follow the process below

Converting to Outbound only calling.

The easiest way to do the conversion is as follows:

1. Signup for a new Plan/account.
2. During the selection click the button for “this account will be used
for Outbound Call Only”
3. This will give you a 333-xxx-xxxx number
4. Complete the signup process.
5. Go to »www.voicestick.com/Support/Contact.aspx and open a new
Trouble Report.
6. Insure you put in new VoiceStick# you get in activation e-mail and in
comments put in Old VoiceStick# along with comments to close your old
number and transfer balance from old account to the new account at no
additional cost.
Please allow at least 24 hours for this process to be completed after TR
is sent to us.
--------------------------------------
So they want you to open a NEW account, ADD funds then email them AGAIN to transfer FUNDS! Wow...such a sleazy company!

How did you get them to answer? I only get auto responses.

Is Lisa Hook working for VoiceStick now?

permalink · 2007-09-27 12:52:35 · Print ·

Zombie999 join:2004-05-04 Toronto, ON	Re: [VoiceStick] Now Charging MOnthly FEES :( said by cbrain : How did you get them to answer? I only get auto responses. Is Lisa Hook working for VoiceStick now? I opened a trouble ticket. However it may have been just an automated response, telling me how to change my plan.
	permalink · 2007-09-27 19:57:59 ·

dot_null Premium join:2004-06-28 Kennesaw, GA	I just requested that they directly convert my account to outbound only because I didn't want to add more credit in the process of establishing a new account. I'll see what they reply with.
	permalink · 2007-09-27 12:53:32 ·

Zombie999 join:2004-05-04 Toronto, ON	Re: [VoiceStick] Now Charging MOnthly FEES :( said by dot_null : I just requested that they directly convert my account to outbound only because I didn't want to add more credit in the process of establishing a new account. I'll see what they reply with. I did that and still no response. Voicestick is down for me anyway.
	permalink · 2007-09-27 20:00:10 ·

celtic join:2001-02-08 USA	Re: [VoiceStick] Now Charging MOnthly FEES :( said by Zombie999 : I did that and still no response. Voicestick is down for me anyway. Funny ... I'm down too, but instead of being angry, I'm relieved. I got notice Voicestick switched my account to outbound only. At least I won't need to fight to change service or fight future credit card charges. I hope they fix it but if they don't, forget it.
	permalink · 2007-09-27 20:45:37 · Print ·

teledatatech Premium join:2001-11-23 Bucyrus, OH clubs:	Re: [VoiceStick] Now Charging MOnthly FEES :( Seems to be working fine here
	permalink · 2007-09-27 20:48:17 ·

montano join:2001-04-29 Central Cali	Just got confirmation that account will be cancelled
	permalink · 2007-09-27 13:17:16 ·

See 9 replies to this post

zackwheat

join:2006-05-03
Blue Springs, MO

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.

permalink · 2007-09-27 13:17:52 · Print ·

RockyBB
Premium
join:2005-01-31
Longmont, CO

you guys with the 42¢ and the $8.63 might be the real reason for the new charges. when providers go to the capital markets, one question they're asked is how many subscribers. Another question they're asked is revenue per subscriber. These $3 fees are large percentages of low volume accounts, and insignificant for large volume accounts, so perhaps they are imposing those fees as a way to scare off the low volume customer, thus increasing their average revenue per subscriber. my guess is that at some point soon, they will change the structure of their next to nothing plan to either increase the initial funding requirement, or increase the incremental minimum funding amount, or make it a temporary trial account, or do away with the plan altogether...all with the goal of increasing the "quality" of their subscriber base to make the company more attractive to the money boyz.
--
"Teleblend has an agreement with the Assignee to solicit and support former SunRocket customers."

permalink · 2007-09-27 14:59:18 · Print ·

See 6 replies to this post

dot_null
Premium
join:2004-06-28
Kennesaw, GA

·Callcentric

·Comcast

·VoiceStick

·AT&T Southeast

3 edits

Well, they converted my account to outbound only and gave me a 333xxxxxxx number. Suits me, I rarely used the incoming DID anyway. I'll maintain the account as long as they don't add any junk fees to the outbound only account. I can roughly replicate the functionality of an incoming account with an IPKall DID + a local GrandCentral number....

Subject:   	You have successfully changed your plan (xxxxxxxxxx).
From:   	CustomerCare@i2Telecom.com

Dear dot_null

As per your request, your VoiceStick plan has been changed. Your new Account Login
ID is 1333xxxxxxx

Always feel free to contact us at customercare@i2telecom.com.

Sincerely,
The VoiceStick Team|Customer Care

permalink · 2007-09-27 17:58:36 · Print ·

cbrain

join:2000-05-21
Silver Spring, MD

·VoicePulse for Bus..

·Verizon FIOS

·Comcast

·Future Nine Corpor..

·VoiceStick

·Packet8

I just got a similar email assigning me a new 1333 number. I can now login to the My Account page. Either number lets me register with i2telecom.com with the same old password. My incoming number is dead. Good so far. Neither login allows me to make outbound calls. I returned their email with the status but won't worry about outbound until next week ... after they've taken care of all other problems.

Many thanks to VoiceStick.

permalink · 2007-09-27 18:22:23 ·

zackwheat join:2006-05-03 Blue Springs, MO	I sometimes see ads with rates better than yours. Why? Most low-cost long distance providers have hidden charges in their rate plans, which make their rates deceptive. There are no hidden or extra fees in our plans. Well, at least not until October 1st.
	permalink · 2007-09-28 01:58:28 ·

celtic join:2001-02-08 USA	What surprise will VoiceStick have for us next month? »[VoiceStick] Is VoiceStick now charging for incoming calls on N2
	permalink · 2007-09-28 08:33:26 ·

cbrain

join:2000-05-21
Silver Spring, MD

·VoicePulse for Bus..

·Verizon FIOS

·Comcast

·Future Nine Corpor..

·VoiceStick

·Packet8

1 edit

Could someone call my new number from the VoiceStick network or PM me your number so I can make a test call.

VoiceStick #=13331231825

Voicestick wants to - "Please send me the last four digits of your GRANDSTREAM's mac address.

We can remotely reconfigure it."

I'd already told them I'm registered. I'd like to let them know where the problem is before I try to explain I don't have a GRANDSTREAM.

Thanks

PS: The name is - Harper Evans, Voicestick CustomerCare
Could someone explain who this is and how they are famous?

permalink · 2007-09-28 13:06:17 · Print ·

artisticcheese join:2004-11-09 Carrollton, TX	Re: [VoiceStick] Now Charging MOnthly FEES :( They are famous becouse it appears that company consists of 3 people and he is one of them.
	permalink · 2007-09-28 14:44:36 ·

slow mo join:2002-03-19 USA	Re: [VoiceStick] Now Charging MOnthly FEES :( said by artisticcheese : They are famous becouse it appears that company consists of 3 people and he is one of them. I got Jim Rose. Who is the 3rd one?
	permalink · 2007-09-28 15:57:03 ·

teledatatech Premium join:2001-11-23 Bucyrus, OH clubs: ·Embarq ·HughesNet Satellit.. ·Sprint Mobile Broa..	Re: [VoiceStick] Now Charging MOnthly FEES :( said by slow mo : said by artisticcheese : They are famous becouse it appears that company consists of 3 people and he is one of them. I got Jim Rose. Who is the 3rd one? Mark Baker
	permalink · 2007-09-28 16:00:28 · Print ·

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