N9MD
Premium
join:2005-10-08
Wayne, NJ
 ·VOIPo
·ViaTalk
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·Callcentric
2 edits | reply to montano
Re: [VoiceStick] Now Charging After Cancellation
Oh well. It was bound to happen --- the same as SunRocket and Teleblend (and a few others) --- having one's credit card charged after cancelling an account.
On Sept 27, 2007 I cancelled four VoiceStick N2N accounts by sending messages via their website contact page. I received four email responses within 24 hours confirming the cancellations. And the access to the My Account areas was quickly blocked -- 11-digit phone VS number and password failed to give me access.
My MasterCard for one of the accounts (since I cleverly used a different credit card for each account) was charged $17.50 in mid November. No charges have appeared for the other accounts.
I've messaged VS asking them to explain the billing error -- notifying them of my intention to initiate a chargeback -- which I will do during the day tomorrow. (Hey, all of my chargebacks for the kaput SunRocket accounts were successful earlier this year.)
- = - = - = - =
Follow-up 12/13/2007: It turns out that I had opened an account with VS in my wife's name (and her credit card on one of my corporate credit card accounts) with a United Kingdom DID -- under the N2N Plan. I never got around to using this account.
Since I never got an email to this account's address regarding the revised charges, I did not get around to cancelling the account.
Within 36 hours of two clarifying emails from me yielding two email responses from a charming CSR at VS, I have been assured that the credit card charges will be reversed as a "gesture of good will."
I remind all of that which I have mentioned so often in the past. The first few contacts should always be low key, non-threatening, and contain factual information (not anger or threats or whining). It works every time! |
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jamesfengcao
join:2004-10-30
San Carlos, CA | reply to hfrisch
Re: [VoiceStick] Now Charging MOnthly FEES :(
Thanks for clarification. Now I understand what virtual numbers are. |
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N9MD
Premium
join:2005-10-08
Wayne, NJ
·VOIPo
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2 edits | reply to jamesfengcao
said by jamesfengcao  :Here are the two places mentioned "virtual number" in TOS: 1. E911 SERVICE IS NOT OFFERED ON VIRTUAL NUMBERS, TOLL-FREE NUMBERS OR SIMILAR SERVICE ACCESSORIES OR ADD-ON PLANS. 2.The Regulatory Recovery Fee will apply to every phone number assigned, including toll free and virtual numbers. Since E911 is offered on their incoming phone number, the virtual number must be outbound only number. Reverse (incorrect) logic!
"E911 SERVICE IS NOT OFFERED ON VIRTUAL NUMBERS, TOLL-FREE NUMBERS OR SIMILAR SERVICE ACCESSORIES OR ADD-ON PLANS" because you do not dial out on these numbers, so there is absolutely no need for E911 accessibility!
Virtual numbers by definition are DID#s (Direct Inbound Dialing numbers) used specifically for your friends, family, colleagues and telemarketers to call your virtual number (that's an inbound call) which is forwarded to your main number.
With rare exceptions (such as the ability at one time to make outbound calls on SunRocket virtual numbers, an error on the part of SunRocket), virtual numbers cannot be used for outbound calling.
What logic are you using when you state: Since E911 is offered on their incoming phone number...?!? E911 is for outbound calls! Any reference by you to their TOS simply reflects a syntactical error committed by VoiceStick. |
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hfrisch
join:2007-02-13
Holmdel, NJ | reply to montano
I think that their virtual number is an "extra" real DID that can be added to an account. If you have multiple DID's, you only pay for E911 once (reasonable, IMHO).
The 333 numbers don't count - at least I have not been charged. |
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jamesfengcao
join:2004-10-30
San Carlos, CA
| reply to trafael1
Here are the two places mentioned "virtual number" in TOS:
1. E911 SERVICE IS NOT OFFERED ON VIRTUAL NUMBERS, TOLL-FREE NUMBERS OR SIMILAR SERVICE ACCESSORIES OR ADD-ON PLANS.
2.The Regulatory Recovery Fee will apply to every phone number assigned, including toll free and virtual numbers.
Since E911 is offered on their incoming phone number, the virtual number must be outbound only number. |
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trafael1
join:2002-11-30
White Plains, NY
1 edit | reply to N9MD
I guess it's false alarm after all regarding outgoing only plans.
Their CS just replied 10 minutes ago to my email with the following: "Your plan is Outbound only and it does not have any fees. |
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N9MD
Premium
join:2005-10-08
Wayne, NJ
·VOIPo
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| reply to trafael1
Although I didn't bother to read the referenced VoiceStick TOS, trafael1, I can state that a virtual number by definition is an incoming number (not outgoing). It is designed to provide callers in a nearby or distant geographic location with a "virtual" number local to them. This allows your callers to dial the virtual number without incurring tolls -- and the call comes in on your main number. |
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jamesfengcao
join:2004-10-30
San Carlos, CA | reply to celtic
After I use up the remain balance, I will say byebye to voicestick and thank them for their service in past year.
It is quite good but not attractive anymore. |
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stufried
Premium
join:2003-10-13 | reply to montano
What does Voicestick do if you are outside the US? E.g. do they charge E911 if you sign an out of the US statement? |
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celtic
join:2001-02-08
USA | reply to trafael1
Are they charging monthly fees for outbound only accounts now? |
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trafael1
join:2002-11-30
White Plains, NY
·VoiceStick
 ·Verizon FIOS
·BroadVoice
 ·Optimum Online
| reply to jeffnyc
The language is quite convoluted but I think that virtual numbers means outgoing numbers...
See their new TOS: »www.voicestick.com/Information/T···ice.aspx |
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jeffnyc
join:2004-06-09
New York, NY
| reply to montano
It does not show it. But it does deduct it within a few days after your billing date. The only way you can tell is by the lower balance.
I'm confused though... is this $1.50 for outbound only accounts? N2N are still around $4 a month in fees? |
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mlrtime
join:2004-03-25
New York, NY | reply to montano
Where in the account menu does it show the monthly fee being taken out?
Call history doesn't show it. |
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mazilo
From Mazilo
Premium
join:2002-05-30
Lilburn, GA | reply to jeffnyc
Looks like VS is going down hill sooner than I predicted.  |
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jeffnyc
join:2004-06-09
New York, NY | reply to trafael1
What do you mean by "virtual numbers" with voicestick ?
Did the terms of regular N2N plans change? Other than charging $4.25 in fees per month? |
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trafael1
join:2002-11-30
White Plains, NY
4 edits | reply to jeffnyc
Email sent tonight by VS changed TOS again!
It seems that they now charge (virtual numbers) a new monthly fee ($1.50).
There is also a E911 fee as well.
Yuck! |
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jeffnyc
join:2004-06-09
New York, NY | reply to montano
Thanks for the response but I am curious if people that have not gave back their number have not been charged, |
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hfrisch
join:2007-02-13
Holmdel, NJ | reply to jeffnyc
I have not been charged at all, but I gave back my PSTN number and got a 333 area code number. On the other hand, with the new rates, I have not been using so much anyway - just backup, no longer primary. |
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jeffnyc
join:2004-06-09
New York, NY | reply to montano
Anyone not charged the $4.50 on the monthly billing date? |
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jeffnyc
join:2004-06-09
New York, NY
| reply to montano
So its almost 25 days since my VS to OS port request and nothing! On Tuesday I get billed another $4.50 by VS on my current $5.50 bnlance so I may be stuck adding more funds.
Is it possible to add $5 or is $10 the minimum. Wondering if the amount could be lowered in paypal. |
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