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Forums » VOIP etc » Voice Over IP - VOIP » Vonage » Vonage price increase
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lacibaci

join:2000-04-10
Export, PA
·Windstream
·Vonage

Vonage price increase

Just got a "Vonagegram" in mail today. Seems like Vonage is another company that tries to hide price increases in different "fees":

"The Emergency 911 Cost Recovery will become the Emergency 911 Service Fee...

The Regulatory Recovery Fee will become the Regulatory and Compliance Fee...

These fees will each increase from $0.99 to $1.49, effective July 15, 2009."

Lac
garys_2k

join:2004-05-07
Farmington, MI

Re: Vonage price increase

Ouch! This right after the increase in the 500 minute/month plan. I wonder how many subscribers will decide that this increase is the last one. There ARE alternatives out there...

andunn

join:2001-09-06
Linn Creek, MO

Re: Vonage price increase

My bill went up again! It is time to switch.
garys_2k

join:2004-05-07
Farmington, MI
·Future Nine Corpor..
·Vonage

Re: Vonage price increase

said by andunn See Profile :

My bill went up again! It is time to switch.
Like I said, there a LOT of alternatives. I've had no regrets after my switch out, I now have two providers (prime and backup) in Future-Nine and Callcentric. F9 is my prime, with my ported number and Callcentric is my outbound-only backup.
mddg99

join:2009-06-26
Saint Augustine, FL

Was planning to port out by SEP, when my 500 rate increase deferment ended, so today's email prompted me to look, again, and take action; signed with VOIPo this evening; $18 unlimited, no activation fee till 6/29, free shipping; $18 that's it to get up and running; second choice is CallCentric if VOIPo doesn't work out
MotoVT
Vonage User Since Jan 2004

join:2002-12-03
Butler, PA
gary when did the 500/minute go up?
garys_2k

join:2004-05-07
Farmington, MI
·Future Nine Corpor..
·Vonage

Re: Vonage price increase

said by MotoVT See Profile :

gary when did the 500/minute go up?
It went up at the end of February. They did give 90 days notice, a very classy thing to do IMHO, but that was too much to pay (when fees, taxes, etc are piled on) for a service I really don't use that much. I started looking and checking out the options, even put a spreadsheet together for various providers at different usage levels.
MotoVT
Vonage User Since Jan 2004

join:2002-12-03
Butler, PA

Re: Vonage price increase

I'll probably stick it out for a while longer. To be honest, I havebeen quite happy with the service and price.....for now. But as I said, if nickels turn to dollars, then I'm gone. Actually, I could, were it not for calls to Europe, get by with my mobile.
MotoVT
Vonage User Since Jan 2004

join:2002-12-03
Butler, PA
gary when did the plan go up.

aaronfitz
Premium
join:2004-03-06
Cedar Rapids, IA

said by garys_2k See Profile :

Ouch! This right after the increase in the 500 minute/month plan. I wonder how many subscribers will decide that this increase is the last one. There ARE alternatives out there...
Yeah, I feel your pain

I'm assuming there's a clause in the Vonage contract that we can cancel without penalty within a certain time of the notification? How does one exercise that while still porting his number out?

I can get a line from Qwest for almost as cheap as my 500 minute Vonage line, now. On top of that just being silly, I just saw a Vonage commercial the other day that they've never raised the price of their unlimited service. I bet they'll still be running that once these new fees kick in. Immoral.
travelguy

join:1999-09-03
Santa Fe, NM

Re: Vonage price increase

said by aaronfitz See Profile :

I can get a line from Qwest for almost as cheap as my 500 minute Vonage line, now.
You may be able to get dial tone from Qwest for less than $20, but that doesn't include fees/taxes and would only cover local calls.

John_W
Premium
join:2000-04-25
Worcester, MA
clubs:
·Vonage

said by garys_2k See Profile :

Ouch! This right after the increase in the 500 minute/month plan. I wonder how many subscribers will decide that this increase is the last one. There ARE alternatives out there...
I'm on the fence right now. My 500 minute plan has gone from $14.99 ($16.94 w/ fees), to close to $23.31 now. And that doesn't include this new increase. It is starting to get a little pricey when compared to other VOIP plans.
--
Team Discovery--BBR Team Helix--Cuz I Care!!
JJV
Premium
join:2001-04-25
Seattle, WA
clubs:

Re: Vonage price increase

I would like to find a cheap service to forward my vonage number to google voice.
I really only have my vonage plan to keep my number alive.
garys_2k

join:2004-05-07
Farmington, MI
·Future Nine Corpor..
·Vonage

Re: Vonage price increase

said by JJV See Profile :

I would like to find a cheap service to forward my vonage number to google voice.
I really only have my vonage plan to keep my number alive.
Here's a thread that can give you inexpensive porting options: »[General] VoIP providers with LNP Support
Mediocrates

join:2008-05-27
Raleigh, NC
To say nothing of the fact that the state, my state, at any rate considers phone service to be their personal ATM and they jack the taxes and fees whenever they like.
westdc

join:2009-01-25
Amissville, VA

Re: Vonage price increase

said by Mediocrates See Profile :

To say nothing of the fact that the state, my state, at any rate considers phone service to be their personal ATM and they jack the taxes and fees whenever they like.
That's right the democrats are passing the saving on to you, in many new ways--

lacibaci

join:2000-04-10
Export, PA
·Windstream
·Vonage

Re: Vonage price increase

said by westdc See Profile :

said by Mediocrates See Profile :

To say nothing of the fact that the state, my state, at any rate considers phone service to be their personal ATM and they jack the taxes and fees whenever they like.
That's right the democrats are passing the saving on to you, in many new ways--
I don't think this new price increase has anything to do with government fees or taxes.

Lac

almahix
Allegro ma non troppo

join:1999-10-18
Camarillo, CA
·Verizon FIOS

said by westdc See Profile :

said by Mediocrates See Profile :

To say nothing of the fact that the state, my state, at any rate considers phone service to be their personal ATM and they jack the taxes and fees whenever they like.
That's right the democrats are passing the saving on to you, in many new ways--
Sore loser?
MotoVT
Vonage User Since Jan 2004

join:2002-12-03
Butler, PA


1 edit
While I'm not too keen on the fee increases,it is still way cheaper than a Sprint land line and at this stage, I am not too gung ho on experimenting with another VOIP provider. My setup has been stable for a long long time and I know the nuances that surface from time to time.
Still, if the nickels and dimes turn to dollars, then it will be time to vote with my feet and practice the cornerstone of free market capitalism............choice!
--
Uniden TRU8885 5.8 ghz phone
Recruiting people to give up POTS and switch to VOIP
Netgear WGT624 Wireless router
travelguy

join:1999-09-03
Santa Fe, NM
What they've done by changing the name is disconnected the charges from their cost. In effect, an increase of $1/month without having to advertise it.
axishift

join:2009-04-28
Washington, DC
I already canceled my Vonage service last night. Then I received the price increase email after.

Good thing, I did cancelled.
Mediocrates

join:2008-05-27
Raleigh, NC
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·Vonage
·AT&T CallVantage

I think you're all fighting a withdrawal. If it isn't clear by now, the new baseline is about $30/month and climbing. And like I said, states need money, people need phones. Tax tax tax Fee Fee Fee.

When it hits about $38/month, and it will, I will seriously consider going back to BellSouth for a regular old wireline phone and a long distance plan or something like that. I mean who needs the headache of VoIP when it costs the same as POTS?

lacibaci

join:2000-04-10
Export, PA
·Windstream
·Vonage

Re: Vonage price increase

said by Mediocrates See Profile :

I think you're all fighting a withdrawal. If it isn't clear by now, the new baseline is about $30/month and climbing. And like I said, states need money, people need phones. Tax tax tax Fee Fee Fee.

When it hits about $38/month, and it will, I will seriously consider going back to BellSouth for a regular old wireline phone and a long distance plan or something like that. I mean who needs the headache of VoIP when it costs the same as POTS?
Exactly what I'm thinking. For now I will keep Vonage mainly because of Intl. calls...

Lac
garys_2k

join:2004-05-07
Farmington, MI
·Future Nine Corpor..
·Vonage

said by Mediocrates See Profile :

I mean who needs the headache of VoIP when it costs the same as POTS?
Like I said, there are alternatives that aren't doing all this. Maybe because they're smaller, or maybe just because they aren't advertising and are flying under the radar, but alternatives do exist.

I went from over $24/month for my 500 minute/month plan (after price increase) to about half that. I still get E911 and reliable service.

I guess I'll throw in the towel on VoIP entirely if/when all the providers are forced to jack their customers around. So far, though, that's not happening.

JEKking

@comcast.net

Re: Vonage price increase

My recent bill(July 2) has gone from $23.78 to $26.70 per month for the 500 minutes a month plan here in Philadelphia.

I like my service and call quality but every few months my bill goes up quite a bit(more than a couple cents) and it's getting out of hand IMO.

Not sure what I might do to reduce my costs for phone service but they are only increasing my need to do something else.
PX Eliezer
Premium
join:2008-08-09
New Jersey
·Callcentric
·Optimum Voice
·callwithus
·voip.ms

said by Mediocrates See Profile :

I mean who needs the headache of VoIP when it costs the same as POTS?
You are right, but there is LOTS more to Voip than Vonage or ATT/CV or cable phone service!! Those were the 3 most expensive ways to do it, so they are not good examples.

------------------------------------------

Some alternate examples that are FAR less than POTS plans especially considering special features:

VoicePulse Local+200 plan.

Future/Nine various plans.

CallCentric "Personal Unlimited" incoming with PAYG outgoing plan.

PhonePower plans.

VOIPo.

and so forth.

-----------------------------

And with a good outfit like CallCentric, no headaches either.

----------------------------

BTW, I could get a decent FutureNine phone plan for what Verizon POTS charges JUST FOR CALLER ID!
mddg99

join:2009-06-26
Saint Augustine, FL
check out VOIPo; offering $18/mth unlimited (in reality bout 4000 min); no activation fee till 6/29; free shipping; no equipment charge;

captainlynne

join:2000-03-07
Miami, FL
·Comcast

I switched from the 500 minute plan to the 100 minute plan a few months ago. I still get unlimited incoming calls. Guess they must have had too many people do that so their last price increase didn't give them enough extra money. By raising "fees" across the board customers can't just avoid the increase by dumping to a cheaper plan.

I sure like the idea of porting my number over to google voice. I'll do that before dropping it totally and using my cell phone only.
garys_2k

join:2004-05-07
Farmington, MI

Re: Vonage price increase

Rumors do seem to be running that GV will soon support porting in. That would be a plus, especially if they also opened up SIP access beyond Gizmo5.

andunn

join:2001-09-06
Linn Creek, MO

Re: Vonage price increase

So the 100 minute plan includes unlimited incoming calls? Does Vonage to Vonage take away from your 100 minutes or is that still free?
garys_2k

join:2004-05-07
Farmington, MI

Re: Vonage price increase

Yes, AFAIK Vonage's 100 minute plan includes unlimited incoming minutes.
ednj

join:2001-03-09
Hillsborough, NJ
·Comcast
·Patriot Media

I dropped Vonage in May in favor of Comcast Tripple Play. I am saving about $9.00 month total (Digital Cable, HSI, DV incl. tax) and getting the convenience of dealing with only one vendor. In addition, Comcast DV offers a battery back-up of up to four hours so I have phone service in the event of a power failure. Call quality is very good, as well.

trgarri

@rr.com

I was just as appalled when I received the advisory in the mail from Vonage. They change the name or the "fees and taxes" and try to sell you into believing that the increases are due to added service. But when you look back at the service provided under the "old name" it is the very same service you were getting before. It is all tricks in marketing!!! An easy way to increase fees. Each month I have been noticing that my bill goes up by a couple of cents and now I can expect it to go up by approx. $2 for unlimited. I will be switching as soon as my early cancellation is reduced from $115 to $40 which will be in December.
jmilochik

join:2003-10-22
South Amboy, NJ
·Vonage

I am on the residential hold account (use to be called Basic 0). I pay $4.99 + fees and taxes. WITHOUT the increase, I am now paying $8.50 a month. With these new fees, I will be paying $9.50 a month (about a 12% increase), HALF of the cost is fees. I use this basically for incoming calls (I do not want to have to carry my blackberry with me everywhere in my house), but the fees are getting crazy. I am seriously thinking of cancelling my account after 6 years of good service.
garys_2k

join:2004-05-07
Farmington, MI

Re: Vonage price increase

FYI, an incoming only number with Future-Nine is $5.00 per month and all incoming minutes are free. You can port your number from Vonage to F9 for a one time cost of $25. 911 is optional and an extra $1/month if you want it.
mddg99

join:2009-06-26
Saint Augustine, FL
CallCentric offers unlimited personal inbound for $5.95 / month; outbound pay as you go for $.0198 / min; I'm considering them for my next port if VOIPo doesn't work; signed today; leaving Vonage after 4+ yrs;
Mediocrates

join:2008-05-27
Raleigh, NC
I just got an email from Vonage noting a 50 cent junk fee increase.
Yikes2000

join:2001-08-15
Irvine, CA
·Vonage
·Future Nine Corpor..
·DSL EXTREME

Still bound by a 2-year commitment with Vonage, I called them to ask if this $1 fee increase is sufficient to waive the $39.99 disconnection fee if I cancel today. The lady said no. She explained that this fee increase is mandated by the law, or in other words, Vonage has no choice in the matter.

I persisted to disagree. I said my Vonage service already included E911 before, and I'm forced to pay $1 extra starting July 15. After a while, she offered to lower my bill to $14.99 (from $24.99) for six months *AND* to give me a month free ($30 value). So my 10-minute phone call saved me $90. Not bad.

YMMV depending on how you talk to the customer service representative and what mood he/she is in...
Yikes2000

join:2001-08-15
Irvine, CA

Re: Vonage price increase

I also mentioned that my cable company is constantly sending me 6-months free offers for their VoIP. And that's my plan if I cancel with Vonage.

randi

@bellsouth.net

whats w/500 mins. a month. I thought it was unlimited local/long distance. I received a flyer from vonage which said int`l calls 2 the u.k. were free on a landline & .04 min 4 a cell & that offer was good til 7/15/09. When I 1st spoke to a rep early last mo. I was told the 1st mo. svc. was $9,99 then $24.99/mo afterwards. Nothing was ever mentioned about $4.95 mo. 4 int`l. Is that a new "hidden" fee?
travelguy

join:1999-09-03
Santa Fe, NM

Re: Vonage price increase

No. Vonage has always offered two residential plans: A 500 minute domestic US (outbound) for $17.99/mo and an unlimited domestic US (outbound) plan for $24.99/mo. On the unlimited plan, calls to UK standard numbers are free.

In addition, there are also addon plans for unlimited international calls to other countries.
Mediocrates

join:2008-05-27
Raleigh, NC
$25 + $6 in crud fees and 'taxes'. At least in North Carolina. This sort of thing is getting ridiculous.

jhacker

join:2001-12-11
Peoria, IL
·Comcast
·Vonage
·Comcast Digital Vo..

I dropped Vonage in April for CDV, and haven't looked back. The only thing I miss about Vonage is it's extensive calling features. However, they didn't have call screening like Comcast does. My $20 Comcast service ends up only being about $25. My $25 Vonage plan with their junk fees added ended up being over $34. Now, with this price increase that they don't have to call a 'price increase', it would have been over $35. It's funny that they still advertise their $24.99 unlimited plan while saying they've never increased the price. If people only knew!! Plus, I actually recommended Vonage to a friend because they wanted cheap international calling. They were actually going to sign-up until told them about the 2-year contract. They said, "NO THANKS!!"
focuspuller

join:2002-03-17
Macungie, PA

Vonage is charging sales tax on the fees...this is like taxing taxes.

This is the breakdown I just got from them:

Residential Basic 500 Minutes Plan: $1.08
Basic Residential FAX Plan: $0.60
Regulatory Recovery Fee: $0.12
Emergency 911 Cost Recovery: $0.12
Federal Program Fee: $0.17
Total Sales Tax: $2.08

I'm checking with the State to see if the above can be taxed.

Check you bills also
travelguy

join:1999-09-03
Santa Fe, NM

Re: Vonage price increase

I'd be surprised if they didn't. Those "fees" are not government taxes, they are just a way for Vonage to advertise a lower price. When you impose a tax, you look at the money going to the company and all of that is going to Vonage. That they say they are using that money for some vaguely government related purpose means nothing.

Anonymous
Premium
join:2004-06-01
IA
·Mediacom

I had Vonage for about 4 months. Used it as a secondary line but I canceled my service due to this price increase and they could not charge my the ETF due to the fact they broke the contract.

I liked the service, had no problems at all and really did not mind getting a $1 increase BUT doing this and advertising their never changing price is simply dishonest.

I was offered 6 months at $14.99 rate for unlimited and they called me today to offer 2 months free and while I was explaining why I discontinued the service she hung up on me.
Forums » VOIP etc » Voice Over IP - VOIP » Vonage


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