Magic Jack Lies! LD charges in same area code!

[mavurik]

I am totally upset....I bought MagicJack because we were moving and one thing i liked was our friends could still call us no LD. We moved to the same area code and our fiends started calling us complaing that they got LD charges when we told them there were no LD charges because they were is same area code. Now they say it no LD if they are in the same prefix......the only reason i purchased the MJ becuase of the no charges in same area code for our friends and family!

Based off of the MJ website FAQ.

"If your magicJack phone number is in the same area code as your friends and family they are not charged long distance to call your magicJack phone number. If they are in a different area code, they are subject to the rates their phone company would charge for calling the area code your magicJack is registered with."

I "chatted" with customer no-support with the following..they dont even know thier own company information!


info: Please wait for a site operator to respond.
info: You are now chatting with 'Sharon'
Sharon: Hello, how may I help you?
mike: Well my wifes sister called us on our majicjack number and she was charged LD ...and we are in the same area code.
Sharon: Is she using a magicjack?
mike: no
mike: We have the magic jack....she called us from a land line
Sharon: Her number is not like you a magicjack number,that's why she is charged.
mike: no
Sharon: Do you have the same prefix numbers?
mike: If your magicJack phone number is in the same area code as your friends and family they are not charged long distance to call your magicJack phone number. If they are in a different area code, they are subject to the rates their phone company would charge for calling the area code your magicJack is registered with.
mike: she is same area code
Sharon: How about the prefix number?
mike: diffrent prefixes.....
Sharon: If you have the same prefix it would be long distance still for caller.
mike: that is not what Magicjack advertises ....If your magicJack phone number is in the same area code as your friends and family they are not charged long distance to call your magicJack phone number. If they are in a different area code, they are subject to the rates their phone company would charge for calling the area code your magicJack is registered with.
mike: same area code
Sharon: Please give me the link of that advertisement,Mike.
mike: http://service.liveperson.net/hc/s-7333 ... ction=view
mike: it is on your FAQ
Sharon: I'm checking on it.
mike: k
Sharon: Thank you for your patience. I will transfer you to a higher level of support. Please hold while I transfer you.
mike: yea
info: Please wait while I transfer the chat to the best suited site operator.
info: You are now chatting with 'Ezekiel'
mike: hello
Ezekiel: Hi Mike!
mike: Well my wifes sister called us on our majicjack number and she was charged LD ...and we are in the same area code.
Ezekiel: Did you checked the prefix number?
mike: If your magicJack phone number is in the same area code as your friends and family they are not charged long distance to call your magicJack phone number. If they are in a different area code, they are subject to the rates their phone company would charge for calling the area code your magicJack is registered with.
mike: nothing was ever said about PREFIX....only area code!
mike: that quote is from the MagicJack website
mike: hello
Ezekiel: There are some numbers within the same area code are long distance Mike and that does not only happen to magicJack.

[msiam]

So.. In an area that would normally have long distance charges in a regular land line set up like in a large county, even tho, it is a wide spread area, you think that being in the same area code should be all local calling.. Never was.. You cant expect that, even in the world without MagicJack. You do, however have the option of calling them back, or if they have broadband, they have the option of getting a MagicJack and not worrying about LD charges.. I lived in MD for 30+ years, most of that time we had 1 area code, 301 3/4 of that state was long distance to me.. Calm down, this is still better..

[mavurik]

My point is the MJ is states and advertises in the FAQ

"If your magicJack phone number is in the same area code as your friends and family they are not charged long distance to call your magicJack phone number. If they are in a different area code, they are subject to the rates their phone company would charge for calling the area code your magicJack is registered with."

This is misleading and incorrect.

[msiam]

I think you're being a little thick headed about this.. As in my previous reply, those options, and that the only scenario that would give you all local calls in a given area code would be a small area like Wash DC.. other than that.. you would be S**t out of luck and hard pressed to find an area code that is local to all in the same area code.. It don't happen in the "Real" world, and it wont happen in the "Magic" world. Tell your friends to get one, if its not too late get a refund.. But, do try to stand back and look at it logically.. And ask around to find out where in this United States is there an area code that is all local in the same area code, you will find very very few, They are there, but it is not a usual thing to find.. Whether they advertised it or not, it cant be done. That isn't their fault actually.. It is the limitations and restrictions that are implemented by the local phone companies..Tell them your problem and see how fast they jump to take care of your problem..Im sure Ma Bell and AT&T will jump right on it...

[hsweiss]

Like others have already stated, area codes and toll charges are not the purview of MJ - that's Ma Bell's and the local public service commission approved tariffs. For example, there are several states that have (or had) one area code like New Mexico (505). But the entire state is not in everyone's local calling area. Likewise in my home state of Maryland, we had 1 area code (301) which was then geographically split into 2 area codes (410 and 301). Then two 'overlay' area codes were added to the geographic area codes. I currently live 18 miles from my office. Both are in Verizon's 410 area codes but its a toll call from one to the other. Yet, when I lived in my old house, 5 miles closer to the office, it was a local call. All of this thanks to the Maryland Public Service Commission tariffs.

You have 2 solutions: 1) change your phone number to one that is local to your friends, or 2) you call your friends using MJ which will be "free." You can change your MJ phone number once for free - goto my.magicjack.com to select a new number. But first check your local yellow/white pages to see which exchanges in your respective area code are local. You should be able to find a list of exchanges that are local - e.g., if you live in the 609 area code and your home number starts with 541 there should be a list of other 609-xxx numbers that are local to you and should also be vice-versa.

[robatino]

If MJ fails to correct the false information in the FAQ within a reasonable amount of time, you might look at http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/MagicJack and contact Az2008 to ask him to create a section containing corrections to the MJ FAQ. If it gets big enough it might eventually embarrass MJ into changing their own FAQ. That's probably the only way to get their attention.

[mavurik]

I understand what happened.....my point is false / misleading practices...I love my MJ but not at the expense of the people that call us.

There are no numbers in my area code....ohio 419 - only has 3 areas and they are all long distance.....even the people in our local area (living ) are getting charged LD....

With today changing technology I have no idea how they were routing the calls coming in from the outside.....

[msiam]

Take a look at http://www.jaduka.com/ Tell your friends that that is another way to make free calls to you.. If the quality isn't up to par, tell them to at least call and it only takes a second to call them back free from your magicjack
http://labs.jaduka.com/dukadial is what you want

Another mysterious thing about MD area codes.. You can live near in the 410 area code and call a 301 locally, just dial the area code and the number and no toll.. same with the 301 , you can call some 410 numbers and then call south to Wash DC and call local to there, Anyway you look at it.. Ma Bell Wants your Money and she wants it to keep pouring in.. You pay $20 a year for MJ and get free calls to everywhere in the US and Canada.. Ma Bell charges you $40 to $60+ a month and you have to pay toll in the same area code.. Sounds like that is the "Gouge" Watchathank???

[msiam]

Come to think of it.. az2008 has a point..

[robatino]

I understand what happened.....my point is false / misleading practices...

Good grief. MJ doesn't say anyone can call you for free. They say you can call anyone for free.

No, but they do falsely claim that anyone in the same area code as the MJ number can call you for free. I wouldn't call it a "lie", since I think it's just carelessness and not an attempt to drum up additional business, but it is their own FAQ, and if they choose to make claims in it about what charges other companies make, they should keep it accurate. If they don't want to be responsible they can just take the claims out.

[az2008]

My point is the MJ is states and advertises in the FAQ

"If your magicJack phone number is in the same area code as your friends and family they are not charged long distance to call your magicJack phone number. If they are in a different area code, they are subject to the rates their phone company would charge for calling the area code your magicJack is registered with."

This is misleading and incorrect.

I missed that post. It's true that's incorrect. I thought you were talking about MJ's common claim of "free long distance" referring to your ability to call free.

You should contact Dan as described in the wiki FAQ (see my sig). Point out to him how that's false. See if he changes it.

Mark

[msiam]

In Tampa FL, there are numerous excanges in the 813 area code.. There is N Tampa, S Tampa, E Tampa, W Tampa And Central.. People from the north would be able to call a N Tampa exchange without toll charges and etc with the other vicinities.. My Family that lives in Riverview and Gibsonton area south of Tampa can call into Tampa but Not north of Tampa.Where people North can call int Tampa but not to my Family. With the MagicJack, those calls dont matter, but with Verizon, they will get charged calling the out of area numbers within the same Area Code, on top of that , they will be charged more within their "latta" (look that up) for a toll call than they would calling New York. That is Verizon's deal.. Not MagicJacks. So.. Hey, There are ways around the tolls.. Look at the remedy in the above post from me..

[mavurik]

Thank you, that was my point. When I was looking into MJ i read the FAQ about LD in same area code for people calling me.

That is why I bought the MJ.

My point is the MJ is states and advertises in the FAQ

"If your magicJack phone number is in the same area code as your friends and family they are not charged long distance to call your magicJack phone number. If they are in a different area code, they are subject to the rates their phone company would charge for calling the area code your magicJack is registered with."

This is misleading and incorrect.

I missed that post. It's true that's incorrect. I thought you were talking about MJ's common claim of "free long distance" referring to your ability to call free.

You should contact Dan as described in the wiki FAQ (see my sig). Point out to him how that's false. See if he changes it.

Mark

[aaronwt]

And why would anyone think that what is listed in the MagicJAck FAQ would supercede what the phone company is responsible for?

So change to a diferernt prefix. If one isn't available for local calls to you then you need to learn how to do better research before purchasing a product.

[tony]

the only reason i purchased the MJ becuase of the no charges in same area code for our friends and family!

Other posters have given the explanation about "local calls" within the same area code. Really it is your friend's telephone company that determines the extent of local calling within an area code, not MJ. Even with the same telephone company in my province, my "local" calling area on a landline is smaller than the "local" calling area of the cell phone provided by the same company. Landline, it's as little as 5 km distance. Cell with the same company, it can be 100+ km. Same area code.

I know you read it in MJ's advertising but you have to factor in those things that MJ has no control over. The province I live in stretches about 1,300 km north to south. I would never expect that if I had a 250- number in a distant town that I would ever be able to make a local call from one corner of the province to the other corner.

Regardless, your MJ will save you and your friends a ton of money. If they call you, you can just say you'll call them back. Cost to them, maybe 3-4 cents.

[az2008]

I know you read it in MJ's advertising but you have to factor in those things that MJ has no control over.

Then MJ shouldn't say in its FAQ that people in the same area code can call you for free.

Mark

[davrow]

I agree with you, az2008 - they should not say that in the FAQ.

But think about the brilliant folks behind the customer service "live chat", and think about who likely wrote those FAQs.

Then think, "is it reasonable to believe the FAQs?"

I, personally, do not think that was a wise choice on the OP's part. Common knowledge (local calls are free, non-local cost money, regardless of area code) trumps an MJ FAQ.

[MOA]

I think you're being a little thick headed about this.. As in my previous reply, those options, and that the only scenario that would give you all local calls in a given area code would be a small area like Wash DC.. other than that.. you would be S**t out of luck and hard pressed to find an area code that is local to all in the same area code.. It don't happen in the "Real" world, and it wont happen in the "Magic" world. Tell your friends to get one, if its not too late get a refund.. But, do try to stand back and look at it logically.. And ask around to find out where in this United States is there an area code that is all local in the same area code, you will find very very few, They are there, but it is not a usual thing to find.. Whether they advertised it or not, it cant be done. That isn't their fault actually.. It is the limitations and restrictions that are implemented by the local phone companies..Tell them your problem and see how fast they jump to take care of your problem..Im sure Ma Bell and AT&T will jump right on it...

I wish this forum had multi quote so I could show who really is thick headed!

Christ, the guy shows YOU where he (EVERYBODY) was lied and you want to argue???!!!

You are either think headed or work for MJ!!!

[msiam]

I think you're being a little thick headed about this.. As in my previous reply, those options, and that the only scenario that would give you all local calls in a given area code would be a small area like Wash DC.. other than that.. you would be S**t out of luck and hard pressed to find an area code that is local to all in the same area code.. It don't happen in the "Real" world, and it wont happen in the "Magic" world. Tell your friends to get one, if its not too late get a refund.. But, do try to stand back and look at it logically.. And ask around to find out where in this United States is there an area code that is all local in the same area code, you will find very very few, They are there, but it is not a usual thing to find.. Whether they advertised it or not, it cant be done. That isn't their fault actually.. It is the limitations and restrictions that are implemented by the local phone companies..Tell them your problem and see how fast they jump to take care of your problem..Im sure Ma Bell and AT&T will jump right on it...

I wish this forum had multi quote so I could show who really is thick headed!

Christ, the guy shows YOU where he (EVERYBODY) was lied and you want to argue???!!!

You are either think headed or work for MJ!!!

How do you figure I was arguing?? You'd better re read..I gave facts so that he could understand what he didn't understand.. It is not expected that all calls are local in a given area code..In no way did I see that I was "Arguing".. I saw that he had a problem understanding how it worked, not MJs problem.. but the over charging of the Verizons and the AT&Ts.. No one in the previous threads argued, they all stated facts and tried to get him to understand that..If it was up to MJ alone, there would be no toll charges in a given area code or anywhere else in the country.. That doesn't mean that Verizon will agree..


BTW I dont work for MJ.. I am retired Verizon Tech from Maryland

[MOA]

I think you're being a little thick headed about this.. As in my previous reply, those options, and that the only scenario that would give you all local calls in a given area code would be a small area like Wash DC.. other than that.. you would be S**t out of luck and hard pressed to find an area code that is local to all in the same area code.. It don't happen in the "Real" world, and it wont happen in the "Magic" world. Tell your friends to get one, if its not too late get a refund.. But, do try to stand back and look at it logically.. And ask around to find out where in this United States is there an area code that is all local in the same area code, you will find very very few, They are there, but it is not a usual thing to find.. Whether they advertised it or not, it cant be done. That isn't their fault actually.. It is the limitations and restrictions that are implemented by the local phone companies..Tell them your problem and see how fast they jump to take care of your problem..Im sure Ma Bell and AT&T will jump right on it...

I wish this forum had multi quote so I could show who really is thick headed!

Christ, the guy shows YOU where he (EVERYBODY) was lied and you want to argue???!!!

You are either think headed or work for MJ!!!

How do you figure I was arguing?? You'd better re read..I gave facts so that he could understand what he didn't understand.. It is not expected that all calls are local in a given area code..In no way did I see that I was "Arguing".. I saw that he had a problem understanding how it worked, not MJs problem.. but the over charging of the Verizons and the AT&Ts.. No one in the previous threads argued, they all stated facts and tried to get him to understand that..If it was up to MJ alone, there would be no toll charges in a given area code or anywhere else in the country.. That doesn't mean that Verizon will agree..


BTW I dont work for MJ.. I am retired Verizon Tech from Maryland

naaaaa, you work for MJ other wise you'd still not try to spin your replies.

[msiam]

oookayeeee... If that's what you want to believe.. I do wish that they would send me a damned paycheck..And maybe send me to Hawaii for and extended well deserved vacation from all this "Reply Spinning".. Don't you think that after all this spinning, I deserve it??

[buzzurd]

Ordered MJ 3 hours ago.After reading this I have a problem due to the fact they do not offer my area code and I will not have friends and family being charged LD to call me.I sent the reply back from there confirmation email to cancel my order.Think it will happen?
Thanks

[tony]

I have a problem due to the fact they do not offer my area code and I will not have friends and family being charged LD to call me.

I'm in Canada, there are no local MJ numbers here. But still the MJ is a great deal for outgoing calls. Free free free.

If there isn't a local area code you want, then pick another city where you have friends and family. Give them the opportunity to call you free and for you to call them. I picked a MJ number based on the other side of the continent where I have relatives. It's pretty cool, they can call my house number (MJ forwarded) for free.

[freekshow]

I have a problem due to the fact they do not offer my area code and I will not have friends and family being charged LD to call me.

I just have my friends call me, let it ring one or two times and then hang up. I call them right back. They have never been charged LD and my call is FREE.....And if you are not there to see it, it shows up in RED as a missed call. Then you call them back. Is this a perfect system, no, but it is very cheap!

[viafax999]

I just have my friends call me, let it ring one or two times and then hang up. I call them right back. They have never been charged LD and my call is FREE.....And if you are not there to see it, it shows up in RED as a missed call. Then you call them back. Is this a perfect system, no, but it is very cheap!

Anybody ever attempted a collect call to a MagicJack number. Theoretically it should be free but would be interesting to see what happens.

[freekshow]

Good question.....

[mberlant]

The point is not about what happens in the real world. The point is that fair trade laws in both the United States and Florida require truth in advertising. Simply put, you are legally liable to stand behind the words you say until you stop saying them.

Several users in this forum have documented this falsehood, and more than a few people have brought it to the attention of magicJack, yet they persist in leaving the falsehood in place. That (in)action documents their culpability and removes their plausible deniability defense.

Had MJ taken the first complaint, reimbursed that single customer for the erroneous Long Distance charges, and corrected the FAQ entry on the web site, this would all be harmlessly behind them now. As they have mishandled it, it has grown into a class action sized mess that threatens to jack up our prices for no legitimate reason.

[az2008]

Had MJ taken the first complaint, reimbursed that single customer for the erroneous Long Distance charges, and corrected the FAQ entry on the web site, this would all be harmlessly behind them now.

I agree. And, it's not just this incident with the FAQ. Dan (or the people he's surrounded himself with) repeatedly demonstrate contempt for commonly-accepted standards of business conduct (which isn't a very high standard).

One example was how MJ sold 4 years as 5 just *three days* after meeting with and convincing the BBB that MJ would seriously work on the business practices that generated so many complaints. They had their "F" rating temporarily lifted.

A lot of people would attribute an occasional oversight to the growing pangs of a startup. But, these guys seem to have a near sociopathic disregard for truth, honesty, ethics, etc. These events don't seem like innocent mistakes.

Mark

[tjnamtiw]

I understand what happened.....my point is false / misleading practices...I love my MJ but not at the expense of the people that call us.

There are no numbers in my area code....ohio 419 - only has 3 areas and they are all long distance.....even the people in our local area (living ) are getting charged LD....

With today changing technology I have no idea how they were routing the calls coming in from the outside.....

I agree with you. It IS false advertising.

[dbuelke]

Once in awhile I forget the old axiom, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." I agree this product was misrepresented, in that all local calls in the same area code were proposedly free. Oddly, during my initial 30 day trial, I could call in from my old land line or have a local friend call with the 10 digit MJ number and it worked fine. However, at the point the 30 days expired, no one could dial in without a '1' prefixing the 10 digits and they were probably getting a LD charge--even my neighbor down the road.

Montana is a large state with one area code and the only exchange is about 200 miles from here. When I saw that I specifically questioned MJ chat about it and was told THERE WOULD BE NO LD CHARGE FOR ANY LOCAL CALLER. I presumed they had some kind of a LD node these calls were being funneled through. We have no complaints with the nuances of the system otherwise, nor the quality. However, this is a major misrepresentation and, in view of the fact it worked initially, I'm wondering if MJ doesn't eat the LD charges the first month and then leave you hanging. The only other explanation would be that the regional carrier detects this type of service and blocks it. The operator intercept occurs after dialing the first 6 digits and therefore isn't directed at my MJ number specifically.

We don't use our phones that much and a $19.95 Costco calling card would probably buy us all the LD time we use in a year. I was trying to get away from the $26 something every month for the few local calls we transact and this seemed to fit the bill. I doubt I can get a refund at this late point (~45 days out.) Anyone know where this outfit hides out to report them to their business agencies?

Just a parting thought, I think I'll protest the charge to VISA and let them sort it out

[drfugawe]

dbuelke said, "Anyone know where this outfit hides out to report them to their business agencies?"

From the Wiki:

Although MagicJack does not provide this information to customers, the following business address and phone numbers may be useful if you need to escalate a problem further:

Mailing Address :
Magic Jack LP
PO Box 6846
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
Contact: Peter Russo - CFO

Street Address :
5700 Georgie Avenue
West Palm Beach, FL 33405

Phone :
Main Office: (561) 594-2140. This is just a recording telling you where to get support, you can leave a message if you want.

Alternate: (561) 722-0433 Facsimile (561) 586-2328

Financial Support: (281) 404-1551 open from 11am to 8pm EST

Also try 561-543-0144 or 561-543-3905 <(this one might have message to e-mail to an address given in the message.)

Support manager :
Rikard Bone
Email: [email protected]

As a last resort, some people have reported success emailing the founder:
[email protected]
[email protected]

[msiam]

WTF?? What do you guys expect from a $20 a year phone service?? You can call your friends back, you can tell them to get a MagicJack, you can use it for a spare phone line...For Craps sake, you are griping about what a $40 investment and $20 a year phone service should or should not do.. Are you that strapped for coin that you have to gripe and complain about this little usb gadget That does what it claims to do?? For craps sake, use it for the year and don't renew the service and call it done.. I personally loved the thing when all that was available was 5 area codes.. I live in WI and I was using a Nashville number.. You grippers are being ridiculous.. Sell the damned thing to someone who has a brain and be done with it!!

BTW.. Now.. I'M ARGUING!! Read the last two posts in this thread on page 1.. That is what it is about, and you are griping with nothing to gripe about!!

[llockie]

Come on now!
Some people are looking for reasons to bitch about anything. Having worked in the telecommunications industry for 40 years, I can't see his point at all.
If it's such a problem, buy your relative a MJ, and let them enjoy the technology too. I'm sure they will be thrilled with the LD savings on all calls, not just yours.
Get a Life.

[msiam]

My sentiments exactly, with 32 years in the telecommunications industry. I cant believe that they are griping about this when they have no problem with the MJ service.. MJ gives fine service, Get a grip.. Get your friends an MJ or a cheap dialing plan.. like www.Pinworks.com something that they can call cheap and not have to invest this "Expensive" device, MagicJack.. JEEEEEEZZZZEEE!!!!

[tony]

and was told THERE WOULD BE NO LD CHARGE FOR ANY LOCAL CALLER.

Yes, that's correct. If your friend or relative can call your MJ number as a local call, there will be no LD charge. Your friend or relative just has to look in the front part of their phone book to find out what their local calling area is. Usually it's shown as certain towns to which it is a local call. If your MJ prefix is in one of those towns, it's a local call for your friend or relative. If not, then it's long distance. It's been like that for as long as the phone system has been around. MJ has nothing to do with your friend's or relative's local calling area. In fact where I live, my land line free calling area extends to a radius of about 25 kilometres, outside of that it's long distance even though it's the same area code. BUT my cell phone (with the same telephone company), the free local dialing area extends almost 100 km. So what constitutes a "local call" depends on the company and plan of the caller. MJ has nothing to do with it.

I don't agree with MJ's marketing approach, but it's disingenuous on your part to say that MJ can or should somehow affect your friend/relative's calling plan and make what is a long distance call a local call for them. Until your friend/relatives connect with your MJ number, their call is entirely handled by their telephone company.

So relax and enjoy the free calls YOU can make.

[someitguy79]

through skype and forward to make my wife happy. Her parents across town would have to pay LD otherwise. I agree that was misleading.