Don't Waste Your Money On MagicJack

[Black Magick]

In my opinion, this is a huge waste of money. Unless you're a person that really knows how to work computers and can play with the settings to get it to work properly. On the MJ commercial, they advertise MJ as being a product that you could plug-in and start using immediately. That's anything but true. Ever since I bought it, I've experienced nothing but problems. Everyone I've been on the phone with complains that my voice is breaking up, sounds choppy and they can only hear every other word. Not to mention how the caller ID doesn't work. I saw a topic on how to fix the caller ID, which recommends you buying extra equipment. I refuse to buy anything to get it to work properly when they advertised it as being a product that the consumer can just plug-in and start using without needing any additional hardware.

After looking for a fix on here, it appears that my city (Atlanta, GA) is in an "oversold" area. I've tried changing proxies, setting it as a high priority, the powered USB crap, etc. The proxy changing method is difficult to understand unless you already have some knowledge of it. I spend hours trying to figure out the "wiki how-to" page that they keep flooding every thread with. Anyways, I've done it and the result is still the same. My computer has lots of room on it. I have almost a terabyte of hardrive space, 2 gigs of ram and an internet connection of over 30 mbps. I also run Windows 7 and have done the Windows 7 upgrade. I even did a ping test for different servers and my grade is always a A on whichever server I use. But yet, when I change my proxy to those servers, the problem still persists.

I bought this to use as an additional line for my business, because I got tired of paying high costs for landline service. But this appears to be a waste of money. It's $40, true! But no matter how small or how large the amount of money is that I paid --- it doesn't change the fact that MagicJack isn't what it claims to be. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. This company is just taking people's money and not offering any real solution. I was hoping to save money, but it looks like that isn't going to happen. If I can pay a little over over $20 a month for landline service without having to go through any of this crap, then I'll gladly do that. MagicJack isn't worth it at all, unless you have the time and energy to put into learning about and changing proxies, IP's, etc. If MagickJack would've told consumers that they may have to change proxies and other modifications and provided a simple-to-understand instruction manual, then it wouldn't be as bad. But that's not what they did. They advertise the product as being plug and use when it's anything but that. They sell you the product knowing that it's not what they said, and leave you on your own...

[crackerjack]

Great way to start off my Sunday, listening to your diatribe.

Good riddance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sabresfan]

Just look for other providers if MJ does not work for you. There are dozens of quality voip providers that have many different plans and are setup by the provider (plugin and use). A few that come to mind are Ooma, Nettalk, Voipo, Future9 and Phone Power. Good luck

[bitstopjoe]

No Comment


Joe Sica

[Darkman90808]

I bought this to use as an additional line for my business, because I got tired of paying high costs for landline service.

I don't know what business you're in, but if you're willing to risk it on a basic tool that costs $1.67 a month, you might pick a different career path. I've had varying degrees of success with my little bundle of joy and it's been a great learning experience but I can't imagine trading your business land line for it.

IMO, you're right... MJ isn't for everyone. It's low risk to try out but if it ain't your cup 'o tea, dump it. I have two that I'm getting ready to re-up for the third year.

Also, I take issue with your notion that MJ should tell it's customers how to change proxies, etc. Not their job. In fact, I'm sure they don't condone it. It just happens to be information available on this unofficial forum. This is still a great country, at least for the time being, where the consumer can vote with their dollars. Good luck with whatever you find to replace your MJ. I'm sure they'll love and appreciate your business.

[Black Magick]

I bought this to use as an additional line for my business, because I got tired of paying high costs for landline service.

I don't know what business you're in, but if you're willing to risk it on a basic tool that costs $1.67 a month, you might pick a different career path. I've had varying degrees of success with my little bundle of joy and it's been a great learning experience but I can't imagine trading your business land line for it.

IMO, you're right... MJ isn't for everyone. It's low risk to try out but if it ain't your cup 'o tea, dump it. I have two that I'm getting ready to re-up for the third year.

Also, I take issue with your notion that MJ should tell it's customers how to change proxies, etc. Not their job. In fact, I'm sure they don't condone it. It just happens to be information available on this unofficial forum. This is still a great country, at least for the time being, where the consumer can vote with their dollars. Good luck with whatever you find to replace your MJ. I'm sure they'll love and appreciate your business.

I don't recall saying anything about replacing my business landline with the MJ. But I do recall saying that I used it as an ADDITIONAL line.

Learn to read.

[Nobody beats the Whiz!]

I don't recall saying anything about replacing my business landline with the MJ. But I do recall saying that I used it as an ADDITIONAL line.

Learn to read.

You said you bought this, because you "...got tired of paying high costs for landline service."

Despite saying you wanted an additional line, in the context you presented, one could infer that you intended stop paying for the high costs that you were so tired of. After all, having an additional line won't stop you from still paying those high costs. Right?

Stop being a jackass. We get it; MJ didn't work for you, and the solutions were beyond your level of technical abilities. Fine. Good. How unfortunate.

I thought you were leaving.

[bitstopjoe]

Wow I am glad it isn't just me thinks he is an ass. I just loved being called an idiot for telling him to do a search. YES he told me he did a search first and found NOTHING for the 2 most talked about questions/problems here ( choppy sound and no caller ID). I believe him, really I do

Maybe Obama will buy him a TK6000 or an Ooma.. I pity those companies if that happens.


Joe Sica

[Llamaman]

I was hoping to save money, but it looks like that isn't going to happen.

Did you try doing a search on that?

[bitstopjoe]

HA!!!!!!!!!

Perfect...


Joe Sica

[Matt9876]

For some of you MJ may never work properly with your setup or internet provider,as for me I just signed on for 5 more years because when it works it works great,Traveling around with the MJ device has proven itself very reliable.

[kenpmason]

magicJack's software is installed into AppData--a hidden folder--NOT in Program Files. It has no uninstall, nor any Exit function. It autostarts with Windows without telling you. As a result, most users will never be able to get rid of it. And the only way to stop an online order in mid-stream is to kill it's process (you can't go back). THEN you find that the order completed without your authorization. Lastly, their EULA is almost as long and complicated as that of Windows.

When I complained to their online chat tech support about these issues, I was told that no one else had complained of these "features"!

This is crapware, in my opinion.

[Nobody beats the Whiz!]

magicJack's software is installed into AppData--a hidden folder--NOT in Program Files. It has no uninstall, nor any Exit function. It autostarts with Windows without telling you. As a result, most users will never be able to get rid of it. And the only way to stop an online order in mid-stream is to kill it's process (you can't go back). THEN you find that the order completed without your authorization. Lastly, their EULA is almost as long and complicated as that of Windows.

When I complained to their online chat tech support about these issues, I was told that no one else had complained of these "features"!

This is crapware, in my opinion.

Not commenting on your statements, just pointing out that an uninstall utility is available from the company's website. Search the FAQ for "uninstall."

[conniemadagain]

You are absolutely right!!! So, What's your point? Or better yet, what's your point we did not already know and FIXED?

In my opinion, this is a huge waste of money. Unless you're a person that really knows how to work computers and can play with the settings to get it to work properly. On the MJ commercial, they advertise MJ as being a product that you could plug-in and start using immediately. That's anything but true. Ever since I bought it, I've experienced nothing but problems. Everyone I've been on the phone with complains that my voice is breaking up, sounds choppy and they can only hear every other word. Not to mention how the caller ID doesn't work. I saw a topic on how to fix the caller ID, which recommends you buying extra equipment. I refuse to buy anything to get it to work properly when they advertised it as being a product that the consumer can just plug-in and start using without needing any additional hardware.

After looking for a fix on here, it appears that my city (Atlanta, GA) is in an "oversold" area. I've tried changing proxies, setting it as a high priority, the powered USB crap, etc. The proxy changing method is difficult to understand unless you already have some knowledge of it. I spend hours trying to figure out the "wiki how-to" page that they keep flooding every thread with. Anyways, I've done it and the result is still the same. My computer has lots of room on it. I have almost a terabyte of hardrive space, 2 gigs of ram and an internet connection of over 30 mbps. I also run Windows 7 and have done the Windows 7 upgrade. I even did a ping test for different servers and my grade is always a A on whichever server I use. But yet, when I change my proxy to those servers, the problem still persists.

I bought this to use as an additional line for my business, because I got tired of paying high costs for landline service. But this appears to be a waste of money. It's $40, true! But no matter how small or how large the amount of money is that I paid --- it doesn't change the fact that MagicJack isn't what it claims to be. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. This company is just taking people's money and not offering any real solution. I was hoping to save money, but it looks like that isn't going to happen. If I can pay a little over over $20 a month for landline service without having to go through any of this crap, then I'll gladly do that. MagicJack isn't worth it at all, unless you have the time and energy to put into learning about and changing proxies, IP's, etc. If MagickJack would've told consumers that they may have to change proxies and other modifications and provided a simple-to-understand instruction manual, then it wouldn't be as bad. But that's not what they did. They advertise the product as being plug and use when it's anything but that. They sell you the product knowing that it's not what they said, and leave you on your own...

[conniemadagain]

magicJack's software is installed into AppData--a hidden folder--NOT in Program Files. It has no uninstall, nor any Exit function. It autostarts with Windows without telling you. As a result, most users will never be able to get rid of it. And the only way to stop an online order in mid-stream is to kill it's process (you can't go back). THEN you find that the order completed without your authorization. Lastly, their EULA is almost as long and complicated as that of Windows.

When I complained to their online chat tech support about these issues, I was told that no one else had complained of these "features"!
This is crapware, in my opinion.

You do know that MJ online chat tech support has received the prestigious JR Ewing Award ...

[MJ User]

I just renewed for another year with MJ. The service during the first year was virtually flawless. It has been one of the easiest devices to setup and use that I have ever owned. Plus, I dropped my two Verizon land lines and saved more than $1,000 over the past year.

[Thomas1985]

I have had both the ups and the downs with MJ.

I have had dropped calls, and calls that started out fine and then went to where I could hear them but they could not hear me. I've had choppy calls and calls that would not connect.

MJ, in my opinion, likes a wired connection to the modem or the router, and it likes a computer that is clean and running XP.

I have had NOTHING but misery with wireless computers running MJ.

But as soon as I hooked it up to a 2.9 mghrtz machine which was WIRED to the internet, and I was using a wired phone as well?

It was crystal clear.

I have used it lately and it works fine!

[BamaPanda]

..I was able to figure it out.
My bro-in-law ..on the other hand, just plugged his in and it worked.

[utguy88]

In my opinion, this is a huge waste of money.

This is a RANT category, and you've ranted. I'm not sure why these other MJ groupies have slammed your comments. I agree with you. I came here looking for solution to my MJ not working all of a sudden, and after going thru about 6 live chat sessions with MJ, I've come to the same conclusion - this MJ sucks. It worked for me until their last upgrade. Now it doesn't. I got rid of my land line and cell line, since I don't call much, but, it appears I'll have to go back to my old cell company. Fortunately, as someone said, it hasn't cost me too much to experience this MJ trial. But if anyone asks me down the road, I'll tell them don't waste your money on MJ - it's spotty at best. This experience also reminds me of that old saying, you get what you pay for. In this case, now, NO phone service.

[Sumrall]

I'll tell them don't waste your money on MJ - it's spotty at best.

I understand what you are saying - but why not tell friends to give it a try. What, with a money-back deal, what have they to lose?

It is obvious that MJ works for thousands of folks, myself included. In our family there are three MJ's, swapping around at times on five different computers with three using WinXP and two using Win7 64-bit. Not a problem in nine months and have dropped landline. Just one month of no landline pays for MJ.

[nitemare]

Those that have bad experiences are a result of:

1) Outdated and underpowered PC
2) Not using cable internet (using DSL or dialup (gulp!)
3) Using Wireless

If you fall into one of those 3 categories, dont use MJ.

[bitstopjoe]

Those that have bad experiences are a result of:

1) Outdated and underpowered PC
2) Not using cable internet (using DSL or dialup (gulp!)
3) Using Wireless

If you fall into one of those 3 categories, dont use MJ.

My PC is over 7 years old ( I built it in 2005 using a 2+ yr old motherboard), and MJ works JUST FINE with 1 gig of Ram.
Even though I don't use wireless on a full time basis it DOES work for me ( when I have tried it) and MANY others. In fact my buddy went to Switzerland earlier this yr with a 10 yr old Laptop and MJ worked JUST FINE using the Hotel's wireless system.
So making blanket statements is not always a good idea.
Oh yeah I have been using DSL since day one with my MJ ( over 2 years now), zero problems

So you have no idea what you are talking about..

Joe Sica

[tsmith]

DSL is considered HIGH SPEED INTERNET. Wireless is considered HIGH SPEED INTERNET (I'm using it without a problem). Dial-up is the ONLY configuration that won't work with MJ, according to MJ. Thin Clients with MINIMAL MEMORY are using it, although upping memory is always recommended.

Do your research first, nitemare, before shelling out info that could cause others to come to incorrect (and relatively expensive) conclusions about their systems.

[bitstopjoe]

DSL is considered HIGH SPEED INTERNET. Wireless is considered HIGH SPEED INTERNET (I'm using it without a problem). Dial-up is the ONLY configuration that won't work with MJ, according to MJ. Thin Clients with MINIMAL MEMORY are using it, although upping memory is always recommended.

Do your research first, nitemare, before shelling out info that could cause others to come to incorrect (and relatively expensive) conclusions about their systems.

Don't forget the MJ wont work well with satellite internet either. To long of a delay on the uplink side.
So "Do your research first, Tom, before shelling out info that could cause others to come to incorrect (and relatively expensive) conclusions about their systems" hehehehe I'm a baddddddddddddddddddddddd boy

OH and before anyone gets their nose out of joint I am BUSTING on Tom!!! We do that to each other from time to time. It's a form of respect when guys bust chops on each other. I know I know MOST of the female persuasion has no clue about that and why we do it. Hey it's a guy thing, just like when females can not go to the bathroom alone when out and about.. Ok ok not EXACTLY the same but you get the idea..

Joe Sica

[tsmith]

I should've said "Wi-Fi" instead of Wireless. You're just plain mean, Joe.

You're right, satellite (HughesNet, etc.) should definitely be on the "too slow" list. It was slightly better than dialup, at least in my area.