Suddenly two days ago, whenever I make calls to my local area code and the prefix 877 in that area code, I get this message that I have to prepay for the call. My local company has about 9 other prefixes that I can call to, but not the 877 prefix. When I contacted the live help, they told me there was nothing they could do and that the local carrier was now charging for the use of those calls. They quoted the Terms of Service, Section 4.
Well, I contacted my local carrier and they claimed to not have changed anything with MJ and are not collecting any charges from MJ. MJ countered only that they have the right to change things.
I have had my MJ service for 3 yrs and two days ago they changed the rules of the contract...They also won't give me a refund....
The strange thing about this is that if it were that simple, I'd accept it and move on, but they are trying to tell me that only ONE prefix in my area code is now a prepay candidate ?? As small as my local carrier is, if they were to start charging MJ for the use of the lines, they'd charge for all ten prefixes...none of the others are affected...
Can anyone explain this to me ??
BTW, my reference numbers for contacts to MJ are LTK554081880467X and LTK554081887166X
Message: To call a conference line or platform...
Moderators: Bill Smith, Pilot
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larrykkkbk
- MagicJack Newbie
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2012 12:43 pm
Re: Message: To call a conference line or platform...
As sad and strange as it may seem, it's entirely possible that magicJack's database simply hasn't caught up yet with the other exchanges within that area code. If other local phone companies also supply numbers within those same exchanges, it may muddy the waters a bit. In other words, wait a little while longer and you may find that other exchanges too are added to the list. :/larrykkkbk wrote:Suddenly two days ago, whenever I make calls to my local area code and the prefix 877 in that area code, I get this message that I have to prepay for the call. ... As small as my local carrier is, if they were to start charging MJ for the use of the lines, they'd charge for all ten prefixes...none of the others are affected...
Can anyone explain this to me ?? ...
MJCheck - http://mjcheck.low.li
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SteveHC
- Dan isn't smart enough to hire me
- Posts: 498
- Joined: Mon Dec 26, 2011 2:10 am
- Location: Southwest Florida
MagicJack "Customer Service" Live Chat "Help" doesn't know what they're talking about so just ignore them (for the moment).
First - make a note of the specific 877-prefix numbers you've tried to call but got that MJ message instead.
Then - Call the (local) company that you believe those numbers "belong to" and get confirmation from them that those SPECIFIC numbers do in fact "belong" to them (unless you know the people at the other end of those 877 numbers and they've already told you that is in fact their phone company) and confirm that as far as that company knows they've got a call termination agreement with MagicJack (the phone company for which is actually "YMAX," by the way) regarding call termination tariff(s).
Then - Assuming all is as you suspect, get on a MJ Live Help Chat and tell them (even if you've already told them this, tell them again) what happens when you call numbers 877-X, Y and Z, that you've spoken with the phone company that serves those numbers and they said they've GOT a call termination tariff agreement in place with MagicJack/YMAX, that they NEED to tell the company's "engineers" to FIX the problem *IMMEDIATELY* such that calls to those numbers will go through and that if it's NOT fixed WITHIN ONE WEEK you will have to file a complaint with the FCC and your state's telephone or utility regulatory agency (be sure to NAME your state and that agency). Write your statement to "Live Help Chat" in advance in Notepad (or whatever) on your computer, "copy" it then paste it into the chat as your STATEMENT to them. Do NOT ask them any questions, because you will be making a STATEMENT to them. If they proceed with B.S. just REPEAT your paste into the chat. Repeat the paste every time they respond with B.S. until they either agree to forward the issue onto their "engineers" (and if they do agree to that just say "Thank You" - ONCE) or they terminate your chat.
THEN, if the problem's not fixed within those 7 days follow through with the threat, AND call that other phone company back to tell them that MJ/YMAX isn't connecting your calls to its customers' phone numbers in the 877 local exchange even though they say they've got an agreement with MJ/YMAX and ask them if they have any suggestions beyond what you will have already done by then.
First - make a note of the specific 877-prefix numbers you've tried to call but got that MJ message instead.
Then - Call the (local) company that you believe those numbers "belong to" and get confirmation from them that those SPECIFIC numbers do in fact "belong" to them (unless you know the people at the other end of those 877 numbers and they've already told you that is in fact their phone company) and confirm that as far as that company knows they've got a call termination agreement with MagicJack (the phone company for which is actually "YMAX," by the way) regarding call termination tariff(s).
Then - Assuming all is as you suspect, get on a MJ Live Help Chat and tell them (even if you've already told them this, tell them again) what happens when you call numbers 877-X, Y and Z, that you've spoken with the phone company that serves those numbers and they said they've GOT a call termination tariff agreement in place with MagicJack/YMAX, that they NEED to tell the company's "engineers" to FIX the problem *IMMEDIATELY* such that calls to those numbers will go through and that if it's NOT fixed WITHIN ONE WEEK you will have to file a complaint with the FCC and your state's telephone or utility regulatory agency (be sure to NAME your state and that agency). Write your statement to "Live Help Chat" in advance in Notepad (or whatever) on your computer, "copy" it then paste it into the chat as your STATEMENT to them. Do NOT ask them any questions, because you will be making a STATEMENT to them. If they proceed with B.S. just REPEAT your paste into the chat. Repeat the paste every time they respond with B.S. until they either agree to forward the issue onto their "engineers" (and if they do agree to that just say "Thank You" - ONCE) or they terminate your chat.
THEN, if the problem's not fixed within those 7 days follow through with the threat, AND call that other phone company back to tell them that MJ/YMAX isn't connecting your calls to its customers' phone numbers in the 877 local exchange even though they say they've got an agreement with MJ/YMAX and ask them if they have any suggestions beyond what you will have already done by then.
Magic Jack Plus Class Action Suit ???????
I have had exactly the same problem since Sept 6..However with only ONE phone mumber...Ironically the store where I bought the Magic Jack Plus ..In addition, Magic Jack employees claim to be able to monitor calls made via Magic Jack...Read On
I bought Magic Jack Plus at Walmart, also purchased a wireless router, paid M. J. Plus to change my phone number...And thought it was the greatest service in the world, but .......
I place a call to the main phone number for a Walmart, about 4 miles from my home with the same area code as mine: (858) 268-2885
Magic Jack Plus blocked my connection. A Magic Jack recording advised me that in order to complete the call, I have to go to their website and pre pay an additions fee to connect a conference call.
I don't want to make a conference call. I just want to make a simple phone call to walmart at to but am unable to do so. (Pls Note. I've had no trouble reaching the optical number whose last 2 digits are different)
I contacted Magic Jack's live online customer service and spoke with a "10 percent agent" (allegedly smarter than the others). The 10% agent stated that the statement on the website is no longer true. She informed me that I should have read the customer agreement. Ste stated that Magic Jack has the right to demand that I purchase this additional service. She said that the reason I could not complete my call to a Walmart Store 4 miles from my home was because Walmart does not use Magic Jack. Furthermore, she stated that I would have to pay for a card in order to make an international call.
I told her I had called the Wallmart many times over recent years with or without magic jack and had never been required to pay a fee. Most alarming of all:S he also stated, that employees of Magic Jack are allowed to monitor my personal calls and therefore, she could verify that I had never called this number before. Huh! Do employees in India have warramt powers that our police lack?
I hope some atty specializing in Class Action suits is aware of this problem!
I bought Magic Jack Plus at Walmart, also purchased a wireless router, paid M. J. Plus to change my phone number...And thought it was the greatest service in the world, but .......
I place a call to the main phone number for a Walmart, about 4 miles from my home with the same area code as mine: (858) 268-2885
Magic Jack Plus blocked my connection. A Magic Jack recording advised me that in order to complete the call, I have to go to their website and pre pay an additions fee to connect a conference call.
I don't want to make a conference call. I just want to make a simple phone call to walmart at to but am unable to do so. (Pls Note. I've had no trouble reaching the optical number whose last 2 digits are different)
I contacted Magic Jack's live online customer service and spoke with a "10 percent agent" (allegedly smarter than the others). The 10% agent stated that the statement on the website is no longer true. She informed me that I should have read the customer agreement. Ste stated that Magic Jack has the right to demand that I purchase this additional service. She said that the reason I could not complete my call to a Walmart Store 4 miles from my home was because Walmart does not use Magic Jack. Furthermore, she stated that I would have to pay for a card in order to make an international call.
I told her I had called the Wallmart many times over recent years with or without magic jack and had never been required to pay a fee. Most alarming of all:S he also stated, that employees of Magic Jack are allowed to monitor my personal calls and therefore, she could verify that I had never called this number before. Huh! Do employees in India have warramt powers that our police lack?
I hope some atty specializing in Class Action suits is aware of this problem!
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SteveHC
- Dan isn't smart enough to hire me
- Posts: 498
- Joined: Mon Dec 26, 2011 2:10 am
- Location: Southwest Florida
Shirl - Don't worry. The MagicJack "customer service" people are idiots and literally don't know what they're talking about; at least half the time they seem to just make crap up. They can't "monitor" (i.e. listen in on) phone calls, all they can do is check call logs... which at LEAST 99.99% of the time they never do even when they tell you what they told you. Half the time even the call logs are screwed up. And your inability to call that Walmart number is obviously a mistake in their system... which they'll never bother to correct. And whether or not a Walmart "uses MagicJack" has NOTHING to do with it. Just call one of the store's other numbers and then ask them to transfer you to whatever department you need to speak to (even the main store customer service line). Like I said, they're idiots. Thankfully the only decision we have to make regarding this nonsense is whether or not their phone service (and the aggravation we have to put up with) is worth the $20 or $30 per year that it costs LOL.
Much Worse
Actually, the "to call a conference line or a platform" error is getting much worse. I've just called two numbers that I was able to call on Magic Jack yesterday....area codes 310 & 408.
I wonder if other companies are going after Magic Jack because of the low price? You would think Magic Jack would say something about it to do damage control because at this rate, it will be useless as a service very soon.
I wonder if other companies are going after Magic Jack because of the low price? You would think Magic Jack would say something about it to do damage control because at this rate, it will be useless as a service very soon.
Degrading of Service
You are now chatting with 'Crissa'
Your Issue ID for this chat is LTK554084438508X
Crissa: Hello, how may I help you?
David riley: Tell me why phone numbers I used to dial free is now telling me they are conference or platform numbers and there is a charge... I understand your ad says free for all US calls... this is a degrading of my service... Can I get a refund for both the Magic Jack PLus and my 1 year subscription?
Crissa: One moment please...
David riley: You have changed things in the middle of my one year contract.
Crissa: Thank you for waiting.
Crissa: Since when have you been experiencing such problems?
David riley: Please don't quote section 4... I've read what you are doing to all your customers.. Can't hardly keep you in business
Crissa: May I know what is the phone number that you are calling?
David riley: Notced it for the first time today when I tried to make a local call for an appointment to my doctors office
David riley: Prefix of 547 & 282
Crissa: magicJack can call for FREE within the United States and Canada. However, since you've been prompted to purchase pre-paid minutes, the purchase will be necessary to complete the call. In some circumstances, we may require prepaid purchase or we may charge you for calls to conference lines, platforms and certain non-ILEC area calls, or any call wherein we incur a cost from another carrier.
David riley: It's nice I'm giving you this info... but reading online it's a BIG problem with class action lawsutes coming... but You are not answering my question
David riley: Oh yes I've read this online but noone seems to understand why all of a sudden
Crissa: We may require prepaid purchase and/or we may charge you for calls to conference lines, platforms and certain non-ILEC area calls, or any call wherein we incur a cost from another carrier.
David riley: Do you wish to put it in English..
Crissa: That is stated in English, David.
David riley: How do I get a refund... You have changed things on me without notification in the middle of my first year
David riley: NOT acceptable
David riley: what a refund... TOTAL
Crissa: We may provide for a fee, premium prepaid services, which may be powered by YMAX Communications Corp. (YMAX), and may include some inbound, international, conference, platform and outbound calls that receive a recording and certain calls to non-ILEC areas, and the rates for those services will be governed by listed price lists or tariffs.
David riley: You are just giving canned responses I can read online from everyone else
David riley: DID you understand I want a refund and asked you to provide that
Crissa: May I have the Sales Order number of that specific order, please?
David riley: You have my phone number ... look it up!
David riley: Or are your computer databases as bad as you changing services
Crissa: Please confirm if this 71420390xx is your magicJack phone number. Thank you.
David riley: 71420390xx yes
David riley: confirmed
David riley: How can you work for these people... I feel bad for you
Crissa: Thank you.
David riley: I guess it's a job
Crissa: Please wait while I check that for you
Crissa: Thank you for waiting.
Crissa: As I have checked it here, we can no longer give you a refund since you are no longer under the 30 day trial.
David riley: DM08548xxx is the order number
Crissa: Thank you for that.
David riley: Dear DAVID RILEY, Important: Please reply to this email within one hour if you would like to modify the order below. You do not have to take any action if you do not want to make any changes. Order No.: DM08548xxx Reference ID: 36330xxx Order Shipping Information Customer Name: DAVID RILEY Address 1: xxxxxxxCity, State, Zip: ORANGE, CA 92867 Country: United States Phone#: (714) 288-xxxx Order Summary Qty Product Code Description Price Each Subtotal Charge Date 1 MJPLUS6995-T magicJack PLUS 30 Day Trial 69.95 69.95 06/02/2012 1 STDSHIP795-T Shipping & Handling 7.95 7.95 06/02/2012 1 REGULATORYFEES4.8-T Regulatory and Compliance Expense 3.74 3.74 06/02/2012 -------------------------- ORDER TOTAL: 81.64
Crissa: I am sorry to informed you, however, we can no longer give you a refund since you are no longer under the 30 day trial.
David riley: So send me a check or better credit my cred card for $81.64 and I'll return the device
David riley: Does that mean a lawsuit?
David riley: You can't change things in the middle of my one year
David riley: Can you tell me if you feel you can do that?
David riley: YES/NO answer
Crissa: There is nothing we can do to reverse the issue, David.
David riley: Answer my last question... Does MagicJack feel they can legally change a customer service after they sign up... Definitely a degrading of my service?
David riley: Please resond wit a YES or a NO
Crissa: No, David.
David riley: respond?
Crissa: No, David.
David riley: Well they did degrade my service.... You must feel they shouldn't but what can MagicJack do to correct the issue for me
Crissa: There is nothing we can do to reverse the issue. You need to purchase prepaid minutes to make the call to that number.
David riley: Find a new job... your mom and dad would not want you to go through this everyday... I'm sorry I've had to be tough on you
Crissa: I believe I have provided all the necessary information that you need. I will end this chat now. If you have any other concern, please don't hesitate to chat us back. Thank you.
Your Issue ID for this chat is LTK554084438508X
Crissa: Hello, how may I help you?
David riley: Tell me why phone numbers I used to dial free is now telling me they are conference or platform numbers and there is a charge... I understand your ad says free for all US calls... this is a degrading of my service... Can I get a refund for both the Magic Jack PLus and my 1 year subscription?
Crissa: One moment please...
David riley: You have changed things in the middle of my one year contract.
Crissa: Thank you for waiting.
Crissa: Since when have you been experiencing such problems?
David riley: Please don't quote section 4... I've read what you are doing to all your customers.. Can't hardly keep you in business
Crissa: May I know what is the phone number that you are calling?
David riley: Notced it for the first time today when I tried to make a local call for an appointment to my doctors office
David riley: Prefix of 547 & 282
Crissa: magicJack can call for FREE within the United States and Canada. However, since you've been prompted to purchase pre-paid minutes, the purchase will be necessary to complete the call. In some circumstances, we may require prepaid purchase or we may charge you for calls to conference lines, platforms and certain non-ILEC area calls, or any call wherein we incur a cost from another carrier.
David riley: It's nice I'm giving you this info... but reading online it's a BIG problem with class action lawsutes coming... but You are not answering my question
David riley: Oh yes I've read this online but noone seems to understand why all of a sudden
Crissa: We may require prepaid purchase and/or we may charge you for calls to conference lines, platforms and certain non-ILEC area calls, or any call wherein we incur a cost from another carrier.
David riley: Do you wish to put it in English..
Crissa: That is stated in English, David.
David riley: How do I get a refund... You have changed things on me without notification in the middle of my first year
David riley: NOT acceptable
David riley: what a refund... TOTAL
Crissa: We may provide for a fee, premium prepaid services, which may be powered by YMAX Communications Corp. (YMAX), and may include some inbound, international, conference, platform and outbound calls that receive a recording and certain calls to non-ILEC areas, and the rates for those services will be governed by listed price lists or tariffs.
David riley: You are just giving canned responses I can read online from everyone else
David riley: DID you understand I want a refund and asked you to provide that
Crissa: May I have the Sales Order number of that specific order, please?
David riley: You have my phone number ... look it up!
David riley: Or are your computer databases as bad as you changing services
Crissa: Please confirm if this 71420390xx is your magicJack phone number. Thank you.
David riley: 71420390xx yes
David riley: confirmed
David riley: How can you work for these people... I feel bad for you
Crissa: Thank you.
David riley: I guess it's a job
Crissa: Please wait while I check that for you
Crissa: Thank you for waiting.
Crissa: As I have checked it here, we can no longer give you a refund since you are no longer under the 30 day trial.
David riley: DM08548xxx is the order number
Crissa: Thank you for that.
David riley: Dear DAVID RILEY, Important: Please reply to this email within one hour if you would like to modify the order below. You do not have to take any action if you do not want to make any changes. Order No.: DM08548xxx Reference ID: 36330xxx Order Shipping Information Customer Name: DAVID RILEY Address 1: xxxxxxxCity, State, Zip: ORANGE, CA 92867 Country: United States Phone#: (714) 288-xxxx Order Summary Qty Product Code Description Price Each Subtotal Charge Date 1 MJPLUS6995-T magicJack PLUS 30 Day Trial 69.95 69.95 06/02/2012 1 STDSHIP795-T Shipping & Handling 7.95 7.95 06/02/2012 1 REGULATORYFEES4.8-T Regulatory and Compliance Expense 3.74 3.74 06/02/2012 -------------------------- ORDER TOTAL: 81.64
Crissa: I am sorry to informed you, however, we can no longer give you a refund since you are no longer under the 30 day trial.
David riley: So send me a check or better credit my cred card for $81.64 and I'll return the device
David riley: Does that mean a lawsuit?
David riley: You can't change things in the middle of my one year
David riley: Can you tell me if you feel you can do that?
David riley: YES/NO answer
Crissa: There is nothing we can do to reverse the issue, David.
David riley: Answer my last question... Does MagicJack feel they can legally change a customer service after they sign up... Definitely a degrading of my service?
David riley: Please resond wit a YES or a NO
Crissa: No, David.
David riley: respond?
Crissa: No, David.
David riley: Well they did degrade my service.... You must feel they shouldn't but what can MagicJack do to correct the issue for me
Crissa: There is nothing we can do to reverse the issue. You need to purchase prepaid minutes to make the call to that number.
David riley: Find a new job... your mom and dad would not want you to go through this everyday... I'm sorry I've had to be tough on you
Crissa: I believe I have provided all the necessary information that you need. I will end this chat now. If you have any other concern, please don't hesitate to chat us back. Thank you.
Re: Degrading of Service
So it is getting worse. If they could just explain why, it would help matters. For not, it just looks like they're degrading the service for no reason.
I just ran into the same problem .. Yesterday I called this number and
it worked just fine .. today I got the u need to buy min's .. I then went to
my Nettalk and used it and dialed the number and it went right through ..
It would seem MJ has stepped on some toes and knw is getting spanked
and we as costomes will take it in the pocket book .. I filed a complant with the BBB .. this will do nothing .. as there credit is already bad
It would seem MJ is on the way out and time to move on
it worked just fine .. today I got the u need to buy min's .. I then went to
my Nettalk and used it and dialed the number and it went right through ..
It would seem MJ has stepped on some toes and knw is getting spanked
and we as costomes will take it in the pocket book .. I filed a complant with the BBB .. this will do nothing .. as there credit is already bad
It would seem MJ is on the way out and time to move on
Agreed....sad, because the service was actually better than Vonage, but now I'm using my cell phone to makes most calls.
I think the VOIP market is becoming saturated and Magic Jack may be a casualty quite soon.
If I run into any other area codes with the "to call a conference line or a platform" error, I'll list them here.
At some point, I want Magic Jack to furnish a complete list of area codes that they no longer service.
I think the VOIP market is becoming saturated and Magic Jack may be a casualty quite soon.
If I run into any other area codes with the "to call a conference line or a platform" error, I'll list them here.
At some point, I want Magic Jack to furnish a complete list of area codes that they no longer service.
There are hundreds of large and small telephone companies that serve large and small areas. And every state has different tariffs and taxes and such. An agreement with "X' and "Y" telephone companies has to be setup with each state PSC's. So agreements come and go and elevated charges come and go as these all have to be renewed at some fixed times.
But nearly all "rural" telephone companies get paid a higher per call termination fee. They are allowed to by FCC rules that govern telephone services.
Get a Google number, and this is a simple workaround.
But nearly all "rural" telephone companies get paid a higher per call termination fee. They are allowed to by FCC rules that govern telephone services.
Get a Google number, and this is a simple workaround.
Yes Google voice is a work around - but - kinda strange that Nettalk
works with same number that MJ will not .. humm .. I am not saying run out and get Nettalk as they have Q problems also .. everybody has to make up there own mind on "is it worth what you pay for .. for what you get" .. bottom line
Doc
works with same number that MJ will not .. humm .. I am not saying run out and get Nettalk as they have Q problems also .. everybody has to make up there own mind on "is it worth what you pay for .. for what you get" .. bottom line
Doc
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toddlerlvn
- MagicJack Newbie
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 12:40 am
Google Voice Work Around???
I'm having that same error message about conference/platform calls when I call a 907 number that I've called numerous times before without issue. I've had MJ for 4 years and no problems. What is Google Voice,how is it a work around, and what would I need to do to utilize it?
Todd A Winnick
Re: Google Voice Work Around???
What's happened to me in the past week is that I got the "to call a conference line or a platform" error with two area codes, 310 & 408. Then, about a week later, calls on Magic Jack worked fine to those two area codes again.
I wish I knew the real cause of the problem. What bothers me the most is how defensive and unreceptive Magic Jack is about the situation.
I wish I knew the real cause of the problem. What bothers me the most is how defensive and unreceptive Magic Jack is about the situation.
I'd like to get in step with the mob on the conference call headaches. My wife works from home occasionally and has the need to participate in conference call sessions. I won't lay out again what we all already know but apparently this headache is well known enough that originators of conference calls on other platforms have adapted by switching up numbers used for conferencing, sometimes with each and every session. The aggravating thing is, it seems like a dynamic problem on the MJ end, because as many report, it works for a time or two, and then the annoying message gives it's angering report, and usually when you are already late for the call. What does this mean? Is software catching it on the MJ side, or does some kind of internal audit catch the charges and then someone blocks that CC number or block of CC numbers? Any CC number we have used is a USA 'Old Ma Bell' number BTW.
No question MJ is still very much worth it for us, but it is annoying to consume free airtime minutes with our mobile devices on CC's. And further annoying that it should suddenly change as it has (±10-25-2012), and change dynamically as users adapt workarounds. I wonder if other providers are using this perfect storm of charge backs to hand MJ a screwing for eating away customer base for their formerly overcharged services.
PS the search function on this topic does not report anything useful on this board. Blocked?
No question MJ is still very much worth it for us, but it is annoying to consume free airtime minutes with our mobile devices on CC's. And further annoying that it should suddenly change as it has (±10-25-2012), and change dynamically as users adapt workarounds. I wonder if other providers are using this perfect storm of charge backs to hand MJ a screwing for eating away customer base for their formerly overcharged services.
PS the search function on this topic does not report anything useful on this board. Blocked?
Rotary Phone Collector and User!