I signed up for Vonage because they had very low rates for phone service with unlimited usage. It worked fine during the first month or so and then had major technical issues.
Vonage is a phone service that works via the internet. If you are on your computer downloading a files, on WebEX or backing up your hard drive while talking on the phone your voice quality will especially be compromised on the phone. This is because your voice speed is competing with the speed needed for your computer to function. I had repeated incidences where people could not understand me on the phone because my voice was jarbled or Skipped (they could only hear every other syllable.)
I repeatedly called Vonage's technical support line. They had me adjust some things but nothing worked. They often blamed the problem on my internet provider, Comcast - saying Comcast wasn't giving me the upload speed I paid for. I had Comcast's technician at my house and they verified my upload speed was accurate!
The last straw was when I paid to double my upload speed with my internet provider and still had the voice quality problems. You can't imagine how horrible it is to be afraid to make phone calls from your house fearing people could barely here what you are saying. I had no choice but to discontinue my Vonage service - I couldn't function without a stable phone service.
I researched options and on March 24 I placed an order for Comcast phone service. They notified Vonage to release my phone number to them (there is a 14 day waiting period to legally provide me with phone service)
On April 14 Comcast became my phone service provider. My voice mail switched to Comcast that day as well. Further, all equipment that made Vonage work was disconnected from my house.
Yet I still received bills from Vonage even though Comcast had notified them I was switching. So I tried to take matters in my own hands and tried to contact Vonage about disconnecting - The first few times I was placed on hold for over 40 minutes and then had to attend to other things.
Today, I finally got thru to them (after another 40 minute hold) and they disconnected my service only after I agreed to paying a $39.99 cancellation fee that they said was in the fine print when I signed up. Also, They refuse to refund me for charges for phone service from April 14 thru May 22- even when I clearly wasn't using Vonage.
I had to cancel before the 12 month period because of awful phone service quality as explained above - I shouldn't be charged the fee because of this. Also, I should be refunded all charges from April 14 - May 22 when I clearly wasn't using their service.
BUYER BEWARE - Vonage is not a reputable company to deal with!
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