Anyone ever used Vonage, Sunrocket, or another VOIP service?Go to Top
Hey, I'm thinking of getting this service for telephone solicitation and follow ups, but the call clarity needs to be decent. I can't drum up business sounding like garbage. Has anyone used these services for home or business recently or know anyone that has and what have the experiences been like?
I have been using Vonage for about 6 months. I have local line and 800# through them and pay about $35/month for both.
If I could keep my 800# and switch I would. I experience problems about 20% of the time. Audio just cuts out in the middle of a call where the caller can not hear me--although I can hear them. I have called Vonage about 5 times about it and each time they say they have made adjustments to fix it.
Some things I do like is the call forward feature. I have all calls ring my office phone and cell phone simultaneously. So, if cable goes out, the call still goes through to my cell phone. Plus if I am out of the office I still get those calls to my 800# on my cell. I also like viewing all my call history on line.
I think it depends on your cable provider and where you live. I know some people who have not had any problems.
I use Comcast's phone service and haven't had a problem. The only problem anyone has with VOIP is when your cable's down you don't have phone so it just depends; if you're in an area where cable's down often I'd reconsider.
I'm on their "three for $33" package so I'm getting unlimited long distance calls plus 12 calling features for $33 a month. Not bad.
I have been using Vonage for about 6 months. I have local line and 800# through them and pay about $35/month for both.
If I could keep my 800# and switch I would. I experience problems about 20% of the time. Audio just cuts out in the middle of a call where the caller can not hear me--although I can hear them. I have called Vonage about 5 times about it and each time they say they have made adjustments to fix it.
Some things I do like is the call forward feature. I have all calls ring my office phone and cell phone simultaneously. So, if cable goes out, the call still goes through to my cell phone. Plus if I am out of the office I still get those calls to my 800# on my cell. I also like viewing all my call history on line.
I think it depends on your cable provider and where you live. I know some people who have not had any problems.
Kyle,
Are you saying you DO have an 800# with Vonage? I would make the switch from my land line if I could transfer my existing 800#, but they tell me I can't. Please give details.
I have been using Vonage for about 6 months. I have local line and 800# through them and pay about $35/month for both.
If I could keep my 800# and switch I would. I experience problems about 20% of the time. Audio just cuts out in the middle of a call where the caller can not hear me--although I can hear them. I have called Vonage about 5 times about it and each time they say they have made adjustments to fix it.
Some things I do like is the call forward feature. I have all calls ring my office phone and cell phone simultaneously. So, if cable goes out, the call still goes through to my cell phone. Plus if I am out of the office I still get those calls to my 800# on my cell. I also like viewing all my call history on line.
I think it depends on your cable provider and where you live. I know some people who have not had any problems.
20% seems unacceptable to me, depending on what you're doing. If you're cold calling, you're going to lose some sales.
If you're dealing with an established customer base, they'll forgive you if your phone line goes down. They might sit there and think "That guy should get a real phone", but they'll forgive you. Thanks for the feedback.
I'd recommend getting your toll free number from a place like ringcentral or tollfreemax. This was the 800 number is yours and you don't have to worry about switching providers. You can set it to ring any number, like your cell so just in case you lose power and everything goes down you can still get calls from your clients.
I use Comcast's phone service and haven't had a problem. The only problem anyone has with VOIP is when your cable's down you don't have phone so it just depends; if you're in an area where cable's down often I'd reconsider.
I'm on their "three for $33" package so I'm getting unlimited long distance calls plus 12 calling features for $33 a month. Not bad.
You probably know this, but it ain't gonna be 3 for $33 once the promotional period expires.
I have relatively little problems with my cable provider. I can count the number of times my internet has been down on one hand in the last year. If I'm looking primarily at this as a cold calling vehicle and I have my cell number on my business cards, I think it's a worthwhile venture. I always tell anyone the cell is the best way to reach me anyway. So, I think it's worth it for the savings, if it works out. Seems like different people have different luck with this stuff.
Are you saying you DO have an 800# with Vonage? I would make the switch from my land line if I could transfer my existing 800#, but they tell me I can't. Please give details.
Sunrocket doesn't offer an 800 service. The most important thing with a toll-free, like John said, is making sure you own the number and can take it with you, should you decide to change carriers. Have you ever tried to switch carriers for your 800#?
The most likely scenario is just to get the VOIP and direct your 800# to it. Unless you're doing some serious volume with the toll-free, you'll probably still save money.
I use Comcast's phone service and haven't had a problem. The only problem anyone has with VOIP is when your cable's down you don't have phone so it just depends; if you're in an area where cable's down often I'd reconsider.
I'm on their "three for $33" package so I'm getting unlimited long distance calls plus 12 calling features for $33 a month. Not bad.
You probably know this, but it ain't gonna be 3 for $33 once the promotional period expires.
I have relatively little problems with my cable provider. I can count the number of times my internet has been down on one hand in the last year. If I'm looking primarily at this as a cold calling vehicle and I have my cell number on my business cards, I think it's a worthwhile venture. I always tell anyone the cell is the best way to reach me anyway. So, I think it's worth it for the savings, if it works out. Seems like different people have different luck with this stuff.
We've been through three different promotional offers since Comcast game out with their phone service. Each year it expires and they try to charge me the regular rates I just say "then cancel everything - I'll go with Verizon or Millenimium unless you give me the current promotion."
Are you saying you DO have an 800# with Vonage? I would make the switch from my land line if I could transfer my existing 800#, but they tell me I can't. Please give details.
Sunrocket doesn't offer an 800 service. The most important thing with a toll-free, like John said, is making sure you own the number and can take it with you, should you decide to change carriers. Have you ever tried to switch carriers for your 800#?
The most likely scenario is just to get the VOIP and direct your 800# to it. Unless you're doing some serious volume with the toll-free, you'll probably still save money.
My current 800# piggy backs one of my lines. It is thorugh my long distance carrier. I think I'll look into what John said. It would be nice if I could transfer my existing 800# to one of those services he mentioned. We'll see.
I've used Vonage before...TERRIBLE!! If it cuts out or what not 20% of the time then screw them! I run a business and pay good money for phone service, it should work 100% of the time!! You will lose clients if you're cutting in and out with your vm working only half of the time.
Vonage customer service is terrible and if you ever want to switch providers good luck porting your 800 over to a new carrier. Won't happen! I've tried!
Bottom line is I hate Vonage with a passion! I have a friend who has them, drop calls with him all the time as well.
I currently use Comcast and their VOIP! It is better than Vonage because of the way it's set up! Your voice goes directly through the seperate modem instead of the internet in packets! Better quality!!
I agree with P.diddy's protege K-Dub. I have used vonage before and their service is terrible. I recommend to go through Verizon because I have never had any type of service issues with them, w/ the exception of lost signals in towns that are so far off the trap the think Lincoln is still president. Their packages are also attractive if you are in the covered area. A close second would be Comcast.
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"Tell me and I will forget. Show me and I will remember. Involve me and I will understand." Confucius
I have had Vonage since this summer and I have had some calls "dropped" here and there, but far fewer then my cell phone, so I cannot say anything bad about them.
I have friends who use the Skyrocket in Ohio and they are happy with it.
However, after hearing about John's use of the 3 for $33 deal, I might give that a try.
I have had Vonage for several years and have not had a problem other than occasional power outages or cable outages, which certainly are not Vonage's fault. I have my account set to automatically forward to my cell phone during power or cable outages.
My current 800# piggy backs one of my lines. It is thorugh my long distance carrier. I think I'll look into what John said. It would be nice if I could transfer my existing 800# to one of those services he mentioned. We'll see.
Just make sure if they transfer it you can get it back if you leave them.
I think from everything I've read here and other folks I've asked so much of it depends on your internet connection. It makes me wonder if I can use my internet while talking on the phone. I have a "Do Not Call" system online that I'll need to access if I'm making residential calls to anyone I don't personally know.
I'm inclined to try Sunrocket because the deal is unbeatable. I suppose if that failed I could try Comcast and see if it makes a difference.
Are you saying you DO have an 800# with Vonage? I would make the switch from my land line if I could transfer my existing 800#, but they tell me I can't. Please give details.
Yes, I do have an 800# with Vonage. But I do not own the 800#, which really stinks because I can not switch companies unless I get a diff 800#. It does make a huge difference that comcast goes directly to a separate modem because with Vonage it rides my internet and reduces bandwidth to 41Kps--I'm told I should be above 90Kps for good audio quality. Comcast said if I increase my speed with them to 8MEG that will fix my vonage problem. That would cost an extra $10
I just recently switch to Verizon voicewing for $ 24.99 per month. The phone quality and features are better than other carriers I have used in the past. Stay away from vonage if you plan to do a lot of calling becuase the phone quality is not the best.
Anyone ever used Vonage, Sunrocket, or another VOIP service?
Thanks for the feedback.
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