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Etobicoke News Living Magic Jack review
| Magic Jack review |
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| Written by Jason Duck |
| Thursday, 25 February 2010 14:10 |
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Hey, everyone. I hope you have the time to read this long review, because it IS worth it. I'm sure most of you have seen the infomercials for this "Magic Jack" product before, and if you were sceptical about it, let me tell you: I was too! But you know what? All I can say now is that, based on MY experience, since I got it over a week ago, I am VERY happy with it! Most of the time the sound quality seems to be as good as a regular home phone! There's the occasional slight static, but maybe I hear that because I'm really listening closely for flaws, and/or the fact that I'm using a cordless phone and don't have a corded one to try out. Not that I would recommend this to anyone, but, personally, I am cancelling my Bell home phone altogether. Luckily my contract is up in a few weeks, because I'm sick of paying for a phone that I barely really use much. Important note: You SHOULD have another phone to rely on, in case the computer happens to go down for some reason, and/or you have to call 911 for any emergency, since dialing 911 on the Magic Jack will just get you some internet operator. I never tried it, but I read someone say that in a forum somewhere. As for the price, the Magic Jack cost only $39.99, and as the infomercial says, you do indeed get the first year of service for FREE, with the purchase of the Magic Jack. After that one year, the price to renew is only $20 US a year (or $70 US for a 5-year plan, which would save you $30). Another important note: I've read many reviews, both negative and positive, about the Magic Jack. However, the ones that scared me were the ones relating to billing problems and technical support. The billing problems, as far as I understand, seem to all be related to ordering the device online, or by telephone. They like to bill you extra for "priority shipping", and/or bill you for an extra year (or more) right from the time of purchase, without permission. Then, when the customer wants to complain, there is no actual phone tech support. There is only an online chat, which is 24/7. Some customers report that they never receive a refund for overcharges on their credit cards, and/or they are still waiting for it. I have tried the online chat once, just to ask a brief question, and the lady's response was VERY slow, but maybe she was using one finger to type, and the keyboard was upside-down. I really don't know. Anyhow, my question was finally answered, so tech support, although inconvenient and slow, still seems to do the job. Either way, you should purchase the Magic Jack in a store, and hopefully you will have none of these billing problems. Only time will tell if they ever overcharge me, but I didn't order another year yet, because I'm going to wait until the year is almost up, and THEN I'll renew. Anyhow, I've been wanting to try this Magic Jack for a REALLY long time, but the fact that you were only able to get a US number assigned to you was a big turn-off for me, and I imagine it would be for you too. However, and this is BIG news, they now offer you a Canadian phone number! Yes! You pay an extra $10 per year for the Canadian number, so the cost really comes out to $30 a year, not $20, but this is still a GREAT deal. And the 5-year plan would be $120 ($70 + $10 more per year, for Canadian number). Calls can be made to AND from the Magic Jack, as if it were a regular cell phone or land line, PLUS you get unlimited calling within Canada and the US! (I would say for FREE, but, as little as it costs you, you still pay SOMETHING for the Magic Jack and the yearly rate, so it's ALMOST free) All you need to use the Magic Jack is a computer with Windows XP or better, a high speed internet connection (even high speed LITE would work), a USB port (which pretty much every computer has), and any regular phone (or cordless, as I myself am using). Oh, and you need a credit card. For making or receiving calls, the computer MUST be on, with the software running, but even with the computer OFF, you (or anyone else) can still use it's voicemail, and also you can have your calls forwarded to another number (by changing your settings online, which can be done in less than a minute). I've tried the voicemail and it works great. I've also tried the call waiting (pressing the Flash on the phone to take the other call) and my friend told me that, while he was on hold, he heard music. Hey, that's pretty neat! I wasn't playing any music, so I guess it's either built into the Magic Jack, or it plays streaming music from the internet. I don't know exactly, but... I like it! I am NOT endorsing this product, so I don't want to be held liable if anything should go wrong, or it doesn't work well for you. I don't benefit in any way by telling you about this product, but all I'm saying is that it's definitely worth trying out, in my opinion. You might even end up ditching your home phone line, like I did. Mind you, you WOULD have to have either Rogers internet (which does NOT require a Bell phone line) or "Dry DSL" if you are to cancel your Bell home phone, because all DSL internet providers still rely on using Bell's physical phone line in order to offer you their internet services. So, I would recommend that you use this Magic Jack in conjunction with your home phone or cell phone. Do you have a limited number of minutes on your cell phone? If so, use Magic Jack when you're at home! If you've got call forwarding on your cell phone, you can forward your calls to your Magic Jack! If you have evenings and weekends free on your cell phone, you can still use your Magic Jack during the daytime! If you DON'T have evenings and weekends free on your cell phone, you'll REALLY get some good use out of your Magic Jack! If you make long distance calls within Canada or the US, don't use your home phone or cell phone. Use your Magic Jack! Be warned, though, that when you install the software that is built into the Magic Jack, there is a VERY lengthy Terms And Conditions, which you MUST agree to, otherwise you can't proceed. I think you can also read them online, but I can't tell you the exact address. From where I bought the Magic Jack, they said there are no refunds, so I was taking a chance, but then again, I am paying about $43 a month for a Bell home phone, so the price of the Magic Jack was about the same as just ONE month of Bell, so the choice to take a chance was a no-brainer. For more info on the Magic Jack, visit their site: www.magicjack.com Most of your questions are probably covered already, if you check out their FAQs/Knowledgebase section. There are probably many other retailers that I don't know of, but I know for SURE that you can get the Magic Jack from these stores: Tiger Direct ($42.97, but they price match) Factory Direct ($39.99, but make sure it's brand new, not refurbished) Fortune Computers ($39.99, and this is where I bought mine from) Tech Direct Canada ($38.99, cheapest price so far) Sorry, I didn't know how to create a hyperlink, but you can Google the store names to find their sites and addresses.
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Comments (42)
  written by Micheal Ettinger, March 17, 2010
I've had the Magic Jack for almost a year. I think the product is great. Unfortunatly, when I signed up, I had to use a US based number. I was assured that I would be able to change my phone number free the first time when Canadian numbers became available.
Now that they are available for existing customers (took them long enough) they want a $4.95 fee for a number change, plus a $10 per year charge for the privilage of having a Cnadian number. I have since thrown the Magic Jack in the trash, and am now looking at the CANTalk unit. I never should have gotten envolved with Magic Jack.
 written by Kyle @ Tornoto Window Cleaning, April 22, 2010
I've heard good things about Magic Jack, I wonder what sort of other similar services will come out of the woodwork in the coming months/years. The ability to choose an area code where you are not currently 'in range' of is a great feature of this internet telephone technology. I wonder how more competitive the pricing will get as well, it's so cheap already!
 written by fox, May 22, 2010
Magic jack issues:
1) Slows even fast PCs (generally and esp. during boot up) – Don’t blame it all on Vista, blame it on applications that screw up PC like magic jack. May decrease PC life and hence hidden cost. 2) after 3/4 rings goes to magic jack voice mail. Can’t adjust the setting to let my telephone’s ansering machine do the job. Very bad when you have a nice answering machine or you want to answer the call. 3) needs usb powered hub for getting caller id on the telephone unit (additional devices and cost) Ipod and gps unit can be driven by the USB port. But magic jack says, ” give me more power for me to work right” 4) trial usage period starts before product activation or shipment reception. Not a big deal if the product is good. Especailly, with other problems listed here, this is a real concern. 5) when calls are made from magic jack to other phones, receiving phone can’t get caller id (i.e. magic jack number) 6) Ugly GUI on PC, which can’t be even hidden/minimized. Gives even the greatest looking PC desktop a cheap finish/look. 7) magic jack application interferes with other telephone/chat applications like skype. Very bad software, just like the magic jack website. Try nettalk. At least, it won’t interfere with the PC. See the comparison http://www.nettalk.com/tk6000-vs-competition
 written by salvador arciga, May 30, 2010
im wondering what is the risk of instaling majick jack wrong, will it get blocked, i dont know from where im going to get the phone number i need for it to work properly.
 written by Marilyn, June 08, 2010
I would like to add a comment in support of what the person posted above this post. I was also assured that I would be able to change my phone number free the first time when Canadian numbers became available. However, I have just got off the CHAT line with the Magic Jack morons and they just kept repeating over and over again that I have to pay the $4.95, plus $10 for the Canadian number. I don't know where they are, but they appear not to understand English as I tried explaining to them that I was assured that I would be able to change my phone number free the first time when Canadian numbers became available. They kept saying it is not free and where did I see this information. Anyways, they just would not listen and disconnected me from the CHAT without answering my question. Now how rude is that!
It appears that Magic Jack got Canadians to buy these when they first came out with a promise that they would change the numbers to Canadian numbers for FREE when available, but obviously Magic Jack LIED to us, because they now want to charge us $4.95 to change it. Stuff Magic Jack they are just a bunch of liars. When I use the Magic Jack people on the other end of the phone keep saying that they can hear beeping noises like I am pressing the phone buttons. I cannot hear these beeping noises, but they cut the conversation up. I am on Rogers High Speed, so I don;t know why this is happening.
 written by Patsy Thomas, June 20, 2010
I used Magic jack for a week and a half and my experience is that if you have Rogers internet security, the magic jack does not connect. One has to disable the firewall for magic to work. It is inconvenient. There are a few times i had to restart my computer for the magic jack to connect.
 written by Pierre Banville, July 14, 2010
Can't beat the price. Trouble receiving call. Says all circuits are busy. Sometimes get busy signal when trying to call home to MJ.
 written by Theresa, August 11, 2010
I had a similar problem last night trying to get my Magic Jack installed properly. I was told that MJ now had Canadian numbers available and I paid the 10.00 for the CDN number and found that anyone calling in to my MJ number is calling long distance. What the heck is that.. so I got on line with the tech morons at MJ and went around in a big circle over and over again..
I became so fed up trying to deal with these people, I decided to cancel my account but they would not refund my 10.00 dollars for the Canadian number that I got. So I ended up calling my credit card company and logged a complaint against them. I felt scammed and I told my credit card company that I will not pay the 10.00. It is only 10 buck but it is the principal. Here is my message to anyone who wants to try the Wonderful Magic Jack - Don't do it, save your time and money.. Theresa
 written by magicjack, August 15, 2010
DONT BUY IT, VERY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE , NO DIRECT TALK FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE EVEN THOUGH IT IS A PHONE COMPANY, I SPENT OVER 7 DAYS TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM THEY ASKED ME TO DISABLE THE SECURITY SYSTEM TO MAKE IT WORK AND EVEN ASKING $10 FOR A REFURBISHED REPLACEMENT PLUS SHIPPING AND HANDLING CHARGES
please msg me at \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for the convo
 written by Don McLaren, August 18, 2010
I purchased MagicJack for one reason ... I regularly travel overseas and wanted a way to save on phone call costs. To date I have only encountered one hotel where MagicJack was not supported. The quality of the calls has been as good or better then any SIM card cell phone I have tried. I looked at my bills and last year it cost over $148.00 for two weeks of phone services from Scotland. This summer? Let's just say, in ten days I have paid for MagicJack over and over.
Sure, the software is a kludge sometimes and I wish there was a way to set the number of rings for Voice Mail ... but I figure my savings in just 5 months is approaching $600 dollars. That is nothing to sneeze at. I have even made calls from the airport lobby without an issue. (In Germany they will charge you up to $90 for three-five minutes on the public airport phones!) Even if I never plug it in at home, I am very happy to date.
written by Don McLaren, August 18, 2010
I purchased MagicJack for one reason ... I regularly travel overseas and wanted a way to save on phone call costs. To date I have only encountered one hotel where MagicJack was not supported. The quality of the calls has been as good or better then any SIM card cell phone I have tried. I looked at my bills and last year it cost over $148.00 for two weeks of phone services from Scotland. This summer? Let's just say, in ten days I have paid for MagicJack over and over.
Sure, the software is a kludge sometimes and I wish there was a way to set the number of rings for Voice Mail ... but I figure my savings in just 5 months is approaching $600 dollars. That is nothing to sneeze at. I have even made calls from the airport lobby without an issue. (In Germany they will charge you up to $90 for three-five minutes on the public airport phones!) Even if I never plug it in at home, I am very happy to date.
 written by Dustin R, August 20, 2010
my biggest complaint about the magic jack is recieving incoming calls.. all my friends and family tell me they can never get ahold of me. they say my phone always rings busy or will ring once or twice and cut them off. after hearing this i starting randomly calling my house from my cell phone when i am home and sure enough pretty much every time i try, it rings busy or cuts me off and doesnt ring my home phone at all! usualy takes about 3 or 4 trys in a row to get through.. my wife found if she hung up right away and redialed with in mili-seconds it will go through the second try.. right now im looking for work so what happens when employers are calling me? i send out numerous resumes a week with no response? now i think ive realized why.
Has anyone else had this problem?
 written by Tara, August 25, 2010
I am thorougly disgusted with this product....and the service. I spent 3 and a half hours last night because I had no dial tone....I went on the live chat and was transferred 5x each time having to do the same thing the previous agent did and they never solved my problem...I restarted my computer and it worked.....then today I was informed by several people that they were unable to get through as it said my phone was busy. I was not on the phone all day tried from my cell and got the same message.....I just spent another hour on the live chat trying to fix it and the agent wasn't answering any of my questions and left me hanging for 15 mins before I finally exited the chat. My phone STILL doesn't work. This is an AWFUL product. Great idea in theory but doesn't work and not worth all the frustration and hours of my life I won;t get back trying to fix the damn thing!!!!!!
 written by ram, September 09, 2010
before u decide to buy magicjack please read my chat windows below.they just update their system and deleted all the contacts of their clients. and they saying "opppss sorry we deleted your contacts"
Magicjack has a stupid techinical group ever! Please wait for a site operator to respond. You are now chatting with 'Lovelyn' Your Issue ID for this chat is LTK43601568976X Lovelyn: Hello, how may I help you? ramon: hi Lovelyn: hello Ramon ramon my issue i just changed my US number into canadian number ramon successfully changed but i cant see my phone book ramon all my phone listed names are gone Lovelyn: Do you have internet explorer in your pc ramon: yes ramon im using mozilla ramon i can use IE if u want Lovelyn: please open IE ramon MJ is on other laptop beside me ramon just a sec ill open the ie ramon its already open Lovelyn: yes Lovelyn: Click “Tools” and select “Internet Options” ramon just continue the instruction i can follow it Lovelyn: Click the tab named “Advanced”, scroll down to “Security” section, and uncheck “Check for server certificate revocation” Lovelyn: Click the “Security” Tab, highlight the green check mark named “Trusted Sites” and click the “Sites” button Lovelyn: Uncheck the “require server verification…” check box, enter data.magicJack.com, click “apply and ok” ramon: then Lovelyn: restart Magicjack ramon data.majicJack.com ? Lovelyn: yes ramon restarting Lovelyn: okay ramon ok ramon restarted already ramon same, no contacts display Lovelyn: have you made a new contact list after you renewed ramon i just want my old phone contacts retrieve Lovelyn: or the contacts you had before renewal were the ones deleted? ramon i dont made a new one, i add new contact ramon: nope Lovelyn: okay ramon before renewal its there displaying ramon : after the number was change Lovelyn: then you created a new list, right ramon : i dont create ramon : i added new contacts ramon : just two new contacts ramon : right now all i can see is my new added contacts ramon : i cant see the old list before the phone number change Lovelyn: that was what I was trying to figure out ramon : no warnings that if i change my number all the lists will be deleted ramon : if there is a warning, i can copy it first before changing Lovelyn: so your original contacts were deleted Lovelyn: I understand Lovelyn: we just made an update with the Magicjack system, that was maybe 3rd week of August Lovelyn: and that deleted the contacts in the dial pad ramon : what the ramon : why Lovelyn: and they cant be retrieved due to the new update ramon : thats the important thing Lovelyn: I apologize for that Ramon Lovelyn: we do have clients having the same issue Lovelyn: but we are trying what we can do yet we are not promising anything for the lost contacts ramon : wtf , your system has no backup systems for this little file? Lovelyn: I understand your frustrations Ramon ramon : what if we dont have any contact hand written and its a emergency call, and we are relying on this damn system ramon : we cant used it Lovelyn: we were not also aware that this would happen but our technical group made the update and we were just informed that contacts were deleted ramon : no they must test it first before using it in production, are they stupid technical group? Lovelyn: sorry but no, the new update just deleted all the information ramon : yeah tell your managers and technical group must follow the ITIL, or else magicjack really sucks incomes with support Lovelyn: I really apologize for the inconvenience Ramon ramon : before they deploy the udpate they must test it first on your end before deploying it worldwide Lovelyn: yes, I understand Lovelyn: this should not happen again ramon : maybe they are stupid IT group ramon : anyway sorry ramon : im mad right now Lovelyn: that is okay, we do have clients having the same issue and we are sorry for that ramon : ill copy this chat window, and paste it to reviews on magicjack Lovelyn: oh okay ramon : ok thank you for your time
 written by Hope, November 01, 2010
Seriously the only problems that I have heard with magic jack is that instead of paying $20 per year to change a number to a canadian one you have to pay $4.95 and $10 per year after that. Hmmmm.... Lets see a normal phone line is $40 a month NOT including long distance in canada or the united states so adding that on its approximately $60 per month unlimited north america. That adds up to $720 per year and people are bitching about paying $30 per year for magic jack?
Im sorry but that is a small cost I am willing to live with. I have had the device for over a month now and am completely satisfied. Though 911 is not a full feature if you have an old cellphone not hooked up but charged you can still call 911 on it and reach a live emergency operator. Which not alot of people seem to know. Also you should always keep a telephone number list in case of emergencies anyway so results like ram dont occur and leave you numberless.
 written by Williams, January 12, 2011
The magic Jack has been good to me and many of my friends that I recommended it to. If anybody doesn't have it they should get it. I've now also heard they are coming out with a magic Jack plus that won't require a computer in order to work, it works on wifi instead.
 written by Lorly Gianan, January 26, 2011
these people who are bitching and complaining is all paid by the competitive to discourage people and putdown the Magic Jack. MJ is a hit, anywhere...Telephone companies are losing money and clients...
 written by Conway930, February 05, 2011
Magic Jack Customer Service SUCKS!!!! They want to get your money, but I am finding more and more that once a technical problem or a billing issue arises, you can get NO satisfaction from the Live Chat associates. I just spent TWO hours on an online chat while one idiotic, incompetent technician after another tried to fix the problem, during which time the MJ device broke, like literally broke. The USB pin / part of the device broke off and I subsequently found out that they debited my bank account WITHOUT My consent for the replacement device. Spent another hour speaking to an associate after finding out that my money was taken without my permission, and she insists that I have to pay for the replacement device. What poor customer service and PR!!!! I think the actual product when it works, is very good value, but I’d have to say, after today, the company no longer has my support!
 written by rcwp, February 25, 2011
magicJack is pure CRAP!!! Nothing else to say, because that says it all.
 written by Ian, February 25, 2011
Wow! If I had read some of these review I would never have bought the MJ. My experience - Have owned for 2 months; installation was a snap; problems, one dropped call and occasionally some faint background noise. Upsides - yearly cost including hardware is one months of landline. I have already made hundreds of $ of long distance. My son is in Croatia and only phone is a cell which was costing me 27 cents/min (ouch!). I was so satisfied that I bought another unit on sale of $30 and mailed it to my son so he can now call me and other family and friends here in Canada for free. Also I plan on taking it to my cottage in Nova Scotia for the summer and dumping my landline there where almost every call I made was long distance and, since I paid the (apparently) HUGE sum of $10 for a local area code. my friends and family here can call my landline here and the call will be forwarded to my MJ in Nova Scotia.
As for the bitching about "support", has anyone tried to get support from Bell, Rogers or Telus recently? Or support from anyone else recently. So, even if MJ goes 'belly' tomorrow, I am so far ahead of the game that I give it a 10/10 rating.
 written by Tambo, March 19, 2011
I have to agree with the positive reviews. I love my magicjack! yes it costs the people calling me long distance but they can always call my cell if it is a problem for me. At least now I can call anyone in the US and Canada for free which is HUGE for me. I have had a couple of calls that were a bit choppy but I live with it because you can't beat the price. My old phone service with unlimited long distance came close to 60 dollars a month. I would much rather pay the 30 dollars a year (yes I am Canadian) Most of the time I find the sound quality just perfect. I guess for those of you who are complaining perhaps you need to go back to your costly phone service. I however, will continue to enjoy the savings!
 written by Bill the Cat, March 22, 2011
Why, if this product is so wonderful, is there no contact information on the website? why are they hiding? Why can't I reach a live person to ask questions? why do I have to give over my credit card just to get answers about how the product will work? what are these people hiding? Are they that corruupt? sure looks that way. Give us your credit card, we'll rip you off and too fucking bad.
 written by Maxinit, March 23, 2011
If I had read the comments here before buying my MJ, I wouldn't have bought it. I have had it for almost a year now.For $19 per year, I have no complaints AT ALL. I even managed to configure my voice mail with my voice recording. I bought an extra one for my unemployed brother in US (I am in Canada). He no longer uses his $50 p/month landline, and he calls me for free. I am sending another one to a relative in RSA, and they will be calling me for FREE!!!
 written by DK, March 27, 2011
I am doing some research on this because I'm thinking about getting one. I love all of these comments about customer service being bad and you can't contact them except for chat...whaaaah. What the hell do you expect for $40 per year? Get a grip !! Do you think they will staff a whole call center so you will get a live person on the phone? Wake up !!
 written by davethomas, May 25, 2011
magicjack is junk! Numerous problems trying to install software from their servers, to the whole mess freezing my computer. I tried their online chat and they could not figure it out. Finally, after 2 and half hours I gave up, and used to work as a computer tech, so I know how to troubleshoot problems. Yeesh! What a joke. The final insult was the retailer, a discount place called Factory Direct, would not refund or provide a credit note for magicjackcrap. BE CAREFUL about where you this thing if it doesn't work to avoid getting ripped off $40 plus taxes. Go with Skype for voip telephone.
 written by bradford dentist, June 29, 2011
Why bother...just get a headset and skype. It works flawlessly and their support is great.
 written by d, July 25, 2011
"YMAX services and magicTalk and the magicJack device and software are provided "as is", without any warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, warranties of quality, performance, non-infringement, merchantability, or fitness for use or a particular purpose.
YMAX and magicJack and VocalTec make no warranty as to the completion, clarity, or overall quality of any particular call made using the service. YMAX and magicJack and VocalTec make no warranty that any errors in the software will be corrected. " my suggestion, get a prepaid credit card and load it with only the amount of money required to activate the MJ to avoid any over billing issues. dont expect any customer service agent to go the extra mile to please you as they make the point to tell you they will not offer any warranty on the product right in the terms of service.
 written by Joe, August 03, 2011
I have tried Magic Jack for for 20 days. It never worked on my computer. I've been on the phone with Magic Jack Customer support for about eight hours in total. Their service was very poor. When I finally shipped the Magic Jack back after 20 days, They replied a few months later that I would not get my money back because it has been past the 30 day trial period. They say I have returned it a few months after I received it.
I'm sure that if Magic Jack works, it is an excellent product, but their support is verrry poor and they do not keep their promises; therefor, I will never refer Magic Jack to anyone, but suggest against it.
 written by Karen, August 11, 2011
I have had my MJ for over a year and love it. Yes the customer service sucks because you can't talk in person on the phone. Yes I've had some problems with people on the other end saying that I sound like I'm breaking up with my words. And yes people have said that when they call me at times it rings busy or the answering machine doesn't come on. But with saving over $1000 compared to when I used Rogers with no bells and whistles I would say I'm getting my moneys worth and more. For $20 a year I'll put up with some of the problems and if people on the other end don't like it because ocassionally they can not hear me very well, then tough, I save loads of money. I like it and I have extra money every month to pay for food
written by Karen, August 11, 2011
I have had my MJ for over a year and love it. Yes the customer service sucks because you can't talk in person on the phone. Yes I've had some problems with people on the other end saying that I sound like I'm breaking up with my words. And yes people have said that when they call me at times it rings busy or the answering machine doesn't come on. But with saving over $1000 compared to when I used Rogers with no bells and whistles I would say I'm getting my moneys worth and more. For $20 a year I'll put up with some of the problems and if people on the other end don't like it because ocassionally they can not hear me very well, then tough, I save loads of money. I like it and I have extra money every month to pay for food
 written by magic woman, August 19, 2011
I found something very disturbing on the Wikipedia Entry for the magicJack regarding the EULA’s respect for privacy and any legal issues.
The End User License Agreement specifically states (as of this writing) that: "You also understand and agree that use of the magicJack device and Software will include advertisements and that these advertisements are necessary for the Magic Jack device to work … Our computers may analyze the phone numbers you call in order to improve the relevance of the ads." By “Necessary to work”, they mean “completely optional for all practical purposes but we need something to pay the bandwidth/telephony costs”. Right. Surrender all privacy regarding who you call, because Big Brother is watching you, only using the “magic Jack” instead of the conventional telephone. The EULA goes out of it’s way to protect the product’s parent company of any possible legal liability that may result from usage of the product. This product throws way too many other common points of failure into the equation. With viruses like Conficker running on too many machines as it stands, the possibility for the complete loss of privacy as a result of using this product is disturbing to say the least given the appropriate security compromise.
 written by darrell, September 10, 2011
this product sucks big time. the the tech support on their chat line don't know what they are doing and can't fix the problems that arise. during the conversation it will break up and sometimes it will dial and then go back to the dial tone
 written by Charles Holly, September 18, 2011
I purchased in 2011 and found it not practical for my needs - it doesn't allow you to stop sending calls to the Magic Jack mail box or to adjust the number of rings from 3 before going to the Magic Jack email box.
 written by Jarica Donaldson, September 20, 2011
I have had Magic Jack for a Year and I LOVE IT!! No problems at all
 written by Andrée, October 10, 2011
I've had it for a month now, and, like the person who told me about MJ said, it works perfectly.
THe only problem we had, is because we bought the MJ unit in a Canadian store, and when we came to activate MJ, we had a big issue with the Canadian credit card number. Better buy it online, then your credit number is already in the system. It was a big thing getting rid of Bell, they try everything to keep you and your money, but never stop increasing the rates, ant cutting the jobs. Good riddance Bell. I actually save over $500.00 a year, and this nos NOT include long distance fees... How could I actually be happier... Magic Jack does what it promises.
 written by JBruno, October 24, 2011
The bottom line is this product sucks big time! Got mine two days ago. Install it and hope for the best results. Could only receive call but could not call out. I'm sad to say that I have spent over 6 precious hrs of my time on the MJ chat line. You have guessed the results. I might have talk to at least 7-8 tech. with no results. To those that have had good luck with the product, good for you. But if a product is advertised to be so good, why ..so many bad reviews? The moral of this venture is quite simple, if you can't provide an appropriate customer service..beware!
 written by Ann, November 01, 2011
I have purchased MJ over 1 year ago. It is good on incoming calls but I have to restart my computer everytime I need an outgoing call. The person on the other end can never hear me. I have 'chatted' several times with a rep and still the problem exists. The chat response time takes forever. The reps always tell me to call the 800 number..pretty funny since my outgoing calls do not work. I would have liked to upgrade to a PLUS but they again charge for a full year up front when I have already paid for a year. I was hoping that the PLUS would solve the issue of having to restart my PC everytime I want to make a CALL.
 written by leslie, November 05, 2011
hey i would like to hear your opinion, it might help me resolve my problem. my magic jack is still not working for a month now. whenever i tried to restart it, it displays error 401. it says that i have a problem with my certificate. i don't know what to do about it since i cant even access my email account. can somebody help me please.
 written by Tania, November 15, 2011
I strongly advise everyone NOT to purchase a Magic Jack. For months, I have consistently had the same problem: making calls where the receiver could not hear me. (I could hear them, but they could not hear me). I chatted online with countless staff (too many times), in which I had to download software, run updates, change settings, only to find that the same problem would occur over and over again.
When I asked one of the operators today (I chatted with three), he stated that I would have to wait 2 hours for my MJ to “regenerate”. I had enough; I asked for a refund, a replacement, contact information for management, a new unit – all of which they could not do, unless I was willing to pay for a new unit. Finally, the operator withdrew from the online chat… Therefore, if your MJ unit works – good for you. Reap the benefits of the product; yet, if it doesn’t and you need to get your issue fixed; good luck. You will find that you’ve been scammed of your money for a product that they are unwilling to replace or a technical issue that they cannot permanently resolve. That is why I strongly advise anyone not to purchase this product.
 written by harprit, November 20, 2011
Magic Jack customer service is very bad. infact they are looters. they asked me to pay $9.95 for the shipping for my majic jack, but they charged to my account $14.25. when i contacted them they told that they told me $9.95 by the mistake of their customer representative. rap cut the chat with me telling that nothing can be done now. I will never recommend Majic jack. I have disconnected my connection. Their sent majic jack is lying unused with me. dont trust majic jack.
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 31 August 2010 02:38 ) |
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Thanks for this detailed review.So do you have a Canadian number on magic jack now? you said they charge an extra 10$ per year for Canadian number,this is done as u get subscribed?
u said u bought urs from Fortune computers, u ordered online from this store? shipping costs? because I'm from Montreal and I didn't find yet any store that sells magic jack here so I think I have to order online.
thanks for your help
George