Standard Phone Alternative- Magic Jack - Virtual Assistant Forums

#1 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008

Ok VA's, I don't if you have heard of Magic Jack, but I hadn't and once I did I was skeptical.

Magic Jack is a USB device that plugs into your computer and it allows you to have FREE LOCAL & LONG DISTANCE PHONE SERVICE for ONE YEAR.

You get your whole year's worth of phone service with free long distance and all the added features included; from caller id, voice mail, call waiting, etc for just $19.95 a year!

The first year is free and all you have to pay initially is $39.95 to buy the Magic Jack and your ready to go and will not have to pay any taxes or phone fees like you pay with normal telephone companies.

It has been on CNBC, see link below
http://www.magicjacktv.com/5/cnbc.asp

Rating from PC World Magazine-http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2704,2250257,00.asp

I ordered my own in Feb 2008 and I love it. I especially love NO PHONE BILL!!!!

Check it out http://www.magicjacktv.com/4/index.asp

Tess · #2 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008

Someone else mentioned this a few months ago, I still haven't looked at it, but will be interested to know how you feel about the function, etc. once you've used it for a while.
Thanks for posting

Rebecka Melson · #3 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008

I wish I could switch, I never use my home phone, even when I'm home I use my cell phone, but I have to have it for the security alarm. What a waste of money!

Kerans VA · #4 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008

I, too, heard about this last Fall. It seems to be a great service, let us know if it continues to work out for you, thanks!

rhonmanning · #5 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008

Thanks!! This does sound worth looking into. I was trying to figure out how I could have a business phone without having another landline installed as well as not having to add a line on my cell phone. This just might be the answer! I'll have to check the page out a little more thorough later but here's a question..

Does it have voicemail service? Good reception? Are you able to use the phone and the computer without any issues?

lidiagriffin · #6 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008

Originally Posted by 4SDOLLC

You get your whole year's worth of phone service with free long distance and all the added features included; from caller id, voice mail, call waiting, etc for just $19.95 a year!

Can I ask what the rate goes up to after a year? How have you found the reliabilty and reception in general?

moretime_cassi · #7 (**permalink**) 03-13-2008

That is VERY interesting! Thanks so much for telling us about it! This might be the perfect way to set up a separate business line!

King Business Management · #8 (**permalink**) 11-16-2009

I also would like to hear more about this once it's been around for a while. Thanks for posting and be sure to let us know how it works out for you.

Excel Virtual Services · #9 (**permalink**) 11-16-2009

Hello Ladies,

I have to say that I am a MagicJack convert, I just switched my regular phone to MagicJack and it works like a charm. I have clear crystal calls, voicemail is great and it works very well on my pc. I would recommend it to anyone.

Ivette

Maven · #10 (**permalink**) 11-16-2009

I have heard about this for the last year. Since it is a USB device is it completely portable?
If not would it be safer to just stick to a regular cell phone plan?

Jodith · #11 (**permalink**) 11-16-2009

One thing to remember with all VoIP plans (like Magic Jack) and Vonage, is that you need good broadband for it to work well.

Having said that, I have a friend that uses Magic Jack for her business and she just loves it. If I decide I need a phone other than my cell, it's the direction I would go in.

I also put in a plug for Vonage. I used them for years. Only stopped because we went to fulltime cell phones. They have great customer service, and never had a problem with quality unless the broadband was slow for some reason.

Olinda Services · #12 (**permalink**) 02-06-2010

One thing to remember is that with MagicJack you cannot do 3-way calls. That was a deal breaker for me because I have a client that uses this feature frequently.

mbeattyva · #13 (**permalink**) 02-17-2010

I tried it and was not happy at all with it. was a real pain sound quality was not good.
Anyway was not worth it to me. I want a good working phone myself. But seems it does work for some. Guess it all depends on your needs.

splarske · #14 (**permalink**) 02-17-2010

Magic Jack is VoIP correct? So if your internet goes down, your phone service is out also correct? I'm willing to give it a try. I got rid of my home phone 2 years ago and never looked back until recently. I have an iPhone and it cuts in and out sometimes - not very reliable at all for business calls so I'm looking for an alternative that is reasonably priced and this may just be it.

mbeattyva · #15 (**permalink**) 02-17-2010

Originally Posted by splarske

Magic Jack is VoIP correct? So if your internet goes down, your phone service is out also correct? I'm willing to give it a try. I got rid of my home phone 2 years ago and never looked back until recently. I have an iPhone and it cuts in and out sometimes - not very reliable at all for business calls so I'm looking for an alternative that is reasonably priced and this may just be it.

Correct no internet no phone. Or if your internet hick ups so does the phone..