I haven't had a land line for two years now and that's been fine except lately my iPhone service has been cutting in and out when I'm on phone calls. Of course this is completely unacceptable for my business so I'm considering alternatives.

I've looked into skype with a skype phone and have thought of magic jack but am concerned about VOIP and the issue of not having phone service if my internet service goes down.

Keep in mind ... I have NO phone service at all right now except my cell phone.

A land line with my local carrier will run me $40+ per month which I just don't have right now.

Any suggestions? I'm thinking I have to go with the land line and just deal with the cost until I can get clients and start earning a profit.

Thank you.

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Sandy

I use Skype for video calling and phone calls on a regular basis but its more of a back up, I hadnt thought about using it as my regular service. I have it on all day and get 'skyped' quite a bit.

My sister has a magic jack and she said the connection is sketchy but works...lots of static at times.

If you need it just for work, get a head set and try using skype. I think for a small fee you can forward it to your cell and visa versa... I havent looked that far into it just yet. I do know that for whatever reason, my computer picks up background noise. I have people tell me all the time that there is static but at my end its clear as a bell. So you have to be in a quite room, using a headset for it to be clear.

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www.sageva.com
Shelley Halpain,

Hi Sandy,

IMO, having clear reception is part of providing quality service. My cell gets decent reception at the back of the house in the bedroom, but not so good in the front of the house where my office is set up, so I went with a land line.

A residential line will be cheaper than a business line, & honestly, I'm not sure the listings you get in the biz directory when you go with a biz line, are that important in this industry.

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Lezly Harrison
Laserdog Productions - Code that Doesn't Bite

And, your land line can be written off as a business expense! Total win-win!

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

I use vonage and I love it. I pay 24.99 a month for it and can transfer to my cell when I am not home, love that too

I get great reception and if my internet goes out, I have it set up to automatically forward to my cell phone.

You just can beat the price and the quality.

I hope that helps,
Andrea~

I don't have a land-line and haven't since I left Maine. My business number is through onebox and it is forwarded to my cell. I also have Skype for a back-up (and those days when bad storms make cell reception a bit iffy). Between the two I haven't seen the need to install a land line.
Of course, I get really great reception (can you see all of the Verizon guys standing behind me?) and I don't do a great deal of phone communication. But I'm proof you can do business without a land line.

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~Tina Marie Hilton of Clerical Advantage
& founder of VA Survival School

I cancelled my Verizon landline one year ago saving me $55 plus taxes each month. I have 2 cells (personal & business) and Skype. Skype costs me $30 for unlimited calls in the US and Canada. 99% of the time Skype is clear and I don't have a problem. But the 1% results in dropped calls and/or buzzes, etc. I am happy with what I have. I also had Ring Central for 6 months since I wanted an 800# and a professional recording but found out I didn't need it at this time. I just wish I cut the cord a long time before I did. I do miss one thing about the landline and it's having to give up my dedicated fax machine. But that still doesn't warrant the large monthly cost since I only used it now and then. HTH

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JoCarole
http://www.shoreofficeservices.com

Thanks everyone. There's plenty of info to digest here and I'm sure I'll make my choice soon.

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Sandy

My landline is bundled with my cable. It works great and never had a problem. Check your cable provider (mine is Time Warner) to see if they are running a bundle special to get your cable, internet and phone all in one bill. I am only paying $80 for all three services currently because I signed up during a promo. Worth checking out!

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--Leigh

I recently got rid of landline service at $65/month and regret paying all those years from something I didn't use. I have a second cell phone and number which I rarely use but is on the same plan. I also use Onebox for toll-free and faxes and they just began sending me transcribed voicemails by email and text - a great service!

I have used Skype and sometimes it works, sometimes it drops calls. I've also used Skype from my cell phone.

Be sure to verify with your tax professional before taking home business deduction! If you're in the US, this is from IRS Schedule C, Profit and Loss From Business (Sole Proprietorship) instructions:

"Local telephone service. If you used your home phone for business, do not deduct the base rate (including taxes) of the first phone line into your residence. But you can deduct any additional costs you incurred for business that are more than the base rate of the first phone line. For example, if you had a second line, you can deduct the business percentage of the charges for that line, including the base rate charges."

More info: http://www.irs.gov/instructions/i1040sc/index.html

Totally agree with @dognose - nobody uses the phone book anymore and even with online listings, you can list yourself in all kinds of free directories!