Magic Jack Review

dessy321
My spouse and I are disgusted with home phone services. We tried them all and it never failed; there were hidden charges, service not included in price package, zone and toll charges. Fighting with the companies about our billing and extras added on was nothing more then a migraine. They never seem to get the bills right. We lived with a cell phone for a while, but we did not want to sign contracts and are using a pay as you go service. The extra bill was not what we wanted. We both have family out west, down south, and Canada, so needless to say our long distance calling was high. We tried the phone cards, but they only last so long, then you're off buying more. On television we saw the advertisement for Magic Jack. The commercial is quite appealing, offering free local and long distance calling for a low yearly price. The price of $39.99 included one years phone service which is the $19.95, not too bad figuring it is $1.67 a month. My spouse was skeptical of this new item, you know the phrase" too good to be true"? So I went onto www.magicjack.com and read over all the reviews from papers like LA Times, Boston Globe, NY Times, and PC Magazine. I figured with so many great reviews, we should give it a try, especially with so many relatives living out of state, this maybe our solution to our long distance calling problem. So, we agreed to purchase one.

The key to using this new device is, that you need to have a Internet connection, and an extra USB port not in use. Basically , when I figure in my Internet service which is $14.99 monthly, add in the $1.67 per month for the Magic Jack, the end cost for our phone service is $16.67. This is much better then paying $30 a month for basic phone service which does not include long distance calling, requiring us to buy phone cards at $20 each. This Magic Jack appears to be much more affordable. The Magic Jack was quite simple to hook up, all I had to do was plug the unit into my computer tower via USB port and, plug in my regular home phone into the Magic Jack . The Magic Jack automatically downloaded the software and, in a short few moments I was ready to make phone calls. I did not have a phone number, so they assigned me one for my Internet phone service. Immediately after the download was done, I registered my email, then I was able to make and receive phone calls. I phoned my brother in Texas, and then my sister in law in Nebraska. I was surprised that there was no difference between this new item and regular service clarity. The clarity is much better then that of other Internet phones I used before, as they had major feed back, and I had to pay a monthly fee, plus buy a special Internet phone, which was a nuisance for me to keep by the computer. The Magic JackInternet phone connector is compact, and sits by the computer tower unnoticed. It also gives me call waiting, caller ID, and voice mail at no extra charge. What I really like most is, that I can use my regular cordless phones which I recently purchased that were expensive, and now they are not sitting in a box on a shelf collecting dust. I recall seeing a 911 service, I have not read up on the use of that yet, but I understand it does not operate like normal 911 service, so we keep the cell phone on at night for this reason.

The only issue about using this Internet phone service that I see, is that my computer has to remain on in order to use it. Also, if I am working on the computer at the same time that I receive a call, I experienced some minor feed back. The solution to this issue was to not work on the computer when I talked. I am not sure If this minor feed back is due to my operating system or not, this very well may be, as I am not an experienced computer user. When I am not using my computer, I just turn off my monitor to save on electric bill, which still allows me to receive or make calls. To access my voice mail, it works the same as other services, I just dial my number and enter my pass code. Over all, I am quite happy with this product as it serves our use of a home phone very well. It is a cheaper option to the conventional phone service, and works as well so far. I also read that one can also take this product with you when you travel and make free calls via Internet wherever you maybe staying. For my first review, I give Magic Jack two thumbs up for easy usage, quality, compact-ability, and affordability.

Published by dessy321

I love to write, I have completed a short story not sure yet how to publish it .. but in the making :)  View profile

7 Comments

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  • Tom Kelly3/27/2010

    I've had my magic jack for just about 2 months now. My magic jack along with my prepaid Tracfone used for emergencies and quick messaging, saves me bundles when compared to AT&T or Verizon monthly plan services. I was paying these companies over $1,200 per year. My Tracfone with over 1000 minutes to be used for emergencies only cost only $120 for the year. Magic Jack cost only $40 for the year. Now you do the math!!!

  • dessy3211/10/2010

    I am not sure what to tell you to do, I just renewed my magicjack for $19.95 and have had no problems. Maybe call them and ask them for assistance, They do have an online live person to speak with. I understand the scare factor, but being I had no issues, this is the only advice I can give right now. If you purchased the unit at a store you already paid for a year advance. They only ask for CC info on renewal. This is what I found in my case, I never had to give it prior, and no charges other then the renewal fee were charged after the year was up. Good luck

  • jane koa1/5/2010

    i have a very big problem with my magic jack, i forgot my registered email address, but i got my password. since i cannot start using my magic jack for a couple of months now from the time i renew it. i was thinking of refunding it, but i they are asking for my credit card. i'm worried they might deduct it from my credit card again. what to do now?

  • dessy3218/14/2008

    I am sorry to hear your grief, as i had similar things happen to me with cable and phone companies. I think the difference may be, that I purchased it through a retail store, so the 39.99 included the year service. I have not given no CC number or anything yet, maybe when my year is up I will have to. Like most things we buy or experience, some have a positive and some have a negitive experience. For once, I in a few years, I have had a positive one. Thanks and Good Luck to you.

  • Sharon "Shae" Freeman8/14/2008

    I had the same beginning appeal to the magicjack. Unfortunatly I had issues with them charging my account 1) not sending my jacks until my original 30 day trial had ended, they restarted it for me 2) charging my account again before I actually received the jacks and 3) charging me $11.50 that they couldn't even figure out (it was refunded)....this gave me red flags about their customer support.

    I think as long as you dont have any problems like this you are okay, just be aware because they are still a new company.


    Good Review!!

  • dessy3218/5/2008

    Hi. My electric bill for the prior month was only $40.00. I live in a one bedroom Townhouse, with a A/C unit on now that it is summer. I usually have my computer on during the day anyways, so for me to keep it on is not a problem. Regular phones as I stated, is what I use, and one of them is on a base in different room. For us it is cheaper since we were buying phone cards at $20 each two times a month. It works for us very well. Good Luck and thanks for yoru comment.

  • Kay Whittenhauer8/5/2008

    I was wondering about this. It's so much cheaper than a traditional land line. I'm not sure about leaving the computer on all the time. How did that effect your electric bill? So, you still use your regular phones? - We have 5 - plugged in in the same places? Hmmm... quite a savings... you say it's good... Anyway, really good article!

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