I have the magic jack for a couple of months now and it's not worth the cost. It won't let me call out 50% of the time and the audio is hard to hear. Sometimes the audio is so broken up you can't make out what the other person is saying. I would definitely not recommend this to anyone.

It appears the jury is not totally out on this product--really. I wanted to rush out and immediately purchase a magic jack after discovering it via a recent article online. I didn't and I won't based on what I am reading--both good and bad. And for those that do: "Buyer Beware." And for individuals wishing to offset cell phone costs and have ditched conventional landlines, a great alterntive is Skype, which I've been using for a couple years. For approx. $21.00 every 3 months, I have both unlimited calling and a phone number. Great clarity and Skype is always soliciting feedback on call quality. Worth every penny. Now if I can only find a product to ditch the cell phone, I'd be in nirvana. Because, I loathe the greedy, to big for their britches, cell phone carriers.

I reside in Canada and own a magic jack. The website indicated (still does) that if you dont find your area code, go ahead and cjhoose any area code because you can change your number once for free once this area code becomes available. Now all major cities in Canada are in the magic jack list. When I called to change, I was told I can't because it is only available for new clients!!!

It seems that they dont care about existing clients and they just like to attract new ones!

If someone from magic jack media tracking compnies read this my customer service ID for my last call is:

Your Issue ID for this chat is LTK419092809459X

This what your webside advertises:

"We currently offer a wide selection of area codes nationwide.
For area codes currently available, CLICK HERE
Area Code Not Available? If your area code is not listed when you select a number, please select any other number. You will be able to change to your local area code one time for free, once it becomes avilable"

Thanks.

Magic Jack didnt work for a whole year for us, just froze our computer every time we used it. After getting a new computer this year, we asked for a year of service back as compensation for technical issues they couldnt solve. We didnt ask for a refund.<br />
<br />
Here's some of the text from an uncaring, smart-aleck customer service person : <br />
<br />
Junrex: Is your magicJack working fine now?<br />
CK: As of 15 minutes ago, yes<br />
Junrex: Good<br />
Junrex: Since it has been activated<br />
Junrex: :)<br />
Junrex: Is there anything else I may help you with today?<br />
CK: How about my request for compensation as discussed with Marcus earlier. Please dont run me in circles like this.<br />
Junrex: If he submitted it then probably he will w ork with it.<br />
CK: How will I know the result. I'll wait if you need to go check on it.<br />
Junrex: No need CK<br />
CK: I realize you dont want to continue chatting with me over this. Please answer my question.<br />
Junrex: Just wait for the result Carol since Marcus escalated your request<br />
CK: Can you connect me to him? How will he get in touch with me? <br />
Junrex: you can end this chat and look for Marcus<br />
Carol Kay: Ha ha I'll be sure to copy the text of this conversation <br />
<br />
If it works, its great. If you have problems, you are just run around in circles by someone on a chat line who keeps asking you the same question rephrased again and again and finally just asks you to go away. So much for fairness and real communication.

Please wait for a site operator to respond.

You are now chatting with 'Paris'

Your Issue ID for this chat is LTK419090696595X

Paris: Hello, how may I help you?
Francis: Cannot load more time for international calls coz of a 5 time stipulation...is this true? Called your india nuimber 2814041551
Francis: and was given that info
Francis: Now there is nowhere on your site when loading minutes and it says you only have 5 times to load.
Francis: per month
Paris: Francis let me inform you that you can purchase a Ipp /minutes 5 times a month this is being done to avoid some System Errors on your end as well as ours
Francis: Now instead of me loading 5 and 10 dollars in my five (5) chances, I would have loaded 40 dollars every time for those 5 times
Paris: Okay
Francis: that comes to 200 dollars for magic jack
Francis: fine
Francis: but you MUST have that pasted on the LOAD funds page
Francis: Now it is XMAS
Francis: have to call all over the world
Paris: I apologize
Francis: guess who is not getting my funds today?
Francis: You got it..MAGIC JACK
Paris: as I checked here you still have a pending $5 purchase of IPP minutes Francis which was purchase last December 27, 2009
Francis: you must be in the future
Francis: 27th dec???????????????????????????
Paris: I mean 23rd of December sorry for the wrong typo
Francis: now we got to work around this
Paris: what do you mean?
Francis: so if I add another credit card, that should give me another 5 times? Huh? or go buy another magic jack and ?
Francis: start the process all over again and twiddle my thumbs for the month to go by so I can load this 415 number
Paris: I apologize but you still cant add minutes on your account on that Francis
Paris: I apologize but you still cant add minutes on your account on that Francis
Francis: Get another magic jack hdware from target and start process again?
Paris: it will still be the same
Francis: how?
Paris: you can purchase again in January
Francis: I guess in your world of "Magic"
Paris: Is there anything else I may help you with today?
Francis: Xmas will still be around and New Year to wish folk well! HUH?
Paris: Thank you for your patience. I will transfer you to a higher level of support. Please hold while I transfer you.
Please wait while I transfer the chat to the best suited site operator.

You are now chatting with 'Miriam'

Your Issue ID for this chat is LTK419090696595X

Miriam: Hello Francis. My name is Miriam To better assist you, let me put you on hold while I read your previous chat. Thank you.
Francis: I guess in your world of "Magic" Xmas will still be around and New Year to wish folk well! HUH?
Francis: Miriam...Paris, Rome Italy... thanks!
Miriam: Thank you for waiting, when I checked on your account, you purchased 5 times IPP balance on the month of December:
Miriam: TS02283850 12/17/2009
Miriam: TS02289354 12/17/2009
Miriam: TS02302375 12/20/2009
Miriam: TS02321858 12/23/2009
Miriam: TS02321865 12/23/2009
Miriam: This means, you may again purchase an IPP by next year (January).
Miriam: Is there anything else I may help you with today?
Francis: well...
Francis: I guess I am the only one with this problem today..I will take my funds and buy a calling card...next issue
Francis: I want to remove my cell number from being able to call usin magic jack
Francis: Miriam
Francis: Make sure for this not to happen, ...5 times ..mess...till another month ability to purchase...is put in clear writing when we order. If I knew that, one more time, that I have 5 times only, I would have bought in multiples of 40 USD
Francis: not in 5s and 10s as I did
Miriam: Please login to your online account and in there, you may remove your cellphone from able to call using the magicJack.
Francis: I am a new user and to find this out this far close to xmas and new year...well...you tried...THANKS. It is not you policy but magic jack policy...now remove my cell number for ability to use magic jack, moving on to another carrier until January as you suggested
Francis: Tried that it has no where to do so
Miriam: You are referring to call forwarding, right?
Francis: nope
Miriam: Or International calling?
Francis: ability to call13058489999
Francis: enter number press#
Francis: international
Francis: Magic Jack goes to sleep now, they already made their money, another sucker like me will come around
Francis: Magic Jack Complaints - The Worst Customer Service / Magicjack ... Oct 14, 2009 ... Magic Jack Complaints: The Worst Customer Service / Magicjack what they don't tell you. Telecommunications. www.complaintsboard.com/.../the-worst-customer-service-magicjack-what-they-don039t-tell-you-c266654.html - Cached
Miriam: Okay, I will request to remove your cellphone number on your online account.
Francis: thats on google
Miriam: Okay.
Miriam: Is there anything else I may help you with today?
Francis: My advice...
Miriam: Yes?
Francis: Put clearly on web site...that one has five times a month to buy airtime...so we can buy in higher multiples.say 40 dollars. thats again 200 USD for magic Jack...
Miriam: Okay, I will send your request.
Francis: Wish Malik, Jake Paris and You Miriam a Happy XMas and a Prosperous New Year.you have all been great customer service reps...but magig jacks policy regards this issue should be revisited...again, THANKS!
Miriam: Thank you and you are welcome.
Francis: Bye
Miriam: Goodbye.
Chat session has been terminated by the site operator.