Things the Vonage Sales department WON'T tell you (but should)

Ahhh the Sales department: Tech support hates that department. They are worse than any call tech support could ever get. I'm not saying that they lied to customers, but---- they tell many untruths. For examples:

Used Phone Adapters:
The most common problem is buying the Vonage phone adapter off of Ebay or another Online Auction site, or getting one at a yard sale. If you buy an adapter and that person has an outstanding bill at Vonage you will not be able to get service with that adapter. There is an easy way to get around this so your not stuck with a Vonage Phone adapter that you can't use. Get the MAC ID off of the adapter. Call Tech support and give them the MAC ID and verify BEFORE you purchase it that it's clear to use.

Vonage WILL NOT WORK WITH:

• Satellite Internet it will be choppy, and you won't be able to make out what the other person is saying. Much tweaking must be done to make it barely audiable, but you deserve better.
• Wireless Connection Only If you are getting service for the Internet from your neighbor's connection, Vonage will not work You have to have a modem for the Vonage to work Or if you are getting service from Wireless provider Vonage will always be choppy.
• Dial up Internet Service like Net Zero, Earthlink, or others: Vonage has to have Broadband service to work.
• Earthlink DSL- Yahoo DSL Service: These run off of the home phone service, once you bring your number to Vonage your DSL won't work, because its shut off.

Special Note about DSL and Vonage

Vonage will work with DSL from the phone company however sometimes if you bring your number to Vonage they will shut off your DSL service leaving you without phone and Internet service. If you have DSL service, you want to make sure before you take your phone number to Vonage that you have DSL on a seperate line with a different number other then the one you are taking to Vonage. Many times I have seen DSL shut off when a number is brought over to Vonage and it's the weekend and you have to make another appointment to get DSL turned back on. It's really an inconvience.

ALARM SYSTEMS:

Some alarm systems WILL NOT WORK WITH ANY VOIP PHONE SERVICE. NOT EVEN VONAGE.

Before making the switch if you have an alarm service, check with them first.

LIFE ALERT SERVICES:

Life alert services work on landline phones. The thing about phones from your phone company is, usually when the electric goes out, the phone will still work, With Vonage and other VOIP phone services, When the power is out, the phones are out also. If you have a loved one depending on Life Alert Services, don't change to Vonage.

911 Services:

Vonage does pretty good with keeping up with the 911 addressses, but you are resposible for making sure in your online account that the address is up to date. If you move, you must change your address online.

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT 911 SERVICES and VONAGE:

Vonage phone adapters work on electric. If your electric goes out, or your Broadband Internet provider goes out or down, THE PHONE WON'T WORK, and you won't be able to call 911. Make sure you have a back up system such as a cell phone for emergency calls.

The last most importaint thing to do before committing to Vonage is read the TERMS OF SERVICE there are mant things in the terms of service that you should be aware of before making a decision.