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Report: #849633

Complaint Review: Ooma - Internet California

  • Submitted:
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  • Reported By: burned by Ooma — California United States of America
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  • Ooma Internet, California United States of America

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I purchased an Ooma system three years back.  When I purchased the $250 ooma box and paid the $50 to port my number I had already commited myself to this service.  If I was aware of the future of Ooma's practices I would have never signed up.  I would have gone with (((competitor's name redacted))).   I was promised "Free" phone service.  My friends have had it for years and they have not paid one bill for anything since they signed up.  Well one year into service, I was sent an email demanding that I pay $11.28 in taxes for the year!  Well that does'nt sound like free to me.  I asked my friend.  He did not recieve the same email. 

So I just paid it!  No big deal $11.28.  Well then here comes the 3rd year.  They sent me an email demanding $3.78 monthly for taxes and some sort of fee's.  Well same story, my friend gets no bill for this.  I wait and the next thing I know my phone service is disconnected.  I contact Ooma in question.  I ask them about the taxes and fee's.  He says you must pay them!  I stipulated this was not the case when  I purchased your service and was assured "NO FEE'S".  Well he had no answer for me. 

I said alright since I have already invested $300 into your service send me a bill monthly and I will pay it.  "Sorry Sir Ooma only can and will deduct your monthly fee's from a Debit or Credit Card".  Well I don't want that!  I asked him, "What if I don't have a C.C. or debit card?"  "Sorry sir there is no other option or choice".  So here I am without a home phone, paid $300 to have this service and now held hostage by Ooma to pay these taxes and fees.  I already pay taxes thru my internet provider....   My complaints fell upon deaf ears.  

When I requested to speak to management they were unavailable.  I complained also via Email and it stipulates if you want a call back please provide a number to reach you at.  Well the call never came.  So now I am getting billed monthly for something when I signed up for was stipulated as  FREE.  Currently Magic jack charges $20 a year for there  service, which is just like Ooma.  How is it there taxes and fee's are cheaper?  If I could do it over I would never have signed up for Ooma.  The system gets you busy signals. 

At times I am unable to make outgoing calls without a busy signal.  I believe Ooma's practices to be of a "Bait and Bill"  technique.  Once my Ooma box dies, I will promptly port my number to another service.  I have already filed a compalint to the FCC about this and think the public should be aware of there practices.  In the meantime, Ooma deducts $3.78 a month from my account.  The only Decuction!  You have no choice.  So if you don't have a Credit card of debit card you will not be able to have Ooma service.


 sorry, allowing you to give a competitors name would instigate others to just file against their competition, to only come back later to suggest their company, ..plus, if you post a competitors name more than likely they will show up on search engines as a Rip-off! - - your comments on this policy are welcome. CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report. In this case we removed an alleged competitors name

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 03/06/2012 02:41 PM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ooma/internet-california-/ooma-bait-and-bill-internet-california-849633. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content

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REBUTTALS & REPLIES:
1Author
3Consumer
0Employee/Owner

#4 Consumer Comment

Did you go to their web site?

AUTHOR: coast - (USA)

POSTED: Thursday, March 08, 2012

Posted on the Ooma web site home page:

Pay only applicable taxes and fees. Unlimited calls are subject to normal residential usage limitations.

Federal universal service charges, state and local taxes, fees & surcharges and regulatory and compliance fees are billed monthly and are subject to change.


Posted on the Ooma FAQs:

You pay only applicable taxes and fees approximately $3.50 per month.

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#3 Consumer Comment

Okay, I'll take another shot at it...

AUTHOR: Ken - (USA)

POSTED: Thursday, March 08, 2012

Y-E-A-R-S  ago when I signed up for Dish Network and got their service, there was not tax.
In the last year a 90 cent a month tax has been added. 

I decided not to go on a rant and threaten to burn down Dish Networks headquarters, shoot myself in the foot and go with another provider...it's what happens in the world.  I would bet your agreement with OOMA makes some mention of fee/tax possibility or after you are advised of such, your continued use of the service constitutes your agreement.
That's how most businesses institute changes in their operation and pricing policies.

I DO understand, you're not happy with it and will probably find another provider.
Their site, does, as I mentioned above, offer you the opportunity to see how this affects you and your area, as opposed to what your friends are paying/not paying.
It will, apparently, vary by taxing jurisdiction...good luck finding another company to replace them.

If you can't, guess you'll have to bite the bullet and go back to a "land line" from your local TELCO.
Oh, wait, they charge taxes and fees, too.

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#2 Author of original report

Missed Point

AUTHOR: burned - (United States of America)

POSTED: Thursday, March 08, 2012

Well its obvious you missed the point Guy.   When I signed up three years ago,  there was no mention of "Tax and Fee's".  Yes, now they stipulate this currently on there website.  Point being if I was informed of this when I purchased this three years ago, I would not have signed up!  It does'nt matter the amount, its the point of change in the original reason I signed up for Ooma. "Free phone service". As people who first signed up for this service (i.e. my friends) are not being billed monthly for tax and fee's!   Also the competitor has a comparable service.  There is  hardware on Ebay for the MJ Plus that is about $55.  There fee that you can pay up front for five years is $100.  Which means no monthly deduction and its only $1.66 monthly.  Oh and I pay!  Because I have $300 invested in this right now! What choice do I have?  I am also unhappy to the fact that you can "Only be billed thru credit card or debit card".   I don't like this billing process!  But with Ooma, there is no other option!   What if I did'nt have a credit card or debit card?  What then?   If I do the math and switch to the other service it takes me four years to break even.  But when my Ooma box dies I will go to another service.  That is the point.  Quick summary for those who missed the point:  1) Was not informed there would be "Tax'es and Fee's" when I purchased the Ooma product 3 years ago.  2) Unhappy they have no current billing option other than Auto Debit from Credit Card.  That is the point....

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#1 Consumer Comment

I found this on Ooma's website FAQ's....

AUTHOR: Ken - (USA)

POSTED: Tuesday, March 06, 2012
Sounds great. But what does Ooma cost?

The one-time purchase price of Ooma includes our award-winning service with voicemail, caller-ID, call-waiting and 911 emergency service.
Applicable taxes and fees are required but are a lot less than you might imagine. Click the link below to see taxes and fees in your area.

We also offer a number of optional services for what we think is an exceptional value.
Had you read this, yet?

"I already pay taxes thru my internet provider."
Not applicable at all, I also pay "taxes" through my internet provider, but my phone service, including cell includes taxes and fees.

Get over yourself and pay it.  Their FAQ's DO spell out what may be charged.  Go to their site and check your location for amounts.
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