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Vestalink Current Rates Are Still Promotional

Started by ceg3, April 12, 2014, 01:47:20 PM

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ceg3

Just noticed the current plan rates on the Vestalink website are again marked promotional, this time ending May 14th. Feeling good about now for having signed up in January. Let's hope that the more revenue they generate the more they will invest in the network.

carl

Quote from: ceg3 on April 12, 2014, 01:47:20 PM
Let's hope that the more revenue they generate the more they will invest in the network.
;D Now that's funny.

KAura

Quote from: ceg3 on April 12, 2014, 01:47:20 PM
Just noticed the current plan rates on the Vestalink website are again marked promotional, this time ending May 14th. Feeling good about now for having signed up in January. Let's hope that the more revenue they generate the more they will invest in the network.


I don't know what to say...  there was a 'going out of business'
sign on the local furniture store for about 2 years.

I saw the price of $75 for 2-years and thought, "WOW, I'm gonna'
have to give them a try!".  But then, 3 days later, during my trial ALL
of the prices increased, so I guess I had to make a choice to end my
trial early to lock in that price...

but, nobody told me, and POOF! it was gone...  vanished into thin air.


My trial account with VL is STILL active...  so, maybe I didn't need to
lock in the unlimited plan at $75 for 2 years, but I would have done it
if I was given 1/2 the chance.

So, right now I am looking at PhonePower, Future9, and LocalPhone.


The message VL sent to me is, "Sign up for the trial and try us out,
you'll like us (while we jack up the price while you aren't looking)".

I don't know -- it would seem that during a trial the price should be
locked until you make a decision, either yeah or nay, imo.

7Priest7

#3
So, On may 30th vestalink disappears.
Paying a year in advance, at a rate better than any other company I am aware of.

I don't know for sure they will disappear but I wouldn't be surprised if we soon(by soon I mean less than 6 months) see it.
There have been many well intentioned businesses/individuals who have mismanaged funds when given enough pre-pay.
The whois lists a P.O. Box, which is probably not a good sign.
Ryan Tilton may or may not be the real name of the person behind vestalink.
I went ahead and sent a text to the number listed on the whois, if I get a confirmation that it is the domain holder's phone number that would be a pretty good sign. I will update if/when I receive a reply.

nitzan

Quote from: 7Priest7 on April 12, 2014, 08:55:28 PMThere have been many well intentioned businesses/individuals who have mismanaged funds when given enough pre-pay.
Ryan Tilton may or may not be the real name of the person behind vestalink.
I went ahead and sent a text to the number listed on the whois, if I get a confirmation that it is the domain holder's phone number that would be a pretty good sign. I will update if/when I receive a reply.
I'm pretty sure Ryan Tilton is a real person. Having said that- so what? Intelafone is a Limited Liability Corporation, and as the name implies if Intelafone goes out of business Mr. Tilton personally owes you absolutely nothing. The only exception is if you could prove intentional fraud i.e. you can prove that he accepted your funds with the knowledge and intention of not providing you with the services promised - proving this would be extremely difficult if not impossible even if that were the case.

Additionally, if Intelafone decides to cut off all the early adopters in 6 months and cancel their yearly plans - guess what - they can just bill you for 6 months at their monthly rate ($9.99-11.99/mo) which would total more than the yearly plan cost, therefore owing you no refund. To quote their TOS: "Upon cancelation semi-annual, annual, and biennial are backdated as monthly accounts. If the number of months of service used multiplied by the monthly rate of the plan exceeds the initial value paid less any setup fees no refund or additional amount is due."

I'm not saying they'll do any of those things, just that legally speaking they could.
Nitzan Kon, CEO
Future Nine Corporation
http://www.future-nine.com/

CLTGreg

It's "Limited Liability Company". If it were "Limited Liability Corporation" it would rip a hole in time and space. Trust me this is bad.

As far as the PO Box goes that's actually favorable as USPS is really careful with identities nowadays. They know where he lives.

Intelafone is registered with the FCC and if he used a fake name with the government then that could be a problem and certainly could allow for piercing of the veil (being able to go after owners of corporations and LLCs). Anveo isn't listed at all.

The company also is properly registered with the Secretary of State of Washington State though I can't pull up the details due to a bug in their site. Finally the registered agent is distinct from the owners.

So I think we can be confident that his name is correct since it is registered with three governmental agencies and likely a DBA in his home county.

That said, I'm no fan of Vestalink but I'm letting them have the money and only barely using the service so perhaps they can improve.

If the company does shutter it would likely be due to bankruptcy and there wouldn't be any money left. If they just closed up shop with the idea of committing fraud then that's where the real troubles begin regardless of what the TOS says.

There are two things about them that invoke a couple of phrases. "You get what you pay for" and "if it seems to good to be true".

We'll see. I hope they make it.

ceg3

Why are you discussing Vestalink shutting down? I only pointed out that they haven't yet reached their "final" price point, so yet another set of plan rates are only temporary. It seems they are only increasing to be more in line with other providers. Unlimited for 39.99 was admittedly a pretty sweet price when it was the promotional rate.

KAura

NO...  I'm not saying VL is shutting down...

What I'm saying is like the furniture store 'going out of business'
VL is running promotionals...  end-to-end, just like the furniture
store was running promotionals end-to-end...

Running promotionals all the time is not a 'good' thing.

KAura

#8
Quote from: ceg3 on April 13, 2014, 05:58:17 AM
... they haven't yet reached their "final" price point ...

And dear sir/maam, yes they have reached their final price point!!

This IS IT, and the buck stops HERE.  We are the forum, the market...
and we control the price points ;)


There are two (2) extremely reputable companies far as I can tell,
and another one (1) that matches or beats their current pie-in-the-sky
price points NOW -- as they stand!!


The other ONE is PP, $60 per year (paid up front yearly), although
there have been refund issues (so to speak), and although they
don't spoof but one # you own (that costs $5 to change)...  they
have a LOAD of features -- their website states 45 features in all.

The other TWO are the best models, as they don't require an upfront
yearly payment -- they are monthly (just keep a positive balance) --
and those TWO companies are Future9 and LocalPhone.

note: you won't get nickeled-and-dimed so hard on a refund ;)
  LocalPhone since 2005/2006 and Future9 since 2008.


VL has been fumbling left-and-right, and through it all they 'up'
their prices?!?  Sure, cheap is good...  and congrats on your
early purchase, but you are also paying for their growing pains.

So get one of the other TWO as backup and you've got something!!


As has been mentioned, if you want CNAM with LocalPhone, then you
can forward through CallCentric (for $1.50 per month) unless you plan
to use their system outside the U.S.

... or simply go with Future9, as they have no e911 requirements at
this time.


If anybody goes under, you can bet it's the banks that get their $$$
first, then the lawyers, and then they'll file chapter 13 and open up
another business in their wives' or kids' names.  Ask me how I know?!  :P

Johnny

#9
KAura,

You mentioned three major players.

I would also add Voip.ms and Callcentric in that group.

Callcentric might be a little more per month but they have a great web site with great support, lots of features, and they allow you to pay month to month.  No high upfront cost.  I believe it's a $5.00 minimum payment.

They were just recently running a promo for free porting but that has ended.  They now charge $10.00 to port your number.  Still not too bad.  I ported a GV number to them and have been extremely happy with their service.  In my opinion they are a highly established company and I doubt they will go out of business anytime soon.  I would never say never though.

And then there's Voip.ms.  Same deal as Callcentric.  Highly established reputable company that's been around a few years.  Their minimum payment is $25.00 and then you live off the balance.  I think I went quite a while on that $25.00 original payment.  Of course, just like Callcentric, great features and great support.

Price wise, they charge me $0.99/mo. for my DID's and I believe $0.01/min in and out.  A little higher than the new kids on the block but I feel more secure with them.  I actually have six DID's with them.

And then you also mentioned Future-nine.  Another company I highly recommend.

Nitzan is very helpful and he's also a mainstay on a few forums.

Where does he find the time  ;D

ceg3

Quote from: KAura on April 13, 2014, 07:54:46 AM
NO...  I'm not saying VL is shutting down...

What I'm saying is like the furniture store 'going out of business'
VL is running promotionals...  end-to-end, just like the furniture
store was running promotionals end-to-end...

Running promotionals all the time is not a 'good' thing.
I get that.  Someone misinterpreted your reference to businesses (furniture stores and tire dealers) running constant sales ads.  I just wanted to disabuse anyone of the notion that Vestalink will be shuttering it's doors next month.

ceg3

Quote from: KAura on April 13, 2014, 08:12:43 AM
Quote from: ceg3 on April 13, 2014, 05:58:17 AM
... they haven't yet reached their "final" price point ...

And dear sir/maam, yes they have reached their final price point!!

This IS IT, and the buck stops HERE.  We are the forum, the market...
and we control the price points ;)


There are two (2) extremely reputable companies far as I can tell,
and another one (1) that matches or beats their current pie-in-the-sky
price points NOW -- as they stand!!


The other ONE is PP, $60 per year (paid up front yearly), although
there have been refund issues (so to speak), and although they
don't spoof but one # you own (that costs $5 to change)...  they
have a LOAD of features -- their website states 45 features in all.

The other TWO are the best models, as they don't require an upfront
yearly payment -- they are monthly (just keep a positive balance) --
and those TWO companies are Future9 and LocalPhone.

note: you won't get nickeled-and-dimed so hard on a refund ;)
  LocalPhone since 2005/2006 and Future9 since 2008.


VL has been fumbling left-and-right, and through it all they 'up'
their prices?!?  Sure, cheap is good...  and congrats on your
early purchase, but you are also paying for their growing pains.

So get one of the other TWO as backup and you've got something!!


As has been mentioned, if you want CNAM with LocalPhone, then you
can forward through CallCentric (for $1.50 per month) unless you plan
to use their system outside the U.S.

... or simply go with Future9, as they have no e911 requirements at
this time.


If anybody goes under, you can bet it's the banks that get their $$$
first, then the lawyers, and then they'll file chapter 13 and open up
another business in their wives' or kids' names.  Ask me how I know?!  :P
Everyone has their opinion and Vestalink has attracted their share, some negative comments deserved, some not.  They are working well for me and I guess that is what matters at the bottom line for me.

7Priest7

Quote from: nitzan on April 12, 2014, 11:10:01 PM
Intelafone is a Limited Liability Corporation, and as the name implies if Intelafone goes out of business Mr. Tilton personally owes you absolutely nothing.
My point exactly.
Collect a bunch of Pre-Pay funds then "mismanage" those funds.
Retire in the Bahamas while laughing out loud.

I would never pay a year in advance for anything.

KAura

seems there is a 'new' player...

but I know nothing about them -- CircleNet.
Can open a free $2 trial with them.


Some of their rates are unbelievable,
but sooner than later I would suppose
VL's rates will have to come down a bit.


On a wider note -- at least problems
breed experience -- but only if those
solving the problems stay with VL.

...good luck VL and congrats to those
who are already on board.

Usetheforceobiwan

#14
Quote from: 7Priest7 on April 12, 2014, 08:55:28 PM
So, On may 30th vestalink disappears.
Paying a year in advance, at a rate better than any other company I am aware of.

I don't know for sure they will disappear but I wouldn't be surprised if we soon(by soon I mean less than 6 months) see it.
There have been many well intentioned businesses/individuals who have mismanaged funds when given enough pre-pay.
The whois lists a P.O. Box, which is probably not a good sign.
Ryan Tilton may or may not be the real name of the person behind vestalink.
I went ahead and sent a text to the number listed on the whois, if I get a confirmation that it is the domain holder's phone number that would be a pretty good sign. I will update if/when I receive a reply.

Intelivoice / Obivoice / Vestalink / <<Insert Next Month's Name>> filed a trademark for the name Obivoice.  I highly doubt a fictitious entity or person would file for a trademark.  The submission is referenced in a post over on the VOIP forum at Broadbandreports.com