Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

How NOT to run a VOIP Provider Business

  • 15-05-2006 5:31pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,193 ✭✭✭


    I heard BroadTalk mentioned recently and looked up their Website. Their Pay-As-You-Go option seemed quite good as it came with an inbound number. I created an account and carried out a Top-Up transaction to the value of €10.

    That was last week. Here are my communications with BroadTalk.

    Sat 13 May 2006 17:55
    Dear Sirs,

    On May 9th I completed an order (# XXX) for a 10 Euro top-up on a newly opened account.

    Each day the status of the order has remained at "Pending".

    It is now FOUR days since I placed the order and my order is still "Pending".

    Over the last number of years I have become accustomed to my orders being fulfilled as soon as I submit my credit card information. If every other company I deal with can do it, why is my order still "Pending" after FOUR days?

    I moved my VOIP business from another VOIP provider because your non-subscription, pay-as-you-go offering seemed straightforward and hassle-free. However, if it is going to continue to be this difficult to top-up my account, your offering no longer seems as attractive.

    I am a new customer and this is not an auspicious beginning.


    Mon 15 May 2006 14:03
    Dear Sirs,

    I wrote to you THREE days ago concerning a top-up to a new account (order # XXX). The order in question was placed almost A WEEK AGO and it is still pending.

    I have not received a response to my email and your advertised phone number is not being answered.

    I have left a voicemail to which I expect a response by 3pm today. Should I fail to receive a reponse I will be left with no option but to contact VISA and request they cancel the transaction due to non-delivery.

    This is a disgraceful situation that has been allowed to develop. As a company selling a service, you know that the hardest sales to make are those to a new customer. If you continue to make it this difficult for people to trade with you, I don't believe you will continue to trade much longer.


    Mon 15 May 2006 15:55
    Dear Sirs,

    As you have not delivered the goods that I ordered, and as you have not seen fit to respond to my emails and phone calls, you leave me with no alternative but to demand that you close my account and cancel the order (# XXX) that I made 6 days ago.

    I am contacting VISA to instruct them to halt payment on the grounds on non-delivery.

    --- End of Emails ---

    I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate BroadTalk. They have managed to take a new customer who is ready to do business and turn that customer into someone who will not only never do business with them again, but who will actively discourage everyone to avoid BroadTalk like the plague. It takes a special kind of company to do this.


    Regards,

    Liam

    PS At the time of writing, my order is still "Pending".


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 618 ✭✭✭CrazySka


    Might be a bit cynical of me, but if i was you id check with card services to make sure no extra transactions have taken place.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,135 ✭✭✭dam099


    I had the same problem with E5 of PAYG credit and a new subscription, its still pending 6 weeks later. I was just doing it as a test while Blueface was giving some problems (now resolved) so I never bothered chasing them. I also have problems logging into my account, the login tab brings me back to the home page, I have to go to sign up and then follow a link for exisiting subscribers.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 849 ✭✭✭jwt


    Hmm something similar happening here as well

    Signed up on Wednesday night (well Thursday morning 00:06)

    Still showing as pending today, like you I was suprised that it wasn't instant, but in fairness I can see why some suppliers dont accept a payment until the money actually arrives into their account, e.g. elara.ie

    However I rang the support number and spoke to a Dave? (who was obviously expecting a call from someone else and started to continue an existing conversation :) )

    He claimed it would be completed by EoB today friday, we'll see.

    Currently testing freespeech.ie on foot of this problem with a TA612V, and had no difficulties, apart from my internet being routed through Packet Exchange in London and hence being informed, rightfully, that an irish 076 number couldnt be assigned. An email to freespeech.ie was answered inside about 20 min and problem sorted.


    However freespeech don't offer number porting and currently their local number availability is limited to 01 numbers. Have sent a quick mail to see how strict this is.

    I have to say that ringing broadtalk and getting through to someone who sounded like they were answering their home phone to an expected call from a mate didn't endear confidence. First thing that went through my mind was "uh oh, this is a one man band operating from a bedroom".

    That is probably completely untrue, but it was my first reaction.

    John


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,659 ✭✭✭PowerHouseDan


    I am the same with Broadtalk been waiting 6 days no reply.. Was in contact in Freespeech they do plan to have all number available but are having some problems at the moment


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 849 ✭✭✭jwt


    Thats good to know about freespeech, because from my rudimentary trawl of irish VoIP rates they seem to be the cheapest. (I'm open to correction on this)

    Don't know how "good" their service is and in particular how they would stack up aginst blueface who seem to offer the best customer service and reliability of all VoIP providers in Ireland (again from my limited trawl of forums etc and in particular my own experiences with blueface)

    John


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,659 ✭✭✭PowerHouseDan


    Anybody heard from broadtalk cannot contact them at all... My order has been pending for 2 weeks


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 849 ✭✭✭jwt


    Nope, mines pending as well :(

    Must check CC to see if it was taken off the card :(


    John


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,659 ✭✭✭PowerHouseDan


    The phone number is just coming up as engaged


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 849 ✭✭✭jwt


    LOL

    That's not a good sign from a VoIP company is it?:eek:


    John


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 76 ✭✭lzbones


    jwt wrote:
    Thats good to know about freespeech, because from my rudimentary trawl of irish VoIP rates they seem to be the cheapest. (I'm open to correction on this)

    Don't know how "good" their service is and in particular how they would stack up aginst blueface who seem to offer the best customer service and reliability of all VoIP providers in Ireland (again from my limited trawl of forums etc and in particular my own experiences with blueface)

    John

    I've been using freespeech for some time with BT broadband and I have very (and I mean very) rarely had any issues with quality (i make all my business calls with VOIP). They are definitley the cheapest supplier - you now get free calls every day to many destinations. The only thing they lack are features like advanced voicemail - but if that's not what you are looking for I recommend it. It's easy to try because it's pay as you go style billing.


  • Advertisement
  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,536 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    liamo, I'm curious has this issue been resolved for you yet?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,193 ✭✭✭liamo


    Well, it is resolved in that I told them by email and by voicemail (because I couldn't get to speak to a human) to close my account and cancel my order.

    Having said that, I just logged in to my account moments ago and my order is still "Pending". It would appear that they have neither closed my account nor cancelled my order. Not that I particularly care; I'd just better not see it appearing on my VISA bill at any point.

    Regards,

    Liam


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,659 ✭✭✭PowerHouseDan


    Yeah i am the same liamo...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,046 ✭✭✭democrates


    If it appears on your credit card you can ring up card services and reject it.
    It then goes as a 'charge back' with a punitive fee to the vendor.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,138 ✭✭✭snaps


    Ive had enough of them as well, Took well over a week to get call credit. Nobody responds to emails, picks up or answers calls. I cannot log into my account to actually see my call details.

    Been waiting since last August for a Galway number.

    Can I use my Broadtalk ATA with freespeach.ie?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 76 ✭✭lzbones


    As far as I know any SIP compatible device can be used with freespeech.ie, as long as broadtalk did not lock your device.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,138 ✭✭✭snaps


    any idea how i can access my settings on my ata? It is looking for a username & password?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,230 ✭✭✭Solair


    If you got no product and can't contact them and they are not being responsive I'd seriously suggest contacting your bank or credit card issuer and getting their billiing disputes department to resolve it for you.

    That's unacceptable behaviour from any company.

    Also, just a point... try "Dear Sir/Madam," or "To whom it may concern,"

    You can REALLY p. off 50% of the population with "Dear Sir/Sirs"


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    I tried so sign up to Broadtalk and had similar problems, they just weren't doing anything to activate my account. Apparently I was e-mailed a direct debit mandate, sent it off, but then when I heard nothing from them for a month I called them and was told "ah, they shouldn't have sent you that."

    In the end I got fed up and signed up to Blueface instead, was active in minutes!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,858 ✭✭✭paulm17781


    Are Broadtalk going out of business? I've heard nothing but if they are being this slack on sign ups they can't grow...


  • Advertisement
  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,536 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    Karsini wrote:
    In the end I got fed up and signed up to Blueface instead, was active in minutes!

    Its sad to see a company more or less "turn away" customers due to inproper customer care, I'd much rather see broadtalk become succesful and listen to their customers comments, in the end having VoIP companys offering services and products directly in competition with each other to Irish consumers is a good thing as it offers customers more choice.

    I'd hope that somebody in broadtalk reads boards.ie and comes across this thread and takes these customers experiences onboard so they do not happen again.

    imho blueface is a good example of what broadtalk should be doing


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,536 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    paulm17781 wrote:
    Are Broadtalk going out of business? I've heard nothing but if they are being this slack on sign ups they can't grow...

    I've actually thought this myself, essentially they only "update" their had on their site was sept 2005 http://www.broadtalk.ie/about/news.htm, atleast in relation to their news page

    The copyright notice at the end of their pages also still says "©2005" which imho suggests they actually haven't updated anything in 2006 at all, most sites update this for example boards.ie has "Copyright ©2000 - 2006" and blueface has "© 2006 Blueface"


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,265 ✭✭✭RangeR


    I just spoke to Broadtalk with a similar problem. I have a pending order for €5 PAYG since mid June. I am paraphrasing here but the jist is....

    "We have a huge backlog with residential orders. We have to hand verify each one for fraud. Anyway we aren't too interested in the residential market anyway as we don't make anything on it. We are concentrating on the business market."

    I was looking for a tailored business offering when I was talking to them.

    Now, read into this what you will. I just find it hard to believe that they are advertising this to residentials but have no real intent of setting many of them up. I have been through the wars with Comreg and Advertising standards and couldn't be ar$ed.

    But someone might want to follow up on this.


Advertisement