iTalkBB hidden cost

It can be frustrating to follow every steps of a "good deal" and find out some hidden cost (shipping, tax and fee, etc) that breaks the deal. So are there any hidden cost for i Talk BB?

Let's look at the advertised $299/year ibbtalk global unlimited plan. If one actually follows through the registration steps on www.italkbb.com, it would turn out like the following:

There is a $9.99 shipping fee, a $15 device deposit for Linksys SPA-2102 (which we highly recommend over SPA-1001 for reliability), and $35.4 applicable regulatory fees and taxes.

Using promotion code "953110+8991156825" can save you $15 instantly, making the total $344.39, $15 of which would return to you upon service cancelation. -- Scroll your window to the right if your order page shows empty in the amount column. 

There is additional usage charge billed monthly if you make calls to countries that is not covered in the plan or to cellphone numbers in some countries, but this would be unusual. 

Is the $344.39 over the bottom line as a great deal? You decide.

 

Mother's day promotion extended to monthly plan

We have unfortunately over-estimated the interest in our i-talk-bb - Mother's Day (鲜花送母亲) Promotion. As Mother's day 2009 approaches, we find ourself in a situation of over-stocking of gift cards at hand. So, from May 1, 2009, any new subscribers to i-talk-bb using promotion code JZ0315V10+8991156825 for either the monthly $24.99 plan or the yearly $299 global unlimited plan would qualify for the promotion:

• you would get $15 instant savings at sign up
• you would get a ¥200(RMB) for you to purchase gift, which can be delivered to China

Note that you may use your ¥200 balance after Mother's day. Details of the promotion is available here.

Two ways to show your love to dear mom through iTalkBB

Many of us have traveled great distance from China to USA/Canada to study and work. Left at home are our family and friends. Among them are our dearest mothers, who always care about every bit of up and down in our life. We can't be close to her, but through iTalkBB, we can make sure that we are close to her in our heart.

Free Bouquet for Mom

鲜花送母亲

With this exclusive iTalkBB - Review promotion, we get two ways to show our love to dear mom. To qualify for the promotion, you need to:

• Sign up iTalkBB $299/yr Global Unlimited annual plan using promotion code "JZ0315V10+8991156825" between 2009-04-01 and 2009-05-10. In this way, you get unlimited calls both from and to China, and save $15 instantly.

• Send an email to iTalkBB.Deal@gmail.com or post a message to this post, including your email and your iTalkBB number after your account is activated.

• Through email, you will receive a gift account at www.21qs.com with 200RMB balance, which you can use to select a flower bouquet and have it delivered to your dear mom in China.
  --- good news: through special arrangement, these bouquets are discounted to 200 in your gift account.
  

• Tell your mom that you love her...

iTalkBB new coupon code acquired

Update: We are requested by iTalkBB to pull these great coupons off the post. However, if you send email to italkbb.deal@gmail.com with title "coupon request", we will reply you with these promotion codes.

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We have discovered  two great-value iTalkBB coupons. It is limited time offer: expiring Tax day 2009 (04/15). 

* Coupon code hide-by-request saves you $35 instantly with new subscription to the $24.99 monthly plan.

* Coupon code hide-by-request saves you $15 instantly with new subscription to other iTalkBB plans.

Grab it while it lasts!

iTalkBB starts to charge $2.95/mo Regulatory Recovery Fee

Starting from Feb. 15, 2009, iTalkBB will collect a $2.95 "Applicable Regulatory Recovery Fees, Charges and Taxes". This applies to both new customers and existing customers who have already subscribed to a monthly or annual plan. We, both as iTalkBB users and as iTalkBB promotion agents, are quite pissed-off by this sudden change. The added cost is definitely unwelcome. What adds to it is the poor communication of this change to customers. It's not hard to imagine a wave of complaints and billing disputes following this. I hope this post may help clarify things a bit.

Here is our speculation:

As iTalkBB grows in customer base, it becomes increasingly difficult to fly under the radar for regulatory fees, charges and taxes -- which can be as much as 15% from what shows up in our TV, Internet, Mobile phone, or regular phone bills. It is risky not to fully disclose those fees. At some turning point, iTalkBB decides to pass this to customers. Here is what you can find on FAQ of iTalkBB:

What is the Regulatory Recovery Fee?

The iTalkBB service Regulatory Recovery Fee is an additional charge over and above the basic fee for your iTalkBB service. iTalkBB uses this fee to pay our regulatory-related fees and expenses, including taxes, number portability charges, and related legal fees.

Why hasn’t iTalkBB service charged regulatory recovery fee in the past?

iTalkBB makes every effort to provide its customers with most reliable and lowest cost telecommunications services possible. Nevertheless, we must also comply with applicable laws. As results, the $2.95 regulatory fee will be billed to the customer effective 2/15/2009.

For the existing customers, please beware any out-of-date credit card information on iTalkBB site. Service may be interrupted if charge for this fee cannot be processed:

What will happen if iTalkBB is not able to charge through my credit card?

If iTalkBB is not able to put a charge through your credit card, your service will be disconnected at any time. To avoid your telephone service from being interrupted, please update your credit card information if there is a change. If for some reason, iTalkBB is unable to apply charges to your credit card, to avoid interruption of your service, or possible collections, we would like you to fill out the [Charge Authorization Form - click to download] sign and fax it to 1-800-872-2059 or 1-512-637-1451. After receiving your completed form, iTalkBB will apply the agreed amount to your credit card.

Post your comments below. And let's hope iTalkBB can make the transition smooth and meanwhile keep reducing the cost and improving the service. 

 

Another iTalkBB acquisition? not really

News has it that "the acquisition by Telecommunication Group Huge Group of 59% of the ordinary shares of iTalk has lapsed..."  

What?? another acquisition ?? Didn't 263 Network just invest over 100 million RMB in iTalkBB and get 50% stake in return? 

Well, it turns out there are confusingly too many iTalk's. The one referred above is "iTalk Cellular", which is different than the iTalk Global discussed in this blog, or the iTalk Apple phone, or the software iTalk Internet phone. How confusing!

Survey on iTalkBB Features

You probably have noticed the survey at the top of the blog page. In the past, we had run a survey on the quality of iTalkBB phone:

How do you rate iTalkBB's call quality? 


and on iTalkBB's installation process:

How do you rate the installation and setup process of iTalkBB?

Now we are soliciting your opinion on what features from iTalkBB attract you the most. The survey will run for five months. Thank you for your feedback!