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For the existing customers, please beware any out-of-date credit card information on iTalkBB site.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! 

Happy Niu Year From iTalkBB

First of all, Happy Niu Year (ox year) to everyone!!!

To celebrate Niu Year, iTalkBB offers a new promotion to new customers: From now untill 2/28/2009, new subscribers to either the $24.99/month or $299/year Global Unlimited plan will also get unlimited iTalkFreedom service bound to one cellphone of choice. The last time for such promotion was in May 2008. Since then, free iTalkFreedom service has been limited to 200 minutes per month. So grab this Happy Niu Year package, as it is indeed a sweet deal.

More promotion information for iTalkBB can be found here.

Refer 4 friends and get 1 year free from iTalkBB

The new promotion from iTalkBB is simple: while you are party-hopping and enjoying gathering with your friends, simply talk about the great features and deals from iTalkBB; ask them to use CODE "953110+899xxxxxxx" to sign up with iTalkBB if they decide so. The 899xxxxxxx number is your iTalkBB number.

You will get 3 months free service if two new users have sign-ed up using your code in Jan. 2009, or 6 months free service for three new users, or 12 months free service for four new users. Qualifying plans include $24.99/mo or above monthly plans and $299/yr annual plans.

For new users who's interested in getting iTalkBB's service, use promotion code (last step in account registration) "953110+8991156825" to get $15 discount.

iTalkBB offers 3 month service credit in rebate

Starting Nov. 1, 2008, (till Dec 31, 2008 and may get extended further), iTalkBB offers a new promotion option for new users. The rules are a little bit complicated. So, let me try clarify it for you.

Let me talk about annual plan ($299/year) first. If you sign up with iTalkBB during the promotion period as above, you will not be bound to any service-term contract. In another word, if you decide that you don't like the service from iTalkBB, you may cancel the service with no penalty ($69.99 early termination fee applies if without promotion). Meanwhile, between 30 days to 60 days after your account is activated, you have the option to sign up a one-year service term by requesting 3 month (~$75) service credit in rebate from your online account management page. However, if you do so, you are subject to early termination fee if you then decide to close your account within first 12 months.

For monthly plan ($24.99/month), it's the same rule except that the rebate is for 2 month (~$50).

Things that you need to know:

• the monthly plan requires an activation fee of $29.99 while the annual plan does not; both plans would charge $69.99 early termination fee if not under promotion, or if service rebate has been requested.
• you have 30-day free trial in either case; if you cancel your service within 30 days after activation, you get full refund (unless you used more than 500 minutes during the trial period).
• you need to submit your rebate request between 30 days and 60 days after activation (in other words, during the first month after free trial period) for the service credit option.
• you can use coupon code "953110+8991095718" to save $15 at sign up.

Hope this explanation helps you...

does italkbb support fax?

I have received several inquiries asking whether iTalkBB supports fax? Well the answer is both YES and NO.

• YES if you want to receive fax or if you want to send fax within USA and Canada.
• NO if you want to send fax Internationally.

So based on your need, choose wisely.