Geez... (I hope that's not a swear word. Actually, I don't think that even by adding "us" it is either profane, irreverent or sacrilegious.) There is a large number of Ooma subscribers on this forum who are very happy with the product and the service. Many of us have multiple Ooma accounts. I for one have three premier accounts; two with Hub and Scout and one Telo. I have purchased a number of systems as gifts to friends and relatives... even my 86 year old mother who, by the way, loves her Ooma (since I pay for the Premier service at her home, I guess technically speaking, I have four Ooma accounts). In a couple weeks, I will have been a user as well as a forum participant for two years. Hopefully, I can shed som light.hwlaster wrote: I WAS TOLD THAT ....
1. If I get any 2-Line Phone that it will guarantee me the instant second line!! That's what I had hoped for but its not doing it. They told me that line two would automatically become activated. Now I am getting told different things by different reps. Some say it doesn't some say it does. I know several people who has OOMA and they have a 2 line phone hooked up to their ooma and it works fine.
2. I was told that phone numbers 1-3 were free and 4-10 is payable. Now I am being told once again by different reps that 1-2 is free and 3-10 is payable. I know for a fact it is 1-3 free and 4-10 payable.
3. I was told that a $20 credit would be on my account just for signing up to try the 411 and overseas calling. It is not there. I contacted sales & customer service. They told me in their exact words, " I am sorry, but we don't promise stupid s**t like that to people. If you want free money go apply for disability." I took offense to that.
4. I was supposed to get a free Telo when I signed up for premier. I was never put on the yearly plan just monthly.
5. I was promised up to 6 months of premier at Best Buy and Customer Service now its showing 2 months.
I WANT MY FREE TELO DAMN IT.
THIS IS JUST SOME OF THE LIES THAT I WAS TOLD...
Two lines: Some people confuse Ooma's "Instant Second Line™" with two lines. This is what Ooma says: "Make or take a second call without missing a beat. Let’s say you’ve got a teen and they are always on the phone. Not a problem. With Ooma’s Instant Second Line feature, all you have to do is go to another Ooma Telo Handset in the house, pick it up, and you’ve got a fresh Ooma dial tone." Same concept applies to the Hub and Scout except there is no Telo handset, and thus, you must provide a handset.
Although I haven't tried this with my Telo system, using multiple cordless base stations allows two simultaneous calls over the same "line" (i.e. number) so long as each call uses a hand held unit connected to a different base station. Now, on one of my Hub/Scout systems, I have even segregated the "second number" by specifically assigning the Scout to that number (which is at my home office desk). Still works on the first number... two simultaneous calls may be made so long as I am not already using the second number. Has worked flawlessly for almost two years. (Although I will not elaborate at this point, I tend to prefer the Hub/Scout because it has the ability to segregate the two numbers; and thus, is more readily adaptable to a large home; e.g. I have at least ten handsets spread out through my home on a single Ooma system.) So, maybe you want to rethink that free Telo. Don't get me wrong, I think the Telo is the preferred system for some applications. (Actually, if you get the Telo, you might want to try a splitter on the back of the Telo; plug in two separate units or segregate the two lines on a two line phone, and I bet the "Instant Second Line™" will work. I will try this at my other location this weekend.)
LInes 3-8: Ooma has never offered anything more that two numbers included in the Premier package. And in my humble opinion, having more than two numbers on a single Ooma system is probably not worth it... (remember, I mentioned that I have multiple Ooma systems). I tried adding a third number, but did not like the way it integrated into the system. I decided it was better to add a third and fourth number for about $5 each per month. The problem with adding a third number (or more) is that the system only allows for two calls at the same time. If you want to make or take three or four calls simultaneously, get a second system.
Free Telo: Sounds like you purchased the coveted Hub/Scout (getting harder to find new ones all the time). Are you saying that you were supposed to get a free Telo in addition to what you purchased? I believe purchasing the Hub/Scout may allow you to "upgrade" to the Telo for free, but I don't recall any "two for price of one" promotions. Otherwise, the only free Telo I have been aware of is a "free Telo handset" as one of the alternatives offered to those who elect the Premier subscription. Check with Best Buy to confirm the exact promotion they may have offered.
Six months free Premier: Some promotions at some retailers have offered extended Premier. I can't speak to Best Buy's promotion, but I did purchase an Ooma system at Costco as a gift for a friend a little more than a year ago. Came with six months free Premier plus $100 international calling credit. Everything has worked well, and the unused portion of her calling credit continues to appear on her account. Once again, check with Best Buy to confirm the exact promotion they may have offered.
Maybe the best I can offer is that you need to take time to assess exactly what you want for a phone system, and to study the Ooma system so that you understand its nuances, and how to best utilize its features.