Help! Ooma wants to charge me tax on pre-tax Ooma!

[Jasper2]

Allo:

Costco has a 90-day return privilege on computers and computer products. That would seem to include the Ooma Telo (and all other products sold under the brand). The poster stated he purchased his Ooma in June, 2009, well over a year ago. He'd have a tough time returning a more than year old product of any kind.

I do agree that some people tend to whine over very little to nothing. If a tax were eliminated, would anyone cry "betrayal" if taxes went down since purchase? What other telephone service is tax free? Read a land-line bill recently? Mine shows nearly 10% total taxes or MORE than $10/month (not YEAR).

[bw1]

No, it's not limited to 90 days for Costco's return policy. It's not considered a computer/computer product.

[Jasper2]

No, it's not limited to 90 days for Costco's return policy. It's not considered a computer/computer product.

You may be correct, but I purchased my Ooma at a Costco store. The Ooma's are sold in the same department as cameras, iPods, computers, televisions, and cellular phones. I specifically asked about the return policy on the Ooma and was told it was 90 days. That is the information I based my post upon.

Here is the policy from the Costco website:

Merchandise: We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell with a full refund. The following must be returned within 90 days of purchase for a refund: televisions, projectors, computers, cameras, camcorders, iPOD / MP3 players and cellular phones.

Regardless of the store policy, I would be just a little embarrassed to return a product after a year's use.

[ydnar723]

No, it's not limited to 90 days for Costco's return policy. It's not considered a computer/computer product.

You may be correct, but I purchased my Ooma at a Costco store. The Ooma's are sold in the same department as cameras, iPods, computers, televisions, and cellular phones. I specifically asked about the return policy on the Ooma and was told it was 90 days. That is the information I based my post upon.

Here is the policy from the Costco website:

Merchandise: We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell with a full refund. The following must be returned within 90 days of purchase for a refund: televisions, projectors, computers, cameras, camcorders, iPOD / MP3 players and cellular phones.

Regardless of the store policy, I would be just a little embarrassed to return a product after a year's use.

Not to sound crude or start some ruckus, but I would simply tell Costco that the Oomais not a TV, Projector, Computer, Camera, Camcorder, IPOD/MP3 or Cell Phone if I was to seriously return mine.

Least I don't see the Telo or Hub qualifying as one of those.

[etmesi]

My complaint to BBB
I bought my Ooma modem/Phone from Costco in 2008 referred by a friend who had one 3 years prior to my purchase. My friend has never had to pay taxes and still does not to current. When I bought my Ooma modem/Phone from Costco there were no mention of tax in any of the agreements. There was a $100.00 credit that came with the purchase to stay in my account for various uses such as long distance, overseas calling and 411 calls. Ooma at their leisure removed this $100.00 from my account and on top of it claims taxes are owed. I have never seen any proof in writing the FCC requires taxes on the Ooma modem/Phone. My Ooma phone is used for my medical purposes as I’m on Disability; Ooma is threatening to shut off phone services. I am not concerned with Ooma’s bill errors as stated by Response (Micoboy) 10/15/2011 07:55 PM
Dear Eric,

Thank you for contacting Ooma Customer Support.

We are sorry for the confusions and inconvenience. I've checked your records and found that the $100 prepaid credit that you are pertaining to is the free gift that comes with the box as a promotion from Costco. Apparently, this international prepaid credit automatically expires right after your 6-months Premier free trial. Probably, you've had it for more than 6-months due that the system failed to update. However, we've recently pushed another firmware upgrade to your Ooma device which may have caused you to lose the international credit.

If you have further questions or require additional clarification, please write me back and I will respond to you as quickly as possible, usually the same day. Your satisfaction is important to me, and I will make sure we bring this to resolution consistent with your expectations. If it’s more convenient, you can also visit our support website https://www.ooma.com/support and check out our wide variety of helpful articles that may answer any additional questions that might come up in the future.

Thank you for choosing Ooma!

Sincerely,

Mico

Ooma Customer Care Specialist
http://ooma.custhelp.com/
support@oomacare.com

Once I receive a letter in writing from the FCC these taxes are valid I want the $100.00 refunded and the taxes can be drawn out of there.

[lbmofo]

etmesi,

You have to pay taxes; can't do anything about that. If you look at the box of your Ooma device, you'll find the reference to having to pay taxes. As for promotional prepaid credit, they expire; you probably had it longer than you were entitled. Prepaid credit can not be used on anything other than international LD, 411, mobile app minutes anyway.

For your reading pleasure:

Threads on Taxes:
viewtopic.php?t=12293
viewtopic.php?t=12980
viewtopic.php?t=12945
viewtopic.php?t=11810

Threads on promotional prepaid credit:
viewtopic.php?t=2378
viewtopic.php?t=2623
viewtopic.php?t=12349

[etmesi]

Although I filed complaints to Consumer Affairs, FCC, and the BBB. Before their offices could look into it Ooma shut my service off. I’m on SSDI and cannot do tech work to get a phone. I have Uverse in the home I’m better off calling AT&T and getting service. During this tax issue on top of it Ooma stated they even want more tax starting in March 2012, which goes to show Ponzi Scheming. I’ve asked Costco for my money back.

[lbmofo]

Although I filed complaints to Consumer Affairs, FCC, and the BBB. Before their offices could look into it Ooma shut my service off. I’m on SSDI and cannot do tech work to get a phone. I have Uverse in the home I’m better off calling AT&T and getting service. During this tax issue on top of it Ooma stated they even want more tax starting in March 2012, which goes to show Ponzi Scheming. I’ve asked Costco for my money back.

etmesi, you rather pay $40 a month vs 1/10 of that heh? On this tax thing, you basically got stuck with what you signed up for; can't rely on what others have told you or what you heard. FCC, BBB, or any org you can think of won't give you time of the day.

[davidm]

Although I filed complaints to Consumer Affairs, FCC, and the BBB. Before their offices could look into it Ooma shut my service off. I’m on SSDI and cannot do tech work to get a phone. I have Uverse in the home I’m better off calling AT&T and getting service. During this tax issue on top of it Ooma stated they even want more tax starting in March 2012, which goes to show Ponzi Scheming. I’ve asked Costco for my money back.

etmesi, you rather pay $40 a month vs 1/10 of that heh? On this tax thing, you basically got stuck with what you signed up for; can't rely on what others have told you or what you heard. FCC, BBB, or any org you can think of won't give you time of the day.

$250 over the course of two years is approximately $11 a month. I believe it might be cheaper now? Plus some people have the option of less bandwidth for the internet and can save $20 - $30 by getting a cheaper package. But since they use it for their Ooma they can't. So add $20 + $4.50 + $11 = $35.50

Not really much better than $40 a month. And if the call quality is less.......

So it depends. For many it is now nowhere near "1/10th" the cost.

Don't get me wrong I've loved my Ooma over the past two years but it is what it is. It's not the same deal as it was in 2009 or 2010.

[etmesi]

BBB Complaint
Complaint Details
Ooma
1840 Embarcadero Rd
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Contact:Calvo, Roy
Phone:(866) 452-6662

In the absence of any response from the company this complaint despite our two requests to them, we are closing our file on this complaint.

This unanswered complaint will become part of the information we report to the public on this company for the next three years. Should any government agency request our files on this company, your complaint will also be included.

If you have settled this complaint directly with the company, would you please email us to let us know that, as well as any other comments you might have. Your help in doing this is important to ensure that our report to the public on this company is accurate.

Thank you for using the Better Business Bureau.

Complaint ID: 16074844

Complaint Classification:

Complaint Description - Posted 1/17/2012 10:35:42 AM

I bought my Ooma modem/Phone from Costco in 2008 referred by a friend who had one 3 years prior to my purchase. My friend has never had to pay taxes and still does not to current. When I bought my Ooma modem/Phone from Costco there were no mention of tax in any of the agreements. There was a $100.00 credit that came with the purchase to stay in my account for various uses such as long distance, overseas calling and 411 calls. Ooma at their leisure removed this $100.00 from my account and on top of it claims taxes are owed. I have never seen any proof in writing the FCC requires taxes on the Ooma modem/Phone. My Ooma phone is used for my medical purposes as I’m on Disability; Ooma is threatening to shut off phone services. I am not concerned with Ooma’s bill errors as stated by Response (Micoboy) 10/15/2011 07:55 PM.

Complaint Summary


Removed $100.00 from my account charging taxes.

Resolution Sought: NO

Once I receive a letter in writing from the FCC these taxes are valid I want the $100.00 refunded and the taxes can be drawn out of there.
Additional Information
Date Problem First Occurred: 1/4/2011
Product or Service: VOI Telephone services
Model Name or Number:
Date Purchased:
Order Number:
Amount In Dispute: $100.00
Company's Response
Company's Initial Response - None Posted
Initial Response Summary
Consumer's Rebuttal
Company's Final Response
Company's Final Response - None Posted