Chatter Bug Provides VoIP Prices on a Landline

Household Mods — 07 March 2006

Sick of paying those colossal fees to the phone company? The Chatter Bug, which connects to your preexisting landline, cuts the long distance carrier out by intercepting the call and rerouting it through their VoIP system all for a flat monthly fee of $10. Service is currently available domestically and to Canada, but expect an international option to roll out end of 1^st quarter. Only other catch is that the device costs $25.

Available here.

Chatter Bug Provides VoIP Prices on a Landline [Ubergizmo]

About Author

Christen Costa

Grew up back East, got sick of the cold and headed West. Since I was small I have been pushing buttons - both electronic and human. With an insatiable need for tech I thought "why not start a blog focusing on technology, and use my dislikes and likes to post on gadgets."

Pingback: Phone Dig » Long Distance for a Flat Fee: Chatter Bug
BlytheRubbings

Traditional long di$tan$e companies are so obsolite, this is a very good idea.
T Nelson

Seemed like a good idea until I bought their device and service. I signed up for their service in August, and there’s already problems. My device malfunctioned and I wrote to customer service. They sent a reply with instructions to dial over 25 specific numbers along with 28 * in some sort of sequence, but with unclear instructions. I sent a reply email to them asking to clarify their vague instructions, but I only get auto-reponder emails that inform me that it may take up to three days to get a response! I’ve now sent out a second request for help, but with no reply other than an auto-responder.

Perhaps ChatterBug should consider using their own device to make a long distance call to their customers to resolve a concern! I find their lack of service to be unprofessional, and very untimely. I hope this information will be informative to anyone considering their device and service or (ahem) lack of service.
John

I agree customer service has not responded back after 5 days. Has anyone successfully got this to work? This seems like a complete scam.

Regards,

John
Bob

Give their customer service line another call and they will help you out. If you don’t get a call back, call their head of sales. 520-690-3919 extension 7010. He will help you out!

Service has been great!!!!
Antwan H.

Me & My Wife Got It TO Work Online As Of Today… It Work’s Good We Got It Form Walmart For 19.96
Mark

I checked our walmart here in Texas and could not find it.
Comluc

We started using ChatterBug several months ago and get complaints from people saying they can not hear us very well, and we also get busy circuits and can not call for awhile. I am stopping service, if I can get hold of anyone to do so. I hope I don’t have to stop my credit card to get it stopped. I have sent three emails complaining about low volume and did not hear back. I called and was told I was the 5th person in line to talk to a representative. When I got to the place I was to talk to someone I got a voice mail and no one to talk to.
John Wayne

I bought 2 today at walmart for 3.50 each. Sounds like mixed reviews so need more research. Walmart is getting them out of their stores for 3.50 best Wishes
Kellie T

Is the company even in business anymore? I’ve tried everything I can think of to reach them and it’s insane. I’m wondering now if it all wasn’t an elabourate scam.
Janet

I think we’ve been had!! I’ve tried for a week to speak to someone
in regards to the chatterbug service–all to no avail. If something sounds too good to be true it usually is and that has certainly proven to be true in this case. Hope we are successful in reaching someone to cancel the service!
Steve

can’t get any support. down since last Sunday. BBB needs to be notified.
MELODY

LOOKS LIKE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. EVERYONES ATTEMPTS SOUND LIKE MINE. I WILL SEE WHAT EXTENSION 7010 DOES. IN MY EMAIL I TOLD THEM I WILL REFUSE CREDIT CARD PAYMENT NEXT BILLING AND I AM KEEPING TRACK OF ALL MY ATTEMPTS. IF NEED BE I TOLD THEM I WILL CONTACT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR THEIR STATE.
I THINK IT WAS NICE WHILE IT LASTED. DID SAVE MONEY. ALSO EXPERIENCED PEOPLE SAYING I SOUNDED FAR AWAY.
Brian

Thank goodness we are not alone! Finally, had to buy phone cards to make calls. What a scam. Will be keeping an eye on this.
Sharon

WE bought the chatterbug at wal-mart also and used it about one day before they say they have tech problems and don’t know when they will be back up and running. I too think it is a scam and plan to stop payment on my credit card if it isn’t back soon. Also going to tell my local Wal-Mart they need to take them off the shelves till they do more reserach on them.
steve

I called Walmart corporate to see if they are going to do anything. I told them its a bad business practice to leave their customers out in the learch and not try to assist. After all, w-mart had no problem taking our $ and profiting from selling this gadget.
Has anyone tried to return the unit for credit???
steve

filed a complaint online w/ bbb. website is labbb.org suggest others do likewise.
Richard Furr

Have been trying to reach the Chatter Bug telephone
number for a week now. Does anyone know if they
have gone out of business?
M Martin

How are you filing a complaint, for the Chatterbug, at labbb.org? The only address I have found is Lagunawave, Inc 2524 W Ruthraugg Rd #4, Tucson, Arizona 85705. I can’t even find them listed with a BBB nationwide. If you have another address I would be grateful. I would really like to report this since I can’t get ANY response at all from them.
MELODY

I AM GOING ABOVE BBB. FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE ARIZONIA ATTORNEY GENERAL. MAYBE IF THERE IS A NUMBER OF US THEY WILL RESEARCH IT ASAP. YOU CAN FILE A COMPLAINT FORM VIA INTERNET. JUST GO TO GOOGLE AND TYPE IN ARIZONIA ATTORNEY GENERAL. THEIR PRODUCT IS CHATTERBUG BUT THE COMPANY IS LAGUNAWAVE, INC. I RECEIVED A REPLY TO MY E-MAIL TO CHATTERBUG. IT WAS SENT OVER THE WEEKEND TO THEM..THEY SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT ME WITHIN 3 DAYS. THIS IS WEDNESDAY AND I HAVE NOT HEARD A WORD AS OF YET.
Teresa

I bought my Chatterbug back in December and at first things worked OK, only with a few times when the service was down. I am now having nothing but trouble with the service, we have not servicer at all. I have since gotton Vonage and I want to cancel my service with Chatterbug but can’t get in touch with anyone in custermer service. I hope we are not getting billed for all this time that we have not been able to use their service. I would not recomend Chatterbug to anyone. I jjsut hope I can get out of this with out a lot of time and trouble.
Sandra

Ext. 7010 when dialed announces ext. 7011, so I reversed it. Still no luck , just Goodby.
I have tried calling for the last two days, have
e mailed my complaint and will also file with the BBB as well as call my credit card co. to xcl.
steve

Add me to the list of disgruntled customers!! I call daily, emails, etc etc. NO ONE! responds. Really un believable. The other names in “management” don’t seem to exist. Kathleen Clark is the only human VM i can get. Have we all been had or what? i did my homework on this thing too, tech reviews called it very promising. I feel stupid. BUT i will contact BBB and i HAVE emailed “scambuster” reporters at WHDH and WCVB TV in Boston(my closest big market) . How about we all do the same and expose these crooks?
HERB

ChatterBug must be in legal hot water, the customer service tele# just keeps us in limbo, same message play back on every call… Also, the company (partner)that the use for our credit card processing payments (Plantation financial Services LLC of Irvine Ca 92614) have suddenly taken out their “contact telephone number” perhaps distancing themselves far , far away from Chatterbug….I plan to call my ccard co. and stop any further auto monthly charges to my ccard….and I hope everybody else does the same..I surprised that the CA & AZ attorney gens have not yet got involved before those responsible pull an Enron or something.
Alex

MY DAD GOT THIS SERVICE AND IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES…. THEIR CORPORATE OFFICE IS EITHER IN IRVINE OR LAGUNA BEACH….LAGUNA BEACH IS SOMEONES HOUSE THAT ADDRESS IS:
1452 CARMELITA STREET
LAGUNA BEACH, CA 92651

OTHER ADDRESS IS:
400 EAST YALE LOOP
IRVINE CA 92614

ANY QUESTIONS? AS I AM INVESTIGATING THIS MYSELF MY EMAIL ADDRESS IS ALEXGILL4@AOL.COM
Matthew Stewart

I have had chatterbug for almost 4 months. At first everything was perfect….. but that didn’t last long. Now I get a continuous busy signal. If It wasn’t for owning a buisness and having a seperate buisness phone, I wouldn’t be able to call anyone!! I think chatterbug is done for in my book, (if I can find a way to unsubscribe!!)
http://www.wickedblog.com Angela Parker

After spending the morning tracking this all down, I’ve found the information you need to call the president’s cell phone number AND the proper BBB to register a complaint, based on the company address:

http://www.wickedblog.com/2007/04/04/chatterbug-problems-update-contact-information/

I hope this saves everyone else a bit of time and frustration.
ALEX GILL

UPDATE WANT THE NUMBER TO CHATTERBUG?

KATHLEEN CLARK:
HOME: 520-682-3747
CELL: 520-907-9794

SEAN RYAN:
CELL: 949-439-8366
http://www.tucson.bbb.org/commonreport.html?bid=20005454 Chris H.

UPDATE on CHATTERBUG. A MUST READ!

On April 3, 2007 a representative of the BBB visited the company’s offices in Tucson during regular business hours. Doors were locked and no one appeared to be present in the office.

The company’s toll-free telephone number answers with a recording that cites unspecified technical difficulties. No time-frame is projected for resolution of the difficulties.

On April 5, 2007, a BBB representative spoke by telephone with the company’s principal, Sean Ryan. He told the BBB that, to his knowledge, no customer credit cards have been charged for service since March 19, 2007. Mr. Ryan assured the BBB that the company is not out of business and has no plans to go out of business.

Both company web sites remain active. The Chatterbug web site appears to contain an operational online shopping cart that can be used to order the product and make payment with a credit card.

Consumers who have recently ordered the company’s product and paid by credit card, may wish to review their card issuer’s procedures to dispute charges in the event of undelivered merchandise or services.

Customers whose service accounts with the company are unavailable may also wish to review the procedures to dispute charges. Instructions on how to do so are generally printed on the back of most credit card statements.

The Bureau processed a total of 0 complaints about this company in the last 36 months, our standard reporting period.

Company Management

Additional company management personnel include:

Mr. Daniel Riscalla – Vice President Software Development
Ms. Kathleen Clark – Director of Customer Service

Additional Telephone Numbers

Additional Phone Numbers
Tel: (866) 690-3919
Chris H.

******* BUYER BEWARE *******
***** WARNING *****
READ PREV MEMO and CHECK OUT…..

http://www.tucson.bbb.org/commonreport.html?bid=20005454

You may want to think twice before trying this service,
KeylaCarnahan

Put me on the list. I did so much reserach for this product before I bought it. However, I ordered on line and have not received the Chatterbug and of course like everyone else, my e-mails and voicemails go unanswered. I too got the cell number and left a voice mail there as well. however, I still havenot received a call back either. does anyone know…are they planning to be back up and running or have they closed the business?
Vicki C

I just got this today:

Dear Valued Chatter Bug Customer,

We are pleased to let you know that we have developed a solution to our current
issues and are in the implementation process. We expect to have the solution in
place this week and we plan to provide you with a detailed update within the
next 48 hours.

As of March 20, 2007 we stopped processing monthly recurring charges for $9.95.
The only exceptions are new subscribers that may have been charged for the first
month of service. We are working with all of our users to ensure that everyone
is ultimately satisfied.

Once service has been restored, we will be contacting you to offer a month of
free service for all of your troubles and inconveniences.

Thank you again for your patience during this difficult period. Understandably,
we have been inundated with voice mails and emails from our supportive
customers. We are doing our best to follow up with you as fast as possible.

Thank you again for your continued support.

The Chatter Bug Support Team
Alex Gill

Vicki C this doesn’t prove a thing…..

ACCORDING TO A WHOIS ON CHATTERBUG.COM THEIR OTHER COMPANY NAME IS LAGUNASOFT INC WHICH ISN’T INCORPORATED IN EITHER CALIFORNIA NOR NEVADA.

ANOTHER NAME FOR LAGUNAWAVE INC (CHATTERBUG) ASPEN CREEK COMMUNICATIONS LLC A NEVADA CORPORATION WHICH IS IN DEFAULT FOR NOT PAYING THEIR BILL….

I ALSO DID SOME RESEARCH AT THE ORANGE COUNTY RECORDERS OFFICE AND LAGUNAWAVE INC HAS A HUGE DEBIT IN JUDGMENTS AGAINST THEM. CALIFORNIA STATE TAX LIEN TOTALING $7,521.60 IN UNPAID BACK TAXES DATED NOVEMBER 21, 2005 & MARCH 14, 2006. WELLS FARGO $62,496.39 (2005), SERVICE ZONE HOLDINGS INC $140,668.00 (SEPT 2006)

LAGUNAWAVE INC IS HAS ALSO BEEN REPORTING FALSE INFORMATION TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AS FOR THE REAL LOCATION OF THE BUSINESS.

LAGUNAWAVE INC OR ASPEN CREEK COMMUNICATIONS LLC IS NOT EVEN REGISTERED WITH THE STATE OF ARIZONA TO DO BUSINESS……ARE YHEY PAYING THEIR TAXES THEY COLLECT FROM THEIR CUSTOMERS TO THS STATE?

THEY HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENT NAMES FOR THEIR BUSINESS…

LAGUNASOFT INC
LAGUNAWAVE INC
ASPEN CREEK COMMUNICATIONS LLC
PLANTATION FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC

THE SMART THING OF ALL YOU PEOPLE DO IS TO STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY AS WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS AGAINST THE LAW….
Sandra C.

Thank goodness I found this website. I am only out the $9+ I paid for the unit at WalMart. Sounded like such a good deal! I couldn’t even get registered online at their website and have left 2 e-mails and 3 messages with no response whatsoever in the last 3 weeks. Thanks for all the information!
MELODY

SANDRA, YOU SHOULD NOT BE OUT ANYTHING. IF YOU HAVE YOUR RECEIPT TAKE YOUR CHATTERBUG BACK TO WAL-MART FOR A REFUND.
Donald

Didn’t really notice the problem at first because my local phone company did not cancel my long distance service with my previous company. When it was finally canceled I too found out that the service has not been working. I have called numerous times and have also sent them email with the same results as everone else. Even stated in my email to them I thought their business was a scam. However, from checking my credit card statemement I have not been billed for the month of March. I will continue to check my statement and this site to see if the service is ever restored.
striker

Vicki C – did you ever hear from them as stated in the letter you posted on April 10th?

Heard Clark Howard talk about this service, can not believe he would be duped by an outfit that does not appear to be on the up and up.

Based on all the negative posts this is just a “pipe dream”
MELODY

WELL I AM STILL WAITING. IT HAS BEEN A LONG FOUR DAYS. BUT THE BEST SURPRISE WAS THESE JERKS ACTUALLY HAD THE NERVE TO CHARGE MY CREDIT CARD. SO NOW I HAVE TO DISPUTE THE CHARGE. I HAVE TOLD THE CREDIT CARD COMPANY I REFUSE ANY MORE CHARGES FROM THIS COMPANY.

I DID RECEIVE A LETTER FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF ARIZONIA AND THEY ARE GOING TO LOOK INTO IT BUT THAT CAN TAKE TIME.

I AM DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
janet

Received a email today from the chatter bug team stating that the service has been restored!! Guess only time will tell for how long.I haven’t been able to try it as yet to see if the service is actually in service.
Brian

We’ve been out of service for over a month,which they refunded us and gave us a free month supposedly. However, today we have been out all day. It goes out where you can’t talk for a couple of seconds during every conversation. That’s a VOIP thing I guess.

It’s been rocky, but OK. Hopefully tommorrow it works.
ALanP

Greetings All
I have used this service for nearly 2 years and all was well untill a few months ago. It did start working again the end of last week, but today it does not work. Way too bad, it was a great service at a great price. I have got my money’s worth, but now the party seems to be over.
AP
Barry

service was out since saturday night. as of monday 04/30/2007 their customer service message said that they are changing “platforms” and that service should be restored by the end of the day. Hmmmmm. We’ll wait and see!
Steve

Well that message is still there saying they are changing platforms tonight. But today is May 1.. If you want to reach them now, you have to dial their local number 520-690-3919 not the 866 number.
AlanP

IT WORKS! IT WORKS!
I called 866-690-3919 and after a very short wait got a person in customer service. I was told to enter a code and then it would work. Here is the code:
*59*1**18778000047
You will hear a beep. Hange up.
THen make your call!
IT WORKS!

AlanP
Dan

Fortunately, I read “gadget review” before purchasing Chatterbug. What a nightmare it sounds like!
What’s this about it working now?
Herb

For those of you who own a Chatterbug, you need to reprogram in a new redial number. It looks like the company changed the carrier that they were using for their 800 service to dial into their network. To do this, enter the following code

*59*1**18778000047*
You will hear a beep. Hang up. It should now work.

I’ve been a long time user of Chatterbug, no problem with the working of the product, only the poor customer service during the company’s crisis.
Mark

I can’t believe anyone would use this company’s service after what we have gone through. Never, never will I deal with this company again.
MELODY

I AM WITH YOU MARK! I JUST SENT MINE BACK TODAY TO THE COMPANY. THEY ARE GOING TO REFUND MY MONEY AND POSTAGE. I INVOLVED THE ARIZONIA ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THEY CONTACTED THEM AND THIS IS HOW THEY ARE WILLING TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I WILL LET YOU KNOW IF IT ALL WORKED OUT.
Stu T

Anymore updates from current users? Are you happy with the present service? Is it worth trying?
Jennifer

My husband had bought the ChatterBug for what seemed like a good deal. A waste of money and time. I have been having nothing but problems with this piece of junk. And to get a hold of anyone, well let’s just say that pigs will learn how to fly before we can get a hold of anyone.