Canadian Experience with magicJack

Karen’s comments were important enough that I thought they deserved their own post front and center for Canadian buyers of magicJack devices. In summary:

• magicJack costs more in Canada.
• If you want a Canadian Number, you have to pay $10 US per year, (About $13 to $15 Canadian, depending on the current exchange rate)
• You can’t pick the last four digits of your Canadian number if you want to.
• You can’t pick a Canadian “Vanity” number.
• Chat support may be spottier for Canadians.

These are valid enough considerations for most people who live in Canada who think they’re buying a whole package, when in the light of day there are hidden fees not assessed at the time of purchase of the device in a local store.

I may actually have some guesses about why some things are the way they are.

• No vanity Canadian numbers – From the point of view of magicJack, since Canadian numbers probably cost more wholesale than US numbers, they’ve probably made it so that all Canadian numbers are considered vanity numbers. Further, if they don’t allow Canadians to choose from among a local list, I’m guessing they only purchase the Canadian number wholesale when you purchase a Canadian number from magicJack.
• No choice of Exchange – Again, they probably don’t keep a list of phone numbers handy. They may purchase the number wholesale when you purchase it from magicJack.
• The device costs more in stores. The current exchange for $60 US is $73 Canadian. On