About three years ago, while I was making plans for my move to Mexico, my brother convinced me to buy MagicJack to make “free” calls through my computer to any number in The States and Canada.
He was a true believer.
I remember leaving a party at my boss’s Portland condominium. While walking along the streets, my mobile telephone rang. It was my brother. The clarity of the call convinced me he was calling from Bend.
He wasn’t. He was calling from Japan. Using his MagicJack. I became a true believer.
The little USB device I plug into the side of my computer has been one of my best purchases. I am not much of a telephone person. After five minutes I am usually ready to get off. But it has kept me in touch with family and friends.
Until today. While attempting to set up a conference call with my broker, the USB decided to do its South Carolina impression by seceding into two parts.
That is it at the top of the post. If you look closely at the smaller piece, you will see something that looks like dirt. It isn’t. It is pitted corrosion. I can only imagine what the electrical parts inside of the device look like.
As much as I like MagicJack’s product, their service department is a bit primitive. It is cutting edge as far as technology goes. But it is primitive in its customer service.
I discovered I could get a replacement USB for about $20. But the FAQ section did not inform me how that could be done.
With a bit more digging, I discovered MagicJack uses a “chat” method to answer such questions. I will spare you the details. After 45 minutes of typing and waiting for my “service representative” to respond, I thought I was done. (Italian customs agents could learn some new techniques from this process.)
When the confirmation email arrived, I discovered that the shipping address I had clearly described as needing all of the lines I had provided was stripped of all numbers.
For a moment I thought how convenient it would be to merely drive down to the nearest Best Buy and purchase a new device. But Mexico is teaching me patience. I am certain if I just wait it will arrive without any problem.
But, just in case, I found a workaround. MagicJack has a new service called MagicTalk that does not require a USB device. I will use it until my replacement arrives.
And the magic will return to my calls. Unless San Miguel is a vortex that sucks the magic out of the rest of Mexico.
