For those who haven’t been on the website in the last few hours, go and visit the site. You will see that the company address is now on the contact page, and that you may now remove your credit card number from the system without difficulty or error messages.
I got an email from a reader (thanks, John!) letting me know that he was able to remove his credit card this morning and thanking me for my “detective work.” I, too, was finally able to remove my credit card number.
The president of Chatterbug has been quickly responsive — once I could actually find his number and call him. He has stayed in touch with me by both phone and email as he’s orchestrated most of the changes to the system I recommended.
What still hasn’t happened (that I find bothersome) is that:
- There is still no indication of trouble on the index page for any new customers
- There has still not been an email sent out to existing customer informing them of what’s going on — or at least touching base with them
- The recorded message on the main phone line still has not changed and offers no information about the restoration of service, or what the actual problem is.
Mr. Ryan has been helpful and quick to respond, but it’s a shame that the company is missing the opportunity to spin this situation into a customer service opportunity. Most (but not all) people are willing to stick with a company through the tough times if they are offered insight into the difficulties and if they are ASKED to stay.
Leaving people wondering what’s going on is never an effective way to provide customer service or gain customer loyalty, IMHO.
Based on what’s happened to Vonage by Verizon, maybe Chatterbug got a legal notice to cease-and-desist their service from Verizon. (They probably were piggy-backing their long distance service on Verizon’s lines.) Whatever the issue was, they should have notified their customers one way or another. My email/voicemail messages went unanswered.
I was going to purchase Chatterbug last week when I found your comments at google.com. Thanks for preventing my making a big mistake. I DO wish, however, they would get their act together as every call I make is a long distance one (rural) and I need a service like this. Any good PR firm would tell them to ‘fess up and be honest with their customers….. Thanks again!
I received a call from Sean Ryan after many emails and phone calls to chatterbug support. He explained that we should have received update emails. I did not receive the 2nd or 3rd. I expressed my concerns that they should post a notice on their website in the future to keep customers up to date.
I noticed the the Arizona BBB shows that they tried to visit the company and make contact. But the doors were locked. Looks like it was updated recently to include that they are NOT going out of business.
http://www.tucson.bbb.org/commonreport.html?bid=20005454
Bottom line, if you are reading this in the future. Chatterbug was/is a great service. My only complaint is/are that their customer service is lacking and not keeping the customers up to date during a situation is unacceptable. Hopefully when you are reading this in the future they have fixed these two problems and are a thriving service.
Got This april 11
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
I Had Got This Email
23 Apr 2007 21:15:36
Dear Valued Chatter Bug Customer,
We are pleased to let you know that the Chatter Bug service has been
restored. Thank you again for your patience.
We will be contacting you to offer you one month of free service for
all of your troubles and inconveniences.
Thank you again for your continued support.
The Chatter Bug Support Team
2524 W. Ruthrauff Rd. #6
Tucson, AZ 85705
1-866-690-3919
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
Any more recent updates available? Are Chatterbug users happy now? I’ve purchase the device but am reluctant to get it set up and running.
Thanks
I can’t make the code work. I called the number you gave and they said to add an * at the end but I still can’t get it to work.
The Reset code was close Alan, however you did leave out one part, which is probably why someones didn’t work the correct code is
*59*1**18778000047*
the only thing that was missing is the last star. Also i would i was informed the the customer service support team does not have the priviledges to contact EVERYONE via email, that is something that must be given by higher ups and gone through a lawer to make sure no false information is conveyed.
The service works great. I used Chatterbug before the problem and have been using it again for approximately two weeks. It works perfectly and I highly recommend it if would like to replace all your long distance services for a minimal monthly fee.
I cannot get this to work either. I have been messing with this since early this year. I even went to Kmart to complain and they did not care about what was going on..I told them they should take them off their shelves if they don’t work and stop selling this. They acted like I was a psycho.
I am so fed up with Kmart and this chatterbug.
Me & my wife have the chatterbug It works Find anyone that has it has to reprogram it.
Q: How do I reprogram my ChatterBug™ to use the new service?
A: If your ChatterBug™ serial number starts with a 5:
Step 1 – Keeping the ChatterBug™ connected, move the locking switch from “lock” to “unlock” on the back of the unit.
Step 2 – On your phone pad, speed dial the following number *59*1**18778000047*. You can speed dial this numbers in one of two ways:
Method 1: Dial the number first while keeping your phone on hook (do not pick up the handset) then pick up the phone like you were going to make a call.
OR
Method 2: Pick up the hand set, dial the number, hang up. Pick up the hand set again and hit redial on your phone.
Step 3 – You will hear numbers being dialed, at the end of these numbers, you will hear a dial tone, then a “beep”. Now hang up the phone.
Step 4 – Go to the back of the ChatterBug™ device, move the locking switch from “unlock” to “lock”.
For all other serial numbers (starting with a 2, 3 or 4):
Step 1 – Keep the ChatterBug™ connected.
Step 2 – On your phone pad, speed dial the following number *59*1**18778000047*. You can speed dial this numbers in one of two ways:
Method 1: Dial the number first while keeping your phone on hook (do not pick up the handset) then pick up the phone like you were going to make a call.
OR
Method 2: Pick up the hand set, dial the number, hang up. Pick up the hand set again and hit redial on your phone.
Step 3 – You will hear numbers being dialed, at the end of these numbers, you will hear a dial tone, then a “beep”. Now hang up the phone.
You are now ready to begin calling on our new upgraded platform. If you are not able to connect to a call that you place, try these steps again. It is necessary to complete this process to continue service.
I did not come across your page until today. I am having problems with getting payments stopped on my debit card because their service has not been working in over a month, only receiving a recording when I call, never have any returned phone calls or emails. I dont want to pay the $30 stop payment fee to my bank but it looks like im going to have to and thats just not right. Also their website is now down!!!! Does anyone have any new information?
robotchef or anyone else have a way of contacting the president of this company??? As I was able to register my device on-line and update it accordingly , but now I get that darn recording about having technical difficulties. does anyone have any clues as to what is going on? also a number would be greatly appreicated to get ahold of the president as none of the advertised numbers work. thanks
I believe Chatterbug is a scam. They are charging their customers’ credit cards and not providing any service to them. They’ve been charging my credit card for months and I haven’t been able to make a long distance call with their device.
I hope somebody files a lawsuit against them on behalf of all their customers whom they have ripped off.
chatterbug website is down.
chatterbug has not worked for 11 weeks.
Geeze. I posted on here about a year ago… Here I am again. early April… 2008 now. Chatterbug looked like it started working mid 2007. Late 2007 it started getting intermittent. I sent emails over many months and left a few voice messages since Thanksgiving. No answers… just charges. I finally got a one month refund. I though I would give their website one last try before calling the bank. I found it under construction. I give up.
Personally knowing some operational people involved with the Chatter Bug venture, I can readily state that they are hardworking; ethical and conscientous individuals who placed the priority where it should have been – on the customer or subscriber. Unfortunately, their ethics and integrity were all undermined by Sean Ryan who has run a very good concept into the ground. In tandem, he has obfuscasted and misrepresented information to shareholders for a long time. Ufortunately for them, the capital they committed is neither refundable or is recoverable. If you want the lastest email address and corporate update, I will be glad to forward it. Place the blame squarely on him as those hired have not been paid in a long time and were prevented from carrying out their tasks under his managment conduct and style.
Just started browsing to find out more about Chatterbug. Disapointing. Are there any other devices out there that could pointed to my favorite long distance provider? Can the Chatterbug be used that way if I can find one in Canada?
I am greatful to and for Chatterbug, its has been wonderful for me to have a service I could use every now and then
because I don’t have much use for long distance, but to have it when you need it was just great. Please get every
thing in order and resume our services. Thank you for all of your hard work and effort to get this system up and
running again.
Does anyoneknow if Ch’bug is stil operating? I have been calling since January and there’s no answer. I have been billed for no service since January. Thank you. Terry
Back in April 08, I received an email from Chatterbut stating that they would be contacting me, the standard email to let you know that they have received your email, and one of their staff would be contacting you back. However, there were no emails after that. I noticed on the web tonight, that there is finally something on their site, and you can actually put product in your shopping cart, so I sent them an email. The email was just bounced back as being undeliverable. Don’t know if they are back up and running or not. I may try their 800 number next wk to see if something has really developed or not.
Hope this helps, somewhat, sorry its not better.
Have a great day
Well, I just tried to call ChatterBug @ 1(866) 690-3919, which is the toll free number on their package, and I was informed that the phone number is not in service. So, I guess its anyone’s guess as to wh at is happening.
Wish you the best in resoolving any issues you have with them
Regards,
I want to say something.. I had this system a few years ago.. loved it until one day i couldnt make calls and could not get ahold of anyone regarding the problem and also they took several months of payments and i didnt have service… if there is anyway i could get my money back i would love to know how! I still have the unit i just dont use it.
I think they are long gone, Beth. I had similar problems and eventually donated my device to Goodwill.