I must admit I never buy products that are pitched online, but I have got to share this one. I recently had breakfast with friends of mine in Atlanta that were talking about a relative is visiting them, and had purchased MagicJack. He was using it to make local and long distance calls. It is easy to use and plugs right into your computer or laptop. The phone call is made via the Internet (VOIP!) So you use your computer and USB port for a phone connection. Once you plug MagicJack into your computer and then plug your phone into Magic Jack guess what? You have a real phone. They told me it was incredible. The interesting thing is it is cheap. So I thought I would try it.
It costs less than $40 for the part and I think about $20 for an annual subscription. I had a spare phone lying around so I did not incur any additional expense. There is no charge for local calling, or Canada calls. You can even choose the telephone number city or area code you want. It is very easy to set up. There is also a voice-mail feature. I have now been using this for several days, and cannot see any difference to my regular land lines. I just thought MagicJack was a good enough item to share with all my ActiveRain friends. It is a cheap easy and inexpensive way to pick up an extra phone line that is also portable.
RE/MAX Paramount Properties 678-595-5286 Direct
Or 888-940-0074 Toll Free Office
Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale 
Jim - I have seen Majic Jack on TV and thoght it was to good to be true. I must say it looks easy to do...I think I will give it a try.taro
Hey Jim,
Looks like a good one. I have bought many things online as well as from infomercials. The best products seem to be the ones that spend a signigicant amount of time showning you the product in action with plenty of close-ups.
Jim,
Thanks for sharing this.
It sounds great.
But does the person on the other end of the phonecall need a MajicJack also, or can you just call someone's regular land or cell with this?
I too have seen the TV commercial and have been tempted to give it a try. Please update us on your experience with it.
The MJ is fantastic. I have one, been using it for over a year and a half and have saved thousands. I bought one for my netbook computer, too.
The infomercial about this product has saturated our market. Personally, I'm a little leery about using it.
Jim:
I have two of these devices. One for home and one for business. I purchased and old laptop for $50 and the only thing I have plugged into it is the Magic Jack. This way it is not taking up my home or work computer resources.
Jorge
www.AllutahListings.com
Jim, a great tip on majicJack and is definitely something I will check into. Nice to hear other members have also used it and like it.
Jim - Thanks for the tip. I too had considered the device, but am always skeptical about new products pitched on TV or radio.
Thanks for the testimonial - i have heard nothing but good things about the MagicJack! I may have to try it now!
Jim ~ Thanks for taking the plunge. I get leary too about these too good to be true commercials or gimmicks that come out. Have you tried Skype yet? Leesa turned me on to that and its cool. Great way to show property over the internet by sharing your computer screen and you get to see what your clients look like. It's almost like they are in the same room with you.
I think how well it works depends on where you live. Had a friend here is rural part of Georgia get one and I hated talking on the phone to her. It was always like she had a bad connection. She finally went back to a regular land line. Glad your experience is better.
Why not, you can't beat the cost...
I hope you had a day of success Jim!
Paul
Wally Sears (Residential Real Estate Photography) I've been using it all day and love it.
Downtown Portland Real Estate Broker~Herb Hamilton (RE/MAX Preferred Inc. Realtors) Herb, you really cannot beat this one!
Ralph Gorgoglione (EcoBroker Certified - John Aaroe Group, Inc.) No, it works just like a regular phone. It dials directly whatever number you are dailing.
Tom Boos (Sine & Monaghan GMAC Real Estate) It is so good, I puchased a second one this evening for another project.
David Saks - Broker (The Real Estate Mart of Tennessee, Inc.) David that is a great testimony! I hope you are doing well in Nashville.
Cherise Selley - Colorado Springs Realtor (Selley Group Real Estate, LLC) I am not using it for a primary number but if you do the math it sure beats the price of a land line.
Jorge (George) Sanchez (Remax Integrity) Rhis is why I love Active Rain! Other member like yourself are sharing how you've already been using it. I am looking forward to the benefits!
Rebecca Gaujot Lewisburg WV Realtor (Coldwell Banker Stuart & Watts Real Estate) You are more then welcome! Did I mention it has voicemaill too?
John Mulkey, Housing Guru (TheHousingGuru.com) Well so far so good. The voice and signal quality has been great...in fact much better than most other VOIPs I've tried.
Leesa L. Finley, REALTOR®/RE Strategist Wake Forest NC Real Estate and Area Info (Circa Properties - Your Wake Forest NC Homes Specialist) What I like most is that past clients of mine were sharing with us how good it was. That is the best type of endorsement.
Franklin, NC ~ June Tassillo ~ SFR Realtor/Broker 828-371-2339 (Classic GMAC Real Estate ) Well I have tried Skype for video, and for a phone I like this a lot better.
Jim,
Nifty little gadget. How about Skype? It's Internet=based and it's totally free. Check it out.
Tammy Lankford/Broker Lane Realty Lake Sinclair-Central GA A lot of rural areas may not have the broadband connection to make it work.
Paul Henderson, Realtor ® Lacey, DuPont or Hartstene Pointe WA. (RE/MAX Professionals & Four Seasons Inc.) Paul it was a very good day! I hope yours was great also.
Esko Kiuru - Las Vegas NV Mortgage Consultant (FHA, VA, Conventional, Refinance, Jumbo) I've tried Skype, but this is from a regular phone to phone. I like this better. It also has voicemail.
Jim I would get this but I don't think I could fax from it? Please tell me if you know a way.
John Walters (Licensed in Slidell, Louisiana) (Slidell, Pearl River, Lacombe) John you got me there. However I just Googled it and acording to what I am reading the answer is Yes!
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081123124509AARvqWD
We have 4 magic jacks! With the different area codes in our area, we use different area codes for dial back numbers on signs and flyers. They are then seamlessly transfered to our "main" number and the consumer is dialing local on their end. Heck the computers don't even have to be on after you set them up to transfer! We have 3 area codes here 727, 813 and 352 for different areas. Sometimes depending where you are you have to dial a 1 first, sometimes you don't. That can be very frustrating for a client or potential client. The quality is great and we have also given them to family members for gifts. I think they are the best.
Dick and Dixie Sells, Your Tampa Bay Florida Connection (Future Home Realty) Wow! You guys have taken this to the max! Thanks for sharing and for the ideas!
Hi Jim -- Thanks for the tip. I would love to ditch my $40 per month landline, but haven't found a way, perhaps I'll have to investigage this further.
Jim Thank you very much - I thought it was junk - most TV sales are Karen
Jim, I had heard about Magic Jack, but not checked into it. Our office runs without telephones at our desks. This would be the answer to so many of my problems. Thanks for the tip. I didn't see it in RE/MAX Active Rain Bloggers or I would have featured it.
Jim:
We bought it and never hooked it up. I guess I should try.
Richard
Chris Olsen Broker Owner Cleveland Ohio Real Estate (Olsen Ziegler Realty) It works and my phones are ringing. The voice quality is exceptional!
Karen Kruschka - Prince William, Fairfax ,Stafford County VA Real Estate Service (RE/MAX Olympic Realty) Not this one!
Kay Van Kampen, CDPE, Broker, Springfield Missouri Real Estate (RE/MAX Solutions) It works well! I thought I published it there!
Richard Stabile Bergen County New Homes Builder Realtor (REMAX real estate associates) Ah in the real estate burial grounds! Try it...you'll like it!
Jim, I have used the magic jack for a little over a year. It is a great and simple. No Strings.
Frank Rubi | New Orleans LA | Kenner | Real Estate (Frank Rubi Real Estate | Homes for Sale | Lic. in Louisiana ) I wish I found out about this sooner.
Jim,
Thanks for the good research.. I was skeptical too, and have not bothered to pick one up. I was hoping another Realtor would test it out, and here you are!
Thanks!!
Jim: thanks for the review of MagicJack. I've wondered about the quality. Hope your new arrangement suits you. Best,
I tried it but it doesn't work very well for me. I wanted to use it as a fax, but maybe that was the problem. Glad it works for you!
Wow, coming from you, a person I trust, I am going to pick this up.
One more gadget to add to my briefcase, it is getting pretty full. Thanks Jim.
Jim, My nephew uses it and he calls his parents in India . I am thinking of getting one . Thanks for the reminder. I know many India friends who have a magic jack.
It is a pretty good product and I have not had any major issues.
I have wondered if the static issues have been worked out. Several people here swears by it. Has anyone considered replacing there telephone systems. Something to check on and I am sure you will keep us informed.
By the way Jim hope you have a great Memorial Day as well.
Charles Stallions Real Estate 800-309-3414 Pensacola, Fl. The only issues we've had is a static issue if we forward the phone from a toll free number. However, one feature I love is the capture feature or caller ID, I can return the call and no static. So for $20 a year, I've already turned this into some business.
Jim,
Thanks for the tip on Magic Jack. I've seen the commericals, its nice to know that it works!!! I'll have to try it.
Lori Cofer
Moscow Idaho Real Estate Lori Cofer, REALTOR (Beasley Realty) It is a good cheap tool!