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iTalkBB Reviews

iTalkBB is a popular home phone service provider for VoIP phone calls between the United States and Canada and China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

 

Users Average Rating

Providers Comparison

Note: The graphs above only measure the user ratings displayed over the last five years.
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Nickel-and-Dime company

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2
Average: 2 (1 vote)
2
Average: 2 (1 vote)
2
Average: 2 (1 vote)
2
Average: 2 (1 vote)
2
Average: 2 (1 vote)
2
Average: 2 (1 vote)

Friendly reminder: if you cancel their phone service and need to return the device, you must remember to bring their cat 5 one dollar cable back as well. That's right, not only the box, the AC adapter, but also the network cable! Otherwise, they will charge you $5 for that cable. It doesn't matter you have used their service for 10+ years (that cable they originally supplied may break already); or the cable may get lost. 10 years, who knows! anything can happen! Besides, who will remember to bring that cable, no other companies ask that! Is it a way how this nickel and dime company makes money? Because lots of people may just end up paying and save a second trip!

short waiting time of their 800 customer service number
Sometimes voice quality is not stable
No

Don't use iTalkBB TV, get a TV box for one time charge

user_review
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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I've used ItalkBB TV+phone for almost 10 yrs. I paid for $180/yr. The phone line is useless, but if you only want Chinese TV, it's same price. Recently I bought a TV box for $130 on Amazon. it comes with all Chinese channels plus English channels, much more than ItalkBB TV provided. I only need to pay once, no more monthly pay like italkBB TV. So I called to cancel my italkBB service. They stop service immediately although I have paid for the whole month. I was also requested to return the equipment with cables on my own shipping cost. So don't believe they say "free box with free shipping". This business is so cheap and stupid. They ask you return the junk equipment just to give you hard time, so you will never be back to them in the future.

None, compare to other TV box
super expensive and limited channels
No

DO NOT USE ITalkBB!!

user_review
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)

The worst phone company ever!! The signal is weak and customers services are horrible. Once you use this company you cannot transfer your phone number to another company. They charge you less at the beginning but will charge you more at a later time.

No
Bad service, bad signal
No

ItalkBB is the worst company that I dealt with in the US

user_review
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)

iTalkBB should feel honored to received one star! Because they deserve zero
star!!
I have been in the US for more than 17 years. I have to say iTalkBB has been
the worst companies I have ever dealt with. They gave you the warmest welcome
when you sign up. But you will expect the most greedy goodbye experiences
when you cancel. I transferred my number to Verizon in 4/18 2017, and thought
italkbb service will be automatic be canceled. However, just want to confirm,
I called iTalkBB in 4/20 to confirm. They tried every methods letting me to
stay with their services. After they realized I will definitely go, they
changed. I insist that don't charge me any more. They agreed.
Two months later, I found they charged my credit card for $29.97 for the
service of 4/20 - 5/19. I called them, they said you called at the first day
of the billing cycle, we have to charge the whole month!. I said my number
was already transferred to Verizon in 4/18, how did you provide the service
for me for 4/20-5/19? they refuse to refund!!

To all who want to sign up iTalkbb:
Please, not only their service are really bad!! but also you have much much
better options:

Use Skype to do international phone call!! For international calling to
landline or cell phone in China from your cell phone in the US, 400
minutes/$2.99, 1000 minutes/$4.99. Very convenient, and crystal clear!!

For all iTalkBB users, dump this company, and run away as soon as you can to
same 90% of your international call of Talkbb, and get much better signals
and much better services in Skype!!

nothing
bad service, bad signal, bad prices
No

Worst Service - iTalkBB

user_review
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)

If less than Zero rating were possible, I would give such a rating! This is
the worst company I have ever worked with. I used their iTalkBB TV box so
that my mother could watch Chinese programs. First, I had to pay $49.99/year
for Renting the box, in addition to $10/mo for the phone service. I told
them that I don't need the phone service, only the TV box for Chinese
programs, then I was told that I would pay $15/mo if I don't use their phone
service! Blood suckers! I had to keep the phone service even though the
phone service has never been used.

Fast forward, at the first day of the second year, I was charged another
$49.99 for renting the TV box for the whole year. Within one month, I needed
to cancel the TV service, since my mother had left for travel. I was told,
not only do I need to pay another month of phone service which has never been
used, but I won't get any refund of the $49.99 charge for the whole year,
even though, I had only used it for less than a month. Additionally, I need
to return the box to them within 15 days, or I'll be charged $75! This
company is all about finding ways to charge you more fees, rather than
providing good customer service, and a good customer experience.

I will never, ever, do business with this company again, nor will I ever
recommend this company to anyone I know. Avoid this company like the plague.

None
Too many to list.
No

Please think twice, three times before signning up with iTalkBB

user_review
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
3
Average: 3 (1 vote)
2
Average: 2 (1 vote)
2
Average: 2 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)

I have been using iTalkBB's phone service since 2007 and I recently cancelled
my service.

Here is what happened to me since 2 years ago: every time my parents made an
international call, the call will be cut off at random times. I called
iTalkBB service and they did something on their backend to try to make things
better. Things did not get better. I asked if they should provide a more
updated box to me because the one I have been using is 8 years old
already..... I was told that since I have bought the box (it was the only
option in 2007) they would not be able to ship me the new box. I will have
buy another box. I have to say, their customer service was OK. They told me
what they have done in the backend. As an IT person, it made sense.

After that phone call, my parents told me the calls did not get cut off as
frequently but the quality went down. there are statics.

Recently, we finally decided to that we want to get out of iTalkBB phone
service and just use Google Voice instead. After all, Google Voice is
cheaper, more flexible, and a lot higher quality.

And here is how things went south: iTalkBB tried their best to keep me on
their service, which I can totally understand. Our mind is made up, we are
switching. So, I patiently told them again, again and again that I just want
to cancel. Finally, they gave up. but then they told me that the phone box
belongs to them and I had to ship it back to them within 15 days or they will
charge me $59.99. I was like, what? I own the phone box, that is why yall
would not give me a new one 2 years ago. They told me there must be a mistake
because they should be able to give me a new one. I said "OK. That was 2
years ago. The fact is they told me no. So, let's not focus on the past. The
issue we have now is you asked me to return the box that I have paid for."
Then iTalkBB person, it is a her, said they have reimbursed me in a monthly
base from 2008-2009. My answer to her was "I paid for the box. you decided to
reimburse me, that is iTalkBB's decision. It does not change the fact that I
bought the box. It is like you go shopping, and bought a skirt. Then the
company told you they will pay you back for the skirt for some reason. You
accepted it. But then you found out the skirt doesn't fit you so you went go
return it, but come to find out you need to pay the company back for the
shirt if you are returning it. That doesn't even make sense."

Then that person went on to try to rationalize iTalkBB's behavior. And here
is the kicker. They want original condition of their equipment, including the
internet wire. I almost laughed my butt off. It has been 10 years in my case.
I moved 3 times in the past 10 years. An internet cable wire is an internet
cable wire. No one cares about original or not as long as it works. Not to
mention that the wire may not work anymore after 10 years.

At the end, I simply told her "Look, it will only cost me around $5 to ship
you back this 10 year old equipment that I have no use. I would simply take
it to the electronic center and recycle it. If you want this junk back, I
WILL ship this junk back to you. Please note that our conversation has taught
me that I will never ever return to iTalkBB anymore because iTalkBB simply do
not have any integrity. This $5 will also earn iTalkBB my honest opinion on
all the possible online review website I can find. I am not upset at you. You
are just following what was given to you. The problem lies in the whole
philosophy and culture of iTalkBB. I will not trust iTalkBB and I will not
give a penny to iTalkBB moving forward. Again, I am sorry you will have to
take the blunt comments from me. If you do not truly believe iTalkBB's way of
doing business. I don't think you are happy in what you are doing. If that is
the case, I hope you find a better job soon. Your patience to me and your
insistence for keeping customers will earn you a much better job in a much
better company. You are too good for iTalkBB". I mean it. She was a good
customer service representative, she was caught in a rock and a hard place.

I hope this review is candid and honest. I tried to be as objective as
possible.

A iTalkBB number is given so that people from China can call the iTalkBB number, and it will be routed to house in the US. And there is no long distance charge.
Dishonest company Unreliable service Not so good customer service -- mainly on follow up on issues part. ** If you want to learn more details, please see my detailed review.
No

Do not waste your money ItalkBB

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1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
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1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)

I have been using ITalkBB for near 10 years. ITalkBB customer support has been terrible; but I was just patient to tolerant because I did not have time to look other company. Recently, I can not tolerant ITalBB anymore and made study to choose other company. I noticed Ooma and made switch. I am extremely happy with Ooma and save big money (from $30 to $5 monthly). I wish that I could know Ooma early.

No

Terrible company

user_review
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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I have been using ITalkBB for near 10 years. ITalkBB customer support has been terrible; but I was just patient to tolerant because I did not have time to look other company. Recently, I can not tolerant ITalBB anymore and made study to choose other company. I noticed Ooma and made switch. I am extremely happy with Ooma and save big money (from $30 to $5 monthly). I wish that I could know Ooma early.

No

poor tech support for internet - Italkbb

user_review
4
Average: 4 (1 vote)
2
Average: 2 (1 vote)
2
Average: 2 (1 vote)
2
Average: 2 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
2.2
Average: 2.2 (1 vote)

i joined their internet for a month and the service suddenly stopped 3 days ago (no internet, no phone). I immediately reported it and requested for tech support. However, no one was able to give me a clear answer when would they fix the problem but just asked me to wait. I complained it to the manager but again, he could not tell me when could they arrange someone to fix my problem. He asked me to wait for another 3 days before he could give me a better timeline (as they are not working during the weekend). Again... this is not a guarantee but he just "trys his best". I requested to speak to his boss but he said that he is the top rank of his division. I am very frustrated with their work effeciency and poor co-ordination. It seems to me that the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing. Very poor tech support.

poor work effeciency and co-ordination
No

Do not use iTalkBB. the Customer Services is suck !

user_review
2
Average: 2 (1 vote)
2
Average: 2 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1.4
Average: 1.4 (1 vote)

if you want to use iTalkBB, read this review before you connect them. I believe all the 5 stars rating review are hired and paid by the iTalkBB to try to fool the new customers.
I have been using iTalkBB for many years. The major advantage with this company is that you can call China anytime and "no time limit" ( normally they auto cut you off after about 2 hours ). That's it ! Other than this advantage , you will suffer with all their customer services.
There is one time, my sit top box broke. I have to call their Customer Services for three days and six times. Finally I ran out of patience and started to yell at them before they finally ship over a new sit top box.
They increased monthly fee from $23 to $28 without notify me.
the thing that pissed me off the most is when I sold my house and called in to disconnect. They simply asked me to leave a phone number and call me back in 24 hours. Everybody know when you sold your house, you need to disconnect lots of services like gas, water, electricity, TV, internet cable, phone, etc. I only spend about 10 minutes calls to disconnect each of all these services EXCEPT iTalkBB. They make it extremely difficult to disconnect it until you call them many , many times.
Originally, I thought to re-connect the iTalkBB after I move to my new house. But, this tough disconnecting their services and bad customer services experience make me NEVER return this company !

You call China without extra fee
The Customer Services is the WORST I have ever seen in the U.S. It has typical Chinese way to doing business. You give them money ( subscribe their services ), they give the best services. But, you want to cancel the service or call in for any issues. They turn deaf hear to you.
No

Pages

iTalkBB

Markham
Ontario
2004Year Founded
32%Recommend
25User Reviews

Overall Rating

2.3
2.44
48%
44%
46%
44%
48%

Service Locations

    VoIP app

    The Skinny

    Free Chinese Phone Number

    iTalkBB can offer you a free local number in China.

    Of course, you have to purchase the service in order to get the free number, but that's beside the point. iTalkBB can get you local numbers in China, Hong Kong, or Taiwain. With a number with a 950 area code, people all over China can call you without having to pay high international rates.

    iTalkBB offers two calling plans:

    • Global Unlimited Plan
    • Residential Economic Plan

    Global Unlimited Plan

    iTalkBB's Global Unlimited Plan allows you to make unlimited calls to the US, China, and many other countries. You also get a local Chinese phone number thrown in there, which is great especially if you're calling China a lot.

    iTalkBB's Global Unlimited Plan isn't a business plan. Like most VoIP providers, iTalkBB does have a clause to protect itself from unreasonable use. So, don't try any extensive office-related calling to China on your iTalkBB plan.

    Residential Economic Plan

    If you don't need to call that much, consider the Residential Economic Plan.

    For $4.99 a month for basic phone service, you get 2 cent calls to the United States and China. However, if you spend more than 1000 minutes on the phone a month, you should definitely use the Global Unlimited Plan - it'll save you a little more money every month.

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