Is this the Ooma model that does not charge taxes?

http://www.amazon.com/Ooma-Core-VoIP...ords=ooma+core

correct

Thanks, it looks like there are some used units for sale. Why would someone sell them when it is so valuable (no tax?). Wondering if they are defective products.

Also hasn't Ooma discontinued this product? Surprised there are new units still available.

The ooma HUB no taxes policy ended a while ago for new activations. The only shot you MIGHT have is if you can guarantee somehow that this these HUBS had NEVER been activated prior to buying it, then you MIGHT have a shot with OOMA for the no taxes policy, but at this point I'd just get a Telo and be done with it

If you signup for email you will receive periodic offers for $20-$50 off for the unit.

Groupon is currently offering an Ooma box for $55, but you have to subscribe to Premier service for $10/mo so not such a good deal if you just need the basic package.

For now I am keeping my $5/mo plan with Vonage as we only have service for emergency backup.

The Premier service is excellent, though.

Cost wise, Obi would be even better. Have not had any issues with it even with the poor internet connection I had earlier.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...s-obitalk.html

ooma for years now and I think I had maybe issues twice (and i killed a unit once, but that was my fault). I have the Premier and love it. I have it synced with my Google Voice, so when I travel I have 1 number where people can call me (and with google's calling rules, I don't get a 3am telemarketing call due to the time difference).
I do have Obi as a backup and when I used it (while waiting for my ooma replacement), I had no issues. Obi worked great.

Ooma Telo base unit s now @ $109 on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Ooma-Telo-Phon...&keywords=ooma

Still more than Obi. Can someone tell me why they prefer Ooma over Obi?

Was this an ad, since one can easily get the ooma 2 for around 89$ shipped if price the matter.

Doesn't the Obi rely on Google Voice for its free calls? Ooma (hopefully) shouldn't shut down any time soon.

GV recently made a commitment to support the service. Google seems stronger than Ooma to me.

Really? It wouldn't be the first time that Google suddenly decides to shut down a service people used a lot (Reader anyone?).

Ooma is a dedicated phone company with 911 support, Google Voice is just another side project Google can't figure out what to do with. They already announced once that they'd shut down support for the Obihai products, and as far as I can find, there is no offical statement that calls and support will remain in place for good.

Sure looks like it.

Because (as Scott said) Ooma is an all in one solution. They provide the hardware, web site, billing, VoIP services, customer service, etc. One throat the choke. The Obi is a DIY box that requires users to choose/setup their own VoIP provider and figure out their own problems. Many Obi users hook to Google Voice because it's free, but Google doesn't really like the idea of piggybacking their services.

Precisely. For a more closely related example, Google used to offer an API for Google Voice users that transcribed voice to text, and it still transcribes voice mail for Google Voice users. This API was also used by IP PBX systems like PBX in a Flash (which I love) to provide the same transcription service. But (and I'm only guessing here) Google didn't see a lot of value in providing free transcription to non-customers, so they changed the rules and the API with zero notice.

The same thing will happen to Obi users once Google decides they're not being sufficiently rewarded for providing VoIP services to a third party.