International Call Block Feature

[Heat305]

Has anyone had this problem with this calling feature. I have "international block" on in my control panel and wanted to test it and make sure it did what it claims. I immediately got a busy tone after dialing the international number, which made me believe that it was operational. However I logged into my control panel and saw that in my outgoing call logs the calls show as being answered, why I don't know. I submitted a ticket online and this was tech supports reply to me and I quote below.

" Hello,

Due to the nature of international call routing, any call that is placed is billed differently from domestic calls. Once the call is placed, fees are incurred as it travels through the appropriate channels. Once these calls are disconnected, whether before or after the final connection is made, the proper charge for the call will be calculated.

I apologize for any inconvenience, but any charges incurred from international calls, whether completed or not, are non-refundable. Please let us know if you have any further questions or concerns. Thanks."

Seems to me that I am might be charged for attempting the call regardless of the call being completed or not, with the international block feature enabled.. I thought the purpose of the blocking feature was to not allow the calls to go through. I made sure I had the block feature turned on prior to making a test call. My current provider for home phone service does not charge for attempting to dial internationally when the call is not connected. I currently have my international dialing blocked with them as well and never get charged for attempting to dial internationally with the "international block" feature turned on. Can someone help me to understand why this is with VT or am I just interpreting it the wrong way. The duration of the call is not the issue. The issue is why did the call show as being answered when I have the block feature turned on in my control panel in my VT account and why does it sound that I will be charged for attempting to dial internationally. I have attached some images. Any feed back and advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Brian188]

If I were you there is NO WAY I would accept that response. Isn't the purpose of International Call Block to stop you from being BILLED for calling internationally? What good is a feature that prevents your call from being completed internationally, but still charged? It's the same as an 18 year old kid going in to a bar and ordering a beer. He can't have the beer but he has to pay for it anyway?? It would be a little different if you didn't have the block enabled.

I would re-open the ticket, and continue to fight it. Sure probably just a couple of pennies, but it the principle. Obviously the feature does not work properly.

[sbradshaw]

I hope International Call Blocking is not broken. I have mine set so that my children don't accidentally call an International number unintentionally.

[Heat305]

My point exactly. What's the point of having it enabled when it doesn't do what it's made for. We'll see how this works out. They shouldn't have to make customers struggle to get this resolved. What I think they should do is have someone test a call from their side with the block feature on and wait a couple minutes to see if the call is still registering and has a status of being answered. Let's see what they tell me. If not off to find another provider. Glad I haven't ported over my number as of yet, but the rest of the service has been great. Wanna make sure I point this out because don't want no one to think I am here bashing away at VT. C'mon VT work with me here guys. Would any of you guys be kind enough to make an international call, who has the international block feature enabled. Try calling an international number and see what it says in the call logs after a couple minutes? Can anyone try it and post back in here please. If the feature is enabled then it shouldn't go through but let's see if it will still register as being answered. Let's see if it's just me or if it's happening to others out of my calling area. Here is a posting from http://forums.hostrocket.com/showthread.php?t=20309 , someone having international issues as well. I await anyone's response that would try to call internationally and post back. Thanks in advance.

[Heat305]

This was tech supports reply. This is the #1 reason I haven't ported my number over as of yet. I have attached screen shots. These screen shots continue from the first ones I posted on this topic, so it picks up from the last reply in the jpeg. Remember in my last posting I stated that the first day my account was activated I logged in to my control panel and "Enabled" the international block feature. According to them it was not. I think as far as features are concerned they might wanna consider coming up with one that can track time and date of when customers go into their control panel and enable and disable "International Block" feature so no one has to be guessing and we can all be happy campers. I am sure they think that people are trying get out of paying for international calls placed and say they didn't. So a feature like this would let them know exactly if the feature was turned off and at what time and day. This is only my two cents. Any feedback is grately appreciated from anyone. Hope I get this resolved soon enough. :(

[hrtanya]

Upon reviewing your support ticket, it appears that the Call Block feature was working as it should. The 'Answer' is our server answering the call with the busy signal, and stopping the call from routing. The CDR will know that the call did not actually route to the international location, and you will not be billed at the international rate. You can view this when you receive your monthly invoice.

[Heat305]

Upon reviewing your support ticket, it appears that the Call Block feature was working as it should. The 'Answer' is our server answering the call with the busy signal, and stopping the call from routing. The CDR will know that the call did not actually route to the international location, and you will not be billed at the international rate. You can view this when you receive your monthly invoice.

Can you tell me when I do make an international call how will I know when the time actually started for the call? In my control panel and according to other tickets I have submitted I was told that VT servers log the time from when the call is made and not when answered. How can I accurately tell how long I have been on an international call as oppose to what's in my call logs? Thanks in advance.