This video from the makers of Jitterbug shows one possible use of their 5 Star personal emergency monitoring service.
With this service, all you have to do is press the 5 key and the * key and you’ll be connected to a monitoring center that can help you out with pretty much whatever you need, whether it’s finding a restaurant close by, getting directions, or getting help in an emergency.
Having 5Star on your phone is like having a medical alert system that’s with you wherever you go.
Read my review of the Jitterbug with 5 Star and find out how to purchase it.
I wanted to say that I cannot belive that unless an elderly person has a computer that person will never receive a invoice or statement showing what they are being charged for, really? Example: 90 year old woman has no computer however she has seen the John Welch ad so it must be the best, he cares about old people! Now she gets here bank statement, it shows the amount taken out by this company. When she waited for the statement or invoice from 5 star to show a detailed amount it never came. I called for her, had to climb three mountains to get a supervisor and then to be told oh well that is what she agreed to in the terms, TERMS those would be in the box that she bought from Walmart, oh we did not open the box and read the terms at the store????? Ok I see were this is going, 5 Star reels the old people in with this great ad and then tells them tough luck sugar you dont have a computer you will never see a detailed bill of what we take from your account, oh and by the way the tax that is applied a so called surcharge your bill will never just be 14.99 as advertised, as a matter of fact it will never be a flat rate and with all of this being said your 90 year old customer cannot get a statement or paid invoice..cannot wrap my mind around this……way to say money 5 star
Hi, Bonnie–
Thanks for your comment. It sounds like this has been really frustrating for you and your friend.
I just called GreatCall customer service to ask about this kind of situation. I explained that your friend had purchased the unit at Walmart and was getting billed on her credit card, but couldn’t see the amounts. The rep confirmed that the only way to see the statements is to go online, but when I asked if there was any other way to get the info, she said customers can call in and ask to have the reps review their bills with them. They’ll go line by line and give you a breakdown of all the charges, including taxes.
As far as the taxes go, they vary by state, and they’re all required by law, as far as I could tell from what she was saying. The highest fees are in Florida, where they bring the total bill to about $18. I get the same sticker shock from my cell phone bill: in the store it sounds like you’re agreeing on a certain price, but that’s because they don’t bother to tell you about the taxes and fees. It’s a drag.
I hope your friend can give customer service a call and get some reassurance about the extra charges. Even with the extra charges, the 5Star unit is one of the best bargains out there for a safety/medical alert device.
Joe
Thanks for that quick response:) 5 Star is a great device however, would you really want to pay for a service without seeing what you are being charged for? I really think 5 Star might rethink this procedure and cut loose with some money to accomadate the customers that do not have a computer, oh and the calling in is great if you are able to listen over a phone for your detailed information. Thanks Joe but really I feel like this would be informartion that I will warn my senior friends that might be thinking about purchasing your produced. Thanks again
I agree they should send a paper statement to people who request it. But maybe their decision not to is part of what lets them keep the service so inexpensive. It really is cheaper than any option like it. (And just to be clear, it’s not my product. I just provide reviews and info on this site.)
After 4 months the device would no longer take a charge. It was returned and another unit was sent to me. The second unit never would charge, therefore was not of use. I was billed for the second defective unit and told the first was damaged by water; it was never exposed to water. I know of another person with a similar experience. It was fine for the short time it worked, but certainly not worth the price of 2 units. After canceling the service, I was billed for an additional 2 months. The warranty is a scam,as they will Iinform you that you got the device wet. I would certainly not endorse this product and doubt that John Walsh is not aware of the manner in which this company takes advantage of the elderly. Just keep a cell phone with you.
So sorry to hear you had a bad experience with this unit, and that the company wasn’t able to resolve it well.