Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why Talk-Out?
Talk-out is an e-commerce, B2B, B2C business in the telecom industry providing long distance calling at a FIXED COST for mobile and landline users. Our business model offers customers substantial savings on long distance and outgoing calls while providing our Resellers income for selling such services.
The Talk-Out Advantages
1) Fixed cost (substantial savings)
2) Create income as a Reseller
3) Voice recognition
4) Address Book Voice User Interface (VUI)
5) Real time online activation 24/7
6) Works on landlines and mobile phones
7) 24/7 Accessibility
8) No fixed-term contract
9) No activation fee
10) No need to change your existing number
11) Monthly billing
12) No special software or complex downloads
13) No connection fee
Will my landline or mobile phone work with Talk-Out's service?
Yes. Talk-Out's service works with any landline or mobile phones in circulation today. The only limitation is availability of Talk-Out Call Plans in other countries. Presently you can use Talk-Out's service in Canada only. We are planning to make Talk-Out services available in new countries as of 2010. We will keep you posted as to new locations on our website.
How the Call Through Service Works? (from any mobile or landline)
1) Dial the Call Through* Talk-Out Access Number (once you subscribe)
2) Talk-Out's Voice Assistant recognizes your number, and asks who you want to call
3) Say the name of the person you wish to call (if you have stored your contacts in your Virtual Address Book) or simply dial the phone number
IMPORTANT
You must use this service with A PREDETERMINED NUMBER OF RECIPIENTS (UNLIMITED INCOMING & OUTGOING WITH 5 or more, SPECIFIC NUMBERS) to be exempted of outgoing minute charges from your provider. Prior to using this Talk-Out service, please check with your current cellular or mobile provider if you are able to add this option. If you are unable to get this option, you will ONLY save on Long Distance Charges when using this service on mobile or cell phones. As for landlines make sure your Talk-Out access number is not long distance from your location.
What is a Talk-Out Access Number?
Talk-Out's Access Numbers are telephone numbers in cities where Talk-Out users call to connect to our service. The complete list of Talk-Out's Access Numbers are available on Talk-Out's website on the link «Access Numbers».
What is Voice Recognition?
Once you connect to our Talk-Out Access Number, voice recognition is done by "speaking your commands" to a Voice Assistant on our systems.
What is a Voice Assistant?
This is an automated Voice Assistant who will guide you through the steps to completing a call on our systems. The Voice Assistant's language will depend on your Language selection at the time of subscription. We presently have English and French Voice Assistance and eventually Spanish.
Create a contact in your Virtual Address Book?
Dial your Talk-Out access number, and when Talk-Out Voice Assistant answers, Welcome to Talk-Out, who would you like to call respond by saying create a contact. The Virtual Assistant will then ask you to SAY the name of the person and then enter MANUALLY the telephone number associated to the name of that person, on your phone's dial pad. Please remember to always enter the 1 + area code + the number.
How do I place a call to a contact I just recorded in my Virtual Address Book?
When Talk-Out Voice Assistant asks "Who would like to call", simply say the name of the contact you previously recorded. You must be in "Voice Command" mode to utilize it in this manner.
When I use the Voice Assistant, it doesn't recognize my voice command, any suggestions?
1) Speak at normal speed and volume
2) Say contact names exactly as you have entered them in your Virtual Address Book i.e. say "Robert Smith" not "Bob Smith", depending on what is entered in your Virtual Address Book
3) When naming your contacts, use words that can be spoken. Contacts such as jjjjllllkkkk will not be recognized
4) Do not use very short words; background noise could sometimes trigger a false recognition.
5) Minimize background noise in a vehicle by turning down the radio and rolling up open windows.
6) If you are having difficulties being understood by Talk-Out's Voice Assistant, you can switch to dial pad mode (dialling your commands).
Do I have to use the Voice Recognition feature?
No, Talk-Out offers other options. Voice recognition or "speaking your commands" is recommended for all fluent English speakers. "Dialling your commands" using your keypad is recommended for non-fluent English speakers or if many of your friends and family have non-English names. Also, don't forget that you can always dial a number at any time.
I have experienced technical problems, how do I report it?
Please email us at support@talk-out.com. Talk-Out's support team will respond to you in a timely manner.
Can I use Talk-Out's Service out of my local calling area?
Yes you can, BUT your carrier or provider will charge you roaming or long distance fees regardless of our service! TALK-OUT WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY FEES CHARGED BY YOUR PROVIDER for calls dialled outside of your local calling area. For those continuously travelling outside there LOCAL CALLING AREA, we suggest that you call your Provider and ask for an unlimited roaming at a fixed cost.
What if I change my landline or mobile number?
Login to your account with your Username and Password then click on "My Profile" link (under "My Account" tab) and change your landline or mobile number.
Can I use Talk-Out from a phone other than the one(s) provided during registration?
No. Call Plans are attributed according to one (1) specific number. BUT, if during registration you provide more than one (1) number, it will automatically include each additional registered number(s) as active and functional with our service, an additional cost for each number(s).
How do I subscribe?
You can subscribe directly on-line. Click on Call Plans and follow the online instructions. You will need an ID number of a Reseller to subscribe and a VALID email address.
I tried subscribing on Talk-Out's website and I don't have an ID number referred to me by a Reseller to buy your services, so I could not complete my subscription, what next?
All sales are generated through our Resellers. If you don't remember who promoted Talk-Out services to you or just hit our website on the internet, please send an email to subscribe@talk-out.com and an ID number of a Reseller will be sent to you by email so you can complete your subscription form online.
How do I pay?
We accept VISA and MASTERCARD credit cards (coming soon, DIRECT DEBIT payment from your bank account). You can select your payment method at the time you sign-up.
How much does Talk-Out's services cost?
This depends on the Call Plan you choose (see Call Plans). You will be billed on a monthly basis.
I dialled Talk-Out's Access Number and couldn't connect, why wasn't my number recognized by your systems?
If you have entered your mobile or landline number properly during the registration process, Talk-Out should recognize you when you call our access numbers. There are five potential exceptions if you can't connect your call:
1) Make sure you have paid your monthly Call Plan. Talk-Out will automatically disconnect any customer who hasn't paid their monthly Call Plan.
2) When calling your Talk-Out Access Number, some telecom carriers (your mobile or home phone company) do not always transmit your number/caller ID perfectly.
3) Your phone might have some settings that keep your number private. Does your number appear on call display phones? If so, remove the "Privacy/ Blocked Calls" feature from your phone. When you call our Access Number, our servers must be able to recognize your number to verify that you are an active customer. If your call shows "Private Number" or "Confidential", our server will not recognize you as being an active customer. By deactivating your PRIVACY feature prior to dialling the Access Number, you allow the server to recognize your number.
4) You might be calling from a mobile or a landline number other than the numbers you entered when setting up your Talk-Out account.
5) Mobile calls made while roaming (when a subscriber of one wireless service provider uses the facilities of another wireless service provider) sometimes do not carry caller ID.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Our service is just as efficient as your mobile or landline phone provider's network. If the network is weak, our system will be unable to perform adequately.
I don't have a mobile phone, can I use your service on my landline (residential phone)?
Absolutely, you can use the service on a landline (residential phone) in Canada.
Will I be charged or incur extra fees with my phone Provider for using your service?
MOBILE
NO, BUT YOU CAN REDUCE SUBSTANTIAL COSTS by your mobile provider (outgoing minutes) that are normally charged for outgoing calls if you proceed in the following manner, please read carefully :
Call Through (conditions of use Mobile)
1) you have registered Talk-Out's Local Access Number (must not be long distance from your location to call Talk-Out's Access Number) AS ONE (1) of your PREDETERMINED NUMBER OF RECIPIENTS (unlimited incoming and outgoing with 5 or more, SPECIFIC NUMBERS) with your mobile service provider, AND;
2) that you use Talk-Out's Call Through service WITHIN your LOCAL CALLING AREA (no roaming nor long distance charges would apply by your provider).
IMPORTANT NOTICE
If you are outside of your local calling area (ROAMING OR LONG DISTANCE), your service provider will charge you long distance and or roaming fees. (Please check your contract with your mobile or cellular phone provider or call them to find-out more about your Local Coverage Zone).
LANDLINE
No, BUT please read the following carefully:
Call Through (conditions of use Landline)
1) you call Talk-Out's Local Access Number (must NOT be long distance from your location or calling area to call Talk-Out's Access Number).
Is there a way to make subsequent calls without having to hang-up and dial the Talk-Out Access Number every-time?
Yes, after your friend has hung up, Talk-Out's Voice Assistant will come back on the line and ask you Who would you like to call, say the name of the person you wish to call (if you have stored your contacts in your Virtual Address Book) or simply dial the phone number.
To the person I am calling, which number appears when using your service?
Your number still appears on the receiver's caller ID.
What is my local coverage area or local calling area?
This is the local calling area covered by your mobile phone Provider. As soon as you leave your local calling area, your Provider charges you ROAMING FEES and or long-distance fees as you are technically making a call outside of your local calling area. Your mobile Provider can provide you with the exact details as to your local coverage area or local calling area (also known as your home area). Please take note that Talk-Out WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE for charges billed by your provider on roaming and or long distance fees.
How do I cancel my Call Plan subscription or Reseller status?
Login to your account with your username and password then click on the Services link, then the Termination link and fill the Termination Request Form. Once completed, click on Accept at the bottom of the form. You must cancel your subscription at least 10 days PRIOR to your subscription renewal date.
Can I use Talk-Out to call a Skype Buddy?
Coming soon! You will be able to contact any Skype Buddy directly from your mobile or landline phone to their computer using your local Talk-Out access number.
What is the Personal Inbound Number with Talk-Out?
Coming soon! Do you have family, friends or clients who live outside your local calling area? Now they can call you free of charge even without being a Talk-Out customer. It's like having your own personal 1-800 number.
Can you make three (3) way conference calls with Talk-Out's service?
Coming soon! You will be able to make a conference call with two other people.
Can I sell your service?
Yes, yes and definitely YES. We encourage anyone who has the desire to become a Reseller and sell our online services as part of our e-commerce business model for generating monthly recurring income.
What is a Talk-Out Reseller?
A Reseller is someone who has applied and registered through Talk-Out to become a Reseller to earn commission income. The Reseller must have read and accepted all the terms and conditions of the Talk-Out Reseller Agreement and Reseller's Policies and Procedures at the time of registration. A copy of this agreement is available in the Virtual Office and at sign up.
How can I become a Reseller for Talk-Out?
If you have an ID# from a Reseller just click on the link Business and then on register online NOW. If you don't have an ID# from a Reseller, send us an email at business@talk-out.com with your contact information and someone will email or call you. There is a monthly fee for your Virtual Office Tool Kit (for more information click on the Reseller link). We strongly suggest that you take part in discovering this INCREDIBLE OFFER and learn how to market this service as a Reseller to gain additional income.
What are the responsibilities of a Reseller?
A Reseller is responsible to support their customer's user issues, and to support the Resellers they refer to Talk-Out in regards to business issues. The Reseller is also responsible for their legal and tax issues in operating their own business.
What support does Talk-Out offer to the Reseller?
Talk-Out will support all technical issues with customers beyond the control of the Reseller. Talk-Out provides Resellers all the online tools to run their business. The Virtual Office includes material to develop, promote and manage their business including marketing brochures, audio video presentations, financial and organization management tools.
How much can I make as a Reseller?
The potential earnings of a Reseller are directly related to the amount of effort and dedication they put into their business. It depends on each individual.
What are the fees to register as a Reseller?
There are no entry costs to become a Reseller. There is only a monthly fee for the Virtual Office Tool Kit.
How much does the Virtual Office rental cost?
We currently operate in Canada. The monthly fee for the Virtual Office is $59.99 CAD.
What is a Virtual Office Tool Kit?
A Virtual Office is an internet tool kit for Resellers. Please check the «Reseller» link on our website for a full description of the Virtual Office Tool Kit.
Can a Reseller create and operate an independent website?
No. To maintain the integrity of Talk-Out's Reseller Program marketing model all Resellers are required to work under Talk-Out's main administration. However, we will offer every Reseller their own personal webpage to promote their presence on the internet.
Will you be adding new locations to your Talk-Out service?
Yes, we are planning to open in NEW countries in 2009. We will keep you informed of our new locations on our website.
Can my mother who lives in Europe, subscribe to Talk-out's service from Europe on her mobile or landline phone and call me in USA or Canada?
No. Presently our system works with providers and carriers within Canada. New locations will be added in the year 2010. Please check our website on a regular basis for future locations as we will post them for our customers once available.
Do I really have to pay taxes on your services or add revenues derived from Talk-Out on my Tax Return as a Reseller?
Federal and Provincial Taxes will apply according to your residency. Revenues will be filed and declared to Federal and Provincial Governments every year end stating all income earned by Resellers who have generated income by selling our services.
Can a corporate entity (incorporation) be a Talk-Out Reseller?
Coming soon!
Does Talk-Out offer other products or services?
Yes, we are planning to introduce more products and services in the future. Notification of new products or services will be posted on our website when they become available.
How it works
1) Dial the Talk-Out Access Number
Talk-Out's Voice Assistant recognizes your number, and asks who you want to call.
2) Wait for the dial tone
Say the name of the person you wish to call (if you have stored your contacts in your Virtual Address Book) or
3) Simply dial the phone number.
Substantial savings!
To be exempt of outgoing minute charges by your mobile provider, we suggest that you get an UNLIMITED INCOMING & OUTGOING WITH 5 or more, PREDETERMINED NUMBERS package.

It's so simple
1) 24/7 Accessibility & Activation
2) No fixed-term contract
3) No activation fee
4) No need to change your existing number
5) No special software or complex downloads
6) No connection fee
7) No credit check
8) Monthly billing
Service
Voice Recognition
Virtual Address Book
Real time online activation
Compatibility on LANDLINES and wireless (MOBILE) phones
Availability in CANADA only

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