For the last month I’ve been running a free trial of a pretty cool call blocking and reverse phone number look up application for the BlackBerry named PrivacyStar. There are three main pieces of functionality bundled into PrivacyStar.
- The ability to block and number in your call log from calling again. (Used this several times)
- A mechanism to report any offending telemarketer to the proper authorities. (Didn’t use it once)
- The ability to do a reverse phone number lookup on incoming telephone numbers that you don’t recognize. (Used this many times)
My thirty day free trial has expired, so, I am faced with decision to either uninstall PrivacyStar or pony up a little cash and purchase the application. On one hand I like PrivacyStar and use 2 of the 3 main features in the application.
On the other, PrivacyStar, unlike most other applications in its class, has a recurring monthly subscription as compared to a one time cost and I can’t for the life of me figure out why BlackBerry users would pay it.
What am I missing when it comes to PrivacyStar?
If PrivacyStar had a one time fee of 5 or 6 bucks I’d pay it in a heartbeat. I just can’t see coming out of pocket for this every single month. Is there something obvious about PrivacyStar that I am overlooking?
If you want to try PrivacyStar out for yourself, First Orion, the company behind PrivacyStar is offering Free, no strings attached , 30-Day Trial.
Apparently their business model is built on the assumption that since telemarketers and bill collectors and such change numbers frequently, you should be willing to pay out the but monthly for being up to date. Maybe some people would, but if they want massive adoption that monthly fee need to be more like $1-2/month and payable in say 6 or 12 month chunks.
I just finished the 30-day trial as well and I came to the same conclusion. Heck, I’d rather pay a one-time $10 fee than pay for a monthly subscription. I already have the ability to Google phone numbers from my phone and set it to not ring/buzz/flash for particular numbers. PrivacyStar is a little more convenient, but there’s no way that I would ever subscribe to such a service — not even for $1/month.
What exactly is the monthly rate?? They don’t list it anywhere. I agree with the others, a one time fee, even a high one like $10, beats a recurring fee.