Google Voice Friends and Family Question

[GadgetRick]

Ok, been using GV for quite some time now (since before I had my Droid). Previous phone didn't have a GV app so I always had to dial the old-fashioned way. With my Droid, I love it because of the GV app.

Anywho, fast forward to today when I receive a text from Verizon telling me I'm about to go over my minutes. WTF? I use GV for almost ALL of my calling and I have a 1400 minute plan so I can have Friends and Family and I have my GV number set up as one of my F&F numbers.

So I log onto VW.com and I see, apparently, the GV app doesn't use the GV number to dial (at least) out. WTF? Kinda defeats the purpose of using GV doesn't it?

Am I missing something here? I should be able to list my GV number as one of my F&F numbers then use GV for all of my outgoing (and incoming) calls to keep from burning talk time right? When I dial out I select, "Dial with GV," when it asks me (I have it set to ask me). What's happening here?

Thanks.

 

[noisufnoc]

when you use the GV app it generates an access number to dial out. to make use of your friends and family trick you'll have to dial your GV number and initiate calls that way.

 

[gentlefury]

when you use the GV app it generates an access number to dial out. to make use of your friends and family trick you'll have to dial your GV number and initiate calls that way.

Actually it tells you the access number when it dials and it has always been the same number for me.

 

[noisufnoc]

then i would take note of your access number and add that to your friends and family.

 

[GadgetRick]

Oh man you have to be joking.

After you said this, I'm checking my VW bill online and, sure enough, it's going out through a number--does seem to be the same all of the time--instead of my GV number.

Wish I'd known this before but thanks for letting me know!

 

[RichP]

Or you can use this app GVMYNumber: Downloads - gvmynumber - Project Hosting on Google Code

Oh man you have to be joking.

After you said this, I'm checking my VW bill online and, sure enough, it's going out through a number--does seem to be the same all of the time--instead of my GV number.

Wish I'd known this before but thanks for letting me know!

 

[takeshi]

Kinda defeats the purpose of using GV doesn't it?

No. Google has never stated that this was the purpose of GV. There are plenty of reasons to use GV and "the purpose" depends on who you talk to. Personally, saving minutes isn't why I use GV. YMMV, of course.

Wish I'd known this before but thanks for letting me know!

It is mentioned in many, many GV threads here (and elsewhere for that matter). But to be fair, people would probably be less likely to miss it if there weren't so many total GV threads. If in doubt, test and check your usage.

There's a lengthy read here on various approaches for free calling with GV:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0Ae8glDUXDsh9ZGR2eG43cjRfMzNkOTM4ZjNjeA&hl=en

 

[czerdrill]

Or you can use this app GVMYNumber: Downloads - gvmynumber - Project Hosting on Google Code

Oh man you have to be joking.

After you said this, I'm checking my VW bill online and, sure enough, it's going out through a number--does seem to be the same all of the time--instead of my GV number.

Wish I'd known this before but thanks for letting me know!

Thanks for the gvmynumber link. Makes it so much more convenient. Now the only annoyance is telling it to use Google Voice to dial before each call but I can live with that.