The other day I was approached for the second time by a telecommunications sales person pitching video phones. My first question was, "why would I buy a video phone that requires others to buy video phones when online programs such as Skype exist?" After a long sales pitch, that I cut off several times to say I wasn't interested, I still didn't understand the advantages of buying a video phone (perhaps because there are none). So, the question became why are they trying to pitch a technology that seems as outdated now as the rotary dial phone? The answer – an MLM style business that tries to convince the buyer of the phone to pitch more so they can make money. This made perfect sense as there could be no other reason that anyone would be pitching something that sends you back in time.

Am I out of touch, or does everyone agree that video phones were cool in the 90's, but with Internet cameras, GoToMeeting, Skype, and hundreds of others that are free or low cost, why would anyone invest in this? Perhaps it works for those that aren't computer savvy, or refuse to join the Internet age. But this is a tiny market and it seems to me that you are doing a disservice to the user. Yet, when I looked up the video phone company, they have sales representatives everywhere. So I ask you, would you spend over $1000 for a video phone? The reason these phones cost so much is typical of an MLM type business where the reps and the people in their "upstream" make most of the money. I am curious to see how many people actually use the video phone, and for those that purchased them, were they familiar with Skype and other free online programs?