Take a few minutes and read this. This is my personal opinion concerning Long Distance Services and Calling Cards. But, it may actually help to save you money.

I am not a fan of long distance charges, but I have done a lot of research to find the best services that are available.

First, what is the difference between Long Distance Services and Calling Cards?

Obviously, each one involves placing a long distance phone call. The difference is where you are when you make the call.

Some call it a Calling Card others a PIN number, among other names. The point remains, you are not at home when you make that long distance call. If you are at home, then you are charged by your selected carrier.

Many people are not aware that they are charged at different rates for these two types of calls. And, they are not aware that the Calling Card often involves additional charges. Imagine a one minute call at 25 cents PLUS an 89 cent SURCHARGE! You just made a $1.14 one minute phone call!!

These hidden, though they are in the fine print of the contract and appear on your bill, charges are what brings up the costs so much for long distance.

Now, there is the cost per minute of Long Distance from home.

Some companies charge you per minute, but based on the total dollars spent for that month. Others charge you for the full minute, even if you are only on for 5 seconds. some for 30 seconds, some for 3 minutes. You need to know which one you have, and then decide does this really effect you?

I am great fan of MCI, as they have the nicest operators that I have personally had to deal with, a good staff in the billing department, and are always friendly regardless of the millions of questions that I have thrown at them over the years. I use them on some of my phones and will continue to do so in the future. But for other lines, based on my personal needs, I use different services.

They do offer a great rate right now per minute, 12 cpm, IF you are on the right calling plan and IF you use over $25.00 a month. Otherwise, that rate goes up to 17 cpm. This is still a good rate, but I make a lot long distance calls. So, I might have two carriers, plus a third carrier for my Calling Card.

Why the third carrier for a Calling Card?

If I can avoid the 89 cent surcharge per call on a Calling Card, I will invest in one. If I can get the per minute charge down to 16 cpm on a call, it seems feasible to me to have the card. Here is where I can save a lot, as I make a number of calls when away from home.

But even one call a month makes it well worth the Calling Card. As even my favorite long distance carrier carges the surcharge plus 25 cpm on my calls made away from home.

I have a situation where the only way to make calls from my home is via Calling Cards. Why you ask? Let's just say, the kids like to talk a lot ... and leave it at that. The Calling Cards are the only thing that save me from hundreds of dollars in long distance.

But, let's look at the bigger picture. I can pay 11.9 cpm for long distance. Hey! That beat my favorite carrier! But, I also have to pay a minimum of $3.00 a month for these rates. Now, if you sit down and calculate this out, there is still a great savings to be had here, if I don't spend a lot of money on long distance. But, if I make a lot of long distance calls then I am not saving as much, unless of course I also offer this program to others, then I am making the difference up and saving more.

There are other alternatives.

The 12.9 cpm long distance service. Here there are no minimum monthly fees, just a flat rate. It's a penny more than my favorite long distance carrier, but, I am saving a lot if I am under that $25.00 monthly bill. And, if I don't want to worry did I spend enough this month, I am only paying a penny more after the $25.00 in monthly charges. So this costs me an extra 60 cents per hour. I think I can live with that.

But one thing to remember. Just because a Long Distance Carrier says on the commercial "It's only so much a minute" that doesn't mean you are paying that much per minute. You have to check with them to be sure you are in the right program.

And don't forget about out of the country calls.

I call Canada a great deal. My worse experience was ot find out, after a 2 and half hour phone conversation that I was paying 70 cpm!!! I almost died. I immediately called my carrier and changed long distance plans. Now, I could join a program for only 30 cpm, but with a minimum charge per month for the service. I prefer to try to find one program for everything, but sometimes, it is cheaper to mix programs.

Again, you really have to take the time to see--- where do you save money?

I offer several programs for saving on Long Distance and Calling Cards. PLUS, you can also make these services available to others and it won't cost you anything to join, which is why I offer these programs. I hate to have to join something or pay extra money in order to save money. Something is just not right with that picture. But these phone programs are free to join. You can either save money for yourself and leave it at that, or you can also make some extra money. The choice is yours.

For me, I save on my own Long Distance and on my Calling Card use, can make a few extra dollars for others who join any of these programs, which I basically look at as saving even more than the stated rates.

Just remember ... Review ALL of the programs first. It isn't going to hurt you to think about this for a few days and check things out ahead of time.

Review your current and past phone bills. Which plan would have really saved you the most? If it's your current long distance carrier, then great! Stick with them.

And don't forget to check on your Calling Card charges. These are the killers. Especially if you travel, have kids in school, etc.

If you have questions about these savings and just cannot figure out which is best for you, email me. I am happy to help you figure out which plan is right for you. You may find you already are saving with your present carrier.

But if not, let's check the alternatives. And maybe, just maybe, save some money on long distance!

E-Mail PhoneCard@Ohio-USA.com

Good Luck!

This site has been visited times

Enter Your CD Universe Online Store's Lobby

	Address questions, suggestions and comments by sending E-Mail to: webmaster@ohio-usa.com Updated: December 19, 1996	The author is a member of
	©1996, OHIO-USA ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This Site is a member of Cyber Link Exchange

Proud Member of BannerSwap

Put your banner here for free through Net-On!

Paramount Banner Network