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Calling Cardsby Rajeev Shrivstava
Prepaid calling cards are useful for making long-distance telephone calls. You pay in advance for the calling service that you can avail anytime. Depending on the cost of the card you receive a specific amount of calling time. As you use the card, the minutes are reduced, until you have used up all the time on the card. You can make long distance or international calls from any telephone using such cards. Shopping smart for prepaid calling cards can save you a lot of money in the long run, especially on international long-distance calls.
How to use? When you buy the card you get a toll free number (usually an 800-number), and an individual Personal Identification Number (PIN). For security, the PIN is hidden by a label or scratch-off coating that you remove after buying the card. To place a call, dial the toll-free access number and the PIN. Usually, after you enter the PIN, you will hear a recording about your available minutes or remaining balance. Exact instructions for making the call are provided on the card.
Where to buy? Prepaid calling cards can be purchased at retail chains, shopping clubs, convenience stores, gas stations, vending machines and neighborhood groceries, as well as by mail and on the Internet. Cards bought from stores are disposable - you throw them away when all the time is used up. The ones sold on the Internet or by mail, can be recharged by calling the company or logging on to the website and paying for more time. What should you be looking for? The key to saving the most money with these cards is to compare not only the per-minute rate but also other charges and fees, which can add a lot to the cost of calls. The following checklist should give you some idea of what you should be aware of before buying a calling card. Specific terms are explained in the section on Calling Cards Terminology
Almost all calling card companies are same, in the way they operate and provide services. Quality of service and connection availability, can certainly not be compared with dedicated Long distance service providers like AT T, MCI or Sprint etc. Its good, but there is no guarantee of full satisfaction. How do you determine which one to choose? Asking friends and colleagues is the easiest way to select the right calling card. Shop around for the best rate — pay particular attention to the connection fees and other factors mentioned above as well. If you are buying online, make sure the website and company is authentic. You can check on the background and records of a company at the Better Business Bureau website at www.bbb.org. Always be careful before giving out personal information, credit card numbers etc Rates can vary from as low as 3 cents a minute to a high of 50 cents a minute depending on the plan, the country and other factors like connection fee and charges. For instance, major Indian metros have lower rates than the other cities. Rates for calling from cellular phones are often higher. Sometimes the rates on the card will include all fees and charges, sometimes not. That is why it is advisable to read everything -- even the small print -- before buying a card. Make sure you take the proper precautions before buying calling cards. Here are a few well-known scams:
Do not trust a company simply because you have heard it's name.
Always double check the number you dial. This can be done on the Internet or by calling your phone company.
If you fall victim to a scam
Connection fee: It's a connection charge for
each call you make. It's deducted from your calling
card every time you use it. This charge is a per call
basis, independent of the call duration. The connection
fee is usually higher for dialing internationally and
varies depending on the calling plan and country you
call. Billing cycle: Charges are based on units of time. If you select a
card with a 2 minute billing cycle, you will be charged
in units of 2 minutes. Hence, even if your call lasts
for 7 minutes, you will be charged for 8 minutes. The
shorter the billing interval, the less time and money
you will waste. Example: Here are a few prepaid phone card companies and their
websites. This list has been provided for your convenience
only. Path2usa does not recommend or vouch for any of
these companies. Always follow all precautions before
making your choice.
Tips
Reproduced with permission. Copyrighted by Path2usa.com.
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