VarTec (10-10-811) Adding Monthly Charge
QwokKwok
>From: "Bonita and/or William F. Kale" wfkaleRE...@mail.n2net.net
>Date: 1/28/03 1:02 PM Eastern Standard Time
>Message-id: <3E36C5A6...@mail.n2net.net>
>
>We just got the small-print letter from VarTec, the 10-10-811 number we've
>been using instead of long distance service. Back on line to find other
>ways. Sigh....
>
>VarTec is (a) adding a monthly charge of $2.95, and (b) giving out your
>information to all and sundry unless you specifially tell them not to.
>
>They have helpfully subscribed us to this service without asking in
>advance.
>
>Their phone line is busy. The letter gives the website for rate changes
>http://www.vartec.com/ratechanges
>
>Here are the letters we're sending (two letters, because a lot of
>bureaucrats can't seem to comprehend two things in one letter).
>
>Letter One:
>
>January 28, 2003
>
>VarTec Telecom, Inc
>1600 Viceroy Drive
>Dallas TX 75235
>
>Ladies and Gentlemen:
>
>Please cancel my subscription to VarTec.
>
>Name: XXXXX
>Address: XXXXX
> XXXXX
>Telephone: XXXXX
>Service billing address: same as above
>Service account number: XXXXX [this is on your phone bill, on the VarTec
>page. Ours is our phone number plus a few digits]
>
>
>
>Thank you,
>
> XXXXX
>
>&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
>
>Letter Two
>
>January 28, 2003
>
>VarTec Telecom, Inc
>1600 Viceroy Drive
>Dallas TX 75235
>
>Ladies and Gentlemen:
>
>You do NOT have my consent to share Customer Propietary Network Information
>with anyone--affiliates, independent contractors, or anyone at all.
>
>As I am cancelling service, I would like all information regarding me or my
>household removed from your records.
>
>Name: XXXXX
>Address: XXXXX
> XXXXX
>Telephone: XXXXX
>Service billing address: same as above
>Service account number: XXXXX
>
>
>
>Thank you,
>
> XXXXX
>
>
>
>
>
>Okay, they won't really remove us, but I'd like them to, so I put it in.
>
>Bonita
>
So, do they just slam people by automatically enrolling them in the 10-10-811
plan?
Try onesuite.com instead. Until they get bought out and ruined by a competitor,
they offer a damn fine deal. I really like that I do not have to pay those
regulatory taxes on the phone calls too. That always bugged me.
Bonita and/or William F. Kale
David L
I was about ready to can Onesuite, do to system busies. They got
popular and overloaded. Luckily they seem to have upgraded. I always
keep a spare calling card service in case of problems. Pincity is good
too.
The key is to get a company with a local access number (non 800#) in
your area, which reduces the per minute rate. Bigzoo is another
option, though they charge a small monthly service fee.
-----
David
Bonita Kale
> qwok...@wmconnect.com (QwokKwok) wrote > > Try onesuite.com instead. Until they get bought out and ruined by a competitor,
> > they offer a damn fine deal. I really like that I do not have to pay those
> > regulatory taxes on the phone calls too. That always bugged me.
>
>
> I was about ready to can Onesuite, do to system busies. They got
> popular and overloaded. Luckily they seem to have upgraded. I always
> keep a spare calling card service in case of problems. Pincity is good
> too.
> The key is to get a company with a local access number (non 800#) in
> your area, which reduces the per minute rate. Bigzoo is another
> option, though they charge a small monthly service fee.
Thanks! 2.5 cents a minute! We signed up yesterday, and bought 1200
minutes (I didn't quite realize how much $30 would buy...).
Bonita
David L
In case you haven't figured this out... There is no a PIN dialing
feature that requires the originating number (home, cell-phone) be
registered on the website. It's called something like Zip-Dial or
Quick-Link?
The system will then recognize that number and immediatley ask you to
enter the destination number.
The no PIN setup and/or a speed dial telephone, makes using a calling
card is as easy as pie!
-----
David
Jean P Nance
make very few long distance calls. I am glad to know what the deal is, as
I can't get their web site with my computer. Shucks. We just tore up a
check from another service, to cash if we wanted to change to them. But
who knows what they would have charged. Who knows a good place to get
reasonable, not necessarily terribly cheap,, phone service for those who
make not more than 4 calls a month?
Karen Wheless
Onesuite is definitely the chapest and it's been mostly reliable for me.
Occasionally using the local number I get problems with echoing but the
800 number always works.
The major disadvantage of onesuite to me is that your name and number
will not show up in caller ID. That's been a hassle for me because many
of the people I call will not answer "unknown" calls and neither will I
- so it requires leaving messages, waiting for callbacks, etc. If I
need to get hold of someone right away, I generally don't use it for
that reason.
That's one reason I'll miss 10-10-811 - I used them occasionally when I
needed to call someone with caller ID information.
Karen
indigob...@hotmail.com
>
> The major disadvantage of onesuite to me is that your name and number
> will not show up in caller ID. That's been a hassle for me because many
> of the people I call will not answer "unknown" calls and neither will I
> - so it requires leaving messages, waiting for callbacks, etc. If I
> need to get hold of someone right away, I generally don't use it for
> that reason.
How about telling the people you call you'll be letting the phone ring, say, two
times, hang up and dial again right away?
Addie
Karen Wheless
Sometimes I do, but usually they don't remember the "code" - I guess
they have other things on their minds. Normally when I call people, I
either do it at a regular time so they'll be expecting my call or just
leave a message and wait for callbacks. Or the answering machine picks
up, then they pick up, and then you get that loud whine because they
can't figure out how to turn off the answering machine. But if I need
to call at another time, generally they won't pick up the phone
immediately.
I haven't found another plan anywhere close to onesuite in price (or
calling cards, which have the same problem) so I use it most of the
time. But it was nice to have the 10-10-811 dial-around for those times
when I needed to use CallerID.
And it's too bad that the incessant telemarketing calls have made people
unwilling to answer the phone without callerID information. One of my
neighbors has a "blocked" number and she had to call me several times
last week in dealing with my frozen pipes information. And every time
the phone rang, I looked down at the CallerID and thought "should I
answer this?" And several times, I did end up getting the "state
trooper donation association" (who keeps calling despite my repeated
requests to take me off their list) and someone selling aluminum siding
and a cancer society that wanted me to solicit my neighbors to donate to
them (also keeps calling despite my requests) and so on. And this is
even with the state "no call" registry.
Karen
Sewmaster
We use MCI phonecards from Costco & BJs for all long distance calling.
Costs 3.5 cents a minute, no other charges at all. $20 for 575 minutes
per card. Easily recharged by credit card by phone.
Got rid of our long distance provider.
Sewmaster
David L
> > > The major disadvantage of onesuite to me is that your name and number
> > > will not show up in caller ID. That's been a hassle for me because many
> > > of the people I call will not answer "unknown" calls and neither will I
> > > - so it requires leaving messages, waiting for callbacks, etc. If I
> > > need to get hold of someone right away, I generally don't use it for
> > > that reason.
> >
> > How about telling the people you call you'll be letting the phone ring,
> > say, two times, hang up and dial again right away?
>
> Sometimes I do, but usually they don't remember the "code" - I guess
> they have other things on their minds. Normally when I call people, I
> either do it at a regular time so they'll be expecting my call or just
> leave a message and wait for callbacks. Or the answering machine picks
> up, then they pick up, and then you get that loud whine because they
> can't figure out how to turn off the answering machine. But if I need
> to call at another time, generally they won't pick up the phone
> immediately.
>
> I haven't found another plan anywhere close to onesuite in price (or
> calling cards, which have the same problem)
I forgot about the caller ID not showing up.
There's no way to get through for someone who requires caller ID. Wish
there was some trick, but the ANI, Automatic Number Identification
does not get through.
Had the same problem with Pincity, my Onesuite backup.
I think it's a conspiracy by the Local Phone Company. First, they rent
reverse listing directories to any marketers for a price, then they
charge customers a monthly fee to block those same marketers. They're
working both sides.
I refuse to let the local phone company make a profit off me this way,
but don't get many telemarketers!
Call screening with an answering machine is still the most frugal way.
-----
David
Jean P Nance
them I wasn't interested, of ourse. That was before we were notified about
VarTec.
How can you get onto MCI by a simple phone call? With my Commodore 128
(frugal computer) I can't get very far on most commercial web sites.
Lech K. Lesiak
> I refuse to let the local phone company make a profit off me this way,
> but don't get many telemarketers!
>
> Call screening with an answering machine is still the most frugal way.
I agree with the answering machine solution.
Besides, I don't want all telemarketing calls blocked. Sometimes I'm in a
mood to fuck with telermarketers, so I answer the phone hoping one is on
the line.
Cheers,
Lech
Sewmaster
They're listed in my yellow pages phone book here,
under "telephone companies."
Sewmaster
David L
LOL!
I suppose it could be a creative outlet or maybe a sport? What's the
wildest story or longest time a telemarketer could be strung along?
There is certainly is no shortage of fair game:>
I keep busy enough "playing games" with legitimate company CS phone
calls! I got passed to 4 different operators trying to find out what
time a local park closed! There side won that round, no one knew:-)
-----
David
Richard D. McRoberts
[snip]
> LOL!
> I suppose it could be a creative outlet or maybe a sport? What's the
> wildest story or longest time a telemarketer could be strung along?
> There is certainly is no shortage of fair game:>
My "personal best" is 42 minutes. They were selling coupon books, and
I got them to read most of the coupons to me, connect me with their
supervisor, etc.
I always hate it when telemarketers call, but always try to suppress my
anger and make time for them (evil grin).
Richard McRoberts
Union WV USA
David L
You don't want to talk to MCI telemarketers in any case!
I doubt calling MCI will result in a way to purchase a cut rate
calling card, one which is sold only in discount membership stores.
I'd advise not calling MCI since they have very high rates, and there
is a possibility of getting on the telemarketing list, as an
interested customer....but hey, it could make an interesting story.
My frugal "non computer" works (slowly) with Onesuite.com, Pincity and
Bigzoo.
Luckily there are local access numbers for all these companies here,
so I get the best rates of 2.5 or 2.9 cents.
Also, 1010phonerates.com and abelltolls.com have current info on other
1010 dialarounds. They do seem to leave out the cheapest discount
calling card carriers, because there are no commisions or referals.
-----
David