What am I Missing Here; Calling Cards
David L
news:<telecom...@telecom-digest.org>:
> I used to have long distance service through a reseller that I thought
> was cheap, $0.05/min in California after 5pm and 0.09 during peak
> time. Interstate calls were $0.09 at all times.
> What ate me up were not the call charges, I really don't make that
> many LD calls on my landline (use my cell mostly), but the taxes.
> For a $2.50 LD bill, I would get near $6 in taxes each month.
> So, I called SBC and discontinued LD. Now I use an AT&T calling card
> purchased at Sam's Club which costs $0.0347/min with no taxes. I even
> use it to dial around SBC's exorbitant local toll rates. I just
> programmed the 800 number and the card number into speed dial.
> Why does AT&T sell these cards so cheap while they "rape" their
> customers who have subscribed to them with monthly fees, etc.?
Legacy name recognition of ATT and advertising overload from non
competitive carriers leading to mass confusion, so people don't have
the time or don't think they can change. IDT seems to be breaking the
barrier, now if IDT would just post INstate rates and taxes on their
website ... more obfiscation:(
Wish I could get around that darn SBC 12 mile "zone 3" first minute
.05 rip off rate! Maybe if I can trick ATT to offer the expanded local
only service. Wonder if they could be forced to unbundle local toll
and LD? Until then it's the cell phone for short zone 3 calls.
I'd bet many folks aren't capable of programming a speed dial phone or
are too impatient to set up and dial another step with a web based
calling card, even with the advanced "NO PIN" feature.
With all the included (often crappy sounding) wireless LD, people are
getting use to much better LD rates, even if it is essentially prepaid
and late night weekend weighted.
There's even better per minute rates in major metro areas, using local
access numbers instead of toll free numbers for calling cards.
You can have a discount LD carrier also handle local toll calls as
well, though there will still be taxes.
Hope the hungry tax collector doesn't take aim at untaxed calling card
revenue. The thrifty are saving loads!
David
DavNOLindiSPAMathotmaildotcom