2008 Woodie Awards
Phone cards are bargains when used well
By: Cristian Vasquez
Issue date: 12/4/03 Section: Opinion
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Be careful of those calling cards because there are so many of them in supermarkets that to choose one is a headache in itself.
The companies selling those cards promise a large amount of minutes for the cheapest price possible.
However, there are a lot of things that must be considered when using one of those calling cards.
First of all, most calling cards deduct minutes that you purchased when a connection is made.
If you purchased a $10 card that gives you 100 minutes, when the person you call answers the phone you automatically lose a certain amount of minutes.
Each company usually determines the amount of minutes deducted for the connection charge.
Also, there is a different connection charge depending on where you call. There is a higher deduction of minutes for long distance calls than there is for local calls.
It also varies depending on whether you call another state or if your long distance call is within the state.
There is also a wide variety of phone cards available at different prices. Prices for these cards can go from $5 to $100.
Calling cards offer fewer minutes for international calls than local cards.
However, be careful not to use a local calling card to make an international call.
If you buy a local calling card worth $20 and use it to call long distance, you will get almost no calling time at all when compared to a $20 long distance card.
Make sure that when you ask for a calling card you are getting the one you wanted. Most calling cards are not refundable and if you get the wrong card you are stuck with it.
In places like 7-11, the clerk will usually ask if you want a local or an international card because they have to register them.
In smaller stores, the clerks usually don't know whether the card is local or long distance because they come in packages.
The connection charge is usually greater.
The companies selling those cards promise a large amount of minutes for the cheapest price possible.
However, there are a lot of things that must be considered when using one of those calling cards.
First of all, most calling cards deduct minutes that you purchased when a connection is made.
If you purchased a $10 card that gives you 100 minutes, when the person you call answers the phone you automatically lose a certain amount of minutes.
Each company usually determines the amount of minutes deducted for the connection charge.
Also, there is a different connection charge depending on where you call. There is a higher deduction of minutes for long distance calls than there is for local calls.
It also varies depending on whether you call another state or if your long distance call is within the state.
There is also a wide variety of phone cards available at different prices. Prices for these cards can go from $5 to $100.
Calling cards offer fewer minutes for international calls than local cards.
However, be careful not to use a local calling card to make an international call.
If you buy a local calling card worth $20 and use it to call long distance, you will get almost no calling time at all when compared to a $20 long distance card.
Make sure that when you ask for a calling card you are getting the one you wanted. Most calling cards are not refundable and if you get the wrong card you are stuck with it.
In places like 7-11, the clerk will usually ask if you want a local or an international card because they have to register them.
In smaller stores, the clerks usually don't know whether the card is local or long distance because they come in packages.
The connection charge is usually greater.