anti
nyc,#2Consumer Suggestion
Fri, June 28, 2002
The FCC has imposed a $0.30 surcharge for any call which originates from a payphone. Usually calling cards charge double of this. (70-80 c) Before buying a new calling card, check a couple of calling card reviewing/rating web sites. You will see all the rules, fine prints. There is ALWAYS some catch. (In the form of monthly maintenance fee, connection fee etc.) Why would anybody use calling cards from a home phone? Have you ever had a bill dispute with any long distance company? Have you ever checked the outrageous fees they charges? The deceptive "discount" plans? (Calling cards are very popular for example among colleges students, to avoid the high charges from long distance companies the colleges force on them.
chris
lawrenceville,#3Consumer Comment
Fri, June 28, 2002
It states clearly that when used at a pay phone there is an additional charge. I bought 2 of these cards to use at home and there is no extra charge. The reason for the pay phone charge is because the law allows it. the payphone companies were losing money on people using the phone cards so they got a law that allows them to charge an access fee to their phones. THERE IS NO RIP-OFF HERE
The Fraud Chick
Ethics,#4Consumer Suggestion
Fri, June 28, 2002
George, Wal-Mart isn't a phone company, they're a retailer. Go to www.walmart.com and write a letter of complaint about the cards. They may not know that the customer doesn't make such a good deal at the pay phones. Maybe the phone company told the retailer one thing but is billing the customer another way--golly, wouldn't that be a shocker? If the phone company that hosts the cards is shafting the customers I think Wal-Mart would want to know that. Who knows, you might get a gift card out of the deal. You can always ask. But try to keep the profanity out of the complaint letter--keep it professional. Good Luck. TFC