| How many times have you complained about | | | | quality and connection rate, given that |
| high long distance costs and phone | | | | you have found a good supplier. |
| companies overcharging you? Did you try | | | | So here are the steps you need to take |
| to do anything about it? Did you search | | | | to get the best out of your calling card |
| for alternate solutions? Calling cards | | | | purchase: |
| might be the answer. Their low rates to | | | | - Find a reliable website (this means no |
| any destination make them the perfect | | | | weird pop-ups, no advertisement of |
| buy for domestic and international | | | | Viagra on the website - you get my |
| calls. | | | | point). |
| For a few years now, the calling cards | | | | - Take a look at the available calling |
| business is booming. Everywhere you go, | | | | cards and rates. |
| everywhere you search you might find | | | | - Check out any details of calling |
| one: in WallMarts, grocery stores, | | | | cards: usually, next to or underneath |
| newspaper stands, vending machines in | | | | the picture of the calling card there is |
| coffee shops. But the place you can find | | | | a link that will take you to a "Details" |
| the most of these long distance | | | | page. Look for maintenance fees, |
| alternatives is the internet. A quick | | | | rounding, any other surcharges, |
| search on Google, Yahoo or other search | | | | expiration dates. |
| engines will reveal thousands of | | | | - If you intend to make a lot of long |
| websites that sell calling cards. So, | | | | calls over a short period of time, |
| it's an easy pick, one might say. | | | | choose a card with a maintenance fee. |
| Well... not quite. According to the FCC, | | | | This means that a certain amount will be |
| almost 70% of the calling card | | | | deducted from your balance each week |
| businesses are fraudulent. Meaning | | | | month until you use up the card. But if |
| mostly that they get your money but you | | | | you plan to make so many calls, you'll |
| don't get the calling card. That means | | | | probably use the card up by the time the |
| that you have to be very careful when | | | | maintenance fee is deducted. Calling |
| choosing a website to buy from. On top | | | | cards with maintenance fees also tend to |
| of that, calling cards vary in number | | | | have lower rates. |
| and features, so you have to choose the | | | | - If you use the card just once in a |
| one appropriate to your needs. Their low | | | | while, choose a card with no maintenance |
| rates however, come with a price at | | | | fee. These cards usually have higher |
| times. Companies selling calling cards | | | | rates, but you don't have to worry about |
| use VoIP technology and other third | | | | your balance going down if you do not |
| party carriers to complete their calls. | | | | use the card. |
| While not as expensive as a satellite | | | | - Look for a Customer Service number. |
| connection (hence the low rates), this | | | | Reliable companies have Customer |
| technology is at the beginning, so | | | | Service, in case their customers have |
| problems may occur from time to time. | | | | questions or problems. |
| This is why calling cards are not | | | | After this, get the card you this is |
| usually recommended for emergency calls. | | | | best for your needs and wait for it to |
| For calls within the United States | | | | arrive in the email. Unless otherwise |
| however, calls made with calling cards | | | | specified, you should be able to use it |
| (also known as phone cards) have a good | | | | immediately. Good luck! |