by: John Landsborg
If you're like me, you may have tried many different forms of long distance. I spend about $5,000 each year calling long distance from my home, work and cell phone. You could say I'm a "power user" and I thought I'd share what I've learned with you.
I have bought around 500 calling cards online since they first appeared on the web in 1995. It started when I moved to Canada for university and my family was (and still is) back in South Africa. I was so excited when I found out that there were calling cards in Canada too!
Then I learned a secret. A secret that I'm going to share with you. Online calling cards are much cheaper than home long distance plans and even internet calling. Also... cards available on the web are more honest with their rates. I stumbled upon the secret by chance. One day, while talking to my girlfriend: I ran out of minutes on my card. I didn't know what to do so I looked for cards online. I was able to purchase one in 5 minutes and call her right back. I have never bought an actual paper card since.
When my first e-mail containing a long distance card arrived, I was so happy. I didn't have to get out of my chair, or scratch off the silver stuff to see the PIN.
Why did I create this article?
I've created this website for two reasons. 1. Hopefully to make some money off the ads at the bottom. 2. To help people like you minimize your long distance bill.
If you're like me, you've tried it all. I stopped using calling cards and went to campus phone plans and long distance plans through Bell, but always went back... calling cards are by far still the cheapest, and they work from my cell phone: bet you didn't know that.
Why should you read my article?
This is a long article, if you take 15 minutes to read it: If you make one simple change and start buying your cards online, you will save so much money and never use a regular phone plan again. It's now November 29, 2008: get ready to change your long distance habits forever.
Which site do I recommend you try?
I've been using Phone Card Depot for the last 3 years: They are based in Toronto. They are the only site I've found that have qualified for security web seals, Like McAfee Secure, which I think protects my credit card info and it makes me trust them more. Here's an article they have which outlines the order process (I don't cover it here): "Online Calling Cards 101"
Why even use calling cards?
| 1. They are the cheapest. | This is because most calling card companies are owned by small companies started by immigrants looking for a cheap way to call home. So we benefit from their competitiveness and frugality. | |
| 2. Most run off the big networks anyway. | I found out that most calling cards run off of sub-networks of the large telecom companies: Bell / AT&T etc. so the call quality is the same. Those big companies just don't want to look cheap. | |
| 3. They work from your cell phone | You didn't know this did you! Yes, just use it from your cell and you won't be charged any long distance for the call. I call South Africa from Toronto from my cell all the time. | |
| 4. Because now you don't get ripped. | People say they get ripped off after using calling cards. The secret is to keep reading, I'll tell you where to get honest calling cards and never be disappointed. |
Should you buy your calling cards online?
If you're not comfortable buying items online, keep buying your cards at the convenience store, there's no reason to stress yourself out. The secret to my love of online calling cards is: convenience--I get my cards instantly e-mailed to my e-mail address. I never have to leave the house, and I can buy the cards 24-7 with Credit Card or PayPal.
A picture of a card that I bought (above). How cool is this? an actual picture of the card with the pin number on it! As far as I know Phone Card Depot was the first company to do this.
Why I buy mine online and not in the store.
| 1. You can compare rates. | Just go to a calling card website and select where you are calling to (any good calling card website will have this) then you can see the price per minute of all the cards they offer for instant comparison. | |
| 2. Online Companies are Accountable | These online card sellers are accountable to the large credit card companies. If you are not happy just call VISA and get them to reverse the transaction. | |
| 3. 24 hour a day ordering and delivery!! | The best thing, I can order any time and I get my card right away. | |
| 4. Because now you don't get ripped. | So, no more convenience store rip-off. Amazing. |
What you should do now.
Just try buying one online, if you live in Canada go to a site like Phone Card Depot or any other site with the McAfee Secure logo, then buy a card like AVEO or CiCi (those are the ones I use most)
It will only cost you $5, so I suggest you give it a try.
Happy long distance saving!
John Landsborg
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