With so many long distance phone services vying for your business, you might feel a little confused about which plan to choose. Don’t worry. More long distance phone services mean more competition in the long distance services market. Competition can mean better service and better rates for you if you are willing to shop around a little bit. We have put together a few pointers to help you find the long distance phone services that will be the best for you.
Your Calling Patterns
This should be the first indicator of the type of long distance phone services you need. Look at your phone bills for the last six months. Figure out the days, times and places you call long distance. See if you do most of your calling during the day, in the evenings, on weekends, in state, out-of-state, to one or two phone numbers, etc.
Time Restrictions
Some long distance phone services still work on the basic days / nights and weekends rate system. If you are a high-frequency night and weekend caller, these long distance phone services will work well for you; but if you spend much of your time calling long distance during the day, you may want to look into long distance phone services that offer flat low rates all day, or long distance phone services with night hours that start earlier and weekends that last past Sunday night.
Fees and Charges
Find out if the various long distance phone services charge a monthly use fee, a per use fee or a minimum charge per call. These fees and charges can make the most seemingly budget-friendly long distance phone services become enemies to your pocketbook.
Contracts
Do the long distance phone services require a service contract? If so, you will be required to use their services for the stated length of time, even if another better offer comes up. Also, ask if you will be subject to a cancellation fee if you need to end the contract.
Billing
If the long distance phone services bill you in the old fashioned way — in the mail — find out if you also have the option to receive the bill on-line. Also ask about payment options with the various long distance phone services — check, on-line, direct withdrawal or credit card—and ask if you can have a discount for paying with a credit card.
Service
Some of the low-priced long distance phone services do not live up to the “service” part of their name. Ask if the long distance phone services will provide 24-hour customer service for troubleshooting, repairs or billing problems.
Mix and Match
Ask if you can create your own long distance plan “a la carte” based on your needs. Some long distance phone services have started programs that allow their customers to custom-design long distance plans according to their own calling habits.
The Mighty Conglomerate
With the integration of many long distance phone services into other media companies, you can take advantage of possible discounts by subscribing to services in different media through the same company. Find out if you will be eligible for discounts or package deals if you want to buy cable, Internet or cellular service from the long distance company.
By D. Blair Thompson