Tip #1 Retail phone cards vs. virtual calling cards online
I live in Washington where there is a general sales tax of almost 9%. Many people that live on the border of Washington and Oregon know that by doing their shopping in Oregon (a state without a sales tax), they can save almost $9 on a $100 calling card. The point of this story is that you should not only compare the cheapest rates on the card, but also the cheapest place to buy the card. If you want to avoid sales tax. Buy your phone cards online from a virtual calling card provider like Pingo.com that offers great international rates. This will allow you to beat out those retail cards on the sales tax alone, not to mention the lower calling rates you often get from going through an online retailer vs. a "real-world" retailer (who makes a lot of their money in the markups they apply to the per-minute rounding rates on the card).
Tip #2 Walgreens and Wal-Mart International phone cards
]]>The Walgreens definition of "international," means that you could call from the US to Canada and Mexico. What's funny (NOT funny ha-ha, but funny what-a-rip-off) is that this is a feature which you can get by buying one of their normal calling cards. My mom had been misled, assuming that "international" meant I could call from anywhere. The tip here is that if you are buying a card at a retail outlet, read the back of your card carefully before purchase, and make sure you understand exactly what you are paying for. Then you won't end up paying extra simply for a logo with some pretty flags on it. Or better yet, stop trying to read all the small print on a Walgreens International phone card, or any other "International" phone card from a retail store.
By using Skype, or by buying a calling card online, (we currently recommend Pingo.com), you can get a clear understanding of what you're paying for and get clean and affordable international rates to most countries in the world.
Side note: At Pingo.com, you can receive $5 in free calls, and get 15% discount. All you have to do is use the Pingo coupon code "s4i"
]]>Hey CallingAdvice.com. Maybe you can help me. Making International calls has always been an issue for me. I was born and raised in Europe so I make a lot of international calls back and forth to my family and friends. Over the past few years, making these calls has created a fair amount frustration and anger. While the cost of making these calls has come down, it has become harder and harder to make these calls. There are now so many options when choosing a company for the calls, and more often than not everyone is very competitive.]]> Calling Advice Recommendation:It has always been hard for me to make these calls. Over the years, here in the U.S. it has become more of a frustrating process for me to make international calls. In order to dial an international number, most companies require you to dial their 800 number first, then you must dial an extension or the number on your calling card (which can sometimes consist of as many as 20 numbers), and then finally you dial the desired number. Once you have done all this, sometimes your call may go through or it may fail. For me, more often than not, the call fails and doesn't work. Not to mention the fact that for me, international calls have become expensive.
Then, when it comes to my home line (you have probably experienced this too), there are many companies that call me on a daily basis, asking me if I am happy with my phone provider and if they can try to beat the price.
When I call the rates are usually between 10-15 Cents per minute. This may seem low to some people however these charges add you quickly and it become expensive before you know it! My monthly bill is usually between $150-$250 (depending on how much I talk) and this bill is just for international calls. In addition, I have a cell phone bill and a home phone bill. I am not rich by any means and I have a lot of trouble affording this type of service.
Since you didn't tell us what country you are calling, it's hard for us to know what the best advice is that we can offer you.
However, generally speaking: If you have a high speed Internet connection, sign up for Skype. Get a SkypeOut account, buy a headset for your computer, and save yourself a LOT of money. If you do not have a high speed Internet connection, try a different calling card company.
At this time, we are recommending that you try out Pingo.com for calling cards.
Side note: At Pingo.com, you can receive $5 in free calls, and get 15% discount. All you have to do is use the Pingo coupon code "s4i"
]]>Unfortunately, the window of time that we could communicate with our families was limited because we had activity-filled days, so there was a narrow band of time in which we could communicate home. As a result of the limited time, and because we were so busy, eventually all of us started to contact home less and less. However the cell phone that was rented in Israel (where we were) was a very good idea. It greatly improved my ability to contact my family, and was also significantly cheaper than calling on a pay phone and more accessible.
I would recommend to anyone going to a foreign country that they rent a cell phone if they want to contact anyone back home. Of course, the better option if you have a computer and an Internet connection is to get a service like Skype, and if you don't have a computer and Internet connection, then the best and most flexible option is to just get a virtual calling card from a company like Pingo.com.
At Pingo.com, you can receive $5 in free calls, and get 15% discount. All you have to do is use the Pingo coupon code "s4i"
]]>I use my VoIP Phone service to call them. Amongst all the choices for International calling, I would recommend VoIP services because not only is calling through VoIP much less expensive, but the quality is good too! I say this while letting you know that I've used calling card and cell phone services for international calling as well, but I have really never been all that satisfied with the quality. Generally speaking, calling cards are almost always more expensive.
]]> Before I signed up with my current VoIP service, I used this calling card for calling the United States when I was still in the Philippines. It wasn't that expensive, but I would have to dial 4 times to finally connect and talk to someone. Then, they always had this automated message that you would have to listen through, and wait while the whole message played, then follow some instructions, then listen some more, then follow more instructions, and then you would finally be able to connect. It was a hassle!So what are the downsides to using VoIP? Well, since it is Voice Over Internet Protocol, it doesn't always work perfectly, depending on Internet traffic and what kind of connection I'm getting. However, I don't really worry about it because for the low monthly payment I am paying, I think I am getting the service I am paying for and more, and any other option for International calling has not been good just as frequently as my VoIP service.
I would rather pay cheaply and have problems sometimes than pay a fortune for a mobile phone or other calling card service that sucks! The one caveat to this is that VoIP services don't work well where you can't get an Internet connection. So, if you are going to be traveling to a place where you can't get an Internet connection, I would recommend getting a calling card, and some of the best ones I have found so far are through Pingo.com.
Pingo.com, you can receive $5 in free calls, and get 15% discount. All you have to do is use the Pingo coupon code "s4i"
]]>The best way to do this is to check with your cell phone provider to find out what it takes to add the country you are traveling to, and add that country in to the calling plan itself. As long as you stay under the minutes limit, this is one of the most cost-efficient ways I have found of making phone calls from another country while traveling.
]]> You can also get a mobile/cell phone that is based on SIM cards, and then swap out your home-country SIM card for one that is based in the country abroad, but we'll talk about SIM cards in a different article.Other options are to get a VOIP system, which is easier if people in the foreign country are trying to call you. A VOIP system basically allows you to take a little box with you which plugs into a phone, and they are convenient, but depending on the infrastructure of the country you are in, they are not the most reliable, and you have to have a high speed Internet connection where you are staying/living.
Calling cards can be expensive, but they are often they most reliable. You just follow the directions on the card, and you are connected. You have to watch that you stay within the limits on a pre-paid card, or it will disconnect you in the middle of the call (which is oh-so fun if you're calling because of an emergency at home, an emergency where you are currently, or simply because you're feeling homesick). Sometimes, if you make a lot of calls, you can arrange to get a discount on international calling cards if you buy them in bulk. There is also frequently the option of charging the phone call to your credit card, which again can be expensive, but at least you won't have to worry about getting disconnected.
Other options, such as satellite phones, are prohibitively expensive. They really don't offer any advantages over a traditional cell phone or a VOIP system, unless you are in a place where there are no Internet connections, cell phone towers, or telephone landlines.
Of the above options, I would recommend the following, in this order.
If you have a high-speed Internet connection (and a computer) where you're staying/living abroad, sign up for Skype.
If you want to be able to call from your GSM enabled phone, add the country where you are going to your calling plan.
If you want freedom and flexibility to stop wherever you are and make a phone call from whatever phone is available to you at the moment, get a virtual calling card from a company like Pingo.com.
The advent of the internet phone, and many internet based phone services, has enabled people all over the globe to call each other for a low fee. Sometimes, the service is free.
This is especially true in cases
]]> like Skype where the caller and the person called each have the service on their computer, and they are actually able to communicate via voice all over the world. Many of these services claim that you can call any phone in the world, but with Skype, I've yet to find a phone number I can't call.For not much more money, you can set up a VoIP phone that will enable you to call internationally using a regular handset in your home or business location. (Although there are now phone models which will allow you to use Skype as well for international calling.) Often times, these companies offer packages with minutes to various countries, so it is important to choose the one that will provide service to the countries that you will be calling. Satellite cell phones allow users to either purchase or rent a phone that will function in their destination countries. This is a good choice when you are taking a vacation or when you frequent another country for business and still wish to call home.
Finally, calling cards are pre-paid and allow users to call anywhere in the world by simply connecting them and deducting amounts from the balance of the card equal to how long they talk. When the value of the card is zero, the user will not be able to make any more calls. This is a common choice for businesses and associates that travel often because even though high speed Internet is widely available across the globe now, sometimes it's still just more convenient to have a phone card easily accessible.
Overall, there are numerous options for people wanting to make international calls. Knowing what you want and how often you want to use it will make choosing which method to use much simpler.
If you're ready for a clean quality international plan, without any equipment to purchase, and one that works on your GSM international phones, then try Pingo.com, a virtual calling card service. You can receive $5 in free calls, and get 15% discount. All you have to do is use the Pingo coupon code "s4i". They play no games and offer great customer support abroad.
]]>Pingo Calling Cards Discount Coupon Code:
Get $5 in free calls, and get 15% discount. All you have to do is use the Pingo coupon code "s4i".
Pingo markets their brand as the last calling card you'll ever need!
Pingo is a prepaid calling card service that saves you big money on long distance calls. Get $5.00 USD in FREE calls just for signing up!
With Pingo Business you can help your whole team (and/or family!) save by managing multiple Pingo accounts under a single administrative account!
Pingo has features which should make your life easier when it comes to calling cards.
PIN-less Dialing with PINpass (Fewer numbers to dial)
Use Pingo in 35 countries
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Get $5 in free calls at Pingo, and get 15% discount. All you have to do is use the Pingo coupon code "s4i".
]]>Remember, you, as an end user, download the dialer to your computer, and it lets you make free calls to anyone via VOIP from your computer (to a Land Line or to another computer which has the software on it).
The company (which will remain nameless for purposes of this article), generates their revenue by running ads in their player while you're on your call.
]]> At first, this seemed like a good idea, but let's investigate a little closer.Some things I always look at when evaluating a company (which comes from the Harvard Business School) are Company, Need in the Marketplace, Product, Compensation, Competition, and Timing.
In this case, the company appears to be a couple of small start-ups that merged and decided they could make some money. This might be good, but the company has no real track record.
As far as the product they offer, and the need in the marketplace for their kind of product/service, the marketplace needs another way to make calls from your computer about like it needs another type of toothbrush (hint: it doesn't).
When it comes to the compensation, how you get paid is extremely vague in the up-front presentation. It could be good, but it's all based on hypotheticals, and doesn't really give you anything concrete.
When it comes to this kind of service, the competition includes Skype, MSN Messenger, Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger, AOL Messenger, Flashtalk, and about 180 other companies which have dialers that offer more service.
And finally, when it comes to the timing of this service, this is really a great idea. Don't you think it's a good idea to be able to make phone calls from your computer? It's why Google, MSN, Skype, and Yahoo, all did it with their versions 5 years ago.
Make sure you evaluate what you're looking at with an open mind, but also, make sure you're asking good questions. This will help you determine if something can help you make money, save money, or just be a waste of money, and (more importantly,) time.
]]>So, being the open person that I try to be, I went and checked it out for him.
At first glance, I could tell right away that it was not only a home based business, but yet another opportunity to join a telecommunications network marketing company, and one marketing VOIP services.
I have no problem with network marketing as an industry. In fact, there are some very good companies within the networking industry, and ultimately, it's how we all buy products and services anyway.
(Last time I went to Sam's Club, I got a jar of pickles that was so big that...)
]]> So basically, with the idea that this company is a network marketing model, you could hypothetically get paid on the calls you make, as well as on the calls made by the people you refer. Those people can get paid on the calls their referrals make, and on and on, etc.But, because it's a computer based dialer, it's not like you're making money from the airtime usage (which is one of the ways the now defunct Excel communications made their money, (from home based phone lines) and paid their distributors).
But here's how this works.
You, as an end user, download the dialer to your computer, and it lets you make free calls to anyone via VOIP from your home or business computer to any Land Line (or to another computer which has the software on it).
The company (which will remain nameless for purposes of this article), generates their revenue by running ads in their player while you're on your call.
There was a program on the Internet that used to be very similar to this called AllAdvantage, which (some people will remember) paid you according to how much time you surfed the web, and how many ads you saw while surfing.
In this case, the distributors and the company get paid paid by advertisers, by the minutes or seconds that their ad displays on your computer. They likely also charge the advertisers by clicks (meaning) you have the ad on your screen while you're on your call, and you decide to click to see what the ad is about. The company then pays that click (let's say through 5-10 levels) to people who recruited people who recruited people, etc.
If the call quality is good, it might be worth it. It just depends on the end user.
I just signed up for Skype though, which only cost me $30/year to have unlimited (and ad-free) calling from my computer to anywhere in the US.
But, for the people who don't mind ads, this particular program appears to be free, and free is generally worth it.
But then, on further investigation of the site, it appeared that you could buy in at higher levels in the compensation plan. When it comes to network marketing, this usually means that they're taking some of what you pay to buy in at those levels, and using it to pay the person who convinced you to sign up at a higher level. This is something I'm never really comfortable with, because people should get paid when products and services are marketed, not when someone pays money to join the business.
"You mean I pay $500 to buy in, and $250 of that goes to the person who convinced me to buy in?"
Oh yeah.
The moral of the story, be careful, and really think, before deciding that the next presentation you attend is going to turn into "the next big thing." Telcom is great, and there are a lot of people making a lot of money by marketing Telecommunications products, but really make sure you know what you're looking at.
]]>However, what you want to watch out for is the fine print (Isn't that always the case?) So, for example, if you look at the average calling card retailer's web site there will be a variety of calling cards which come up for any search you do. Let's take a hypothetical search for rates from the Continental US to Australia.
At first glance, one of the cards to Australia will appear to be the best deal, because it offers the lowest per minute rate. However, if you look into the fine print of these individual cards, what you often discover is that the card which appears to have the best rate to Australia is actually rounding every phone call by four minute increments. This is great if you only talk for 3 minutes and 59 seconds. But, as soon as you talk for 4 minutes and 1 second, this card will count your call as having been 8 minutes.
And when all your time is suddenly used up, and you wonder how the time on the phone could have gone by so quickly (because you thought you got such a great rate to Australia), you suddenly will realize that the 4 minute rounding rate may not have been your best option.
For this reason, I generally recommend that people should read the fine print before making any calling card purchase. Make sure your calling cards are rounding calls to 1 minute increments, or, better yet, 1 second increments. I've seen cards that will round up to 8 minute increments! If the card you are thinking of using doesn't say what rounding method it uses, I wouldn't recommend it at all.
Whether you are purchasing a physical card or a "virtual" card, read the fine print, and find out what rounding method they use, before finalizing your calling card purchase.
Also, one other quick tip: Generally, when calling Europe (or most other places in the world), calling a cell phone is going to be significantly more expensive than calling a land line phone. There are lots of reasons for this, which I won't go into now, but be aware of it. Make sure that if the person you are calling is using a cell phone that you are looking for the cheapest rates for calling cell phones in the country you are calling.
]]>Industrial espionage is another matter of concern. It has been estimated that employees are the culprit in 85% of corporate espionage cases. According to the American Society for Industrial Security, losses as a result of corporate espionage could amount to as much as $63 billion annually. Thus, it is important to have the ability to track the source and destination of a call, as well as the time it was placed and its duration.
Increased and continuous vigilance, such as the development of appropriate policies and closely monitoring telecom usage, can do a great deal to avert such catastrophes. Security threats require fast corrective action. Modern call accounting software systems can circumvent many of these threats. Advanced security features alert personnel about anomalies in usage. With the addition of real-time call detail records (CDRs) and advanced phone bill tracking features, a quality call accounting system can soon pay for itself due to telecom cost savings.
Author, Peter Verhoeff, writes articles on the business benefits of call accounting and call detail record technology. More information can be found at http://www.telsoft-solutions.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Verhoeff
]]>The use of wallpaper is very popular on the new phones that have the larger color displays. You can download and customize screen savers from literally hundreds of different web sites on the internet. The majority of sites that provide downloads do charge a monthly fee for this service. Be sure to check out the 'fine print' before downloading anything for your phone-you might end up paying an exorbitantly high monthly fee.
]]> So, why change the look of your cell phone? The cell phone is now more than a way to communicate. It has become the latest fashion accessory for many people. Most people want to show their individuality and by customizing their phone they are making a personal statement about their favorite sports team, singers, cartoon characters, animals, nature, cars, friends or family members, and many other topics.The ability to customize your cell phone depends upon the make and model you have. Basically, phones made after 2002 offer more features but you need to check with your provider to see what will and will not work on your particular model.
You can even work with a web site that will take your personal photos, help you resize them and transfer them to your cell phones to use as your own personal screensaver. The ability also exists that you can set up your slide show-using dozens of pictures that will automatically change every few seconds.
Not sure how to start? You can work with an internet site to download what you need. Or, if you have a teenager in the house, get them to do it for you. They are the generation "in the know" when it comes to everything electronic-especially the cell phone and its features. They will enjoy teasing you about your inept abilities, but they also like knowing that in some areas they are smarter than you!
Now, what type of wallpaper do you want to put on your cell phone? The options are unlimited-and we do mean unlimited. There is nothing that can not be copied, resized and put on your color screen. Think about how you want to personalize your cell phone and then do it. It has never been quicker or easier to customize your cell phone.
You can even show off your new cellular phone wallpaper to your friends and associates. Amaze them and let them think that you set everything up yourself. Never admit your child did it for you-let them think you are smart enough to do it yourself!
For more cell phone information please visit http://www.cellphonerap.com - a popular cell phone website that provides tips, advice and cell phone resources. Don't forget to check out our page on cell phone wallpaper.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Riley_Hendersen
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