COLLECT LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE CALLS
SUCH AS 1-800-COLLECT, 1-800-CALL-ATT, 1800COLLECT, 1800CALLATT
Consumer guide to frugal living to long distance phone services
Including telephone, cell phone, telecommunications, telecom, definitions, glossary and how-to information
Original research and information © Copyright Savvy-Discounts.com 2005 except where noted
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TERM: COLLECT LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE CALLS EXAMPLES OF SERVICES: 1-800-COLLECT, 1-800-CALL-ATT, 1800COLLECT, 1800CALLATT DEFINITION: The call placed by the user is paid for by the person who receives the call or a third party if that person gives permission to accept the call. HOW TO CALL: Typically dialing 0 before the number will bring on an automated service that will walk the caller through the steps involved. With 1-800-COLLECT the user will call the 800 number first and then be walked through the steps involved. COST: Low price rates are often over $1/minute plus a surcharge of $5 - $7 for making the call. A 10.7% Federal Universal Service Charge maybe added to interstate calls plus there may be a payphone surcharge if a payphone is used. Collect calls made directly from a payphone can be much higher. BILLING/PAYMENT: The person who accepts the charges will find the collect call listed on their phone bill. Some plans allow another person to pay for the call other than the person to whom the call is made. For example a call from a sister to a brother could be paid for by the parents, if the parents accept the charges. This is known as third party billing. EXAMPLE: Per call surcharge: automated $4.99, operator assistance requested $6.49, third party billed $6.49, rate per minute: $1.15. An additional 10.7% federal universal service charge will be added to interstate calls. Payphone calls will have an additional $0.55 payphone surcharge. A five minute call might be $11.87. NOTE: This is perhaps the most expensive way to make a call. Anyone who needs to call collect should get the person at the other end to authorize a low cost alternative service such as a prepaid long distance service. OTHER LINKS AT THIS SITE: == Tel3Advantage Virtual Phone Card |