glenn@rigel.econ.uga.edu (Glenn F. Leavell) (02/16/91)
An acquaintance of mine gave me an AT&T "CALL ME" Card. The card seems to be a standard calling card with the exception that it can only be used to call one particular number. The calling card number consists of the number to be called plus four extra digits. To call my acquaintance, all I have to do is dial (after connecting to AT&T): 0-222-333-4444 and then xxxx after the tone [bong]. My question: Is there any effective difference between this and personal 1-800 service? If I have the 800 service, I can tell someone my 800 number, and if I have a "CALL ME" card, I can just give them the four digit code. I suppose the billing is different for each service. Glenn F. Leavell Systems Administrator glenn@rigel.econ.uga.edu 404-542-3488 University of Georgia Economics Department 147 Brooks Hall. Athens, GA 30602 [Moderator's Note: They are a lot the same. With an 800 number you can get more wrong numbers than with a Call Me card since it is harder to add the additional four digits on the end, get the whole thing right and still wind up getting the wrong number. If you have Reach Out America then there is a 'calling card option' which lets you associate your calling card (or Call Me card) with your Reach Out account for the purpose of getting calls via the card during plan hours at plan rates. An 800 number is more 'professional-looking' for some people. With a Call Me card although it is restricted by AT&T / local Bell telco to where it can call, sleaze AOS and COCOTs have been known to accept it for billing *anywhere*. Really it is an applications problem. Think over your usage and the pros and cons of going each way. PAT]