0002909785@mcimail.com (J. Stephen Reed) (03/05/90)
A colleague of mine at work (National Association of Realtors) participated in a market research survey last week conducted on behalf of AT&T. The proposed product was a combined AT&T/VISA credit card. What he could remember of the possible details included: * Use as both AT&T and VISA card. (Whether AT&T calls and services could go on a VISA account was not clear.) * No separate PIN for AT&T use. (I would see this as being dangerous on its face. Any carelessly discarded carbon would open up the phone network on one's own tab. Not that this isn't a VISA or MasterCard danger now, but does AT&T have the necessary fraud controls? After reading TELECOM Digest for three months, I am skeptical of this.) * Approximately 13.5 percent APR. (An excellent rate in today's market.) My colleague Chuck found this appealing and said that the small group in which he was surveyed liked it as well. About six in ten already used AT&T. About four in ten used AT&T cards. Some asked about availability and were told that this was not yet being test marketed -- this is a preliminary survey. Such a card is appealing and I would appreciate hearing from anyone else with reactions or more information. [Personal aside: This is my first posting to the TELECOM Digest and I am glad I have something at last to put up alongside all the more technical data. Of course, not all of it is tech copy by any means, and that is what makes it interesting to this nonspecialist. I have known Pat Townson for some years now, and I can assure you all -- he has many, many more fascinating anecdotes on the phone network. It's amazing to talk to him. The Digest is a fascinating enterprise as well, and you are fortunate to have Pat moderating it. I am glad my alma mater, Northwestern U, is also being generous in providing facilities for assembling the Digest.] * * * Steve Reed -- Liberty Network, Ltd. -- P.O. Box 11296, Chicago, IL 60611 MCI Mail: 290-9785 (0002909785@mcimail.com) CompuServe: 74766,347 (74766.347@compuserve.com) "I do not believe in democracy, but I am perfectly willing to admit that it provides the only really amusing form of government ever endured by mankind." -- H.L. Mencken * * * [Moderator's Note: Blush. Thanks, Steve. PT]