News and Views

Finish Line Update

After receiving a response from Larry West of Finish Line, and a few others, these cards were indeed available to be seen at the show. They were also given to dealers to promote the Finish Line product, as an incentive to purchase their product.

However, my main concern is still not addressed. I feel that Finish Line should not be offering this 5 minute phonecard to the public for $24.95. West justifies the cost by stating:

"McDonalds licensing agreements are NOT CHEAP and a card printed with (4) four colors on front and back is very expensive, especially when only 750 serial numbered cards are produced."

I have seen the cards in person, and they are nice - However, a company should probably reconsider whether they should produce the card at all. It certainly should not have come close to costing $24 to produce the card. Regardless, hopefully Finish Line will not repeat this again, and get back to what they do best, produce nice looking cards at reasonable prices

More Finish Line News

Finish Line 2 is going to be released soon. Unlike current $2 cards that have 3 minutes of phone time, there will be a minimum of 15 minutes of calling time per pack of 3 cards. At $6.00 per pack, this becomes a great deal. The most you will pay is 40 cents per minute, and you have the opportunity of getting much more phone time. Add that the collectibility of the racing theme, and this product should do well. Finally, production will be lowered for this product. All good news and hopefully good things to come from Finish Line.

Hard Rock Hotel

Here is something that makes every phonecard collector and user cringe - The Hard Rock Hotel first edition card appears to have gone bad. I have dialed the phone number, only to get a message that the number is no longer in service. I have had problems the past week getting through, now the answer appears to be that the card is no longer good. The card does say that it expires a year after last use. The carrier is Quantum Communications. What's interesting is that the second edition cards seem to work. If anyone has a first edition card and wants to use it, call the customer service number on the card.

Mobil Card Update

Kim Kircher reports that the Mobil card that was mention as a giveaway last week is also available in the Rochester, NY area. The card is a 5 minute paper card that is available with the purchase of at least 8 gallons of gasoline. It appears at least for the time being that this is a Central New York promotion

Mobil Go Card

Dan Yarrusso of New York reports that new Mobil Go cards are now available. They show Indy cars, with an ad from Mobil, Marlboro and Mercedes (Three M's!) I have yet to see this card in the Southern California area, but I will be on the lookout for it.

More Gas Station News

Phonecards seem to be popular here in Southern California at gas stations. Chevron advertises Pacific Bell cards, while a generic gas station offers discount cards (with no prices given) Cards are available at malls in vending machines, grocery stores, and even on the radio! I am absolutely convinced that a majority of the public know what phonecards are. What they probably don't realize is what a developed hobby we have. They will eventually know!

GTS Cereal News

"Global Telecommunication Solutions, Inc. ("GTS") (Nasdaq: GTST, GTSTW) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Kraft Foods which will generate approximately $2.5 million. Under the agreement, GTS will develop and manage a "Kids Pick the President" phone card promotion and a second promotion which has not yet been announced. In the initial project, GTS will provide select Kraft's Post(R) brand cereals with interactive voting phone cards which will allow millions of children to vote for their choice for president and will be available on supermarket shelves across the country by August 1, 1996. Details for the second promotion have not yet been finalized but will take advantage of similar telephone technology allowing children to interact in a fun and educational manner. GTS expects to announce this promotion during the fourth quarter of 1996."

From: Joe Clarke

Free card on the Web

On the Internet, go to http://www.filetron.com/freephone/ and sign up for a free 30 minute card.

From: Scott Nemeroff

Casino/CD Phonecard

I just saw a new phone card from the Silver Legacy casino in Reno. It is enclosed with a Compact Disk that has 25 oldie goldie hits on it. Mintage was 1000. I was told they were being issued for Hot August nights for $35 each. I am trying to obtain several. The phone company of issue is Amerivox. The phone card has a color picture of the Silver Mining Machine on it. 5 minutes of calling time included.

From: Marv Weaver

Maxwell House

Yesterday I was in Sam's Warehouse and sealed inside the lid of a 33 oz can of Maxwell House Supreme Coffee was a 5 minute. Card with the classic Maxwell House Logo (Blue background, white letters and the cup with the drop of coffee. I do not know if it is plastic or paper, although a couple had been ripped off already. Also I do not know if you can get it elsewhere.

From: Jim Wertheimer

That's it for now. Until Next Week,

Alan

Distribution

Phonecards On-Line is written and distributed by Alan Cohen. It is a weekly newsletter devoted to phonecards - Current news, viewpoints, and reviews of new issues. It is distributed free of charge, and available two ways.

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