In my mind, the elections have to be the biggest disappointment. I thought it would be a perfect medium to advertise a candidate or issue. Imagine, every time making a phone call, hearing the candidate’s voice and reminding you to vote for them on election day. I expected this to be available at the National Level, but also expected some local participation. Granted phone time is not cheap, but it could have even been a paper card with five minutes of phone time. I’ve not seen a single one of these cards anywhere! Maybe in 1998, but not this year.
The Post Office selling phonecards was greeted by an enthusiastic response from collectors. Many months after, I’ve not seen one card on the market (outside of the post office) for sale, used or new. While many thought this would get people to use and collect phonecards, I think it failed in its efforts. One problem was that the per minute cost was too expensive for the low denomination cards. The only sort-of reasonable rate was on the $100 card, but not many casual users are going to plunk down $100 for a phonecard. I haven’t, and won’t. The general public (non-collectors) are actually quite smart in determining what is a good value and what is not. I learned this by frequenting Spencer Gifts, where the 25 cents per minute GTI cards sold very well, and the higher priced Sprint Cards did not sell at all.
Baby Bells have made an impact. Same with the Big Three (AT&T, MCI and Sprint) all are doing good jobs of marketing cards to the mass audiences. The confusion that is the telecommunications act may actually benefit prepaid card users. News that Baby Bells will not be allowing AT&T and other charge cards may end up with people using the prepaid variety to escape that mess.
SVC’s are an interesting topic. They swiftly descended upon us over the summer, things seem to be quieter now. I think they do have a bright future, but for now, they are simply not viable. Two words will describe why: Expiration Date. Cash does not expire. SVC’s do. When that discrepancy disappears, they will be more viable. People are used to paying electronically and with cards, so switching to SVC’s will happen.
1st International Phonecard Fair in Greece
In 1992 the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) installed in Greece the public card phones and introduced the first Greek phonecard. During these four years the phonecard became a familiar object of daily use and found its place into the wallets of a vast majority of the Greek public. At the same time the phonecard became - apart from an object of daily use - a collector's item as well, attracting quite a few thousands of Greek collectors, a number that is steadily growing.
1996 marks the 20th anniversary of the birth of the phonecard in the world (Italy 1976) and the 4th anniversary of the introduction of the phonecard in Greece. To mark these two occasions, the 1st International Phonecard Fair is being organized in Greece, under the title "Card Collect".
Many Greek and European professionals from the phonecard industry will participate in the Fair, such as phonecard collectors' shops, dealers, international magazines as well as some Telephone Companies ( such as AmeriVox). Private collectors will also participate in the Fair.
In more than 50 stands the visitor will have the chance to see an impressive variety of phonecards from Greece and all over the world. Furthermore, there will be a whole range of items dealing with the phonecard collecting hobby, such as albums, phonecard catalogues, books, magazines and other related accessories. All the above material will be on sale during the Fair.
Other items of interest during the Fair, will be stands with informative material concerning various aspects of the phonecard (phonecard history, production methods etc.). Furthermore each visitor will be eligible to participate in a prize draw, with a chance to win phonecards and other related materials.
It is worth mentioning that two special "limited edition" cards will be issued on the occasion of the Fair. One from OTE (12.500) and another one from the USA company AmeriVox (1500). The two cards will be on sale only during the Fair. The Fair will be held with the cooperation of the AmeriVox Hellas Co.
The "Card Collect" Fair will be held on the 9th and 10th of November 1996. The venue will be the "Makedonia Palace Hotel" in the city of Thessaloniki.
For more information please contact Mr. Marios Koulaouzidis, Tel/Fax: + 30 31 951780, or write to him at the address: 6 Himarras str., GR-54643 Thessaloniki, Greece.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett said an "assurance of voluntary compliance" filed today in Commonwealth Court also requires Strategic Telecom Systems Inc. (STS) of Knoxville to pay the state $15,000 in costs of investigation.
"Many people view multi-level marketing ventures as an opportunity to get rich quick," Corbett said. "Those people often are disappointed in the results after they've made a substantial investment. Among other things, this agreement ensures that STS will not mislead consumers about their earning potential as an STS marketing program participant."
Corbett said provisions of the assurance:
STS is to report to the Bureau of Consumer Protection on a monthly basis for a one-year period regarding its compliance with the agreement.
The assurance was negotiated by Deputy Attorney General Marcia L. Telek DePaula of the bureau's Erie office. It was signed for STS by its president, A.R. Catinella.
Corbett noted that the signing of an assurance is not an admission of wrongdoing.
From: Jim Silva
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., has introduced a complete line of co-branded prepaid calling cards from MCI and America's largest retailer . As part of a major sales and distribution agreement announced today, MCI will provide a range of services for MCI/Wal-Mart PrePaid Phonecards that will be sold in Wal-Mart stores across the U.S.
Under the multi-million dollar agreement, MCI is supplying Wal-Mart Stores with prepaid calling cards to be sold in more than 2,200 locations nationwide. As part of the agreement, MCI will provide a complete array of advanced network services including long distance transmission; 24-hour a day, 7 day-a-week multi-lingual customer service, card validation and control systems, interactive platform support and development, consulting and program management.
The first is a 10 minute card that is given as a door crasher to the first 500 people into each new store opening. They either have the OFFICE DEPOT of PLACE Logo on the front demanding on the location. We've produced 2,500 to date. The program is ongoing
The latest program is a dual logo OFFICE DEPOT/PLACE with BROTHER on the same card. It is a 15 minute card and given away with each FAX purchase in the store from OCT to DEC.
From: Wayne Silver
From: J. Arnold
From: David Degelman
Until Next Week,
Alan
2) Direct e-mail. Send a message to: phoneline@cardmall.com
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