Phonecards On-Line is written and distributed by Alan Cohen

News and Views

Charity Auction

Why am I talking about this in the newsletter? To start to make everyone aware of this auction, but also to solicit donations from dealers and issuers, as well as collectors! I’ll be placing a number of "unique and interesting" items I have acquired in the auction, but to make this work, I really need everyone’s support. 100% of the proceeds go to The Make-A-Wish Foundation, a specialized children’s charity. There are no operating costs that will be taken out of the total auction count. Donations can be tax deductible, those who choose to donate should consult a tax specialist for information. Make-A-Wish will work with you to document your donation. Finally, to facilitate donations, I am going to offer an original Card Mall Phonecard (Current PCM Listed price is $31) to the first twenty people or organizations that donate at least $100 (retail value) worth of material. Additionally, any company that donates anything for the auction can have their logo displayed on the web page that is being created for this auction. Ultimately, I would like there to be material available for the novice collector, the advanced collector, and everyone in between those designations. If you would like to work with me for a worthy cause, please e-mail or give me a call at (888) 783-MALL to discuss anything related to the planned auction.

Phone Card Shopper

OPAA Makes the jump to cyberspace

Primarily, OPAA disseminates information. OPAA agent members expect to get timely information about ‘How To Sell Long Distance’ and ‘Who’s Long Distance To Sell’. Previously OPAA has attempted to keep this information updated and available to their agent members through their fax-on-demand system and by fielding phone calls. As a non-profit corporation, these old-fashioned methods started taking their toll. OPAA's web site will allow members real-time access to the most up to date information available.

Dan Baldwin, membership director for OPAA stated, "Additionally, keeping a database of over 600 agent members up to date by calling people on the phone is an impossible task for a non-profit organization. We’re asking our existing agent members to re-register their memberships through our automated application on our web site. The phone card is the carrot. We’ve just ordered the cards. We’ll begin shipping in about 30 days."

The offer is limited to 1 card per person. Additionally, while it doesn’t cost anything to become an OPAA agent member, agent membership is subject to acceptance by OPAA's Membership Director. Said Baldwin, "We don’t want to send all the cards out to phone card collectors who register as 1+agents but who don’t really sell 1+."

Contact: Dan Baldwin
One Plus Agent Association
1-619-522-6222, fax 1-800-558-9043

AT&T/NBA Phonecards

Beginning in May, the official prepaid phone card of the NBA will be available through retail, direct mail, a toll-free number and distributors of the AT&T PrePaid Card including several thousand participating Chevron locations.

"AT&T is teaming up with the NBA to add star power to a card that is backed by the strength of the AT&T Worldwide Intelligent Network and the quality and reliability of the AT&T brand," said George Burnett, AT&T vice president. "All prepaid cards are not created equal. People want cards they can use with confidence from a company they trust."

"AT&T's relationship with the NBA has included the AT&T Shootout at All-Star Weekend, grassroots programs and national promotional and advertising campaigns," said Mike Stevens, NBA vice president, Marketing Partnerships. "This expansion of our relationship into the licensed prepaid card category is possible because AT&T's combination of reliability and service make it the perfect partner to deliver a product of this nature to millions of NBA fans."

Players List

30-Minute Cards Brent Barry, Los Angeles Clippers Alonzo Mourning, Miami Heat Anfernee Hardaway, Orlando Magic Clarence Weatherspoon, Philadelphia 76ers Kevin Johnson, Phoenix Suns Mitch Richmond, Sacramento Kings Shawn Kemp, Seattle SuperSonics Karl Malone, Utah Jazz Greg Anthony, Vancouver Grizzlies

15-Minute Cards Dikembe Mutombo, Atlanta Hawks Dino Radja, Boston Celtics Bobby Phills, Cleveland Cavaliers Shawn Bradley, Dallas Mavericks Dale Ellis, Denver Nuggets Latrell Sprewell, Golden State Warriors Vin Baker, Milwaukee Bucks Tom Gugliotta, Minnesota Timberwolves Jim Jackson, New Jersey Nets Clifford Robinson, Portland Trail Blazers David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs Juwan Howard, Washington Bullets

Phonecards at Baseball Games

There are few phone and money card opportunities planned for 97 unless many of the unspecified promo dates yield phone or money cards.

Here's what I found:

• 1) Colorado Rockies - 4/22 - Phone Card (20,000 to be given away)
• 2) Toronto BlueJays - 7/24 - Bell "Hello" Phone Pass (25,000)
• 3) Texas Rangers - 9/17 - GTE Phone Card Night (25,000 to be given away)
• 4) New York Yankees - 6/17 - Subway Series Metro Card (all)

Kansas Collector Club

I would like to organize a collectors club in Kansas, so am trying to reach other collectors here. Anyone interested can e-mail me directly at LISAB@webtv.net.

Pearsons Mints