PUBLISHER’S NOTE

NEWS / COMMENTARIES

Beanie Baby Phonecards

Perhaps the most popular product in a long time, Beanie Baby phonecards, has stirred up a controversy over the past few weeks. These cards state right on the front that they are not authorized by Ty, so the question arises as to whether or not they are legally produced. Collectors and dealers have chimed in on both sides of the issue, and there are more questions than answers.

Many collectors have stated that they like the cards, and are not concerned about whether they are legally produced or not. These cards (there have been three produced) feature a picture of a popular Beanie Baby. Dealer Steve Schwartz of Sears Phone Card Dept. states "People have told me that they have forwarded info about these cards to TY legal dept. Also, if you go to the TY pages on the Internet, one of their pages is legal stuff, and they appear NOT to allow this type of unlicensed or unauthorized product." Another dealer, Richard Prill, states "This 'It has a disclaimer on the card' is really all you need to hear to know what was behind making these cards. Using that logic, anyone can go out and make a bunch of Coke and McDonald’s cards and it would be fine as

long as you put a disclaimer on it."

Las Vegas Report

I’ve returned from a weekend trip to Las Vegas to publish this issue of the magazine. I spent more time than I usually do at casinos this time, and have noticed that phonecards are available everywhere. I picked up quite a few different issues while I was there. It seems that hotels have decided that the best place to sell phonecards is from vending machines, since that is where I found all of the cards. New York, New York had quite a few machines over the property. The designs included a view of the hotel, one of the roller coaster, and one that has a taxi design. Caesar’s Palace had a machine in its popular Forum Shops area, including a sign that pointed people to where the machine was located. The design of the card feature a shot from their "Race to Atlantis" show, and is the same regardless of the denomination of the card. I also found a machine downtown at The Lady Luck Hotel. As far as I am concerned, these are the best bet in Las Vegas. For $10 or $20, you will get a nice card.

AOL Phonecard Chat

AOL phonecards chat room - On Tuesday, October 27th at 9PM Eastern, 8PM Central,

McDonald’s Chip Cards Update

From: Ulf Helmke

I have not heard news about any special McDonald´s smart cards here in Germany, however I know that there are McDonald´s restaurants in the Koblenz area in the state of Rheinland-Pfalz that accept the "GeldKarte" for payment. GeldKarte is a moneycard issued by German bank institutes and tied to a check card for checking accounts in most cases. I have yet to see any used disposable GeldKarten that are not from the trials. Banks in my

area (Northern Germany) deny existence of disposable cards, but they might simply not know. While I have not seen the news item reported in POL my guess would be that McDonald´s will accept the GeldKarte in other restaurants, too.

Kerry Wood Baseball Phonecard

From: Ken Barnes, Argo City

Kerry Wood, Chicago Cubs pitching ace, is featured on a new Argo City produced phone card. These will be limited to 1500 cards with 1000 being given out to the first thousand fans who attend the September 1st Williamsport Cubs home game. Pepsi is the supporting sponsor and their logo is featured on the card face. Five hundred additional cards will be sold at the box office for those who cannot make the trip to Williamsport. The

Williamsport Cubs address is P O Box 3173, Williamsport PA 17701. Please direct inquiries there.

PRESS RELEASES

Bell Collector Club VIP Card of the Month

Press Release

The Bell Collectors Club has negotiated with Bell (Canada) and Canada Post Corporation to introduce a new VIP CARD OF THE MONTH "Birds of Canada" to be distributed to all subscribers of Bell payphone cards.

These cash cards are highly valued by collectors since they do not expire and keep their face value till they are used in a payphone. Also known as "Smart Cards" or "Chip Cards" the value of each card is stored in a tiny micro-chip that is activated by inserting into a payphone.

As loyal subscribers (1) set of the new limited edition "Birds of Canada" VIP card set is allocated to the first 250 new members as a bonus for joining.

This first VIP set limited to only 250 (two hundred and fifty sets) will be offered only to new subscribers.

Since this first set of the "Birds of Canada" by Pierre Leduc will be the rarest Bell chip

payphone card, we expect a fast sell-out. Also the theme of birds is one of the most popular among collectors all over the world.

The Bell Collectors Club will then follow-up with another VIP set as the second set to be offered to new subscribers and under consideration at the moment is the popular "Fishing Flies " issued by Canada Post.

Any subsequent VIP sets, subscribers will be allocated one set per subscription at issue prices. Only new subscribers will receive one set free upon joining.

For further information please contact Ted Elias (416) 748-4528 or Donnah DuMouchel(514) 284-8686 or Manny Darnell (416) 585-2273

PROMOTIONAL OFFERS

Q-Tip Update

Q-Tips are on sale this week in Stop & Shop. The 500 size is $2.50 and the ones on display in Milford all had the 10 minute phone card enclosed. Also, there is a .25 coupon in the Sunday Supplement today and $1.00 rebate. (Part of a $5.00 rebate).

From: Jan Cooper

Best Buy Weekly Ad

Two offers appeared in this week’s Best Buy ad: The first involved a free 150 Minute AT&T Phonecard with the purchase of a Quantum Hard Drive. The second offer was for a free 120 minute card with the purchase of a TV/VCR Combo unit. Both offers are mail in rebates.

Until Next Time,

Alan

Distribution

Phonecards On-Line© is published by Alan Cohen. It is a weekly newsletter devoted to phonecards - Current news, viewpoints, and reviews of new issues.

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