Phonecards On-Line© is Published by Alan Cohen

May 3, 2002

Issue #203

Current Circulation: 2200+

The last issue written was almost eight months ago. I wrote in that issue that almost 4 months had passed, so that makes a total of two issues for an entire year. Considering I used to write on average 50 times per year, that is quite a reduction in production. However, the price is free, so I suppose there really can't be any complaints…and there weren't. I suppose that everyone though this publication just faded into obscurity, which is a reasonable observation.

I've given thought to ending the publication, but it is a really difficult thing to do. However, I am going to give this one more try before ending it. I have collected some news over the past few months, so I will publish it here. If I can get working on a more regular publishing schedule (monthly most likely) I will continue. If I find another season or two pass without an issue, I will then decide to end this publication.

For those that are first time readers, there is an entire archive of the past 7 years located at:

While current activity is almost non existent, there are a few things to note here. First, people are still collecting. I've run several auctions on this list and on ebay, and people are still buying phonecards. Second, a lot of sales are international sales: At least I have noticed this. I still keep a website for retail sales, and many of the orders to go overseas. Most US collector cards issued between 1993 and 1997 had very small print runs. When you send 10 of a card to a different country, that could reduce the available supply of the card significantly if only 500 were issued. Finally, the large hoards of cards that overran the hobby in the late 1990's have pretty much disappeared. There was a time when bankrupt companies like HT Enterprises, STS, and others had lots of cards that flooded the market. This is simply not happening these days, so it does make it difficult for dealers to restock their inventory. All signs do not presently indicate any revival of the hobby in the near future in the United States. However, should that happen, it is going to be a very interesting situation, because there are going to be relatively few of the early cards available, and there will be a lot of dispersion of the cards issued into collections.

I haven't put out a newsletter recently because there has been no news. Telecom New Zealand were hoping to sell the phonecard business and have not released a new phonecard design for over 18 months now. They just keep reprinting the same designs!!

BUT, a sale hasn't happened and the good news is there is a new manager at Payphones and he is, I'm told, a breath of fresh air. There has been a new general issue card set, and rumours of a further 3 sets this year. It's possible that some advertising cards may also be issued, not in limited quantities, but available to all. Things are looking up for the collector.

NEW GENERAL ISSUE:

A 4 card puzzle set called Pacific Art, and a limited edition $50 card that shows the completed picture of all 4 lower denomination cards when placed together. Mint cards are available at face value, and used sets

OTHER GENERAL ISSUE CARDS:

I have been buying up a large number of used cards and can now offer a wider range of used general issue sets, starting with the Commonwealth Games set. In all, there are 18 general issue sets that I have not

And if you would like Telecom New Zealand cards to fill in those gaps or complete those sets, then send me a list.

FOR SALE:

The following new stock of limited edition phonecards are now available. Cards are "one off" and prices are well below catalogue price.

1. A set of remote access cards featuring rally drivers Possum Bourne, Carlos Sainz, Tommi Makinen, Colin McRae.

2. Classic motorcycles including Triumph Daytona, BMW R1100RT, Ducati 916, Harley Davidson Fat Boy.

3. Kiwiana Collector set in presentation folder. Only 650 produced.

4. Fields of Flowers portfolio series. Magnificent 5 card set in presentation pack.

5. On Safari portfolio series. A 5 card set, each card showing a separate animal - elephant, gorilla, rhino, zebra and lion.

Further details are available at

James Moran reported some time ago that the CompuServe Collectibles Forum was closed. This forum saw a lot of activity during the early days (1993-1996) of US phonecard collecting. It is where I first made contact with other collectors and dealers. Although there has not been activity in recent years, it is still sad to see this forum disappear.

Yes, we have promotional news! That has been really lacking in recent years. Refunders used to drive this section of the newsletter, but over the past few years phonecard promotions have been few and far between. Some of these might be outdated, but they still happened in the recent past.

Viva Puff Cookies

I'm not even sure if I told you or not but Viva Puff Cookies in Toronto are giving away 5 minute phonecards in their boxes of cookies.There are 4 different phonecards.

Pizza Phonecards

Just to let you know that here in Toronto if you buy a pizza for $9.99 any size you will receive a 20 minute phonecard from DoubleDouble pizza.The service is from Telemax

From: Cookie Gigans

ET Phone Home

Free, one of three, 10 minute, 20th anniversary E.T. phone cards inside specially marked boxes of "Honey Bunches Of Oats". Card is a soft plastic with a scratch off and is sealed in plastic. Found in K-Mart in San Jose, California.

From: John Slovak

That's it for now! I hope to have another issue out in June. I will be on an extended vacation from mid June until late July this summer (I will still have complete computer access though) so if there is anything you wish to contribute, such as a giveaway, or a perspective, please send it along! Thank you

Alan Cohen

Publisher, Phonecards OnLine.