News and Views

Telecard Times

Last week, my year in review article lamented the loss of three U.S. hobby publications. Well, the list is now revised to two instead of three, as I found out that Telecard Times is indeed still publishing (and over the past week, the publisher sent me a recent issue to show this, too!) Telecard Times went from a monthly to a quarterly publication in the past. While only two issues were published in 1997, four are planned for 1998, including the first issue, which is planned to be 64 pages long. The publisher stated that in 1999, the magazine would be converting to a catalog. If collectors want to get a hold of an issue of Telecard Times, do the following: Purchase cards from Powell Associates, or Telecard Times directly. Otherwise, send $5 for a lifetime subscription. Besides being a phonecard magazine, each issues comes with a free phonecard produced specifically for the magazine. Past issues featured a U.S. West card, the most recent issue includes a ten minuce card from PTI. In order to receive Telecard Times, call them at (212) 353-1934, or write to them at:

Telecard Times
PO Box 1472
New York, NY 10276

Thrifty/Payless Cash Card

The following is from a recent Thrifty/PayLess Drug Store ad:

"The Rite Cash card gift certificate. One size fits all. This smart card is one smart gift. We'll pre-program the card with any cash value you want. The card can be used instead of cash at any Rite Aid store. Use it again and again until the cash value has been spent."

Based upon an illustration of the card, it appears to be a chip card, blue in color with the words "Rite Cash" appearing in white across the top of the card.

From: Jim Silva

Best Buy Offer

Best Buy in Phoenix had a phonecard in the movie "SCREAM"...there were supposed to be 40 per store.

From: Jaclyn Hartzell

Lucky Stores Phonecard Offer

Lucky Stores (Grocery Store in California and Nevada) is offering a $5 Spree phonecard with the purchase of a $10 or $20 card.

Office Depot Offer

Office Depot is offering a free 10 minute phonecard with the purchase of a 60 minute card, or a 30 minute card with the purchase of a 120 minute card.

Thanks for a great 1997, everyone! I am taking a two week vacation from the newsletter (Only a one week vacation for me though in Nevada) and will be back with the next issue on January 4th, 1998. Happy Holidays!

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.

1) On-Line on the World Wide Web. The address is: http://www.cardmall.com - All back issues are archived at the web site!

2) Direct e-mail. Send a message to: phoneline@cardmall.com

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In the Body of the Message: address, just type UNSUBCRIBE